Previous
Act 1, Scene 3
Henry VI, Part 2 Translation Act 1, Scene 4
Enter MARGARET JOURDAIN, HUME, SOUTHWELL, and BOLINGBROKE
HUME
Come, my masters; the duchess, I tell you, expectsperformance of your promises.
HUME
Come on, everyone! I tell you, the duchess is expecting quite a show based on what you promised her.
BOLINGBROKE
Master Hume, we are therefore provided: will herladyship behold and hear our exorcisms?
BOLINGBROKE
Master Hume, we are ready for that. Will her ladyship come to see and hear us summon the spirit?
HUME
Ay, what else? Fear you not her courage.
HUME
Yes, what else would she do? Don't doubt her courage.
BOLINGBROKE
I have heard her reported to be a woman of an invincible spirit: but it shall be convenient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go, in God's name, and leave u s.
BOLINGBROKE
I have heard that she is a woman of an unbreakable spirit. But it might be good if you and her stand above us and watch, while we're busy below. And so please, in God's name, go and leave us.
Exit HUME
BOLINGBROKE
Mother Jourdain, be youprostrate and grovel on the earth; John Southwell,read you; and let us to our work.
BOLINGBROKE
Mother Jourdain, lay down on the floor and crawl on the ground. John Southwell, you read. Let's get to work.
Enter the DUCHESS aloft, HUME following
DUCHESS
Well said, my masters; and welcome all. To thisgear the sooner the better.
DUCHESS
That's well said, my masters. And welcome to you all. The sooner this business is started, the better.
BOLINGBROKE
Patience, good lady; wizards know their times: Deep night, dark night, the silent of the night, The time of night when Troy was set on fire; The time when screech-owls cry and ban-dogs howl, And spirits walk and ghosts break up their graves, That time best fits the work we have in hand. Madam, sit you and fear not: whom we raise, We will make fast within a hallow'd verge.
BOLINGBROKE
Be patient, good lady. Wizards know when it's the best time. Deep night, dark night, silent night, the time of night when Troy was set on fire, the time when barn owls cry and watchdogs howl, when spirits walk and ghosts come out of their graves—that's the time that 's best for the work we are doing here. Sit yourself down, madam, and don't be afraid. Whoever it is that we raise, we will confine them within the magic circle.
Here they do the ceremonies belonging, and make the circle; BOLINGBROKE or SOUTHWELL reads, Conjuro te, & c. It thunders and lightens terribly; then the Spirit riseth
SPIRIT
Adsum.
SPIRIT
I am here.
MARGARET JOURDAIN
Asmath, By the eternal God, whose name and power Thou tremblest at, answer that I shall ask; For, till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence.
MARGARET JOURDAIN
Satan, answer what I ask by the eternal God, whose name and power makes you tremble. Until you speak, you won't leave this place.
SPIRIT
Ask what thou wilt. That I had said and done!
SPIRIT
Ask whatever you want. I wish that I had answered it and could be done with this!
BOLINGBROKE
[Reads out of a paper] 'First of the king: what shall of him become?'
BOLINGBROKE
[Reads out from a paper] "At first, about the king: what will happen to him?"
SPIRIT
The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose;But him outlive, and die a violent death.
SPIRIT
Although the duke that Henry shall depose still lives, Henry will outlive him and he will die a violent death.
As the Spirit speaks, SOUTHWELL writes the answer
BOLINGBROKE
'What fates await the Duke of Suffolk?'
BOLINGBROKE
"What will happen to the Duke of Suffolk?"
SPIRIT
By water shall he die, and take his end.
SPIRIT
He will die by water.
BOLINGBROKE
'What shall befall the Duke of Somerset?'
BOLINGBROKE
"What will happen to the Duke of Somerset?"
SPIRIT
Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains Than where castles mounted stand. Have done, for more I hardly can endure.
SPIRIT
He should avoid castles. He'll be safer on the sandy lands than where castles stand on a hill. That's all. I can't take any more.
BOLINGBROKE
Descend to darkness and the burning lake!False fiend, avoid!
BOLINGBROKE
Go down to the darkness and the burning lake! Be gone, treacherous demon!
Thunder and lightning. Exit Spirit
Enter YORK and BUCKINGHAM with their Guard and break in
YORK
Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash. Beldam, I think we watch'd you at an inch. What, madam, are you there? The king and commonweal Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains: My lord protector will, I doubt it not, See you well guerdon'd for these good deserts.
YORK
Arrest these traitors and take away their rubbish. Witch, we've been watching you very closely. [To DUCHESS] What, are you there, madam? The king and the commonwealth are very thankful to you for this trouble you have taken. I am sure that my lord protector will see you well rewarded for these good actions.
DUCHESS
Not half so bad as thine to England's king,Injurious duke, that threatest where's no cause.
DUCHESS
My actions aren't half as bad as yours towards the king of England, you insulting duke that threatens me for no reason.
BUCKINGHAM
True, madam, none at all: what call you this? Away with them! Let them be clapp'd up close. And kept asunder. You, madam, shall with us. Stafford, take her to thee.
BUCKINGHAM
That's true, madam. No reason at all. What do you call all this? Take them away! Lock them up under close guard, and make sure they're in solitary confinement. Madam, you shall come with us. Stafford, take her with you.
Exeunt above DUCHESS and HUME, guarded
BUCKINGHAM
We'll see your trinkets here all forthcoming.All, away!
BUCKINGHAM
We'll make sure that all your silly trinkets here are kept safe and ready to be shown as evidence in court. Go away, all of you!
Exeunt guard with MARGARET JOURDAIN, SOUTHWELL, & c
YORK
Lord Buckingham, methinks, you watch'd her well: A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon! Now, pray, my lord, let's see the devil's writ. What have we here?
YORK
Lord Buckingham, I think that you watched her closely enough. It's a cunning scheme, and a good foundation to build on! Now please, my lord, let's see the what the devil has written.[Picks up paper] What do we have here?
YORK
[Reads] 'The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose; But him outlive, and die a violent death.' Why, this is just 'Aio te, AEacida, Romanos vincere posse.' Well, to the rest: 'Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk? By water shall he die, and take his end. What shall betide the Duke of Somerset? Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains Than where castles mounted stand.' Come, come, my lords; These oracles are hardly attain'd, And hardly understood. The king is now in progress towards Saint Alban's, With him the husband of this lovely lady: Thither go these news, as fast as horse can carry them: A sorry breakfast for my lord protector.
YORK
[Reads] "Although the duke that Henry shall depose still lives, Henry will outlive him and he will die a violent death." This is exactly like "I proclaim that you, the descendant of Aeacus, can conquer the Romans". Well, let's see the rest. "What will happen to the Duke of Suffolk? He shall die by water. What will happen to the Duke of Somerset? He should avoid castles. He'll be safer on the sandy lands than where castles stand on a hill." Come on, my lords, after all this trouble, these prophecies make no sense. The king is now on his way towards Saint Alban's and the husband of this lovely lady is with him. Let's bring them this news, as fast as horse can carry us. It will be a sad breakfast for my lord protector.
BUCKINGHAM
Your grace shall give me leave, my Lord of York,To be the post, in hope of his reward.
BUCKINGHAM
Please, my Lord of York, let me be the messenger. I'm hoping I'll get a reward from him.
YORK
At your pleasure, my good lord. Who's withinthere, ho!
YORK
As you wish, my good lord. Hey, who's there?
Enter a Servingman
YORK
Invite my Lords of Salisbury and WarwickTo sup with me to-morrow night. Away!
YORK
Invite my Lords of Salisbury and Warwick to have dinner with me tomorrow night. Go!
Exeunt
