Henry VI, Part 2: Act 4, Scene 4

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    London. The palace.

    Scene Summary

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    Margaret at court is inconsolable, carrying Suffolk's head. Henry receives the escalating news of the rebellion and withdraws with his court from London toward Kenilworth.

    Enter KING HENRY VI with a supplication, and the QUEEN with SUFFOLK'S head, BUCKINGHAM and Lord SAY
    QUEEN MARGARET
    Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind,
    And makes it fearful and degenerate;
    Think therefore on revenge and cease to weep.
    But who can cease to weep and look on this?
    Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast:
    But where's the body that I should embrace?
    BUCKINGHAM
    What answer makes your grace to the rebels'
    supplication?
    KING HENRY VI
    I'll send some holy bishop to entreat;
    For God forbid so many simple souls
    Should perish by the sword! And I myself,
    Rather than bloody war shall cut them short,
    Will parley with Jack Cade their general:
    But stay, I'll read it over once again.
    QUEEN MARGARET
    Ah, barbarous villains! hath this lovely face
    Ruled, like a wandering planet, over me,
    And could it not enforce them to relent,
    That were unworthy to behold the same?
    KING HENRY VI
    Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.
    SAY
    Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his.
    KING HENRY VI
    How now, madam!
    Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk's death?
    I fear me, love, if that I had been dead,
    Thou wouldst not have mourn'd so much for me.
    QUEEN MARGARET
    No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.
    Enter a Messenger
    KING HENRY VI
    How now! what news? why comest thou in such haste?
    Messenger
    The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord!
    Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer,
    Descended from the Duke of Clarence' house,
    And calls your grace usurper openly
    And vows to crown himself in Westminster.
    His army is a ragged multitude
    Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless:
    Sir Humphrey Stafford and h is brother's death
    Hath given them heart and courage to proceed:
    All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen,
    They call false caterpillars, and intend their death.
    KING HENRY VI
    O graceless men! they know not what they do.
    BUCKINGHAM
    My gracious lord, return to Killingworth,
    Until a power be raised to put them down.
    QUEEN MARGARET
    Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,
    These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased!
    KING HENRY VI
    Lord Say, the traitors hate thee;
    Therefore away with us to Killingworth.
    SAY
    So might your grace's person be in danger.
    The sight of me is odious in their eyes;
    And therefore in this city will I stay
    And live alone as secret as I may.
    Enter another Messenger
    Messenger
    Jack Cade hath gotten London bridge:
    The citizens fly and forsake their houses:
    The rascal people, thirsting after prey,
    Join with the traitor, and they jointly swear
    To spoil the city and your royal court.
    BUCKINGHAM
    Then linger not, my lord, away, take horse.
    KING HENRY VI
    Come, Margaret; God, our hope, will succor us.
    QUEEN MARGARET
    My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceased.
    KING HENRY VI
    Farewell, my lord: trust not the Kentish rebels.
    BUCKINGHAM
    Trust nobody, for fear you be betray'd.
    SAY
    The trust I have is in mine innocence,
    And therefore am I bold and resolute.
    Exeunt