KING HENRY THE SIXTH

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

THE death of Henry V. (1422) left the kingdom with no strong man to rule it, since the heir to the throne was an infant of nine months. The boy was carefully educated, and became both good and learned, but he lacked energy and determination. He was much influenced by his relatives, the Beauforts. Their efforts to bring the French wars to a close, even on humiliating terms, rendered them and the king hateful to the people. Discontent found expression in Jack Cade's Rebellion (1451), a popular demonstration quite as formidable as the Peasants' Revolt, and as easily quelled.

When the king lapsed into imbecility (1453), the "want of governance "could no longer be endured. Even the birth of Prince Edward could not restore confidence in the House of Lancaster. London and the commons declared for Edward of York, and he was crowned king in 1461. At the battle of Towton Field, fought that same year, the Lancastrians were ruined. Henry, Queen Margaret, and the little prince found refuge in Scotland. After many vicissitudes, the unhappy Henry was murdered in the Tower.

(Dead March. Enter the Funeral of King Henry the Fifth, attended on by the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France; the Duke of Gloster, Protector; the Duke of Exeter, the Earl of Warwick, the Bishop of Winchester, Heralds, etc.)

Bedford. Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night!

Comets, importing change of times and states,
Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky,

And with them scourge the bad revolting stars
That have consented unto Henry's death!
King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long!
England ne'er lost a king of so much worth.

Gloster. England ne'er had a king until his time. Virtue he had, deserving to command:

His brandish'd sword did blind men with his 1 beams:
His arms spread wider than a dragon's wings;
His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire,
More dazzled and drove back his enemies

Than mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces.
What should I say? his deeds exceed all speech;
He ne'er lift up his hand but conquerèd.

Exeter. We mourn in black: why mourn we not

in blood?

Henry is dead and never shall revive:

Upon a wooden coffin we attend,
And death's dishonourable victory
We with our stately presence glorify,
Like captives bound to a triumphant car.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
Or shall we think the subtle-witted French
Conjurors and sorcerers, that afraid of him
By magic verses have contriv'd his end?

(Enter a Messenger.)

Messenger. My honourable lords, health to you all! Sad tidings bring I to you out of France,

Of loss, of slaughter and discomfiture:
Guienne, Champagne, Rheims, Orleans,
Paris, Guysors, Poictiers, are all quite lost.

Bedford. What say'st thou, man, before dead
Henry's corse?

Speak softly, or the loss of those great towns
Will make him burst his lead and rise from death.
Gloster. Is Paris lost? is Rouen yielded up?

If Henry were recall'd to life again,

These news would cause him once more yield the ghost.

Exeter. How were they lost? what treachery was us'd?

Messenger. No treachery; but want of men and money.

Amongst the soldiers this is muttered, —

That here you maintain several factions,

And whilst a field should be dispatch'd and fought,
You are disputing of your generals :

One would have lingering wars with little cost;
Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings;
A third thinks, without expense at all,

By guileful fair words peace may be obtain’d.
Awake, awake, English nobility!
Let not sloth dim your honours new-begot:
Cropp'd are the flower-de-luces in your arms;
Of England's coat one-half is cut away.

Exeter. Were our tears wanting to this funeral,
These tidings would call forth their flowing tides.

Exeter. Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry

sworn,

Either to quell the Dauphin utterly,

Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.

Bedford. I do remember it; and here take my leave, To go about my preparation. [Exit. Gloster. I'll to the Tower with all the haste I can, To view the artillery and munition;

And then I will proclaim young Henry king. [Exit. Exeter. To Eltham will I, where the young king is, Being ordain'd his special governor,

And for his safety there I'll best devise.

[Exit.

Winchester. Each hath his place and function to

attend:

I am left out; for me nothing remains.
But long I will not be Jack out of office:
The king from Eltham I intend to steal
And sit at chiefest stern 1 of public weal.

1

PART II. ACT II

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 2 walk to satisfy myself,
In craving your opinion of my title,

Which is infallible, to England's crown.

1 highest place.

2 retired.

Salisbury. My lord, I long to hear it at full.

Warwick. Sweet York, begin; and if thy claim be

good,

The Nevils are thy subjects to command.

York. Then thus:

Edward the Third, my lord, 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 Edmund Langley, Duke of York;

The sixth was Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of

Gloucester;

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 reign'd 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 murther'd traitorously.
Warwick. 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.