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Once more we sit in England’s royal throne, Re-purchased with the blood of enemies. What valiant foemen, like to autumn’s corn, Have we mow’d down, in tops of all their pride! Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown’d For hardy and undoubted champions; Two Cliffords, as the father and the son, And two Northumberlands; two braver men Ne’er spurr’d their coursers at the trumpet’s sound; With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague, That in their chains fetter’d the kingly lion And made the forest tremble when they roar’d. Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat And made our footstool of security. Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy. Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself Have in our armours watch’d the winter’s night, Went all afoot in summer’s scalding heat, That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace; And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain.
Once again we sit on England’s throne, Bought back with the blood of our enemies. What brave enemies, like the ripe corn in autumn, Have we cut down at the height of their pride! Three Dukes of Somerset, three times famous For being tough and unquestioned champions; Two Cliffords, just like the father and son, And two Northumberlands; two braver men Never spurred their horses at the sound of the trumpet; With them, the two brave fighters, Warwick and Montague, Who shackled the mighty kingly lion And made the forest shake when they roared. In this way, we’ve cleared suspicion from our throne And made safety our solid foundation. Come here, Bess, and let me kiss my boy. Young Ned, for you, your uncles and I Have stayed up through the cold winter nights, Walked all day in the burning summer heat, So that you could take the crown back in peace; And you’ll benefit from all our hard work.
[Aside] I’ll blast his harvest, if your head were laid; For yet I am not look’d on in the world. This shoulder was ordain’d so thick to heave; And heave it shall some weight, or break my back: Work thou the way,--and thou shalt execute.
[Aside] I’ll ruin his success, if I could get away with it; Because right now, no one sees me for what I am. This shoulder was made strong to carry burdens; And I will carry some great weight, or break my back: You work your way,--and I’ll make it happen.
Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen; And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both.
Clarence and Gloucester, love my beautiful queen; And kiss your royal nephew, both of you.
The duty that I owe unto your majesty I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe.
The duty I owe to your majesty I seal with a kiss on this sweet child.
Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks.
Thank you, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thank you.
And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang’st, Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.
And, because I love the tree from which you came, Let my kiss on the fruit show how I feel.
And cried ’all hail!’ when as he meant all harm.
And shouted ‘all hail!’ when he meant to do harm.
Now am I seated as my soul delights, Having my country’s peace and brothers’ loves.
Now I am secure, just as my soul desires, With my country’s peace and the love of my brothers.
What will your grace have done with Margaret? Reignier, her father, to the king of France Hath pawn’d the Sicils and Jerusalem, And hither have they sent it for her ransom.
What do you want to do with Margaret? Reignier, her father, to the king of France Has given up Sicily and Jerusalem, And they’ve sent it here for her ransom.
Away with her, and waft her hence to France. And now what rests but that we spend the time With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows, Such as befits the pleasure of the court? Sound drums and trumpets! farewell sour annoy! For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.
Send her away, and take her to France. And now, what’s left but to spend our time With grand celebrations, joyful comic performances, Things that are fitting for the pleasure of the court? Sound the drums and trumpets! Goodbye, sour troubles! For here, I hope, begins our lasting happiness.