Original
Modern English
Was ever king that joy’d an earthly throne, And could command no more content than I? No sooner was I crept out of my cradle But I was made a king, at nine months old. Was never subject long’d to be a king As I do long and wish to be a subject.
Was there ever a king who enjoyed an earthly throne, And had no more content than I have? No sooner had I crawled out of my cradle Than I was made king, at just nine months old. Was there ever a subject who longed to be a king As much as I long to be a subject?
Health and glad tidings to your majesty!
Greetings and good news to your majesty!
Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surprised? Or is he but retired to make him strong?
Why, Buckingham, has the traitor Cade been caught? Or is he just hiding to gather more strength?
He is fled, my lord, and all his powers do yield; And humbly thus, with halters on their necks, Expect your highness’ doom of life or death.
He’s escaped, my lord, and all his forces have surrendered; And humbly, with nooses around their necks, They await your decision on whether they live or die.
Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gates, To entertain my vows of thanks and praise! Soldiers, this day have you redeemed your lives, And show’d how well you love your prince and country: Continue still in this so good a mind, And Henry, though he be infortunate, Assure yourselves, will never be unkind: And so, with thanks and pardon to you all, I do dismiss you to your several countries.
Then, heaven, open your eternal gates, To accept my thanks and praise! Soldiers, today you have saved your lives, And shown how much you love your prince and your country: Keep this good attitude, And Henry, though he may be unlucky, Promise you, will never be unkind: And so, with thanks and forgiveness to you all, I send you back to your homes.
God save the king! God save the king!
God save the king! God save the king!
Please it your grace to be advertised The Duke of York is newly come from Ireland, And with a puissant and a mighty power Of gallowglasses and stout kerns Is marching hitherward in proud array, And still proclaimeth, as he comes along, His arms are only to remove from thee The Duke of Somerset, whom he terms traitor.
Your grace, I bring news The Duke of York has just arrived from Ireland, And with a powerful and strong army Of warriors and soldiers, Is marching here in full force, And still declaring, as he comes, That his only goal is to remove from you The Duke of Somerset, whom he calls a traitor.
Thus stands my state, ’twixt Cade and York distress’d. Like to a ship that, having ’scaped a tempest, Is straightway calm’d and boarded with a pirate: But now is Cade driven back, his men dispersed; And now is York in arms to second him. I pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet him, And ask him what’s the reason of these arms. Tell him I’ll send Duke Edmund to the Tower; And, Somerset, we’ll commit thee thither, Until his army be dismiss’d from him.
So this is my situation, stuck between Cade and York’s threats. Like a ship that, having survived a storm, Is suddenly calm, but then boarded by pirates: But now Cade has been pushed back, his men scattered; And now York is preparing to fight back. I ask you, Buckingham, go and meet him, And ask him why he’s gathering an army. Tell him I’ll send Duke Edmund to the Tower; And, Somerset, we’ll lock you up there, Until his army is dismissed.
My lord, I’ll yield myself to prison willingly, Or unto death, to do my country good.
My lord, I will willingly surrender myself to prison, Or to death, if it’s for the good of my country.
In any case, be not too rough in terms; For he is fierce and cannot brook hard language.
Whatever you do, don’t be too harsh with him; For he is fierce and can’t tolerate being insulted.
I will, my lord; and doubt not so to deal As all things shall redound unto your good.
I will, my lord; and I am sure I will handle it So that everything turns out for your benefit.
Come, wife, let’s in, and learn to govern better; For yet may England curse my wretched reign.
Come, wife, let’s go in, and learn how to rule better; For England may still curse my miserable reign.