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Act 1, Scene 4
Henry VI, Part 2 Translation Act 2, Scene 1
Enter KING HENRY VI, QUEEN MARGARET, GLOUCESTER, CARDINAL, and SUFFOLK, with Falconers halloing
QUEEN MARGARET
Believe me, lords, for flying at the brook, I saw not better sport these seven years' day: Yet, by your leave, the wind was very high; And, ten to one, old Joan had not gone out.
QUEEN MARGARET
Believe me, lords, in seven years I haven't seen better entertainment than hunting waterbirds by using dogs. But the wind was very high, and I bet you ten to one that the old Joan hasn't been able to fly.
KING HENRY VI
But what a point, my lord, your falcon made, And what a pitch she flew above the rest! To see how God in all his creatures works! Yea, man and birds are fain of climbing high.
KING HENRY VI
But your falcon flew very high, my lord, higher than anyone else! Ah, to see how God moves all his creatures! Yes, man and birds like to climb high.
SUFFOLK
No marvel, an it like your majesty, My lord protector's hawks do tower so well; They know their master loves to be aloft, And bears his thoughts above his falcon's pitch.
SUFFOLK
No wonder, if your majesty allows me to say, that my lord protector's hawks soar so high above us. They know that their master loves to be above others, and that his thoughts are at the highest point the falcon can fly.
GLOUCESTER
My lord, 'tis but a base ignoble mindThat mounts no higher than a bird can soar.
GLOUCESTER
My lord, it's your lowly and dishonorable brain that cannot fly higher than a bird can.
CARDINAL
I thought as much; he would be above the clouds.
CARDINAL
I thought as much. He wants to be above the clouds.
GLOUCESTER
Ay, my lord cardinal? How think you by that?Were it not good your grace could fly to heaven?
GLOUCESTER
Yes, my lord cardinal? What do you mean by that? Wouldn't it be good if your grace could fly to heaven?
KING HENRY VI
The treasury of everlasting joy.
KING HENRY VI
Heaven is the place of never-ending joy.
CARDINAL
Thy heaven is on earth; thine eyes and thoughts Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart; Pernicious protector, dangerous peer, That smooth'st it so with king and commonweal!
CARDINAL
[To GLOUCESTER] Your heaven is on earth; your eyes and thoughts are set on the crown. That's the treasure you're after, you wicked protector, dangerous man, who so smoothly flatters the king and country!
GLOUCESTER
What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown peremptory? Tantaene animis coelestibus irae? Churchmen so hot? Good uncle, hide such malice; With such holiness can you do it?
GLOUCESTER
Cardinal, is your office suddenly all-powerful? "Is there so much anger in heavenly minds?" Are the men of church so angry? Good uncle, hide your ill will. How can a holy man behave this way?
SUFFOLK
No malice, sir; no more than well becomesSo good a quarrel and so bad a peer.
SUFFOLK
No ill will, sir. Or no more than is fit for such a good fight and such a bad man.
GLOUCESTER
As who, my lord?
GLOUCESTER
Which bad man do you mean, my lord?
SUFFOLK
Why, as you, my lord,An't like your lordly lord-protectorship.
SUFFOLK
You, my lord! If it please your lord-protectorship.
GLOUCESTER
Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence.
GLOUCESTER
Suffolk, England knows how disrespectful you are!
QUEEN MARGARET
And thy ambition, Gloucester.
QUEEN MARGARET
And England also knows how ambitious you are, Gloucester.
KING HENRY VI
I prithee, peace, good queen,And whet not on these furious peers;For blessed are the peacemakers on earth.
KING HENRY VI
Please, be calm, good queen and don't encourage these enraged men. Because the ones who make peace on earth are blessed!
CARDINAL
Let me be blessed for the peace I make,Against this proud protector, with my sword!
CARDINAL
Let me be blessed for the peace that I make against this proud protector—with my sword!
GLOUCESTER
[Aside to CARDINAL] Faith, holy uncle, would'twere come to that!
GLOUCESTER
[Whispers to CARDINAL] Ah, holy uncle, how could it come to this?
CARDINAL
[Aside to GLOUCESTER] Marry, when thou darest.
CARDINAL
[Whispers to GLOUCESTER] Indeed, when you encouraged it.
GLOUCESTER
[Aside to CARDINAL] Make up no factiousnumbers for the matter;In thine own person answer thy abuse.
GLOUCESTER
[Whispers to CARDINAL] Don't bring any of your supporters into this business. You alone should be accountable for your insult to me.
CARDINAL
[Aside to GLOUCESTER] Ay, where thou darestnot peep: an if thou darest,This evening, on the east side of the grove.
CARDINAL
[Whispers to GLOUCESTER] Yes, if you dare to show up. If you do, meet me this evening on the east side of the forest.
KING HENRY VI
How now, my lords!
KING HENRY VI
What's this, my lords?
CARDINAL
Believe me, cousin Gloucester, Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly, We had had more sport. [Aside to GLOUCESTER] Come with thy two-hand sword.
CARDINAL
Believe me, cousin Gloucester, if your falconer hadn't provoked the fowl so suddenly, we would have had more fun. [Whispers to GLOUCESTER] Bring your heavy sword.
GLOUCESTER
True, uncle. [Aside to CARDINAL ] Are ye advised? The east side of the grove.
GLOUCESTER
That's true, uncle. [Whispers to CARDINAL] Do you understand? The east side of the forest.
CARDINAL
[Aside to GLOUCESTER] I am with you.
CARDINAL
[Whispers to GLOUCESTER] I understand.
KING HENRY VI
Why, how now, uncle Gloucester!
KING HENRY VI
What's going on, uncle Gloucester?
GLOUCESTER
Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord.
GLOUCESTER
We're talking about hawking. Nothing else, my lord!
GLOUCESTER
[Aside to CARDINAL] Now, by God's mother, priest, I'll shave your crown for this,Or all my fence shall fail.
GLOUCESTER
[Whispers to CARDINAL] Now, by the Virgin Mary, I'll shave your tonsure for this, or otherwise all my fencing skills shall fail me.
CARDINAL
[Aside to GLOUCESTER] Medice, teipsum—Protector, see to't well, protect yourself.
CARDINAL
[Whispers to GLOUCESTER] "Doctor, heal yourself." Protector, you do the same and protect yourself.
KING HENRY VI
The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords. How irksome is this music to my heart! When such strings jar, what hope of harmony? I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.
KING HENRY VI
The winds blow high and so do your tempers, lords. This music sounds out of tune in my heart! When such strings sound discordant, is there any hope they'll ever be harmonious? Please, my lords, let me settle this fight.
Enter a Townsman of Saint Alban's, crying 'A miracle!'
GLOUCESTER
What means this noise?Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?
GLOUCESTER
What is this noise? What miracle do you mean, man?
TOWNSMAN
A miracle! A miracle!
TOWNSMAN
A miracle, a miracle!
SUFFOLK
Come to the king and tell him what miracle.
SUFFOLK
Come to the king and tell him what this miracle is.
TOWNSMAN
Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban's shrine,Within this half-hour, hath received his sight;A man that ne'er saw in his life before.
TOWNSMAN
I speak the truth when I say that a blind man at Saint Alban's holy place, has gotten his sight back in this last half an hour. He's a man that has never seen before in his life.
KING HENRY VI
Now, God be praised, that to believing soulsGives light in darkness, comfort in despair!
KING HENRY VI
Now we give thanks to God, he who gives light in darkness and comfort in despair to those that believe!
Enter the Mayor of Saint Alban's and his brethren, bearing SIMPCOX, between two in a chair, SIMPCOX's Wife following
CARDINAL
Here comes the townsmen on procession,To present your highness with the man.
CARDINAL
The men of the town have marched here to show you this man, your highness.
KING HENRY VI
Great is his comfort in this earthly vale,Although by his sight his sin be multiplied.
KING HENRY VI
His comfort is great in this mortal world, although by gaining his sight, he will be subject to more temptations.
GLOUCESTER
Stand by, my masters: bring him near the king;His highness' pleasure is to talk with him.
GLOUCESTER
Stand aside, my masters. Bring him close to the king. His highness would like to talk to him.
KING HENRY VI
Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance,That we for thee may glorify the Lord.What, hast thou been long blind and now restored?
KING HENRY VI
Good man, tell us the details of this so that we may celebrate the Lord in your name. Have you always been blind, has your sight now been restored?
SIMPCOX
Born blind, an't please your grace.
SIMPCOX
I was born blind, as it pleases your grace.
WIFE
Ay, indeed, was he.
WIFE
Yes, he was, indeed.
SUFFOLK
What woman is this?
SUFFOLK
Who's this woman?
WIFE
His wife, an't like your worship.
WIFE
I'm his wife, your worship.
GLOUCESTER
Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst havebetter told.
GLOUCESTER
If you had been his mother, you would have been in a better position to say that he was blind from his birth.
KING HENRY VI
Where wert thou born?
KING HENRY VI
Where were you born?
SIMPCOX
At Berwick in the north, an't like your grace.
SIMPCOX
At Berwick in the north, if your grace pleases.
KING HENRY VI
Poor soul, God's goodness hath been great to thee:Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass,But still remember what the Lord hath done.
KING HENRY VI
You are a poor soul. God's goodness has been great to you. Let not a day or night pass without saying your prayers, but remember what the Lord has done for you.
QUEEN MARGARET
Tell me, good fellow, camest thou here by chance,Or of devotion, to this holy shrine?
QUEEN MARGARET
Tell me, good man, did you come here by accident or because of your devotion to this holy place?
SIMPCOX
God knows, of pure devotion; being call'd A hundred times and oftener, in my sleep, By good Saint Alban; who said, 'Simpcox, come, Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.'
SIMPCOX
God knows that I came here because of pure devotion. I was called a hundred times and more, in my sleep by the good Saint Alban. He said: "Simpox, come, come, make an offering at this holy place and I will help you."
WIFE
Most true, forsooth; and many time and oftMyself have heard a voice to call him so.
WIFE
That's true, really. And I have heard a voice call him that way many times.
CARDINAL
What, art thou lame?
CARDINAL
Are you crippled?
SIMPCOX
Ay, God Almighty help me!
SIMPCOX
Yes, God Almighty help me!
SUFFOLK
How camest thou so?
SUFFOLK
How did it happen?
SIMPCOX
A fall off of a tree.
SIMPCOX
I fell off a tree.
WIFE
A plum-tree, master.
WIFE
A plum-tree, master.
GLOUCESTER
How long hast thou been blind?
GLOUCESTER
How long have you been blind?
SIMPCOX
Born so, master.
SIMPCOX
I was born that way, master.
GLOUCESTER
What, and wouldst climb a tree?
GLOUCESTER
Then how could you have climbed a tree?
SIMPCOX
But that in all my life, when I was a youth.
SIMPCOX
I've only done it that once time, when I was young.
WIFE
Too true; and bought his climbing very dear.
WIFE
That's true! And the climbing has cost him dearly.
GLOUCESTER
Mass, thou lovedst plums well, that wouldstventure so.
GLOUCESTER
God, you must really love plums, in order to do that.
SIMPCOX
Alas, good master, my wife desired some damsons,And made me climb, with danger of my life.
SIMPCOX
Ah, good master, my wife wanted some of them and she made me climb, even though it was dangerous for me.
GLOUCESTER
A subtle knave! But yet it shall not serve.Let me see thine eyes: wink now: now open them:In my opinion yet thou seest not well.
GLOUCESTER
You are a crafty villain! But it won't do. Let me see your eyes. Now wink. Now open then. I think that you can't see well.
SIMPCOX
Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God andSaint Alban.
SIMPCOX
Yes I can, master. As clear as day. I thank God and Saint Alban.
GLOUCESTER
Say'st thou me so? What colour is this cloak of?
GLOUCESTER
Do you say that to me? What color is this cloak?
SIMPCOX
Red, master; red as blood.
SIMPCOX
Red, master. Red as blood.
GLOUCESTER
Why, that's well said. What colour is my gown of?
GLOUCESTER
Well, that's correct. What color is my robe?
SIMPCOX
Black, forsooth: coal-black as jet.
SIMPCOX
It's black. Coal-black as jet.
KING HENRY VI
Why, then, thou know'st what colour jet is of?
KING HENRY VI
Well, how do you know what color jet is, then?
SUFFOLK
And yet, I think, jet did he never see.
SUFFOLK
I don't think he's ever seen jet.
GLOUCESTER
But cloaks and gowns, before this day, a many.
GLOUCESTER
But he has seen many cloaks and robes before today.
WIFE
Never, before this day, in all his life.
WIFE
Never before today, in all his life!
GLOUCESTER
Tell me, sirrah, what's my name?
GLOUCESTER
Tell me sir, what's my name?
SIMPCOX
Alas, master, I know not.
SIMPCOX
Ah, master, I don't know.
GLOUCESTER
What's his name?
GLOUCESTER
What's his name?
SIMPCOX
I know not.
SIMPCOX
I don't know.
GLOUCESTER
Nor his?
GLOUCESTER
Or his?
SIMPCOX
No, indeed, master.
SIMPCOX
No, indeed, master.
GLOUCESTER
What's thine own name?
GLOUCESTER
What's your own name?
SIMPCOX
Saunder Simpcox, an if it please you, master.
SIMPCOX
Saunder Simpox, if it pleases you, master.
GLOUCESTER
Then, Saunder, sit there, the lyingest knave in Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, thou mightest as well have known all our names as thus to name the several colours we do wear. Sight may distinguish of colours, but suddenly to nominate them all, it is impossible. My lords, Saint Alban here hath done a miracle; and would ye not think his cunning to be great, that could restore this cripple to his legs again?
GLOUCESTER
Then, Saunder, stay there, you villain who lies the most in the whole of the Christian world! If you have been born blind, you might as well have know all our names in the same way you name the several colors that we wear. Sight may distinguish between colors, but to suddenly name them all is impossible! My lords, Saint Alban here has done a miracle. Wouldn't you think that his skill is so great that he would restore this cripple his legs again?
SIMPCOX
O master, that you could!
SIMPCOX
Oh, master, if only you could!
GLOUCESTER
My masters of Saint Alban's, have you not beadles inyour town, and things called whips?
GLOUCESTER
My masters of Saint Alban's, don't you have constables in your town and things called whips?
MAYOR
Yes, my lord, if it please your grace.
MAYOR
Yes, my lord, if it pleases your grace.
GLOUCESTER
Then send for one presently.
GLOUCESTER
Then send for one immediately.
MAYOR
Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight.
MAYOR
Sir, go get the constable straight away.
Exit an Attendant
GLOUCESTER
Now fetch me a stool hither by and by. Now, sirrah,if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap meover this stool and run away.
GLOUCESTER
Now get me a stool immediately. Now, sir, if you want to save yourself from whipping, jump across this stool and run away.
SIMPCOX
Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone:You go about to torture me in vain.
SIMPCOX
Ah, but master, I am not able to stand unsupported. You are about to torture me for nothing.
Enter a Beadle with whips
GLOUCESTER
Well, sir, we must have you find your legs. Sirrahbeadle, whip him till he leap over that same stool.
GLOUCESTER
Well, sir, we must make you find your legs. Sir constable, whip him until he jumps over that stool there.
BEADLE
I will, my lord. Come on, sirrah; off with yourdoublet quickly.
CONSTABLE
I will, my lord. Come on, sir, take off your jacket!
SIMPCOX
Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand.
SIMPCOX
Ah, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand.
After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leaps over the stool and runs away; and they follow and cry, 'A miracle!'
KING HENRY VI
O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long?
KING HENRY VI
Oh, God, can you see this and can you endure it for so long?
QUEEN MARGARET
It made me laugh to see the villain run.
QUEEN MARGARET
It made me laugh to see the villain run.
GLOUCESTER
Follow the knave; and take this drab away.
GLOUCESTER
Follow the villain and take this whore away.
WIFE
Alas, sir, we did it for pure need.
WIFE
Ah, sir, we did it because we really needed the money.
GLOUCESTER
Let them be whipped through every market-town, tillthey come to Berwick, from whence they came.
GLOUCESTER
Let them be whipped through every market town, until they come back to Berwick, from where they came.
Exeunt Wife, Beadle, Mayor, & c
CARDINAL
Duke Humphrey has done a miracle to-day.
CARDINAL
Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today.
SUFFOLK
True; made the lame to leap and fly away.
SUFFOLK
True, he made the crippled jump and run away.
GLOUCESTER
But you have done more miracles than I;You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly.
GLOUCESTER
But you have done more miracles than I. You made whole towns run away in a day, my lord.
Enter BUCKINGHAM
KING HENRY VI
What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?
KING HENRY VI
What's the news, cousin Buckingham?
BUCKINGHAM
Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold. A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent, Under the countenance and confederacy Of Lady Eleanor, the protector's wife, The ringleader and head of all this rout, Have practised dangerously against your state, Dealing with witches and with conjurers: Whom we have apprehended in the fact; Raising up wicked spirits from under ground, Demanding of King Henry's life and death, And other of your highness' privy-council; As more at large your grace shall understand.
BUCKINGHAM
My heart trembles to reveal it. A gang of wicked people bent on evil, supported by and in collusion with Lady Eleanor, the protector's wife—the leader and head of this gang—have made a dangerous plot against you. They employed witches and magicians, whom we have caught in the act, raising wicked spirits from underground. They wanted to know when King Henry would die, and others from your highness' council, as your grace shall find out at length.
CARDINAL
And so, my lord protector, by this means Your lady is forthcoming yet at London. This news, I think, hath turn'd your weapon's edge; 'Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour.
CARDINAL
And so, my lord protector, your lady is awaiting a trial in London. This news has blunted the edge of your weapon, I think. It seems like you won't come to your duel at the appointed time.
GLOUCESTER
Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart: Sorrow and grief have vanquish'd all my powers; And, vanquish'd as I am, I yield to thee, Or to the meanest groom.
GLOUCESTER
Ambitious churchman, stop torturing my heart. Sorrow and grief have defeated all my powers and defeated as I am, I surrender to you or to the humblest servant.
KING HENRY VI
O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones,Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby!
KING HENRY VI
Oh God, what mischief do the wicked ones do, so that they pile up destruction on their heads by doing so!
QUEEN MARGARET
Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest.And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best.
QUEEN MARGARET
Gloucester, this corruption in your own family. Make sure that you aren't guilty too.
GLOUCESTER
Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal, How I have loved my king and commonweal: And, for my wife, I know not how it stands; Sorry I am to hear what I have heard: Noble she is, but if she have forgot Honour and virtue and conversed with such As, like to pitch, defile nobility, I banish her my bed and company And give her as a prey to law and shame, That hath dishonour'd Gloucester's honest name.
GLOUCESTER
Madam, I turn to heaven to clear my name. I have loved my king and the country so much. As for my wife, I don't know how things stand; I am sorry for what I have heard, since she is noble. But if she has forgotten about honor and virtue and has been associated with the sort of company that, like pitch, defiles nobility, I banish her from my bed and company. I'll turn her over to the law to be punished and shamed, because she has dishonored Gloucester's honest name.
KING HENRY VI
Well, for this night we will repose us here: To-morrow toward London back again, To look into this business thoroughly And call these foul offenders to their answers And poise the cause in justice' equal scales, Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful cause prevails.
KING HENRY VI
Well, we will sleep here tonight. We'll head towards London again tomorrow, to look into this business properly and bring these criminals to trial. We'll put the case to justice, whose scales are evenly balanced and who always finds out what's right.
Flourish. Exeunt
