Shakespeare's Henry VI "House of York" (part 4 of 16)

[GreatGrumbledook]

It should be made a court martial offence to mingle with the verses of Shakespeare! How can anyone dare to mix the first outbreak of the Wars of the Roses, where many bitter words were changed between the two factions, with this armistice? Who does not know the plays will scarcely be able to make any sense of it! A much failed attempt to use the beginning of Henry VI Part III for the outbreak of the conflict between the houses York and Lancaster: A War of the Roses without St. Albans? No way!

[GreatGrumbledook]

RICHARD My noble father, Three times to-day I holp him to his horse, Three times bestrid him; thrice I led him off, Persuaded him from any further act: But still, where danger was, still there I met him; And like rich hangings in a homely house, So was his will in his old feeble body. But, noble as he is, look where he comes.

[GreatGrumbledook]

SALISBURY Now, by my sword, well hast thou fought to-day; By the mass, so did we all. I thank you, Richard: God knows how long it is I have to live; And it hath pleased him that three times to-day You have defended me from imminent death. Well, lords, we have not got that which we have: 'Tis not enough our foes are this time fled, Being opposites of such repairing nature.

[GreatGrumbledook]

YORK I know our safety is to follow them; For, as I hear, the king is fled to London, To call a present court of parliament. Let us pursue him ere the writs go forth. What says Lord Warwick? shall we after them?

[GreatGrumbledook]

WARWICK After them! nay, before them, if we can. Now, by my faith, lords, 'twas a glorious day: Saint Alban's battle won by famous York Shall be eternized in all age to come. Sound drums and trumpets, and to London all: And more such days as these to us befall!