SCENE I. Saint Alban's.

Enter King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, GLOSTER, CARDINAL, and SUFFOLK, with Falconers, hollaing. 'Q. Mar. 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. 'K. Hen. 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 2) of climbing high. Suf. 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. 'Glo. My lord, 'tis but a base ignoble mind "That mounts no higher than a bird can soar. 'Car. I thought as much; he'd be above the clouds. 'Glo. Ay, my lord cardinal; How think you by that? Were it not good, your grace could fly to heaven? *K. Hen. The treasury of everlasting joy!

'Car. Thy heaven is on earth; thine eyes and thoughts

'Beat on a crown, 3) the treasure of thy heart; Pernicious protector, dangerous peer,

That smooth'st it so with king and commonweal! 'Glo. What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown peremptory?

'Tantæne animis cœlestibus ira?

"Churchmen so hot? good uncle, hide such malice; "With such holiness can you do it?

'Suf. No malice, sir; no more than well becomes 'So good a quarrel, and so bad a peer. Glo. As who, my lord? Suf Why, as you, my lord; An't like your lordly lord-protectorship. Glo. Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence. Q. Mar. And thy ambition, Gloster. K. Hen. I pr'ythee, peace, Good queen: and whet not on these furious peers, For blessed are the peacemakers on earth. Car. Let me be blessed for the peace I make, Against this proud protector with my sword! Glo. 'Faith, holy uncle, 'would 'twere come to that! [Aside to the CARDINAL. 'Car. Marry, when thou dar'st. [Aside. 'Glo. Make up no factious numbers for the matter, 'In thine own person answer thy abuse. [Aside. 'Car. Ay, where thou dar'st not peep: an if thou dar'st,

"This evening, on the east side of the grove. [Aside. 'K. Hen. How now, my lords? 'Car. Believe me, cousin Gloster, 'Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly, "We had had more sport. Come with thy two[Aside to GLO.

hand sword.

Glo. True, uncle.

-

Car. Are you advis'd? — the east side of the grove? Glo. Cardinal, I am with you.

Aside.

K. Hen. Why, how now, uncle Gloster! 'Glo. Talking of hawking: nothing else, my lord.

||

*When such strings jar, what hope of harmony?
I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.
Enter an Inhabitant of Saint Alban's, crying
A miracle! 5)

Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?

Glo. What means this noise?

Inhab. A miracle! a miracle!

Suf. Come to the king, and tell him what miracle. Inhab. Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban's shrine, Within this half hour, hath receiv'd his sight; A man, that ne'er saw in his life before. 'K. Hen. Now, God be prais'd! that to believing souls

'Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair!

Enter the Mayor of Saint Alban's, and his Brethren; and SIMPCox, borne between two Persons in a Chair; his Wife and a great Multitude following. *Car. Here come the townsmen on procession, To present your highness with the man. *K. Hen. Great is his comfort in this earthly vale, Although by his sight his sin be multiplied. *Glo. Stand by, my masters, bring him near the king,

*His highness' pleasure is to talk with him.

*K. Hen. Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance, "That we for thee may glorify the Lord. What, hast thou been long blind, and now restor❜d? Simp. Born blind, an't please your grace. Wife. Ay, indeed, was he.

Suf. What woman is this?

Wife. His wife, an't like your worship.

Glo. Had'st thou been his mother, thou could'st have better told.

K. Hen. Where wert thou born? Simp. At Berwick in the north, an't like your grace. 'K. Hen. 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. *Q. Mar. Tell me, good fellow, cam'st thou here by chance,

'Or of devotion, to this holy shrine?

'Simp. God knows, of pure devotion: being call'd "A hundred times, and oft'ner, in my sleep 'By good Saint Alban; who said, Simpcox, come; Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee. *Wife. Most true, forsooth; and many time and oft *Myself have heard a voice to call him so. Car. What, art thou lame? Simp.

Ay, God Almighty help me!

Suf. How cam'st thou so? Simp.

Wife. A plum-tree, master.

A fall off of a tree.

Glo.
How long hast thou been blind?
Simp. O, born so, master.
Glo.
What, and would'st climb a tree?
Simp. But that in all my life, when I was a youth.
*Wife. Too true; and bought his climbing very dear.
*Glo. 'Mass, thou lov'dst plums, well, that would'st

venture so.

for this,

*Glo. A subtle knave! but yet it shall not serve. Let me see thine eyes: wink now; now open

them:

In my opinion, yet thou see'st not well.

'Simp. Yes, master, clear as day; I thank God,

and Saint Alban.

Glo. Say'st thou me so? What colour is this cloak of?

'Have practis'd dangerously against your state,

Simp. Black, forsooth; coal-black, as jet.

'Whom we have apprehended in the fact; 'Raising up wicked spirits from under ground,

Glo. What's his name?

Simp. I know not.

Glo. Nor his?

Simp. No, indeed, master.

Glo. What's thine own name?

Simp. Saunder Simpcox, an if it please you, master. Glo. Then, Saunder, sit thou there, ') the lying'st knave

In Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, Thou might'st as well have known our names, 7)

as thus

To name the several colours we do wear.
Sight may distinguish of colours; but suddenly
To nominate them all, 's impossible. -)
My lords, Saint Alban here hath done a miracle;
And would ye not think that cunning to be great,
That could restore this cripple to his legs again?
Simp. O, master, that you could!

Glo. My masters of Saint Alban's, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips? May. Yes, my lord, if it please your grace. Glo. Then send for one presently. May. Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight. [Exit an Attendant. Glo. Now fetch me a stool hither by and by. [4 stool brought out.] Now, sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap me over this stool, and run away.

Simp. Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone; You go about to torture me in vain.

Re-enter Attendant, with the Beadle. Glo. Well, sir, we must have you find your legs. Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stool.

Come on, sirrah; off with

Bead. I will, my lord. your doublet quickly. Simp. Alas, 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 the People follow, and cry, A miracle!

'K. Hen. O God, see'st thou this, and bear'st so long?

*Q. Mar. It made me laugh, to see the villain run. *Glo. Follow the knave; and take this drab away. *Wife. Alas, sir, we did it for pure need. Glo. Let them be whipped through every market town, till they come to Berwick, whence they came. [Exeunt Mayor, Beadle, Wife, &c. "Car. Duke Humphrey has done a miracle to-day. Suf. True; made the lame to leap, and fly away. 'Glo. But you have done more miracles than I; 'You made, in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly. Enter BUCKINGHAM.

'K. Hen. What tidings with our cousin Buckingham? 'Buck. Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold. 'A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent, — 9) "Under the countenance and confederacy 'Of lady Eleanor, the protector's wife, "The ringleader and head of all this rout,

'And other of your highness' privy council, 'As more at large your grace shall understand. 'Car. And so, my lord protector, by this means "Your lady is forthcoming 1") yet at London. "This news, I think, hath turn'd your weapon's edge; "Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour. [Aside to GLOSTER. 'Glo. 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.

*K. Hen. O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones;

*Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby! 'Q. Mar. Gloster, see here the tainture of thy nest: *And, look, thyself be faultless, thou wert best. 'Glo. Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal, 'How I have lov'd 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 convers'd 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 Gloster's honest name. 'K. Hen. 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. [Flourish. Exeunt.

SCENE II.

London. The Duke of York's Garden. Enter YORK, SALISBURY, and WARWICK. "York. Now, my good lords of Salisbury and Warwick,

'Our simple supper ended, give me leave,
'In this close walk, to satisfy myself,
'In craving your opinion of my title,
"Which is infallible, to England's crown.

Sal. My lord, I long to hear it at full.
War. Sweet York, begin: and if thy claim be good,
The Nevils are thy subjects to command.
York. Then thus:

'Edward the third, my lords, had seven sons; "The first, Edward the Black Prince, prince of Wales; The second, William of Hatfield; and the third, 'Lionel, duke of Clarence; next to whom Was John of Gaunt, the duke of Lancaster: "The fifth, was Edmond Langley, duke of York; "The sixth, was Thomas of Woodstock, duke of Gloster;

William of Windsor was the seventh and last. 'Edward, the Black Prince, died before his father; And left behind him Richard, his only son, 'Who, after Edward the third's death, reigned as king;

"Till Henry Bolingbroke, duke of Lancaster, "The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt, 'Crown'd by the name of Henry the fourth, 'Seiz'd on the realm; depos'd the rightful king; 'Sent his poor queen to France, from whence she

came,

'And him to Pomfret; where, as all you know, 'Harmless Richard was murder'd traitorously. 'War. Father, the duke hath told the truth; "Thus got the house of Lancaster the crown. York. Which now they hold by force, and not by right;

*For Richard, the first son's heir being dead, "The issue of the next son should have reign'd. *Sal. But William of Hatfield died without an heir. York. The third son, duke of Clarence, (from whose line

'I claim the crown,) had issue - Philippe, a daughter, "Who married Edmund Mortimer, earl of March, *Edmund had issue - Roger, earl of March: "Roger had issue Edmund, Anne, and Eleanor. 'Sal. This Edmund, in the reign of Bolingbroke, 'As I have read, laid claim unto the crown; 'And, but for Owen Glendower, had been king, 'Who kept him in captivity, till he died. But, to the rest.

'York.

this?

'Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt, "The fourth son; York claims it from the third. "Till Lionel's issue fails, his should not reign: 'It fails not yet; but flourishes in thee, 'And in thy sons, fair slips of such a stock. "Then, father Salisbury, kneel we both together: 'And, in this private plot, 12) be we the first, "That shall salute our rightful sovereign 'With honour of his birthright to the crown. Both. Long live our sovereign Richard, England's king!

'York. We thank you, lords. But I am not your king 'Till I be crown'd; and that my sword be stain'd "With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster; "And that's not suddenly to be perform'd; 'But with advice, and silent secrecy. 'Do you, as I do, in these dangerous days, "Wink at the duke of Suffolk's insolence, "At Beaufort's pride, at Somerset's ambition, *At Buckingham, and all the crew of them, 'Till they have snar'd the shepherd of the flock, "That virtuous prince, the good duke Humphrey : "Tis that they seek; and they, in seeking that, *Shall find their deaths, if York can prophecy. 'Sal. My lord, break we off; we know your mind at full.

'War. My heart assures me, that the earl of Warwick 'Shall one day make the duke of York a king. 'York. And, Nevil, this I do assure myself, 'Richard shall live to make the earl of Warwick "The greatest man in England, but the king. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The same. A Hall of Justice. Trumpets sounded. Enter King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, GLOSTER, YORK, SUFFOLK, and SALISBURY; the Duchess of GLOSTER, MARGERY JOURDAIN, SOUTHWELL, HUMB, and BOLINGBROKE, under Guard. 'K. Hen. Stand forth, dame Eleanor Cobham, Gloster's wife:

'In sight of God, and us, your guilt is great; 'Receive the sentence of the law, for sins 'Such as by God's book are adjudg'd to death. 'You four, from hence to prison back again; [To JOURD. &c.

*From thence, unto the place of execution: "The witch in Smithfield shall be burn'd to ashes, *And you three shall be strangled on the gallows. 'You, madam, for you are more nobly born, 'Despoil'd of your honour in your life, 'Shall, after three days' open penance done, 'Live in your country here, in banishment, 'With sir John Stanley, in the isle of Man. 'Duch. Welcome is banishment, welcome were my death.

*Glo. Eleanor, the law, thou seest, hath judged thee; *I cannot justify whom the law condemns.

[Exeunt the DUCHESS, and the other Prisoners, guarded. 'Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief. 'Ah, Humphrey, this dishonour in thine age "Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground! 'I beseech your majesty, give me leave to go; 'Sorrow would solace, and mine age would ease. 13) 'K. Hen. Stay, Humphrey, duke of Gloster: ere thou go,

'Give up thy staff; Henry will to himself 'Protector be: and God shall be my hope, 'My stay, my guide, and lantern to my feet; And go in peace, Humphrey; no less belov'd, "Than when thou wert protector to thy king. *Q. Mar. I see no reason, why a king of years Should be to be protected like a child. "God and king Henry govern England's helm: 'Give up your staff, sir, and the king his realm. 'Glo. My staff! - here, noble Henry, is my staff: 'As willingly do I the same resign,

'As ere thy father Henry made it mine: And even as willingly at thy feet I leave it, As others would ambitiously receive it. 'Farewell, good king: when I am dead and gone, May honourable peace attend thy throne!

[Exit.

Q. Mar. Why, now is Henry king, and Margaret

sprays;

Thus Eleanor's pride dies in her youngest days. "York. Lords, let him go, Please it your majesty, "This is the day appointed for the combat; 'And ready are the appellant and defendant, "The armourer and his man, to enter the lists, 'So please your highness to behold the fight.

*Q Mar. Ay, good my lord; for purposely therefore *Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried. 'K. Hen. O'God's name, see the lists and all things fit; 'Here let them end it, and God defend the right! York. I never saw a fellow worse bested, 15) *Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant, || *The servant of this armourer, my lords.

Enter, on one side, HORNER, and his Neighbours. drinking to him so much that he is drunk; and enters bearing his staff with a sand bag fastened to it; 16) a drum before him: at the other side, PETER, with a drum and a similar staff; accom

panied by Prentices drinking to him.

1 Neigh. Here, neighbour Horner, I drink to you in a cup of sack; and fear not, neighbour, you shall do well enough.

3 Neigh. And here's a pot of good double beer, neighbour: drink, and fear not your man.

Hor. Let it come, i'faith, and I'll pledge you all; And a fig for Peter!

1 Pren. Here, Peter, I drink to thee; and be not afraid.

2 Pren. Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy master: fight for credit of the prentices. Peter. I thank you all: drink, and pray for me, I pray you; for, I think, I have taken my last *draught in this world.* Here, Robin, and if I die, I give thee my apron; and, Will, thou shalt have my hammer: and here, Tom, take all the O Lord, bless me, I pray money that I have. God! for I am never able to deal with my master, he hath learnt so much fence already.

Sal. Come, leave your drinking, and fall to blows. Sirrah, what's thy name?

Peter. Peter, forsooth.

Sal. Peter! what more? Peter. Thump.

Sal. Thump! then see thou thump thy master well. Hor. Masters, I am come hither, as it were, upon my man's instigation, to prove him a knave, and myself an honest man: and touching the duke of *York, will take my death, I never meant him any ill, nor the king, nor the queen: "And therefore, Peter, have at thee with a downright blow, as Bevis of Southampton fell upon Ascapart. York. Despatch;

double.

this knave's tongue begins to

*Sound trumpets, alarum to the combatants. [Alarum. They fight, and PETER strikes

-

down his Master. Hor. Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess treason. [Dies. *York. Take away his weapon: Fellow, thank *God, and the good wine in thy master's way. Peter. O God! have I overcome mine enemies in 'this presence? O Peter, hast thou prevailed in right! K. Hen. Go, take hence that traitor from our sight: For, by his death, we do perceive his guilt: 10) And God, in justice, hath reveal'd to us The truth and innocence of this poor fellow, Which he had thought to have murder'd wrongfully. Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward.

SCENE IV.

The same. A Street.

[Exeunt.

Ten, my lord.

'Glo. Ten is the hour that was appointed me, "To watch the coming of my punish'd duchess: "Uneath 19) may she endure the flinty streets, "To tread them with her tender-feeling feet. Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble mind abrook The abject people, gazing on thy face, With envious 20) looks still laughing at thy shame; That erst did follow thy proud chariot wheels, When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets. *But, soft! I think, she comes; and I'll prepare My tear-strain'd eyes to see her miseries.

with papers pinned upon her back, her feet bare, and a taper burning in her hand; Sir JoHN STANLEY, a Sheriff, and Officers.

Serv. So please your grace, we'll take her from the sheriff.

Glo. No, stir not, for your lives; let her pass by. Now thou dost penance too. Look, how they gaze! Duch. Come you, my lord, to see my open shame? See, how the giddy multitude do point, 'And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee! 'Ah, Gloster, hide thee from their hateful looks; And, in thy closet pent up, rue my shame, And ban thine enemies, both mine and thine. Glo. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief. For, whilst I think I am thy married wife, Duch. Ah, Gloster, teach me to forget myself: And thou a prince, protector of this land, 'Methinks, I should not thus be led along, Mail'd up in shame, 21) with papers on my back; *And follow'd with a rabble, that rejoice To see my tears, and hear my deep-fet 22) groans. The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet; And bid me be advised how I tread. And, when I start, the envious people laugh, Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke? Or count them happy, that enjoy the sun? Trow'st thou, that e'er I'll look upon the world; No; dark shall be my light, and night my day; To think upon my pomp, shall be my hell. Sometime I'll say, I am duke Humphrey's wife; And he a prince, and ruler of the land: Yet so he rul'd, and such a prince he was, Was made a wonder, and a pointing stock, As he stood by, whilst I, his forlorn duchess, To every idle rascal follower. But be thou mild, and blush not at my shame; Nor stir at nothing, till the axe of death Hang over thee, as, sure, it shortly will. For Suffolk, he that can do all in all With her, that hateth thee, and hates us all, And York, and impious Beaufort, that false priest, Have all lim'd bushes to betray thy wings, And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee: 'But fear not thou, until thy foot be snar'd, Nor never seek prevention of thy foes.

*Glo. Ah, Nell, forbear; thou aimest all awry; *I must offend, before I be attainted: *And had I twenty times so many foes, "And each of them had twenty times their power, *All these could not procure me any scathe, 23) So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless. 'Would'st have me rescue thee from this reproach? "Why, yet thy scandal were not wip'd away, 'But I in danger for the breach of law. "Thy greatest help is quiet, 24) gentle Nell: 'I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience; 'These few days' wonder will be quickly worn.

Enter a Herald.

Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, holden at Bury the first of this next month. Glo. And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before! This is close dealing. Well, I will be there. [Exit Herald.

My Nell, I take my leave: - and, master sheriff, Let not her penance exceed the king's commission. Sher. An't please your grace, here my commission stays:

And sir John Stanley is appointed now "To take her with him to the isle of Man. 'Glo. Must you, sir John, protect my lady here?