Henry VI, Part 2

Act 3, Scene 3

Modern spelling. Stage directions omitted.

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KING HENRY

How fares my lord? Speak, Beaufort, to sovereign.

CARDINAL

If be’st Death, I’ll give England’s treasure,
Enough to purchase such another island,
So wilt let me live and feel no pain.

KING HENRY

Ah, what a sign it is of evil life
Where death’s approach is seen so terrible!

WARWICK

Beaufort, it is sovereign speaks to .

CARDINAL

Bring me unto my trial when you will.
Died he not in his bed? Where should he die?
Can I make men live, whe’er they will or no?
O, torture me no more! I will confess.
Alive again? Then show me where he is.
I’ll give a thousand pound to look upon him.
He no eyes, the dust blinded them.
Comb down his hair; look, look, it stands upright,
Like lime-twigs set to catch my winged soul.
Give me some drink, and bid the apothecary
Bring the strong poison that I bought of him.

KING HENRY

O eternal mover of the heavens,
Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch!
O, beat away the busy meddling fiend
That lays strong siege unto this wretch’s soul,
And from his bosom purge this black despair!

WARWICK

See how the pangs of death do make him grin!

SALISBURY

Disturb him not; let him pass peaceably.

KING HENRY

Peace to his soul, if God’s good pleasure be!
Lord Cardinal, if think’st on heaven’s bliss,
Hold up hand, make signal of hope.
He dies and makes no sign. O God, forgive him!

WARWICK

So bad a death argues a monstrous life.

KING HENRY

Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.
Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close,
And let us all to meditation.

All of Henry VI, Part 2

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 1Act 1, Scene 2Act 1, Scene 3Act 1, Scene 4,

Act 2

Act 2, Scene 1Act 2, Scene 2Act 2, Scene 3Act 2, Scene 4,

Act 3

Act 3, Scene 1Act 3, Scene 2Act 3, Scene 3,

Act 4

Act 4, Scene 1Act 4, Scene 2Act 4, Scene 3Act 4, Scene 4Act 4, Scene 5Act 4, Scene 6Act 4, Scene 7Act 4, Scene 8Act 4, Scene 9Act 4, Scene 10,

Act 5

Act 5, Scene 1Act 5, Scene 2Act 5, Scene 3

Open Henry VI, Part 2 in the 1623 First Folio. See its words in the cloud.

Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.