Now, by the death of Him that died for all, These counties were the keys of Normandy. But wherefore weeps Warwick, my valiant son?
Now, by the death of Him who died for all, these counties were the key to Normandy. But why is Warwick, my brave son, crying?
Earl of Salisbury · Act 1, Scene 1
Salisbury is mourning the loss of the French territories that were once England's greatest assets, and he turns to see why his son Warwick is weeping. The line matters because it names the play's central fact—England has lost not just cities but the foundation of its power—and because it prompts the revelation that the greatest loss is yet to come. It shows that Salisbury and Warwick understand that the kingdom is falling apart before their eyes.
Pride went before, ambition follows him. While these do labour for their own preferment, Behoves it us to labour for the realm. I never saw but Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Did bear him like a noble gentleman. Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal, More like a soldier than a man o’ the church, As stout and proud as he were lord of all, Swear like a ruffian and demean himself Unlike the ruler of a commonweal. Warwick, my son, the comfort of my age, Thy deeds, thy plainness and thy housekeeping, Hath won the greatest favour of the commons, Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey: And, brother York, thy acts in Ireland, In bringing them to civil discipline, Thy late exploits done in the heart of France, When thou wert regent for our sovereign, Have made thee fear’d and honour’d of the people: Join we together, for the public good, In what we can, to bridle and suppress The pride of Suffolk and the cardinal, With Somerset’s and Buckingham’s ambition; And, as we may, cherish Duke Humphrey’s deeds, While they do tend the profit of the land.
Pride went before him, ambition follows. While they work for their own advancement, We should work for the good of the kingdom. I’ve only ever seen Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Act like a true nobleman. I’ve often seen the arrogant cardinal, Acting more like a soldier than a churchman, As proud and bold as if he were lord of everything, Cursing like a thug and behaving in ways Unbecoming of the ruler of a nation. Warwick, my son, the pride of my old age, Your actions, your honesty, and your management, Have earned you the greatest favor of the common people, Except for good Duke Humphrey: And, brother York, your actions in Ireland, Bringing them to peace and order, And your recent successes in the heart of France, When you were regent for our king, Have made you feared and respected by the people: Let’s join forces, for the common good, And do what we can to control and suppress The pride of Suffolk and the cardinal, And the ambitions of Somerset and Buckingham; And, as we can, support Duke Humphrey’s actions, As long as they benefit the land.
Earl of Salisbury · Act 1, Scene 1
Salisbury stands in the aftermath of Gloucester's arrest and surveys the court with disgust, seeing pride in the Cardinal and ambition in Somerset and Buckingham, but honor only in Gloucester and his own family. The speech matters because it lays out the moral map of the play—there are the good men, few and getting fewer, and the ambitious ones, many and growing. It tells us that loyalty to the realm is fading and being replaced by self-interest.
