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BISHOP
BISHOP
Comest thou with deep premeditated lines, With written pamphlets studiously devised, Humphrey of Gloucester? If thou canst accuse, Or aught intend’st to lay unto my charge, Do it without invention, suddenly; As I with sudden and extemporal speech Purpose to answer what thou canst object.
Are you here with carefully planned accusations, With written papers that you’ve carefully prepared, Humphrey of Gloucester? If you want to accuse me, Or have anything to lay on me, Then do it without making up lies, suddenly; As I plan to respond right away to what you say.
Presumptuous priest! this place commands my patience, Or thou shouldst find thou hast dishonour’d me. Think not, although in writing I preferr’d The manner of thy vile outrageous crimes, That therefore I have forged, or am not able Verbatim to rehearse the method of my pen: No, prelate; such is thy audacious wickedness, Thy lewd, pestiferous and dissentious pranks, As very infants prattle of thy pride. Thou art a most pernicious usurer, Forward by nature, enemy to peace; Lascivious, wanton, more than well beseems A man of thy profession and degree; And for thy treachery, what’s more manifest? In that thou laid’st a trap to take my life, As well at London bridge as at the Tower. Beside, I fear me, if thy thoughts were sifted, The king, thy sovereign, is not quite exempt From envious malice of thy swelling heart. BISHOP
Bold priest! this place tests my patience, Or you would find that you have dishonored me. Don’t think, just because I wrote About your horrible, outrageous crimes, That I’ve made them up, or that I’m not able To repeat word-for-word the things I wrote: No, bishop; your wickedness is so brazen, Your immoral, poisonous, and rebellious actions, That even little children talk about your pride. You are a terrible usurer, Naturally forward, an enemy of peace; Lustful, reckless, more than what’s proper For a man of your position and role; And as for your treachery, what’s more obvious? You set a trap to kill me, Both at London Bridge and at the Tower. Besides, I fear that if your thoughts were examined, The king, your sovereign, isn’t entirely safe From the envious malice of your swelling heart. BISHOP
Gloucester, I do defy thee. Lords, vouchsafe To give me hearing what I shall reply. If I were covetous, ambitious or perverse, As he will have me, how am I so poor? Or how haps it I seek not to advance Or raise myself, but keep my wonted calling? And for dissension, who preferreth peace More than I do?--except I be provoked. No, my good lords, it is not that offends; It is not that that hath incensed the duke: It is, because no one should sway but he; No one but he should be about the king; And that engenders thunder in his breast And makes him roar these accusations forth. But he shall know I am as good--
Gloucester, I defy you. Lords, kindly Listen to what I have to say in response. If I were greedy, ambitious, or corrupt, As he claims, why am I so poor? Or how is it that I don’t seek to rise Or elevate myself, but instead stick to my usual role? And for discord, who promotes peace More than I do?--except when provoked. No, my good lords, it’s not that that offends me; It’s not that which has angered the duke: It’s because no one else should have power but him; No one but him should be around the king; And that creates a storm in his chest And makes him shout these accusations. But he will know I am just as good--
As good! Thou bastard of my grandfather! BISHOP
Just as good! You bastard of my grandfather! BISHOP
Ay, lordly sir; for what are you, I pray, But one imperious in another’s throne?
Yes, noble sir; because what are you, I ask, But someone trying to be in someone else’s place?
Am I not protector, saucy priest? BISHOP
Am I not protector, insolent priest? BISHOP
And am not I a prelate of the church?
And am I not a high-ranking churchman?
Yes, as an outlaw in a castle keeps And useth it to patronage his theft. BISHOP
Yes, as an outlaw who takes over a castle And uses it to protect his crimes. BISHOP
Unreverent Gloster!
Disrespectful Gloucester!
Thou art reverent Touching thy spiritual function, not thy life. BISHOP
You are only respectful When it comes to your religious role, not your life. BISHOP
Rome shall remedy this.
Rome will fix this.
Roam thither, then.
Then go there.
My lord, it were your duty to forbear.
My lord, it’s your duty to hold back.
Ay, see the bishop be not overborne.
Yes, make sure the bishop isn’t overwhelmed.
Methinks my lord should be religious And know the office that belongs to such.
I think my lord should be more pious And understand the role that comes with that.
Methinks his lordship should be humbler; it fitteth not a prelate so to plead.
I think his lordship should be more humble; It’s not appropriate for a churchman to argue like that.
Yes, when his holy state is touch’d so near.
Yes, especially when his holy position is threatened so directly.
State holy or unhallow’d, what of that? Is not his grace protector to the king? RICHARD
Holy or not, what does that matter? Isn’t he the protector of the king? RICHARD
[Aside] Plantagenet, I see, must hold his tongue, Lest it be said ’Speak, sirrah, when you should; Must your bold verdict enter talk with lords?’ Else would I have a fling at Winchester.
[Aside] I see I must keep quiet, Or they’ll say ‘Speak, boy, when you should,’ ‘Should your bold opinion really be entering a conversation with lords?’ Otherwise, I’d have a go at Winchester.
Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester, The special watchmen of our English weal, I would prevail, if prayers might prevail, To join your hearts in love and amity. O, what a scandal is it to our crown, That two such noble peers as ye should jar! Believe me, lords, my tender years can tell Civil dissension is a viperous worm That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth.
Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester, The key guardians of our English well-being, I would wish, if prayers could help, That you could join your hearts in love and friendship. Oh, what a disgrace to our crown, That two such noble peers like you should quarrel! Believe me, lords, my young age can tell That civil conflict is a deadly poison That destroys the core of the nation.
What tumult’s this?
What’s all this noise?
An uproar, I dare warrant, Begun through malice of the bishop’s men.
It’s an uproar, I’m sure, Caused by the hatred of the bishop’s men.
O, my good lords, and virtuous Henry, Pity the city of London, pity us! The bishop and the Duke of Gloucester’s men, Forbidden late to carry any weapon, Have fill’d their pockets full of pebble stones And banding themselves in contrary parts Do pelt so fast at one another’s pate That many have their giddy brains knock’d out: Our windows are broke down in every street And we for fear compell’d to shut our shops.
Oh, my good lords, and virtuous Henry, Pity the city of London, pity us! The bishop and the Duke of Gloucester’s men, Who were recently forbidden to carry weapons, Have filled their pockets with stones And are now fighting each other with them. They’re throwing stones at each other’s heads So fast that many have had their brains knocked out. Our windows are being broken in every street, And we are forced to close our shops for fear.
We charge you, on allegiance to ourself, To hold your slaughtering hands and keep the peace. Pray, uncle Gloucester, mitigate this strife. First Serving-man Nay, if we be forbidden stones, We’ll fall to it with our teeth. Second Serving-man Do what ye dare, we are as resolute.
We command you, on pain of disloyalty, To stop your fighting and keep the peace. Please, uncle Gloucester, calm this argument. First Serving-man: No, if we’re not allowed to throw stones, We’ll bite them with our teeth. Second Serving-man: Do what you want, we’re just as determined.
You of my household, leave this peevish broil And set this unaccustom’d fight aside. Third Serving-man My lord, we know your grace to be a man Just and upright; and, for your royal birth, Inferior to none but to his majesty: And ere that we will suffer such a prince, So kind a father of the commonweal, To be disgraced by an inkhorn mate, We and our wives and children all will fight And have our bodies slaughtered by thy foes. First Serving-man Ay, and the very parings of our nails Shall pitch a field when we are dead.
You, from my household, stop this petty fight And put aside this strange and unfamiliar quarrel. Third Serving-man My lord, we know you to be a man Fair and just; and, because of your royal birth, You are inferior to none except the king: And before we will allow such a prince, So good a protector of the common good, To be dishonored by a pompous fool, We and our wives and children will fight And let our bodies be killed by your enemies. First Serving-man Yes, even the smallest parts of us, Will fight when we’re dead.
Stay, stay, I say! And if you love me, as you say you do, Let me persuade you to forbear awhile.
Wait, wait, I say! And if you love me, as you claim you do, Let me convince you to hold off for a while.
O, how this discord doth afflict my soul! Can you, my Lord of Winchester, behold My sighs and tears and will not once relent? Who should be pitiful, if you be not? Or who should study to prefer a peace. If holy churchmen take delight in broils?
Oh, how this conflict tortures my soul! Can you, my Lord of Winchester, watch My sighs and tears and not feel any pity? Who else should show mercy, if not you? Or who should work for peace, If holy churchmen delight in fighting?
Yield, my lord protector; yield, Winchester; Except you mean with obstinate repulse To slay your sovereign and destroy the realm. You see what mischief and what murder too Hath been enacted through your enmity; Then be at peace except ye thirst for blood. BISHOP
Give in, my lord protector; give in, Winchester; Unless you plan to stubbornly refuse To kill your king and destroy the kingdom. You see the chaos and murder too That has come from your hatred; So make peace unless you want bloodshed. BISHOP
He shall submit, or I will never yield.
He will submit, or I will never give in.
Compassion on the king commands me stoop; Or I would see his heart out, ere the priest Should ever get that privilege of me.
Mercy for the king forces me to submit; Or else I would tear out his heart before the priest Would ever get that privilege from me.
Behold, my Lord of Winchester, the duke Hath banish’d moody discontented fury, As by his smoothed brows it doth appear: Why look you still so stern and tragical?
Look, my Lord of Winchester, the duke Has smoothed away his anger, As you can tell by his calm face: Why do you still look so grim and tragic?
Here, Winchester, I offer thee my hand.
Here, Winchester, I offer you my hand.
Fie, uncle Beaufort! I have heard you preach That malice was a great and grievous sin; And will not you maintain the thing you teach, But prove a chief offender in the same?
Shame on you, uncle Beaufort! I’ve heard you preach That hatred is a great and serious sin; And yet, you won’t follow your own teaching, But instead become the chief sinner yourself?
Sweet king! the bishop hath a kindly gird. For shame, my lord of Winchester, relent! What, shall a child instruct you what to do? BISHOP
Sweet king! The bishop has given a nice insult. For shame, my lord of Winchester, give in! What, will a child have to teach you what to do? BISHOP
Well, Duke of Gloucester, I will yield to thee; Love for thy love and hand for hand I give.
Alright, Duke of Gloucester, I will give in to you; I offer you love for love, and my hand in return.
[Aside] Ay, but, I fear me, with a hollow heart.-- See here, my friends and loving countrymen, This token serveth for a flag of truce Betwixt ourselves and all our followers: So help me God, as I dissemble not! BISHOP
[Aside] Yes, but I fear this is not sincere.-- Look here, my friends and loyal countrymen, This gesture serves as a flag of truce Between us and all of our supporters: So help me God, I am not pretending! BISHOP
[Aside] So help me God, as I intend it not!
[Aside] So help me God, I do not mean it!
O, loving uncle, kind Duke of Gloucester, How joyful am I made by this contract! Away, my masters! trouble us no more; But join in friendship, as your lords have done. First Serving-man Content: I’ll to the surgeon’s. Second Serving-man And so will I. Third Serving-man And I will see what physic the tavern affords.
Oh, loving uncle, kind Duke of Gloucester, How happy I am because of this agreement! Now, my lords, leave us in peace; Join in friendship, as your leaders have. First Serving-man Alright, I’ll go to the surgeon. Second Serving-man And I will too. Third Serving-man And I will see what medicine the tavern has.
Accept this scroll, most gracious sovereign, Which in the right of Richard Plantagenet We do exhibit to your majesty.
Accept this letter, most gracious ruler, Which, in the name of Richard Plantagenet, We present to your majesty.
Well urged, my Lord of Warwick: or sweet prince, And if your grace mark every circumstance, You have great reason to do Richard right; Especially for those occasions At Eltham Place I told your majesty.
Well said, my Lord of Warwick: or, sweet prince, And if your grace considers every detail, You have strong reasons to do Richard justice; Especially for the reasons I mentioned to your majesty at Eltham Place.
And those occasions, uncle, were of force: Therefore, my loving lords, our pleasure is That Richard be restored to his blood.
And those reasons, uncle, were very important: Therefore, my loyal lords, our wish is That Richard be restored to his rightful position.
Let Richard be restored to his blood; So shall his father’s wrongs be recompensed. BISHOP
Let Richard be restored to his rightful position; This will right the wrongs done to his father. BISHOP
As will the rest, so willeth Winchester.
As everyone else agrees, so does Winchester.
If Richard will be true, not that alone But all the whole inheritance I give That doth belong unto the house of York, From whence you spring by lineal descent. RICHARD
If Richard remains loyal, not only Will I restore him, but I give him all The inheritance that belongs to the House of York, From which you descend by direct line. RICHARD
Thy humble servant vows obedience And humble service till the point of death.
Your humble servant promises loyalty And devoted service until the day I die.
Stoop then and set your knee against my foot; And, in reguerdon of that duty done, I gird thee with the valiant sword of York: Rise Richard, like a true Plantagenet, And rise created princely Duke of York. RICHARD
Bow down, then, and place your knee at my foot; And as a reward for that duty, I give you the honorable sword of York: Rise, Richard, like a true Plantagenet, And rise as the newly created Duke of York. RICHARD
And so thrive Richard as thy foes may fall! And as my duty springs, so perish they That grudge one thought against your majesty!
And may Richard thrive as his enemies fall! And as I owe my duty, may those perish Who harbor ill thoughts against your majesty!
Welcome, high prince, the mighty Duke of York!
Welcome, great prince, the mighty Duke of York!
[Aside] Perish, base prince, ignoble Duke of York!
[Aside] Perish, lowly prince, ignoble Duke of York!
Now will it best avail your majesty To cross the seas and to be crown’d in France: The presence of a king engenders love Amongst his subjects and his loyal friends, As it disanimates his enemies.
Now it is most important for your majesty To cross the sea and be crowned in France: The presence of a king inspires love Among his subjects and loyal friends, And weakens his enemies.
When Gloucester says the word, King Henry goes; For friendly counsel cuts off many foes.
When Gloucester speaks, King Henry follows; For good advice often removes many foes.
Your ships already are in readiness.
Your ships are already prepared.
Ay, we may march in England or in France, Not seeing what is likely to ensue. This late dissension grown betwixt the peers Burns under feigned ashes of forged love And will at last break out into a flame: As fester’d members rot but by degree, Till bones and flesh and sinews fall away, So will this base and envious discord breed. And now I fear that fatal prophecy Which in the time of Henry named the Fifth Was in the mouth of every sucking babe; That Henry born at Monmouth should win all And Henry born at Windsor lose all: Which is so plain that Exeter doth wish His days may finish ere that hapless time.
Yes, we may march in England or in France, Not knowing what will happen next. This recent conflict between the nobles Burns beneath the false surface of feigned love And will eventually erupt into open conflict: Like festering wounds, they worsen over time, Until bones and flesh and sinews fall apart, So will this malicious and jealous discord grow. And now I fear that fateful prophecy Which, in the time of Henry the Fifth, Was in the mouth of every newborn child; That Henry born at Monmouth would win everything And Henry born at Windsor would lose everything: This is so clear that Exeter wishes His life may end before that unfortunate time.