10. for: because

  12. Despoilèd: stripped; honor: title

  13. open: public

  15. With: i.e., in the custody of

  16. were: would be

  18. justify: acquit

  20–21. this dishonor . . . ground: See Genesis 42.38: “You shall bring my gray head with sorrow unto the grave.”

  23. Sorrow would: i.e., sorrow requires; ease: comfort, freedom from annoyance

  25. staff: rod borne as the Protector’s badge of office

  26–27. God . . . feet: See Psalm 71.5: “for thou art my hope, O Lord God”; Psalm 49.9: “my guide and stay”; Psalm 119.105: “Thy word is a lantern unto my feet.”

  30. of years: i.e., who is of age

  32. govern: steer

  33. King his: king’s

  35. willingly: voluntarily

  39. dead and gone: proverbial

  40. attend: watch over

  42. scarce: hardly

  43. shrewd: severe; maim: injury; pulls: wrenches

  45. raught: laid hold of

  46. best fits: is most appropriate

  47. sprays: shoots, branches

  48. pride: glory; her: i.e., its

  49. let him go: stop talking about him

  51. appellant and defendant: challenger and defender

  52. lists: place where they will fight their trial by combat

  An armorer at work. (2.3.52)

  From Hartmann Schopper, PANOPLIA omnium illiberalium mechanicarum aut sedentariarum (1568).

  54. therefor: for that reason

  55. quarrel: charge, accusation

  56. fit: suitable

  58. worse bestead: harder pressed

  60 SD. drinking to him so much: giving him so much to drink; or, inviting him to drink by drinking to his good luck; Drum: drummer; staff . . . to it: combat flail, a staff with a long thin leather bag of sand attached to the end of it; Prentices: apprentices

  62. sack: Spanish or Canary wine

  65. charneco: another kind of wine (perhaps Portuguese)

  66. double beer: extra strong ale

  68. Let it come: i.e., let the bowl of drink go around; pledge: drink to the health of

  69. fig for: exclamation of contempt, often expressed by the gesture of thrusting the thumb between two fingers or into the mouth

  73. credit: the good name, reputation

  75. draft: swallow of drink

  81. fence: fencing

  91. touching: regarding

  92. take my death: i.e., stake my life

  93. ill: harm

  94. have at thee: an expression signaling an attack; downright blow: i.e., a blow directed straight downward

  95. Dispatch: make haste; double: i.e., slur, thicken (literally, repeat itself)

  96. Alarum: call to arms

  96 SD. They . . . down: See longer note.

  97. Hold: stop

  99. in thy master’s way: i.e., that impeded your master

  100–101. in this presence: i.e., in the presence of the king

  106. Which he: whom Horner

 

  * * *

 

  2.4  Gloucester watches his Duchess’s public humiliation as she goes into exile. He is summoned to Parliament.

  0 SD. mourning cloaks: black hooded cloaks worn in funeral processions

  1. Thus . . . cloud: proverbial

  2. evermore: always; succeeds: follows

  3. his: its

  4. fleet: pass rapidly

  9. Uneath: scarcely; flinty: hard, stony

  11. ill: badly, poorly; abrook: endure

  12. abject: despicable, mean-spirited, low-class

  13. envious: spiteful, malicious

  14. erst: formerly

  14–15. thy proud . . . streets: The metaphor is of a Roman victor in war riding his chariot, his captives bound to its wheels, through the city’s streets in a triumphal procession.

  16. soft: wait

  17 SD. white sheet: the traditional garment of the person doing public penance; taper: wax candle

  18. take: i.e, rescue

  19. for: i.e., upon pain of losing

  21. they: i.e., the people (line 12), imagined offstage

  22. giddy: (1) furious; (2) dizzy; (3) inconstant

  23. throw: turn

  24. hateful: (1) hate-filled; (2) hated, repulsive

  25. closet: private chamber; pent up: shut in, closely confined; rue: pity

  26. ban: curse

  31. Methinks: it seems to me

  32. Mailed up: wrapped (i.e., as if I were a hunting hawk wrapped in a handkerchief to keep it quiet)

  33. with a rabble: by a mob

  34. deep-fet groans: i.e., groans fetched from deep within myself

  36. start: flinch; envious: malicious

  37. advisèd: cautious, wary

  39. Trowest thou: do you believe

  42. pomp: (former) ostentatious display, magnificence

  46. As: i.e., that; forlorn: desolate, abandoned

  47. wonder: spectacle; pointing-stock: object of derision

  48. rascal: lowborn; follower: pursuer

  49. mild: unprovoked

  50. nothing: anything

  51. sure: surely

  53. her: i.e., Queen Margaret

  54. Beaufort: Cardinal Beaufort; false: treacherous

  55. limed . . . wings: See note to 1.3.91.

  56. how thou canst: i.e., however you can; tangle: entangle

  58. seek prevention of: i.e., attempt to anticipate or forestall

  59. forbear: refrain; all awry: completely wide (i.e., of the target)

  60. attainted: accused, condemned

  63. procure: cause; scathe: harm

  65. reproach: disgrace

  66. were not: would not be

  67. in danger: i.e., would be in danger

  68. quiet: calm, peace of mind

  69. sort: adapt

  70. These few . . . worn: Proverbial: “A wonder lasts but nine days.”  worn: worn out, exhausted

  72. Holden: i.e., to be held; Bury: i.e., Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk

  73. before: in advance

  74. close dealing: a secret way of acting

  76. commission: command

  77. stays: stops

  81. given in charge: ordered

  82. Entreat: treat; in that: because

  83. laugh: perhaps, smile on (me), favor (me)

  90. afeard: afraid

  91. this world’s eternity: i.e., that I would live forever

  96. used: treated; state: rank

  97. I am but reproach: i.e., my rank is only disgrace

  98. reproachfully: disgracefully, shamefully

  101. better than I fare: i.e., fare better than I do

  102. conduct: escort, guide

  103. office: duty

  104. is discharged: has been performed

  108. shifted: removed (with wordplay on shift as “change clothing”)

  110. show: display; attire me how I can: however I dress

 

  * * *

 

  3.1  In Parliament Queen Margaret and the nobles level charges against Gloucester, but King Henry remains convinced of his uncle’s innocence. Nonetheless, the King allows Suffolk and the Cardinal to hold him for trial. Fearing that Gloucester will not be convicted, the Queen, the Cardinal, Suffolk, and York conspire to murder him, and Suffolk and the Cardinal promise to carry out the killing. Word comes of an Irish uprising, and York, delighted to be provided with an army, agrees to quell it.

  0 SD. sennet: trumpet fanfare to signal a ceremonial entrance or exit

  1. muse: marvel that

  2. hindmost man: last man to come

  3. occasion: cause, reason

  5. strangeness: coldness, aloofness

  7. insolent: proud, haughty

  9. We: the royal “we”; since: when

  10. glance: cast, flash

  12. That: i.e., so that; submission: deference, submissiveness

  14. give . . . day: i.e., say “good morning”

  17. duty: respect, reverence; to us belongs: pertains to me

  18. regarded: i.e., paid any attention; grin: bare their teeth

  23. Meseemeth: it seems to me; policy: prudent course of action

  24. Respecting: considering; rancorous: spiteful

  25. his advantage . . . decease: i.e., the advantage (namely, the crown) that he would enjoy if you were to die

  29. make commotion: cause insurrection or rebellion

  32. Suffer: tolerate

  33. herbs: plants; want: lack; husbandry: good gardening

  35. collect: infer; deduce

  36. fond: foolish

  37. supplant: (1) remove; (2) uproot

  38. subscribe: confess myself mistaken

  40. Reprove: disprove; allegation: charge

  41. effectual: pertinent; valid

  43. put: appointed

  45. by his subornation: i.e., through his corruption or instigation

  46. practices: plots, conspiracies

  47. privy to: intimately acquainted with

  48. by reputing of: i.e., esteeming, thinking highly of

  49. successive heir: i.e., heir next in order of succession

  50. vaunts: boasts

  51. bedlam: mad (Bedlam alludes to St. Mary of Bethlehem Hospital for the insane in London.)

  52. frame: devise

  53. Smooth . . . deep: proverbial

  54. show: appearance

  55. The fox . . . lamb: proverbial  he: it  would: wishes to

  57. Unsounded: unfathomed

  58–59. Did . . . done: The same charge is made against him at 1.3.135–37.  Devise: order

  61. Levy: collect as taxes

  63. By means whereof: i.e., because of which

  64. to: compared to

  67. at once: (1) perhaps, once and for all; (2) without any more discussion; (3) to answer all of you together

  68. annoy: hurt

  69. shall I: i.e., if I were to; conscience: inward knowledge or conviction

  72. sucking lamb: Proverbial: “As innocent as a lamb.” harmless dove: proverbial

  73. given: disposed

  74. work: plot, contrive

  75. fond: foolish; affiance: trust

  76. borrowed: an allusion to the Aesop fable in which a crow dresses in the plumage of another bird

  77. he’s disposèd as: i.e., he has the disposition of

  78–79. His skin . . . wolves: See Matthew 7.15: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (See picture.)

  A wolf dressed as a sheep. (3.1.78–79)

  From August Casimir Redel, Annus symbolicus . . . (c. 1695).

  80. Who . . . deceit: i.e., who that intends deceit cannot adopt a disguise

  82. Hangs: depends; cutting short: Proverbial: “Shorten by the head.” fraudful: treacherous

  85. interest in: right or title to

  86. bereft: robbed from

  87. Cold: gloomy, dispiriting

  90. blossoms . . . bud: proverbial   blasted: withered, blighted

  92. gear: business

  93. sell: i.e., exchange

  95. stayed: tarried, delayed

  100. for: because of

  101. unspotted: pure, unblemished

  105. of France: i.e., from the French king

  106. stayed: held back

  107. By means whereof: i.e., as a result of which

  108. What: i.e., who

  111. watched: i.e., kept awake through

  112. studying: applying my mind to acquiring

  113. That: i.e., may that; doit: coin of little value; wrested: extorted, wrung

  114. groat: coin worth four pennies (See picture.)

  The obverse and reverse of a groat. (3.1.114)

  From Edward Hawkins, The silver coins of England . . . (1841).

  115. brought: i.e., produced as evidence

  116. proper: private; store: supply, stock

  117. needy: poor

  118. dispursèd: paid out

  119. restitution: i.e., reimbursement

  120. serves you well: i.e., suits your interest

  123. Strange: extreme

  124. That . . . tyranny: i.e., as a result of which, England was disgraced as tyrannical

  128. lowly: humble; ransom: means of freeing themselves from the penalty; fault: misdeed, offense

  129. bloody: bloodthirsty

  130. felonious: wicked; fleeced: plundered; poor: hapless; passengers: travelers

  131. condign: merited, fitting

  133. Above: more than; felon: felony; what trespass else: i.e., any other violation

  134. easy: slight; answered: justified, defended against

  135. unto your charge: to your responsibility

  136. purge: clear, exculpate

  138. commit you to: consign you officially to the custody of

  139. further: later

  141. suspense: doubt as to your character and conduct

  144. with: i.e., by

  145. rancor’s: malignant hatred’s

  146. subornation: corruption; predominant: prevalent, prevailing

  147. equity: fairness; exiled: i.e., exiled from

  148. their complot: the design of their conspiracy

  149. happy: fortunate

  150. prove: establish; period: end; tyranny: oppressive exercise of power

  151. expend: spend; employ

  152. mine: i.e., my death (line 149)

  153. For thousands: i.e., for the deaths of thousands

  154. their plotted tragedy: (1) the plot of their tragedy; (2) the tragedy that they have devised

  155. blab: betray

  156. cloudy: sullen, frowning

  157. Sharp: harsh

  158. envious: malicious

  159. dogged: malicious, cruel, surly; the moon: what is impossible to get

  160. overweening: presumptuous

  161. accuse: accusation; level: aim

  163. Causeless: without cause or reason

  165. liefest: dearest

  167. conventicles: secret meetings for sinister purposes

  169. want: lack

  170. store: abundance

  171. effected: fulfilled

  173. railing: abusiveness

  176. rated at: angrily reproved

  177. scope: complete freedom

  179. twit: i.e., twitted, disparaged

  180. clerkly: learnedly; couched: expressed

  182. state: high rank, greatness, power

  183. give . . . chide: Proverbial: “Give losers leave to speak.”

  184. spoke: i.e., spoken

  185. Beshrew: curse; played me false: betrayed me

  187. wrest the sense: twist the meaning

  189. sure: securely

  191. firm: robust

  192–93. Thus . . . first: See Matthew 26.31: “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.”  gnarling: snarling

  194. false: erroneous

  195. decay: destruction, ruin

  197. ourself: i.e., I (royal plural)

  201. engirt: encircled

  203. uncle Humphrey: addressed to the now-absent Gloucester

  204. map: very picture, image

  205. yet . . . come: i.e., the hour . . . is yet to come

  206. proved: experienced; feared: doubted; faith: loyalty

  207. louring: threatening; estate: exalted rank

  209. subversion: ruin; harmless: innocent

  215. dam: mother

  218. myself bewails: I lament loudly; case: plight

  220. do him good: be beneficial to him

  223. Who’s: i.e., whoever is

  224. Free: noble

  224–25. cold . . . beams: proverbial

  226. cold in: indifferent to, apathetic in

  227. show: feigned appearance

  228–29. mournful . . . passengers: See Hakluyt: “[The crocodile’s] nature is ever when he would have his prey, to cry and sob like a Christian body, to provoke them to come to him, and then he snatcheth at them.” (See picture.)  relenting: soft-tempered, pitying  passengers: travelers

  A weeping crocodile. (3.1.228–29)

  From Jacob Typot, Symbola diuina . . . (1652).

  230. rolled in: curled up on

  231. checkered: multicolored; slough: skin; sting: wound

  234. wit: intelligence

  235. rid: removed from

  236. rid us: free us

  237. worthy: excellent; policy: political cunning

  238. want: lack; color: pretext

  239. meet: i.e., suitable, fitting that; course: due process

  240. mind: opinion; were: i.e., would be

  241. still: without ceasing

  242. haply rise: perhaps rebel

  243. yet: thus far; trivial argument: slight reason or evidence

  245. by this: i.e., according to this way of thinking; would not have him: i.e., do not want him to

  246. fain: i.e., willing, eager

  247. ’Tis . . . death: See lines 387–88.

  250. Were ’t . . . one: i.e., would it not be just the same as if; empty: hungry

  251. kite: vulture (See picture.)

  A kite. (3.1.251; 3.2.204; 5.2.11)

  From Konrad Gesner, . . . Historiae animalium . . . (1585–1604).

  255. surveyor: supervisor; fold: i.e., sheepfold

  256. a crafty: i.e., of being a cunning, wily

  257. guilt: criminality; idly: carelessly; posted over: passed off

  258. purpose: intention (i.e., to kill); is not executed: i.e., has not been carried out

  259. in that: because

  260. By . . . flock: See picture.

  Foxes preying on sheep. (3.1.259–60)

  From Le microcosme (n.d.).

  261. chaps: jaws

  262. As . . . liege: i.e., just as Gloucester is by nature (line 260) the murderer threatening the king  proved by reasons: i.e., demonstrated by the reasons just given (lines 254–61)