LitCharts

Henry VI, Part 3 Translation Act 1, Scene 1

Original

Translation

Alarum. Enter YORK, EDWARD, RICHARD, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Soldiers

An alarm sounds. YORK, EDWARD, RICHARD, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and soldiers enter.

WARWICK

I wonder how the king escaped our hands.

WARWICK

I wonder how the king escaped us.

YORK

While we pursued the horsemen of the north, He slily stole away and left his men: Whereat the great Lord of Northumberland, Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, Cheer'd up the drooping army ; and himself, Lord Clifford and Lord Stafford, all abreast, Charged our main battle's front, and breaking in Were by the swords of common soldiers slain.

YORK

While we followed the horsemen of the north, he tricked us, ran away, and left his men. After that, the great Lord of Northumberland, whose ears were used to the sounds of war and hated for his soldiers ever to retreat, encouraged his spiritless army. He himself, Lord Clifford, and Lord Stafford, all in armor, charged at the front of our battalion. When they got through, they were killed by the swords of ordinary soldiers.

EDWARD

Lord Stafford's father, Duke of Buckingham,Is either slain or wounded dangerously;I cleft his beaver with a downright blow:That this is true, father, behold his blood.

EDWARD

Lord Stafford's father, the Duke of Buckingham, is either killed or hurt badly. I split his helmet visor with a hit directly from above. You can see that it's true, father – look at his blood.

MONTAGUE

And, brother, here's the Earl of Wiltshire's blood,Whom I encounter'd as the battles join'd.

MONTAGUE

And, brother, here is the Earl of Wiltshire's blood. I fought with him when the battle started.

RICHARD

Speak thou for me and tell them what I did.

RICHARD

[To Somerset's head] And you speak for me and tell them what I did.

Throwing down SOMERSET's head

RICHARD throws SOMERSET's head down.

YORK

Richard hath best deserved of all my sons.But is your grace dead, my Lord of Somerset?

YORK

Out of all my sons, Richard deserves the most. But, are you dead, my Lord of Somerset?

NORFOLK

Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt!

NORFOLK

I hope all the descendants of John of Gaunt meet the same fate!

RICHARD

Thus do I hope to shake King Henry's head.

RICHARD

And I hope to deal similarly with King Henry's head.

WARWICK

And so do I. Victorious Prince of York, Before I see thee seated in that throne Which now the house of Lancaster usurps, I vow by heaven these eyes shall never close. This is the palace of the fearful king, And this the regal seat: possess it, York; For this is thine and not King Henry's heirs'.

WARWICK

And so do I. Victorious Prince of York, I swear by heaven that my eyes shall never close until I see you seated in that throne, which has been stolen by the house of Lancaster. This is the palace of the frightened king, and this is the royal throne. Sit on it, York! Because it is yours and does not belong to King Henry's heirs.

YORK

Assist me, then, sweet Warwick, and I will;For hither we have broken in by force.

YORK

Help me, then, my good Warwick, and I will, since we have already broken in by force.

NORFOLK

We'll all assist you; he that flies shall die.

NORFOLK

We'll all help you out. He that runs away shall die.

YORK

Thanks, gentle Norfolk: stay by me, my lords;And, soldiers, stay and lodge by me this night.

YORK

Thanks, noble Norfolk. Stay next to me, my lords. And soldiers, stay and settle next to me tonight.

They go up

They go up to the throne.

WARWICK

And when the king comes, offer no violence,Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce.

WARWICK

And when the king comes, don't be violent towards him, unless he tries to push you out by force.

YORK

The queen this day here holds her parliament,But little thinks we shall be of her council:By words or blows here let us win our right.

YORK

The queen holds her parliament here today, but she doesn't know that we'll be her council. Let us win our right to the throne here—either with words or hits!

RICHARD

Arm'd as we are, let's stay within this house.

RICHARD

Let's stay inside this house, armed as we are now.

WARWICK

The bloody parliament shall this be call'd,Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king,And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardiceHath made us by-words to our enemies.

WARWICK

We will call it the bloody parliament, unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, is king, and shy Henry deposed. His cowardliness has made us well-known to our enemies.

YORK

Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute;I mean to take possession of my right.

YORK

Don't leave me, then, my lords. Be bold! I am planning to claim my right.

WARWICK

Neither the king, nor he that loves him best,The proudest he that holds up Lancaster,Dares stir a wing, if Warwick shake his bells.I'll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dares:Resolve thee, Richard; claim the English crown.

WARWICK

Neither the king, nor he who loves him the most, the proudest one that supports his House of Lancaster, will dare to move, if Warwick threatens to swoop down on them. I'll establish Plantagenet as king—try to unseat him if you dare. Be resolved, Richard! Take hold of the English crown!

Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VI, CLIFFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND, WESTMORELAND, EXETER, and the rest

A trumpet sounds. KING HENRY VI, CLIFFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND, WESTMORELAND, EXETER, and others enter.

KING HENRY VI

My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, Even in the chair of state: belike he means, Back'd by the power of Warwick, that false peer, To aspire unto the crown and reign as king. Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father. And thine, Lord Clifford; and you both have vow'd revenge On him, his sons, his favourites and his friends.

KING HENRY VI

My lords, look where the obstinate rebel is sitting—on the throne! Perhaps he plans to take over the crown and rule as king, supported by the power of Warwick, that disloyal lord. Earl of Northumberland, he killed your father. And yours, Lord Clifford. And you both have sworn to take revenge on him, his sons, his acolytes, and his friends.

NORTHUMBERLAND

If I be not, heavens be revenged on me!

NORTHUMBERLAND

If I am not avenged, heavens take revenge on me!

CLIFFORD

The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel.

CLIFFORD

In hope of that revenge, I'll wear armor instead of black mourning clothes.

WESTMORELAND

What, shall we suffer this? let's pluck him down:My heart for anger burns; I cannot brook it.

WESTMORELAND

What? Shall we allow this? Let's put him in his place. My heart burns with anger and I can't endure it.

KING HENRY VI

Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmoreland.

KING HENRY VI

Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmoreland.

CLIFFORD

Patience is for poltroons, such as he:He durst not sit there, had your father lived.My gracious lord, here in the parliamentLet us assail the family of York.

CLIFFORD

Patience is for cowards like him! He would not have dared to sit there if you father were alive. My gracious lord, let us attack the family of York here in the parliament.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Well hast thou spoken, cousin: be it so.

NORTHUMBERLAND

You have spoken well, cousin. Let's do it.

KING HENRY VI

Ah, know you not the city favours them,And they have troops of soldiers at their beck?

KING HENRY VI

Ah, don't you know that the citizens of London like them and that they have a group of soldiers at their command?

EXETER

But when the duke is slain, they'll quickly fly.

EXETER

But when the duke is killed, they'll run away quickly.

KING HENRY VI

F ar be the thought of this from Henry's heart, To make a shambles of the parliament-house! Cousin of Exeter, frowns, words and threats Shall be the war that Henry means to use. Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne, and kneel for grace and mercy at my feet; I am thy sovereign.

KING HENRY VI

This couldn't be further from my thoughts. To make a slaughter-house of the parliament house!? Cousin of Exeter, I will use frowns, words and threats instead of weapons. You, rebellious Duke of York, step down from my throne and kneel for grace and mercy at my feet. I am your king.

YORK

I am thine.

YORK

No, I am yours.

EXETER

For shame, come down: he made thee Duke of York.

EXETER

For shame, come down! He made you Duke of York.

YORK

'Twas my inheritance, as the earldom was.

YORK

It was my inheritance and so is my right to the throne.

EXETER

Thy father was a traitor to the crown.

EXETER

Your father was a traitor to the crown.

WARWICK

Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crownIn following this usurping Henry.

WARWICK

Exeter, you are a traitor to the crown because you follow Henry who usurped the throne.

CLIFFORD

Whom should he follow but his natural king?

CLIFFORD

Whom should we follow but his rightful king?

WARWICK

True, Clifford; and that's Richard Duke of York.

WARWICK

That's true, Clifford. And his rightful king is Richard Duke of York.

KING HENRY VI

And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne?

KING HENRY VI

So I should stand here while you sit on my throne?

YORK

It must and shall be so: content thyself.

YORK

That must be and shall be what happens. Accept it.

WARWICK

Be Duke of Lancaster; let him be king.

WARWICK

Be Duke of Lancaster and let him be king.

WESTMORELAND

He is both king and Duke of Lancaster;And that the Lord of Westmoreland shall maintain.

WESTMORELAND

He is both king and Duke of Lancaster. The Lord of Westmoreland will stand by that.

WARWICK

And Warwick shall disprove it. You forgetThat we are those which chased you from the fieldAnd slew your fathers, and with colours spreadMarch'd through the city to the palace gates.

WARWICK

And Warwick will disagree with it. You are forgetting that we're the ones who chased you from the battlefield and killed your fathers, and marched through the city to the palace gates with military flags.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief;And, by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Yes, Warwick. I remember it and it makes me grieve. And, I swear by my father's soul, you and your house will regret it.

WESTMORELAND

Plantagenet, of thee and these thy sons,Thy kinsman and thy friends, I'll have more livesThan drops of blood were in my father's veins.

WESTMORELAND

[To YORK] Plantagenet, by the time I've through with you, your sons here, your kinsmen, and your friends, I'll have killed more men than there were drops of blood in my father's veins.

CLIFFORD

Urge it no more; lest that, instead of words,I send thee, Warwick, such a messengerAs shall revenge his death before I stir.

CLIFFORD

You'd better stop talking now, Warwick. Or else, instead of exchanging words, I'll send you a messenger who will revenge Westmoreland's father's death before I even move.

WARWICK

Poor Clifford! how I scorn his worthless threats!

WARWICK

Poor Clifford! How I mock his meaningless threats!

YORK

Will you we show our title to the crown?If not, our swords shall plead it in the field.

YORK

Do you want me to explain my claim to the throne? If not, our swords will make a case for it in the battlefield.

KING HENRY VI

What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown? Thy father was, as thou art, Duke of York; Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March: I am the son of Henry the Fifth, Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop And seized upon their towns and provinces.

KING HENRY VI

What title do you have, you traitor to the crown? Your father was Duke of York, just like you. Your grandfather, Roger Mortimer, was the Earl of March. I am the son of Henry V, who made the French prince and the French people submit and he took over their towns and provinces.

WARWICK

Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all.

WARWICK

Don't talk about France since you have lost all of it.

KING HENRY VI

The lord protector lost it, and not I:When I was crown'd I was but nine months old.

KING HENRY VI

I didn't lose it. The Lord Protector did. I was only nine months old when I was crowned king.

RICHARD

You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose.Father, tear the crown from the usurper's head.

RICHARD

You are old enough now, and I think you're losing even now. Father, tear the crown off the usurper's head.

EDWARD

Sweet father, do so; set it on your head.

EDWARD

Sweet father, do it. Put in on your own head.

MONTAGUE

Good brother, as thou lovest and honourest arms,Let's fight it out and not stand cavilling thus.

MONTAGUE

Good brother, since you love and honor fighting, let's fight it out and not stand arguing here over details.

RICHARD

Sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly.

RICHARD

Let the drums and trumpets sound, and the king will run away.

YORK

Sons, peace!

YORK

Sons, calm down!

KING HENRY VI

Peace, thou! and give King Henry leave to speak.

KING HENRY VI

You calm down! And let King Henry speak.

WARWICK

Plantagenet shall speak first: hear him, lords;And be you silent and attentive too,For he that interrupts him shall not live.

WARWICK

Plantagenet shall speak first. Hear him, lords. And be silent and pay attention too, because whoever interrupts him will be killed.

KING HENRY VI

Think'st thou that I will leave my kingly throne, Wherein my grandsire and my father sat? No: first shall war unpeople this my realm; Ay, and their colours, often borne in France, And now in England to our heart's great sorrow, Shall be my winding-sheet. Why faint you, lords? My title's good, and better far than his.

KING HENRY VI

Do you think that I will leave my kingly throne, where my grandfather and my father sat? No. I'd sooner let war kill everyone in my kingdom. Yes, and their military flags will be my burial sheet. Those flags were often carried in France, and now, it makes us sad to say, they're flown in England too. Why do you lose heart, lords? My claim to the throne is good and much better than his.

WARWICK

Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king.

WARWICK

Prove it, Henry, and you'll be king.

KING HENRY VI

Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown.

KING HENRY VI

Henry the Fourth got the crown by conquering.

YORK

'Twas by rebellion against his king.

YORK

He won it in a rebellion against his king.

KING HENRY VI

[Aside] I know not what to say; my title's weak.—Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir?

KING HENRY VI

[To himself] I don't know what to say now. My claim to the throne is indeed weak.

[To YORK] Tell me, can't a king adopt an heir?

YORK

What then?

YORK

And then what?

KING HENRY VI

An if he may, then am I lawful king;For Richard, in the view of many lords,Resign'd the crown to Henry the Fourth,Whose heir my father was, and I am his.

KING HENRY VI

And if he may, then I am the lawful king because, as many lords saw in person, Richard resigned the crown to Henry IV. Henry IV's heir was my father, and I am my father's heir.

YORK

He rose against him, being his sovereign,And made him to resign his crown perforce.

YORK

Henry rose up against Richard, although Richard was his king, and forced him to give up his crown.

WARWICK

Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrain'd,Think you 'twere prejudicial to his crown?

WARWICK

Suppose, my lords, that Richard gave it up voluntarily. Don't you think that would invalidate his family's right to the crown?

EXETER

No; for he could not so resign his crownBut that the next heir should succeed and reign.

EXETER

No, because he would not have willingly given up his crown except to make sure that the next rightful heir would succeed him and rule.

KING HENRY VI

Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter?

KING HENRY VI

Are you against us, Duke of Exeter?

EXETER

His is the right, and therefore pardon me.

EXETER

York has the better claim to the throne, and so forgive me.

YORK

Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not?

YORK

Why do you whisper, my lords, and not answer?

EXETER

My conscience tells me he is lawful king.

EXETER

My conscience tells me he is the lawful king.

KING HENRY VI

[Aside] All will revolt from me, and turn to him.

KING HENRY VI

[To himself] Everyone will rebel against me and turn to him.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay'st,Think not that Henry shall be so deposed.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Plantagenet, although you claim that it's your right to be king, don't think that Henry will removed so easily.

WARWICK

Deposed he shall be, in despite of all.

WARWICK

He shall be removed in spite of everything.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Thou art deceived: 'tis not thy southern power,Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent,Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud,Can set the duke up in despite of me.

NORTHUMBERLAND

You are mistaken. You're so presumptuous and proud about your powers in the south, but not all of them taken together—Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kent—would be strong enough to put the Duke of York on the throne if I stand in his way.

CLIFFORD

King Henry, be thy title right or wrong,Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence:May that ground gape and swallow me alive,Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father!

CLIFFORD

King Henry, I don't care if your claim to the throne is right or wrong. I, Lord Clifford, vow to fight to defend you. Let the ground open up and swallow me alive, if ever I kneel to the man that killed my father!

KING HENRY VI

O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart!

KING HENRY VI

Oh, Clifford! Your words bring my heart back to life.

YORK

Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords?

YORK

Henry of Lancaster, give up your crown. What are you muttering about, or what are you conspiring, lords?

WARWICK

Do right unto this princely Duke of York,Or I will fill the house with armed men,And over the chair of state, where now he sits,Write up his title with usurping blood.

WARWICK

Give up the throne to this noble Duke of York. If not, I will fill this Parliament House with armed soldiers, and I'll write the Duke's title above the throne he now sits on with the blood of the usurping Henry.

He stamps with his foot and the soldiers show themselves

WARWICK stamps his foot and the soldiers reveal themselves.

KING HENRY VI

My Lord of Warwick, hear me but one word:Let me for this my life-time reign as king.

KING HENRY VI

My Lord of Warwick, listen to just one word. Let me rule as king for my lifetime.

YORK

Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs,And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou livest.

YORK

If you leave the crown to me and my heirs after you die, we'll let you rule in peace for the rest of your life.

KING HENRY VI

I am content: Richard Plantagenet,Enjoy the kingdom after my decease.

KING HENRY VI

I am satisfied. Richard Plantagenet, you can have the kingdom after my death.

CLIFFORD

What wrong is this unto the prince your son!

CLIFFORD

You do a great wrong to your son, the prince!

WARWICK

What good is this to England and himself!

WARWICK

But it's good for England and the king himself!

WESTMORELAND

Base, fearful and despairing Henry!

WESTMORELAND

Unworthy, fearful and despairing Henry!

CLIFFORD

How hast thou injured both thyself and us!

CLIFFORD

How you have hurt both yourself and us!

WESTMORELAND

I cannot stay to hear these articles.

WESTMORELAND

I can't stay to hear the terms of agreement.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Nor I.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Neither can I.

CLIFFORD

Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these news.

CLIFFORD

Come, friend, and let us tell the queen these news.

WESTMORELAND

Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king,In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides.

WESTMORELAND

Goodbye, you timid and wretched king. There is no honor at all in your weak blood.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Be thou a prey unto the house of York,And die in bands for this unmanly deed!

NORTHUMBERLAND

I hope you'll be fall prey to the House of York and die in chains for this unmanly decision!

CLIFFORD

In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome,Or live in peace abandon'd and despised!

CLIFFORD

I hope you'll be killed in a terrible war or else live in peace but abandoned and despised!

Exeunt NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and WESTMORELAND

NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and WESTMORELAND exit.

WARWICK

Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not.

WARWICK

Look this way, Henry, and don't pay attention to them.

EXETER

They seek revenge and therefore will not yield.

EXETER

They are looking for revenge so they won't give up.

KING HENRY VI

Ah, Exeter!

KING HENRY VI

Ah, Exeter!

WARWICK

Why should you sigh, my lord?

WARWICK

Why do you sigh, my lord?

KING HENRY VI

Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son, Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. But be it as it may: I here entail The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever; Conditionally, that here thou take an oath To cease this civil war, and, whilst I live, To honour me as thy king and sovereign, And neither by treason nor hostility To seek to put me down and reign thyself.

KING HENRY VI

Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but for my son. I have unnaturally disinherited him. But it is what it is. I here bequeath the crown to you and to your heirs forever. Under this condition: that you swear to me here to stop this civil war and to honor me as your king while I live. And that you promise not to attempt to overthrow me and rule yourself, either by committing treason or declaring open war against me.

YORK

This oath I willingly take and will perform.

YORK

I will gladly take this oath and keep it.

WARWICK

Long live King Henry! Plantagenet embrace him.

WARWICK

Long live King Henry! Embrace him, Plantagenet.

KING HENRY VI

And long live thou and these thy forward sons!

KING HENRY VI

And long live you and these eager sons of yours!

YORK

Now York and Lancaster are reconciled.

YORK

Now York and Lancaster have made peace.

EXETER

Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes!

EXETER

Cursed be he who tries to make them enemies!

Sennet. Here they come down

There is a trumpet call signaling a procession. York and his sons come down from the throne here.

YORK

Farewell, my gracious lord; I'll to my castle.

YORK

Goodbye, my gracious lord. I'll go to my castle.

WARWICK

And I'll keep London with my soldiers.

WARWICK

And I'll stay in London with my soldiers.

NORFOLK

And I to Norfolk with my followers.

NORFOLK

And I'll go to Norfolk with my followers.

MONTAGUE

And I unto the sea from whence I came.

MONTAGUE

And I'll go to the sea where I came from.

Exeunt YORK, EDWARD, EDMUND, GEORGE, RICHARD, WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, their Soldiers, and Attendants

YORK, EDWARD, EDMUND, GEORGE, RICHARD, WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, their Soldiers, and Attendants all exit.

KING HENRY VI

And I, with grief and sorrow, to the court.

KING HENRY VI

And I'll go to the court with my grief and sorrow.

Enter QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD

QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD enter.

EXETER

Here comes the queen, whose looks bewray her anger:I'll steal away.

EXETER

Here comes the queen and her looks give away her anger. I'll slip away.

KING HENRY VI

Exeter, so will I.

KING HENRY VI

Exeter, so will I.

QUEEN MARGARET

Nay, go not from me; I will follow thee.

QUEEN MARGARET

No, don't go away from me. I will follow you.

KING HENRY VI

Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay.

KING HENRY VI

Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay.

QUEEN MARGARET

Who can be patient in such extremes? Ah, wretched man! would I had died a maid And never seen thee, never borne thee son, Seeing thou hast proved so unnatural a father. Hath he deserved to lose his birthright thus? Hadst thou but loved him half so well as I, Or felt that pain which I did for him once, Or nourish'd him as I did with my blood, Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there, Rather than have that savage duke thine heir And disinherited thine only son.

QUEEN MARGARET

Who can be patient in such extreme situations? Ah, you wretched man! I wish I had died a virgin and never had seen you or given birth to your son, now that you've proven to be such an unloving father. Has he deserved to lose his inheritance like this? If you had loved him half as much as I do, or felt my labor pains, or nursed him with my breast milk, you would have shed blood from your heart rather than make that barbarous duke your heir and disinherit your only son.

PRINCE EDWARD

Father, you cannot disinherit me:If you be king, why should not I succeed?

PRINCE EDWARD

Father, you can't disinherit me! If you are the king, why shouldn't I be next in line for the throne?

KING HENRY VI

Pardon me, Margaret; pardon me, sweet son:The Earl of Warwick and the duke enforced me.

KING HENRY VI

I am sorry, Margaret. I am sorry, my sweet son. The Earl of Warwick and the duke forced me to do it.

QUEEN MARGARET

Enforced thee! art thou king, and wilt be forced? I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch! Thou hast undone thyself, thy son and me; And given unto the house of York such head As thou shalt reign but by their sufferance. To entail him and his heirs unto the crown, What is it, but to make thy sepulchre And creep into it far before thy time? Warwick is chancellor and the lord of Calais; Stern Falconbridge commands the narrow seas; The duke is made protector of the realm; And yet shalt thou be safe? such safety finds The trembling lamb environed with wolves. Had I been there, which am a silly woman, The soldiers should have toss'd me on their pikes Before I would have granted to that act. But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honour: And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed, Until that act of parliament be repeal'd Whereby my son is disinherited. The northern lords that have forsworn thy colours Will follow mine, if once they see them spread; And spread they shall be, to thy foul disgrace And utter ruin of the house of York. Thus do I leave thee. Come, son, let's away; Our army is ready; come, we'll after them.

QUEEN MARGARET

Forced you! Are you a king who will be forced? I am ashamed to hear you speak. Ah, fearful rascal! You have ruined yourself, your son, and me. And you have given so much free rein to the house of York that now you rule with their permission. Leaving the throne to him and his heirs can only mean that you're digging your own grave and creeping into it long before your time? Warwick is chancellor and the lord of Calais, stern Falconbridge rules over the seas, the duke is the protector of the country and yet you think you're safe? This is a safety that's like when a shaking lamb is surrounded by wolves. If I—a silly woman—had been there, the soldiers would have thrown my head on their spears before I would have made this agreement. But you care more about your life than your honor. Because I have seen that now, I divorce myself from you here, both from your royal table, Henry, and from your bed, until this parliamentary act disinheriting my son is revoked. The northern lords that have falsely sworn their loyalty to you will follow my own flag once they see it fly. And it will be flown indeed, which will disgrace you and utterly ruin the House of York. And so I leave you with that thought. Come, son, let's go. Our army is ready. Come, we'll follow them.

KING HENRY VI

Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.

KING HENRY VI

Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.

QUEEN MARGARET

Thou hast spoke too much already: get thee gone.

QUEEN MARGARET

You have spoken too much already. Get lost.

KING HENRY VI

Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me?

KING HENRY VI

Gentle son Edward, will you stay with me?

QUEEN MARGARET

Ay, to be murder'd by his enemies.

QUEEN MARGARET

Yes, to be murdered by his enemies.

PRINCE EDWARD

When I return with victory from the fieldI'll see your grace: till then I'll follow her.

PRINCE EDWARD

When I return victorious from the battlefield, I'll come see you. Until then, I'll stick with her.

QUEEN MARGARET

Come, son, away; we may not linger thus.

QUEEN MARGARET

Come, son, let's go. We can't stay here any longer.

Exeunt QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD

QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD exit.

KING HENRY VI

Poor queen! how love to me and to her son Hath made her break out into terms of rage! Revenged may she be on that hateful duke, Whose haughty spirit, winged with desire, Will cost my crown, and like an empty eagle Tire on the flesh of me and of my son! The loss of those three lords torments my heart: I'll write unto them and entreat them fair. Come, cousin you shall be the messenger.

KING HENRY VI

Poor queen! It's love for me and her son that has made her express this great rage! I hope she'll be revenged d on that hateful duke, whose arrogance, combined with desire for power, will deprive me of my crown. Like a hungry eagle, he will feed on the body of me and of my son! The loss of those three lords troubles me greatly. I'll write to them and plead with them to come back to me. Come, friend, you will be my messenger.

EXETER

And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all.

EXETER

And I, I hope, that I can make peace between them all.

Exeunt

All exit.