THE FIRST PART ΟΙ KING HENRY VI ACT I. SCENE I. Westminster Abbey. Dead March. Enter the Funeral of KING HENRY THE FIFTH, attended on by the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France; the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, Protector; the DUKE OF EXETER, the Earl of WARWICK, the BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, Heralds, etc. Bed. Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night! Comets, importing change of times and states, Glou. England ne'er had a king until his time. Virtue he had, deserving to command; 11 His brandish'd sword did blind men with his beams; Than mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces. Exe. We mourn in black; why mourn we not in blood? Henry is dead and never shall revive; Upon a wooden coffin we attend, Like captives bound to a triumphant car. 20 25 Win. He was a king bless'd of the King of kings. Unto the French the dreadful judgement-day So dreadful will not be as was his sight. His thread of life had not so soon decay'd; 30 Had not 35 Win. Gloucester, whate'er we like, thou art Pro tector, And lookest to command the prince and realm. Glou. 40 Name not religion, for thou lovest the flesh, And ne'er throughout the year to church thou go'st Except it be to pray against thy foes. Bed. Cease, cease these jars, and rest your minds in peace. Let's to the altar. Heralds, wait on us. 45 Since arms avail not now that Henry 's dead. Posterity, await for wretched years, When at their mothers' moist eyes babes shall suck, Our isle be made a nourish of salt tears, And none but women left to wail the dead. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My honourable lords, health to you all! Sad tidings bring I to you out of France, Of loss, of slaughter, and discomfiture: Guienne, Champagne, Rheims, Orleans, Paris, Guysors, Poictiers, are all quite lost. 50 55 60 Bed. What say'st thou, man, before dead Henry's corse? Speak softly, or the loss of those great towns Will make him burst his lead and rise from death. Glou. Is Paris lost? is Rouen yielded up? 65 If Henry were recall'd to life again, These news would cause him once more yield the ghost. Exe. How were they lost? what treachery was used? Mess. No treachery, but want of men and money. Amongst the soldiers this is muttered, That here you maintain several factions, 70 And whilst a field should be dispatch'd and fought, You are disputing of your generals. One would have lingering wars with little cost; 75 By guileful fair words peace may be obtain❜d. Let not sloth dim your honours new-begot. 80 Exe. Were our tears wanting to this funeral, These tidings would call forth their flowing tides. Bed. Me they concern; Regent I am of France. Give me my steeled coat. I'll fight for France. 85 Away with these disgraceful wailing robes! |