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Modern English
My masters, let’s stand close: my lord protector will come this way by and by, and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill.
Let’s stand quietly, gentlemen: my lord protector will come this way soon, and then we can present our petitions in writing.
Marry, the Lord protect him, for he’s a good man! Jesu bless him!
God protect him, for he’s a good man! May Jesus bless him!
Here a’ comes, methinks, and the queen with him. I’ll be the first, sure.
Here he comes, I think, and the queen with him. I’ll be the first, for sure.
Come back, fool; this is the Duke of Suffolk, and not my lord protector.
Come back, fool; this is the Duke of Suffolk, not my lord protector.
How now, fellow! would’st anything with me?
What’s up, man! Do you want something from me?
I pray, my lord, pardon me; I took ye for my lord protector.
Please, my lord, forgive me; I mistook you for my lord protector.
[Reading] ’To my Lord Protector!’ Are your supplications to his lordship? Let me see them: what is thine?
[Reading] ’To my Lord Protector!’ Are your requests meant for him? Let me see them: what’s yours?
Mine is, an’t please your grace, against John Goodman, my lord cardinal’s man, for keeping my house, and lands, and wife and all, from me.
Mine is, if it pleases your grace, against John Goodman, the cardinal’s man, for taking my house, lands, wife, and everything from me.
Thy wife, too! that’s some wrong, indeed. What’s yours? What’s here!
Your wife, too! That’s a real wrong. What’s yours? What’s this?
’Against the Duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford.’ How now, sir knave!
’Against the Duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford.’ What’s this, you scoundrel!
Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township.
Oh, sir, I’m just a poor petitioner from our whole township.
[Giving his petition] Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown.
[Giving his petition] It’s against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was the rightful heir to the crown.
What sayst thou? did the Duke of York say he was rightful heir to the crown?
What did you say? Did the Duke of York say he was the rightful heir to the crown?
That my master was? no, forsooth: my master said that he was, and that the king was an usurper.
That my master said that? No, indeed: my master said that the Duke of York was, and that the king was an usurper.
Who is there?
Who’s there?
Take this fellow in, and send for his master with a pursuivant presently: we’ll hear more of your matter before the King.
Take this man in, and send for his master with a messenger right away: we’ll hear more about your case before the King.
And as for you, that love to be protected Under the wings of our protector’s grace, Begin your suits anew, and sue to him.
And as for you, who want to be protected under the wings of our protector’s grace, start your petitions again, and take them to him.
Away, base cullions! Suffolk, let them go.
Go away, you lowly cowards! Suffolk, let them leave.
Come, let’s be gone.
Come on, let’s leave.
My Lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise, Is this the fashion in the court of England? Is this the government of Britain’s isle, And this the royalty of Albion’s king? What shall King Henry be a pupil still Under the surly Gloucester’s governance? Am I a queen in title and in style, And must be made a subject to a duke? I tell thee, Pole, when in the city Tours Thou ran’st a tilt in honour of my love And stolest away the ladies’ hearts of France, I thought King Henry had resembled thee In courage, courtship and proportion: But all his mind is bent to holiness, To number Ave-Maries on his beads; His champions are the prophets and apostles, His weapons holy saws of sacred writ, His study is his tilt-yard, and his loves Are brazen images of canonized saints. I would the college of the cardinals Would choose him pope, and carry him to Rome, And set the triple crown upon his head: That were a state fit for his holiness.
My Lord Suffolk, tell me, is this how things are done, Is this the style in the court of England? Is this the government of Britain’s island, And is this the royal power of Albion’s king? Should King Henry still be a student Under the harsh rule of Gloucester? Am I a queen in title and name, And yet must be made a subject to a duke? I tell you, Pole, when you rode in the city of Tours In honor of my love, And stole away the hearts of the ladies of France, I thought King Henry resembled you In courage, charm, and stature: But now all his thoughts are on piety, To count Ave Marias on his prayer beads; His champions are the prophets and apostles, His weapons are holy quotes from sacred texts, His study is his jousting field, and his loves Are statues of canonized saints. I wish the college of cardinals Would choose him as pope, take him to Rome, And place the triple crown on his head: That would be a fitting position for his holiness.
Madam, be patient: as I was cause Your highness came to England, so will I In England work your grace’s full content.
Madam, be patient: just as I was the reason Your highness came to England, so will I In England make sure your grace gets everything you want.
Beside the haughty protector, have we Beaufort, The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham, And grumbling York: and not the least of these But can do more in England than the king.
Besides the proud protector, we have Beaufort, The arrogant churchman, Somerset, Buckingham, And grumbling York: and none of them Can do less in England than the king.
And he of these that can do most of all Cannot do more in England than the Nevils: Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers.
And the one who can do most of all Can’t do more in England than the Nevils: Salisbury and Warwick are no simple lords.
Not all these lords do vex me half so much As that proud dame, the lord protector’s wife. She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies, More like an empress than Duke Humphrey’s wife: Strangers in court do take her for the queen: She bears a duke’s revenues on her back, And in her heart she scorns our poverty: Shall I not live to be avenged on her? Contemptuous base-born callet as she is, She vaunted ’mongst her minions t’other day, The very train of her worst wearing gown Was better worth than all my father’s lands, Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.
Not all of these lords trouble me as much As that proud woman, the protector’s wife. She walks through the court with a retinue of ladies, More like an empress than the wife of Duke Humphrey: Strangers in the court mistake her for the queen: She carries a duke’s wealth on her back, And in her heart she looks down on our poverty: Shall I not live to get revenge on her? Disrespectful, low-born woman that she is, She boasted among her followers the other day, That even the train of her worst dress Was worth more than all my father’s lands, Until Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.
Madam, myself have limed a bush for her, And placed a quire of such enticing birds, That she will light to listen to the lays, And never mount to trouble you again. So, let her rest: and, madam, list to me; For I am bold to counsel you in this. Although we fancy not the cardinal, Yet must we join with him and with the lords, Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace. As for the Duke of York, this late complaint Will make but little for his benefit. So, one by one, we’ll weed them all at last, And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.
Madam, I have set a trap for her, And placed a choir of such tempting birds, That she will come to listen to the songs, And never cause you trouble again. So, let her be: and, madam, listen to me; For I am bold enough to advise you on this. Although we may not like the cardinal, We must join with him and the lords, Until we bring Duke Humphrey into disgrace. As for the Duke of York, this recent complaint Will do little to help him. So, one by one, we’ll get rid of them all in time, And you will steer the ship of state yourself.
For my part, noble lords, I care not which; Or Somerset or York, all’s one to me.
As for me, noble lords, I don’t mind which one; Whether Somerset or York, it makes no difference to me.
If York have ill demean’d himself in France, Then let him be denay’d the regentship.
If York has behaved badly in France, Then let him be denied the regency.
If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Let York be regent; I will yield to him.
If Somerset is unfit for the position, Let York be regent; I’ll yield to him.
Whether your grace be worthy, yea or no, Dispute not that: York is the worthier.
Whether your grace is worthy or not, Don’t argue that: York is the worthier.
Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.
Ambitious Warwick, let your betters speak.
The cardinal’s not my better in the field.
The cardinal’s not better than me in battle.
All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick.
Everyone here is your superior, Warwick.
Warwick may live to be the best of all.
Warwick might live to be the greatest of all.
Peace, son! and show some reason, Buckingham, Why Somerset should be preferred in this.
Quiet, son! And make some sense, Buckingham, Why should Somerset be favored in this matter?
Because the king, forsooth, will have it so.
Because the king, truly, wants it that way.
Madam, the king is old enough himself To give his censure: these are no women’s matters.
Madam, the king is old enough to decide for himself And give his judgment: these aren’t women’s issues.
If he be old enough, what needs your grace To be protector of his excellence?
If he’s old enough, why does your grace Need to be the protector of his greatness?
Madam, I am protector of the realm; And, at his pleasure, will resign my place.
Madam, I am protector of the kingdom; And if he wishes, I’ll step down from my role.
Resign it then and leave thine insolence. Since thou wert king--as who is king but thou?-- The commonwealth hath daily run to wreck; The Dauphin hath prevail’d beyond the seas; And all the peers and nobles of the realm Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty.
Step down then and leave your arrogance. Since you’ve been king—who else is king but you?— The country has been falling apart; The Dauphin has won overseas; And all the lords and nobles of the land Have been like slaves to your rule.
The commons hast thou rack’d; the clergy’s bags Are lank and lean with thy extortions.
You’ve drained the common people; the church’s coffers Are empty and starving because of your extortions.
Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife’s attire Have cost a mass of public treasury.
Your fancy buildings and your wife’s wardrobe Have drained a lot from the public treasury.
Thy cruelty in execution Upon offenders, hath exceeded law, And left thee to the mercy of the law.
Your cruelty in punishing criminals Has gone beyond the law, And left you vulnerable to the law’s punishment.
They sale of offices and towns in France, If they were known, as the suspect is great, Would make thee quickly hop without thy head.
The sale of offices and towns in France, If it were known, as the suspicion is high, Would quickly get you executed.
Give me my fan: what, minion! can ye not?
Give me my fan: what, idiot! Can’t you do it?
I cry you mercy, madam; was it you?
I apologize, madam; was it really you?
Was’t I! yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman: Could I come near your beauty with my nails, I’d set my ten commandments in your face.
Was it me! Yes, it was, proud Frenchwoman: If I could get close enough to your beauty with my nails, I’d scratch my ten commandments into your face.
Sweet aunt, be quiet; ’twas against her will.
Sweet aunt, calm down; it was against her will.
Against her will! good king, look to’t in time; She’ll hamper thee, and dandle thee like a baby: Though in this place most master wear no breeches, She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged.
Against her will! Good king, watch out in time; She’ll trap you, and treat you like a child: Even though most powerful men here don’t wear pants, She will not strike Dame Eleanor without revenge.
Lord cardinal, I will follow Eleanor, And listen after Humphrey, how he proceeds: She’s tickled now; her fume needs no spurs, She’ll gallop far enough to her destruction.
Lord cardinal, I will follow Eleanor, And keep an eye on Humphrey, to see what he does: She’s angry now; her temper needs no encouragement, She’ll rush headlong into her own ruin.
Now, lords, my choler being over-blown With walking once about the quadrangle, I come to talk of commonwealth affairs. As for your spiteful false objections, Prove them, and I lie open to the law: But God in mercy so deal with my soul, As I in duty love my king and country! But, to the matter that we have in hand: I say, my sovereign, York is meetest man To be your regent in the realm of France.
Now, lords, after walking around the courtyard to cool down, I’ve come to discuss matters of the kingdom. As for your spiteful, false accusations, Prove them, and I’ll face the law: But may God deal mercifully with my soul, As I love my king and country in duty! But to the matter at hand: I say, my sovereign, York is the best man To be your ruler in the kingdom of France.
Before we make election, give me leave To show some reason, of no little force, That York is most unmeet of any man.
Before we vote, let me explain, With a strong reason, why York is the least suitable man.
I’ll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet: First, for I cannot flatter thee in pride; Next, if I be appointed for the place, My Lord of Somerset will keep me here, Without discharge, money, or furniture, Till France be won into the Dauphin’s hands: Last time, I danced attendance on his will Till Paris was besieged, famish’d, and lost.
I’ll tell you, Suffolk, why I am unsuitable: First, because I can’t flatter you in pride; Second, if I’m chosen for the job, My Lord of Somerset will keep me stuck here, Without pay, money, or resources, Until France is won by the Dauphin: Last time, I served his will Until Paris was besieged, starved, and lost.
That can I witness; and a fouler fact Did never traitor in the land commit.
I can confirm that; and no worse thing Has ever been done by a traitor in the land.
Peace, headstrong Warwick!
Quiet, stubborn Warwick!
Image of pride, why should I hold my peace?
Prideful fool, why should I stay silent?
Because here is a man accused of treason: Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself!
Because here’s a man accused of treason: I hope the Duke of York can clear himself!
Doth any one accuse York for a traitor?
Does anyone accuse York of being a traitor?
What mean’st thou, Suffolk; tell me, what are these?
What do you mean, Suffolk? Tell me, what’s going on here?
Please it your majesty, this is the man That doth accuse his master of high treason: His words were these: that Richard, Duke of York, Was rightful heir unto the English crown And that your majesty was a usurper.
If it pleases your majesty, this is the man Who accuses his master of high treason: His words were these: that Richard, Duke of York, Was the rightful heir to the English crown And that your majesty was a usurper.
Say, man, were these thy words?
Tell me, man, were these your words?
An’t shall please your majesty, I never said nor thought any such matter: God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain.
If it pleases your majesty, I never said or thought any such thing: God is my witness, I am falsely accused by this villain.
By these ten bones, my lords, he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scouring my Lord of York’s armour.
By these ten bones, my lords, he did say them to me one night in the attic, while we were cleaning my Lord of York’s armor.
Base dunghill villain and mechanical, I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech. I do beseech your royal majesty, Let him have all the rigor of the law.
Lowborn scoundrel and worker, I’ll have your head for this traitorous speech. I beg your royal majesty, Let him face the full force of the law.
Alas, my lord, hang me, if ever I spake the words. My accuser is my ’prentice; and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me: I have good witness of this: therefore I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a villain’s accusation.
Alas, my lord, hang me if I ever said those words. My accuser is my apprentice; and when I corrected him for his mistake the other day, he swore on his knees he would get back at me: I have good witnesses for this; so I beg your majesty, don’t ruin an honest man based on a villain’s accusation.
Uncle, what shall we say to this in law?
Uncle, what should we say about this in legal terms?
This doom, my lord, if I may judge: Let Somerset be regent over the French, Because in York this breeds suspicion: And let these have a day appointed them For single combat in convenient place, For he hath witness of his servant’s malice: This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey’s doom.
This is my judgment, my lord: Let Somerset be regent over the French, Because in York, this creates suspicion: And let them have a day set for a duel in a proper place, Because he has evidence of his servant’s malice: This is the law, and this is Duke Humphrey’s judgment.
I humbly thank your royal majesty.
I humbly thank your royal majesty.
And I accept the combat willingly.
And I accept the duel gladly.
Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God’s sake, pity my case. The spite of man prevaileth against me. O Lord, have mercy upon me! I shall never be able to fight a blow. O Lord, my heart!
Alas, my lord, I can’t fight; for God’s sake, pity my situation. The malice of man is too much for me. O Lord, have mercy on me! I will never be able to fight a single blow. O Lord, my heart!
Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be hang’d.
You must either fight or be hanged.
Away with them to prison; and the day of combat shall be the last of the next month. Come, Somerset, we’ll see thee sent away.
Take them away to prison; and the day of the duel shall be at the end of next month. Come, Somerset, we’ll make sure you’re sent away.