Original
Modern English
I am come to survey the Tower this day: Since Henry’s death, I fear, there is conveyance. Where be these warders, that they wait not here? Open the gates; ’tis Gloucester that calls.
I’ve come to inspect the Tower today: Since Henry’s death, I fear there’s been some plotting. Where are these guards? Why aren’t they here? Open the gates; it’s Gloucester calling.
[Within] Who’s there that knocks so imperiously? First Serving-Man It is the noble Duke of Gloucester.
[Within] Who’s there knocking so forcefully? First Serving-Man It’s the noble Duke of Gloucester.
[Within] Whoe’er he be, you may not be let in. First Serving-Man Villains, answer you so the lord protector?
[Within] Whoever he is, you can’t let him in. First Serving-Man You answer like this to the lord protector?
[Within] The Lord protect him! so we answer him: We do no otherwise than we are will’d.
[Within] God protect him! That’s how we answer: We do only what we’ve been ordered to do.
Who willed you? or whose will stands but mine? There’s none protector of the realm but I. Break up the gates, I’ll be your warrantize. Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?
Who ordered you? Whose orders matter but mine? There’s no protector of the realm but me. Break down the gates, I’ll take responsibility. Am I going to be mocked by these lowly servants?
What noise is this? what traitors have we here?
What’s all this noise? Who are these traitors?
Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear? Open the gates; here’s Gloucester that would enter.
Lieutenant, is that your voice I hear? Open the gates; it’s Gloucester who wants to enter.
Have patience, noble duke; I may not open; The Cardinal of Winchester forbids: From him I have express commandment That thou nor none of thine shall be let in.
Be patient, noble duke; I can’t open them; The Cardinal of Winchester forbids it: He’s given me a direct order That you and your men are not to be let in.
Faint-hearted Woodvile, prizest him ’fore me? Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate, Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne’er could brook? Thou art no friend to God or to the king: Open the gates, or I’ll shut thee out shortly. Serving-Men Open the gates unto the lord protector, Or we’ll burst them open, if that you come not quickly.
Cowardly Woodvile, you side with him over me? Arrogant Winchester, that proud churchman, Whom Henry, our late king, could never stand? You’re no friend to God or to the king: Open the gates, or I’ll force you out soon. Serving-Men Open the gates for the lord protector, Or we’ll break them open if you don’t hurry.
BISHOP
BISHOP
How now, ambitious Humphry! what means this?
What’s this, ambitious Humphry? What’s going on here?
Peel’d priest, dost thou command me to be shut out? BISHOP
Shaven priest, are you telling me to stay out? BISHOP
I do, thou most usurping proditor, And not protector, of the king or realm.
Yes, I am, you most usurping traitor, Not protector of the king or realm.
Stand back, thou manifest conspirator, Thou that contrivedst to murder our dead lord; Thou that givest whores indulgences to sin: I’ll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal’s hat, If thou proceed in this thy insolence. BISHOP
Stay back, you clear conspirator, You who plotted to kill our late king; You who give sinners a free pass to sin: I’ll challenge you in your fancy cardinal’s hat, If you keep up with this arrogance. BISHOP
Nay, stand thou back, I will not budge a foot: This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain, To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt.
No, stay back, I won’t move an inch: This is Damascus, you’re cursed like Cain, For killing your brother Abel, if that’s what you want.
I will not slay thee, but I’ll drive thee back: Thy scarlet robes as a child’s bearing-cloth I’ll use to carry thee out of this place. BISHOP
I won’t kill you, but I’ll push you back: I’ll use your red robes like a child’s swaddling blanket To carry you out of here. BISHOP
Do what thou darest; I beard thee to thy face.
Do whatever you dare; I challenge you to your face.
What! am I dared and bearded to my face? Draw, men, for all this privileged place; Blue coats to tawny coats. Priest, beware your beard, I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly: Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal’s hat: In spite of pope or dignities of church, Here by the cheeks I’ll drag thee up and down. BISHOP
What! You dare challenge me to my face? Draw your weapons, men, we’re fighting in this privileged place; Blue coats against yellow coats. Priest, watch your beard, I’ll pull it and slap you hard: I’ll stomp on your cardinal’s hat under my feet: In defiance of the pope or church officials, I’ll drag you up and down by your cheeks. BISHOP
Gloucester, thou wilt answer this before the pope.
Gloucester, you’ll answer for this to the pope.
Winchester goose, I cry, a rope! a rope! Now beat them hence; why do you let them stay? Thee I’ll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep’s array. Out, tawny coats! out, scarlet hypocrite!
I call you a Winchester goose, I want a rope! a rope! Now drive them off; why are you letting them stay? I’ll chase you off, you wolf dressed like a sheep. Out, yellow coats! Out, you red hypocrite!
Fie, lords! that you, being supreme magistrates, Thus contumeliously should break the peace!
Shame on you, lords! You, being the highest magistrates, Should not so disrespectfully break the peace!
Peace, mayor! thou know’st little of my wrongs: Here’s Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king, Hath here distrain’d the Tower to his use. BISHOP
Quiet, mayor! You know nothing of my wrongs: Here’s Beaufort, who cares for neither God nor king, And has taken control of the Tower for his own use. BISHOP
Here’s Gloucester, a foe to citizens, One that still motions war and never peace, O’ercharging your free purses with large fines, That seeks to overthrow religion, Because he is protector of the realm, And would have armour here out of the Tower, To crown himself king and suppress the prince.
Here’s Gloucester, an enemy to the citizens, One who constantly stirs up war and never peace, Overloading your free purses with huge fines, Who wants to overthrow religion, Because he’s the protector of the realm, And would take the armour out of the Tower, To crown himself king and suppress the prince.
I will not answer thee with words, but blows.
I won’t answer you with words, but with blows.
Naught rests for me in this tumultuous strife But to make open proclamation: Come, officer; as loud as e’er thou canst, Cry.
There’s nothing for me to do in this chaotic fight But to make an official announcement: Come, officer; shout as loudly as you can, Cry.
All manner of men assembled here in arms this day against God’s peace and the king’s, we charge and command you, in his highness’ name, to repair to your several dwelling-places; and not to wear, handle, or use any sword, weapon, or dagger, henceforward, upon pain of death.
All people gathered here in arms today Against God’s peace and the king’s, we charge and Command you, in his highness’ name, to go back To your homes; and not to carry, Handle, or use any sword, weapon, or dagger, From now on, under penalty of death.
Cardinal, I’ll be no breaker of the law: But we shall meet, and break our minds at large. BISHOP
Cardinal, I won’t break the law: But we’ll meet again and express our feelings at length. BISHOP
Gloucester, we will meet; to thy cost, be sure: Thy heart-blood I will have for this day’s work.
Gloucester, we’ll meet; and at your expense, be sure: I’ll have your heart’s blood for what you’ve done today.
I’ll call for clubs, if you will not away. This cardinal’s more haughty than the devil.
I’ll call for clubs, if you don’t leave. This cardinal’s more arrogant than the devil.
Mayor, farewell: thou dost but what thou mayst. BISHOP
Mayor, goodbye: you’re just doing what you can. BISHOP
Abominable Gloucester, guard thy head; For I intend to have it ere long.
Abominable Gloucester, watch your head; Because I plan to have it soon.
See the coast clear’d, and then we will depart. Good God, these nobles should such stomachs bear! I myself fight not once in forty year.
Make sure the coast is clear, then we’ll leave. Good God, how can these nobles carry such pride! I haven’t fought once in forty years.