113. field: battlefield

  114. in this presence: i.e., here attending on the king; or, perhaps, in this presence-chamber, the room in which the king receives guests

  116. Peace: quiet

  117. preferred: advanced; or, more favored

  120. censure: opinion

  125. leave: lay aside; insolence: arrogance

  127. wrack: wreck, ruin

  128. Dauphin: heir to the French throne (accent on first syllable)

  130. bondmen: slaves

  131. racked: oppressed (i.e., with excessive taxes); bags: i.e., money bags

  132. lank and lean: loose from emptiness

  135. execution: infliction of punishment (including capital punishment) specified by judicial sentence

  139. suspect: suspicion

  140. hop . . . head: i.e., be beheaded (proverbial)

  141. minion: a term of contempt like “creature”

  143. cry you mercy: beg your pardon

  146. set . . . face: proverbial   commandments: i.e., fingernails

  147. against her will: unintentional

  148. Look to ’t: beware; in time: i.e., before it is too late

  149. hamper: entangle, bind; dandle: toy with

  150. most . . . breeches: proverbial, meaning “the one who is in control (the greatest master) is a woman”

  153. listen after: endeavor to hear; how he proceeds: i.e., what he goes on to say

  154. tickled: provoked; fume: angry mood

  156. choler: anger; overblown: blown over or away

  157. about: around

  158. affairs: matters, business

  159. objections: charges, accusations

  162. duty: homage, reverence

  164. meetest: most appropriate

  166. election: choice; leave: permission

  168. unmeet: inappropriate

  170. for: because; in pride: i.e., without losing my self-respect

  171. place: position, office

  172. keep me: hold me back

  173. discharge: payment; furniture: armor

  175. Last time: perhaps alluding to Henry VI, Part 1, 4.3 (but see longer note); danced . . .will: i.e., was forced to wait for him to act

  177. fact: crime, deed

  182. excuse himself: i.e., can clear himself of blame

  183. for: i.e., as

  184. what are: i.e., who are

  186. Please . . . Majesty: a formula of politeness; this: referring to Peter

  188. His: i.e., his master Horner’s

  192. An ’t . . . Majesty: a formula of politeness

  195. ten bones: i.e., fingers

  196. garret: watchtower

  198. Base: unworthy; dunghill: fit for a heap of dung; villain: scoundrel; mechanical: manual laborer

  203. prentice: apprentice

  204. correct: chastise; his fault: i.e., a mistake he made

  205. be even: get even

  206. good witness of: i.e., reliable witness(es) to

  207. cast away: ruin; for: because of

  210. doom: decree

  212. this breeds: i.e., this accusation of treason breeds

  215. he: i.e., Horner

  223. Sirrah: term of address to a social inferior; or you: i.e., either you

  226. sent away: i.e., embarked (to France)

  ACT 1

  * * *

 

  1.4  The Duchess of Gloucester watches while a spirit is conjured up to prophesy the fates of her rivals, but she is caught in the act by Buckingham and York.

  1. my masters: sirs, gentlemen

  3–4. provided: prepared

  4–5. exorcisms: conjurations, calling up of spirits

  6. Fear: doubt

  8–9. convenient: appropriate

  14. read you: i.e., read from the conjuring book; us to: i.e., us get to

  15. Well said: i.e., well done

  16. gear: business

  17. their times: i.e., when to act

  18. silent: time of silence

  19. Troy: city that, in legend, was burned by the Greeks the night they penetrated its walls (See picture.)

  Burning Troy. (1.4.19)

  From Thomas Heywood, The Iron Age . . . (1632).

  20. bandogs: ferocious chained guard dogs

  21. break up: burst open

  23. Whom we raise: i.e., the spirit that we conjure up

  24. make fast: bind; hallowed verge: sanctified boundary (i.e., the circle in 24 SD)

  24 SD. ceremonies belonging: appropriate ceremonies; the circle: See picture, and see longer note. Conjuro te: I conjure you (Latin); riseth: i.e., as if from under the ground

  A conjuror in a circle. (1.4.24 SD)

  From Christopher Marlowe, The tragicall historie of . . . Doctor Faustus . . . (1631).

  25. Adsum: I am here (Latin)

  26. Asmath: a near anagram of Sathan or Satan (Editors often spell this name “Asnath” in order to make the anagram perfect.)

  28. tremblest: See James 2.19: “the devils also believe and tremble.” that: that which

  30. That: i.e., I wish that

  32–33. The duke . . . death: The words constitute a riddle, since who shall depose whom and who shall outlive whom is ambiguous.

  39. castles mounted: perhaps, towering castles; or, perhaps, castles elevated in situation

  40. Have done: get finished

  41. burning lake: In Revelation 20.10, Satan is flung into a lake of fire.

  42. False: lying, treacherous; avoid: depart

  43. Lay hands upon: seize; trash: worthless writing

  44. Beldam: hag, witch

  44–45. at an inch: close at hand

  46. What: an interjection to introduce a question

  47. commonweal: state

  48. piece of pains: bit of trouble

  50. guerdoned: rewarded; good deserts: meritorious actions

  52. Injurious: insulting

  54. clapped up close: strictly confined in prison

  55. asunder: apart; shall: i.e., shall go

  56. take her to thee: apprehend her

  57. trinkets: tools, implements; forthcoming: made available to a court of law

  59. methinks: it seems to me

  60. plot: scheme (with wordplay on “piece of ground”)

  61. devil’s writ: i.e., devil’s writing (as opposed to Holy Writ)

  65. just: exactly

  65–66. Aio . . . posse: York quotes the ambiguous Latin oracle provided by Apollo when Pyrrhus asked if he could conquer Rome; the oracle can mean both “I proclaim that you, the descendant of Aeacus, can conquer the Romans,” and “I proclaim that the Romans can conquer you, the descendant of Aeacus.”

  75. hardly attained: acquired with difficulty; hardly understood: scarcely understood

  76. in progress: proceeding

  78. news: regarded as a plural

  80. sorry: painful, dismal

  81. leave: permission

  82. post: messenger; his: i.e., the king’s

 

  * * *

 

  2.1  King Henry and his court are hunting when they are interrupted by an announcement of a miracle in nearby Saint Albans. Gloucester exposes the miracle as a sham. Buckingham then brings news of the Duchess’s arrest.

  0 SD. hallowing: shouting to urge on the dogs to drive the water fowl up into the air

  1. flying at the brook: i.e., hawking for fowl driven from the shelter of the banks of the brook

  2. sport: recreation, diversion; these seven years’ day: in the past seven years

  3. by your leave: a polite formula asking pardon for taking a liberty

  4. ten . . . gone out: i.e, I would have bet ten to one the old falcon Joan would not have hawked (Literally, go out means “march as a soldier, take the battlefield.”)

  5. point: position (to attack the prey); made: i.e., took (See picture.)

  A falcon in flight. (2.1.5–6)

  From George Turberville, The booke of faulconrie . . . (1575).

  6. pitch: height (See picture.)

  8. fain of climbing: i.e., eager to climb

  9. an it like: if it please

  10. tower: mount up

  13. base: poor

  15. would: wishes to

  17. Were it not good: i.e., would it not be good if

  18–20. treasury . . . heart: See Matthew 6.19–21: “Lay not up treasures for yourselves upon earth. . . . But lay up treasures for yourselves in heaven. . . . For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Beat: hammer, insist

  21. Pernicious: wicked, evil

  22. smooth’st it: i.e., adopts such a flattering manner

  23. is your priesthood: i.e., have you as a priest

  24. peremptory: intolerant of debate or contradiction

  25. Tantaene . . . irae: Is there such anger in the minds of heavenly creatures? (Latin; Virgil, Aeneid 1.11)

  26. hot: angry

  28. well becomes: is fully appropriate to

  29. good: just

  32. lordly: haughty, disdainful

  35. peace: quiet

  36. whet not on: do not urge on; furious: menacingly violent

  37. blessèd . . . peacemakers: Matthew 5.9.

  38–39. peace . . . sword: Matthew 10.34: “I came not to send peace, but the sword.”

  40. Faith: a mild oath

  43. Make . . . matter: i.e., do not gather up others of your faction for the occasion

  44. In thine own person: alone; answer: provide satisfaction for; thy abuse: i.e., your injurious words

  45. peep: show yourself; An if: i.e., if

  49. your man: i.e., your falconer; put up: caused to rise from cover

  51. two-hand sword: long sword (See picture.)

  Early modern weapons, including the two-hand sword. (2.1.51)

  From Louis de Gaya, A treatise of the arms . . . (1678).

  52. Are you advised: i.e., are you agreed (literally, have you considered); or, perhaps, do you understand

  57.

  “God’s mother.” (2.1.57)

  From Richard Day, A booke of Christian prayers . . . (1590).

  58. shave your crown: shave your tonsure (with wordplay on “cut off your head”)

  59. fence: use of the sword

  60. Medice, teipsum: Physician, heal yourself (Latin)

  61. see to ’t well: take good care

  62. stomachs: tempers

  65. compound: settle

  70. Saint Alban’s shrine: St. Alban was martyred at Verulamium (now St. Albans) for sheltering Christians. (For a view of St. Albans, see picture.)

  74. light in darkness: See Psalm 112.4: “Unto the righteous ariseth light in darkness.”

  74 SD. brethren: fellow citizens

  75. comes: i.e., come; on: i.e., in

  77–78. Great . . . multiplied: John 9.41: “If you were blind, you should not have sin; but now you say ‘We see’: therefore your sin remaineth.”  earthly vale: “This wretched earth and vale of all misery” (Homily against Willful Rebellion, a text read annually in English churches)

  79. Stand by: i.e., stand aside

  81. circumstance: details

  82. glorify the Lord: Matthew 5.16: “Glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

  83. restored: recovered, returned to health

  84. an ’t: i.e., if it

  88–89. couldst . . . told: i.e., would have been able to state more knowledgeably

  91. Berwick: a town near the Scottish border

  93. unhallowed: i.e., without saying a prayer (literally, without keeping it holy)

  94. still: always

  99. Simon: i.e., Simpcox (a name derived from Simon)

  100. offer: make an offering (i.e., of money)

  103. lame: See longer note.

  111. But that: i.e., only the once

  112. bought . . . dear: Proverbial: “Dear bought and far fetched are dainties for ladies.”

  113. Mass: i.e., by the Mass (a strong oath)

  116. damsons: small plums

  118. subtle: crafty, cunning; serve: be accepted, be valid

  119. Wink: close your eyes

  121. clear as day: proverbial

  124. red as blood: proverbial

  126. coal black as jet: proverbial

  129. a many: i.e., many

  140–44. If . . . impossible: Proverbial: “Blind men can judge no colors.”  several: different  suddenly: on the spur of the moment, promptly  nominate: name

  146. cunning: learning, skill

  148. that: i.e., if only

  150. beadles: parish officers who punish minor offenders

  152. presently: immediately

  153. straight: straightaway, right now

  154. by and by: immediately

  156. leap me: i.e., leap (the ethical dative)

  158. alone: i.e., without help

  159. go about: contrive, endeavor

  160–61. find your legs: i.e., recover the use of your legs

  164. doublet: tight-fitting jacket

  Men in doublet and hose. (2.1.164; 4.7.51)

  From [Robert Greene,] A quip for an vpstart courtier . . . (1620).

  167. bearest: i.e., puts up with this

  168. villain: scoundrel

  169. knave: rascal; drab: slut

  170. for pure need: out of utter necessity

  174. fly away: flee

  176. whole towns to fly: a reference to Suffolk’s giving away Anjou and Maine

  177. tidings: news

  178. unfold: disclose, reveal

  179. sort: band, group; naughty: wicked; lewdly: evilly; bent: inclined

  180. countenance: patronage; confederacy: conspiracy, collusion

  182. head: leader; rout: disreputable crowd

  183. practiced: plotted; dangerously: injuriously; state: government

  185. fact: act (i.e., of committing the crime)

  187. Demanding of: asking about

  189. at large: fully

  190. by this means: thus, in this way

  191. forthcoming: apprehended, awaiting trial

  192. turned: blunted

  194. like: i.e., likely; hour: appointed time (i.e., to fight)

  195. leave to afflict: stop afflicting

  198. meanest groom: lowliest male servant

  199. mischiefs: evils; work . . . ones: i.e., do the wicked ones bring about

  200. confusion: destruction

  201. tainture: defilement

  202. look thyself: make sure you

  203. for: i.e., as for

  203–4. to heaven . . . How: i.e., I call on heaven to corroborate how fully

  204. commonweal: state

  207. have forgot: i.e., has forgotten

  208. conversed: consorted

  209. pitch, defile: Proverbial: “He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled with it.”

  213. for this night: i.e., tonight; repose us: i.e., rest

  216. answers: defenses

  217. poise: weigh; equal: impartial; scales: a weighing instrument consisting of a bar with a pan suspended from each end (See picture.)

  Justice with her balance scales. (2.1.217)

  From Thomas Peyton, The glasse of time . . . (1620).

  218. Whose beam: the transverse bar of which; sure: i.e., level (literally, firm, steady)

 

  * * *

 

  2.2  York persuades Salisbury and Warwick of the validity of his claim to the throne.

  2. leave: permission

  3. close: private, secluded; walk: footwalk, path

  4. craving: asking; title: right, entitlement

  5. is infallible: unfailingly holds good

  21–30. Who . . . traitorously: This story is shown in Shakespeare’s Richard II.  all you: i.e., you two

  25.

  Henry IV. (2.2.25)

  From John Speed, The theatre of the empire of Great Britaine . . . (1627 [i.e., 1631]).

  33. by force . . . right: proverbial

  35. issue: offspring

  37. line: i.e., line of descent (See genealogical charts, Ancestry of Richard, Duke of York and English Ancestry of King Henry VI.)

  42–45. This Edmund . . . died: See longer note.

  57. proceedings: i.e., line of descent, pedigree

  60. fails: dies out, becomes extinct; his: John of Gaunt’s

  61. flourishes: grows vigorously and luxuriantly (With flourishes begins an extended metaphor in which Lionel’s issue [line 60] is conventionally compared to a tree; the metaphor continues with slips [shoots] and stock [trunk] in line 62.)

  64. plot: piece of ground

  68. We: the royal “we”

  70. that: i.e., until such time that

  72. suddenly: without preparation

  73. advice: consultation

  75. Wink at: i.e., ignore; insolence: arrogance

  76. Beaufort’s: i.e., the Cardinal’s

  77. crew: gang, mob

  80. ’Tis that: i.e., it is that which

 

  * * *

 

  2.3  King Henry sentences the Duchess to public penance and exile, and removes Gloucester from his office as Lord Protector. Then York’s armorer is effectively convicted by being killed in a trial by combat with his accuser.

  0 SD. State: persons of rank who form the government

  5. adjudged to: i.e., determined to require (See Exodus 22.18: “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”)

  8. Smithfield: place of execution of heretics in London (See picture.)

  Smithfield. (2.3.8)

  From Hugh Alley, A caveat for the city of London . . . (1598).

  9. strangled: hanged (See picture.)

  “The gallows.” (2.3.9)

  From Warhafftige vnnd eygentliche Beschreibung der . . . Verrätherey . . . (1606).