Henry VI Part 2
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Duke Humfrey and his Men in Mourning Cloakes.Enter Gloucester and his men in mourning cloaks 2H6 II.iv.1
Glost. GLOUCESTER 
Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a Cloud:Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud; 2H6 II.iv.1
And after Summer, euermore succeedesAnd after summer evermore succeedssucceed (v.)

old form: succeedes
follow on, ensue, come after		2H6 II.iv.2
Barren Winter, with his wrathfull nipping Cold;Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold; 2H6 II.iv.3
So Cares and Ioyes abound, as Seasons fleet.So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.fleet (v.)
turn, pass, change		2H6 II.iv.4
Sirs, what's a Clock?Sirs, what's o'clock? 2H6 II.iv.5.1
Seru. SERVANT 
Tenne, my Lord.Ten, my lord. 2H6 II.iv.5.2
Glost. GLOUCESTER 
Tenne is the houre that was appointed me,Ten is the hour that was appointed me 2H6 II.iv.6
To watch the comming of my punisht Duchesse:To watch the coming of my punished duchess;watch (v.)
be on the watch for, look out for		2H6 II.iv.7
Vnneath may shee endure the Flintie Streets,Uneath may she endure the flinty streets,flinty (adj.)

old form: Flintie
hard, harsh, tough		2H6 II.iv.8
uneath (adv.)

old form: Vnneath
with difficulty, not easily, hardly
To treade them with her tender-feeling feet.To tread them with her tender-feeling feet. 2H6 II.iv.9
Sweet Nell, ill can thy Noble Minde abrookeSweet Nell, ill can thy noble mind abrookill (adv.)
badly, adversely, unfavourably		2H6 II.iv.10
abrook (v.)

old form: abrooke
brook, endure, bear
The abiect People, gazing on thy face,The abject people gazing on thy faceabject (adj.)

old form: abiect
mean-spirited, despicable, contemptible		2H6 II.iv.11
With enuious Lookes laughing at thy shame,With envious looks, laughing at thy shame,envious (adj.)

old form: enuious
malicious, spiteful, vindictive, full of enmity		2H6 II.iv.12
That erst did follow thy prowd Chariot-Wheeles,That erst did follow thy proud chariot wheelserst (adv.)
formerly, once, before		2H6 II.iv.13
When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets.When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets. 2H6 II.iv.14
But soft, I thinke she comes, and Ile prepareBut soft, I think she comes; and I'll preparesoft (int.)
[used as a command] not so fast, wait a moment, be quiet		2H6 II.iv.15
My teare-stayn'd eyes, to see her Miseries.My tear-stained eyes to see her miseries. 2H6 II.iv.16
Enter the Duchesse in a white Enter the Duchess of Gloucester barefoot, in a white 2H6 II.iv.17.1
Sheet, and sheet and verses written on her back and pinned on and 2H6 II.iv.17.2
a Taper burning in her hand, with a taper burning in her hand, with Sir John Stanley, 2H6 II.iv.17.3
the Sherife and Officers.the Sheriff, and officers with bills and halberdshalberd (n.)
long-handled weapon ending in a combination of axe-blade and spearhead		2H6 II.iv.17.4
Seru. SERVANT 
So please your Grace, wee'le take her from the Sherife.So please your grace, we'll take her from the Sheriff. 2H6 II.iv.17
Gloster. GLOUCESTER 
No, stirre not for your liues, let her passe by.No, stir not for your lives; let her pass by. 2H6 II.iv.18
Elianor. DUCHESS 
Come you, my Lord, to see my open shame?Come you, my lord, to see my open shame? 2H6 II.iv.19
Now thou do'st Penance too. Looke how they gaze,Now thou dost penance too. Look how they gaze! 2H6 II.iv.20
See how the giddy multitude doe point,See how the giddy multitude do pointgiddy (adj.)
frivolous, flighty, fickle, irresponsible		2H6 II.iv.21
And nodde their heads, and throw their eyes on thee.And nod their heads and throw their eyes on thee. 2H6 II.iv.22
Ah Gloster, hide thee from their hatefull lookes,Ah, Gloucester, hide thee from their hateful looks,hateful (adj.)

old form: hatefull
full of hate		2H6 II.iv.23
And in thy Closet pent vp, rue my shame,And, in thy closet pent up, rue my shame,rue (v.)
pity, grieve for, feel for		2H6 II.iv.24
pent up (v.)

old form: vp
shut up, confine, lock in
closet (n.)
private chamber, study, own room
And banne thine Enemies, both mine and thine.And ban thine enemies, both mine and thine.ban (v.)

old form: banne
curse, damn, revile		2H6 II.iv.25
Glost. GLOUCESTER 
Be patient, gentle Nell, forget this griefe.Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief.gentle (adj.)
soft, tender, kind		2H6 II.iv.26
Elianor. DUCHESS 
Ah Gloster, teach me to forget my selfe:Ah, Gloucester, teach me to forget myself; 2H6 II.iv.27
For whilest I thinke I am thy married Wife,For whilst I think I am thy married wife, 2H6 II.iv.28
And thou a Prince, Protector of this Land;And thou a prince, Protector of this land, 2H6 II.iv.29
Me thinkes I should not thus be led along,Methinks I should not thus be led along,methinks(t), methought(s) (v.)

old form: Me thinkes
it seems / seemed to me		2H6 II.iv.30
Mayl'd vp in shame, with Papers on my back,Mailed up in shame, with papers on my back,mail up (v.)

old form: Mayl'd vp
wrap up, envelop, encase		2H6 II.iv.31
And follow'd with a Rabble, that reioyceAnd followed with a rabble that rejoice 2H6 II.iv.32
To see my teares, and heare my deepe-set groanes.To see my tears and hear my deep-fet groans.deep-fet (adj.)
draw from deep within		2H6 II.iv.33
The ruthlesse Flint doth cut my tender feet,The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet,ruthless (adj.)

old form: ruthlesse
unpitying, pitiless, unsparing		2H6 II.iv.34
And when I start, the enuious people laugh,And when I start, the envious people laughenvious (adj.)

old form: enuious
malicious, spiteful, vindictive, full of enmity		2H6 II.iv.35
start (v.)
jump, recoil, flinch
And bid me be aduised how I treade.And bid me be advised how I tread.advise, avise (v.)

old form: aduised
warn, counsel, caution		2H6 II.iv.36
Ah Humfrey, can I beare this shamefull yoake?Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke? 2H6 II.iv.37
Trowest thou, that ere Ile looke vpon the World,Trowest thou that e'er I'll look upon the world,trow (v.)
think, expect, believe		2H6 II.iv.38
Or count them happy, that enioyes the Sunne?Or count them happy that enjoys the sun? 2H6 II.iv.39
No: Darke shall be my Light, and Night my Day.No, dark shall be my light, and night my day; 2H6 II.iv.40
To thinke vpon my Pompe, shall be my Hell.To think upon my pomp shall be my hell.pomp (n.)

old form: Pompe
greatness, nobility, high rank		2H6 II.iv.41
Sometime Ile say, I am Duke Humfreyes Wife,Sometime I'll say I am Duke Humphrey's wife,sometime (adv.)
sometimes, now and then		2H6 II.iv.42
And he a Prince, and Ruler of the Land:And he a prince and ruler of the land; 2H6 II.iv.43
Yet so he rul'd, and such a Prince he was,Yet so he ruled and such a prince he was 2H6 II.iv.44
As he stood by, whilest I, his forlorne Duchesse,As he stood by whilst I, his forlorn duchess,forlorn (adj.)

old form: forlorne
wretched, abandoned, destitute		2H6 II.iv.45
Was made a wonder, and a pointing stockWas made a wonder and a pointing-stockpointing-stock (n.)

old form: pointing stock
object to be pointed at, laughing-stock, butt		2H6 II.iv.46
wonder (n.)
object of fascination, target of astonishment
To euery idle Rascall follower.To every idle rascal follower.rascal (adj.)

old form: Rascall
worthless, good-for-nothing		2H6 II.iv.47
But be thou milde, and blush not at my shame,But be thou mild and blush not at my shame, 2H6 II.iv.48
Nor stirre at nothing, till the Axe of DeathNor stir at nothing till the axe of death 2H6 II.iv.49
Hang ouer thee, as sure it shortly will.Hang over thee, as sure it shortly will; 2H6 II.iv.50
For Suffolke, he that can doe all in allFor Suffolk, he that can do all in all 2H6 II.iv.51
With her, that hateth thee and hates vs all,With her that hateth thee and hates us all, 2H6 II.iv.52
And Yorke, and impious Beauford, that false Priest,And York, and impious Beaufort, that false priest,false (adj.)
treacherous, traitorous, perfidious		2H6 II.iv.53
Haue all lym'd Bushes to betray thy Wings,Have all limed bushes to betray thy wings;lime (v.)

old form: lym'd
add birdlime to		2H6 II.iv.54
And flye thou how thou canst, they'le tangle thee.And fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee. 2H6 II.iv.55
But feare not thou, vntill thy foot be snar'd,But fear not thou until thy foot be snared, 2H6 II.iv.56
Nor neuer seeke preuention of thy foes.Nor never seek prevention of thy foes.prevention (n.)

old form: preuention
forestalling action, preventive measure		2H6 II.iv.57
Glost. GLOUCESTER 
Ah Nell, forbeare: thou aymest all awry.Ah, Nell, forbear! Thou aimest all awry;forbear (v.)

old form: forbeare
stop, cease, desist		2H6 II.iv.58
aim (v.)
guess, conjecture, surmise
awry (adv.)
mistakenly, wrongly, erroneously
I must offend, before I be attainted:I must offend before I be attainted;attaint (v.)
accuse of treason, condemn		2H6 II.iv.59
And had I twentie times so many foes,And had I twenty times so many foes, 2H6 II.iv.60
And each of them had twentie times their power,And each of them had twenty times their power, 2H6 II.iv.61
All these could not procure me any scathe,All these could not procure me any scathescath, scathe (n.)
harm, hurt, damage		2H6 II.iv.62
procure (v.)
contrive for, devise for, bring about
So long as I am loyall, true, and crimelesse.So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless.true (adj.)
loyal, firm, faithful in allegiance		2H6 II.iv.63
Would'st haue me rescue thee from this reproach?Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach? 2H6 II.iv.64
Why yet thy scandall were not wipt away,Why, yet thy scandal were not wiped away,scandal (n.)

old form: scandall
shame, discredit, disgrace		2H6 II.iv.65
But I in danger for the breach of Law.But I in danger for the breach of law. 2H6 II.iv.66
Thy greatest helpe is quiet, gentle Nell:Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell.quiet (n.)
calmness, peace of mind, serenity		2H6 II.iv.67
I pray thee sort thy heart to patience,I pray thee sort thy heart to patience;sort (v.)
fashion, frame, adapt		2H6 II.iv.68
These few dayes wonder will be quickly worne.These few days' wonder will be quickly worn.wonder (n.)
calamity, disaster, tragedy		2H6 II.iv.69
worn (adj.)

old form: worne
worn out, exhausted, spent
Enter a Herald.Enter a Herald 2H6 II.iv.70
Her. HERALD 
I summon your Grace to his Maiesties Parliament,I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, 2H6 II.iv.70
Holden at Bury, the first of this next Moneth.Holden at Bury the first of this next month. 2H6 II.iv.71
Glost. GLOUCESTER 
And my consent ne're ask'd herein before?And my consent ne'er asked herein before! 2H6 II.iv.72
This is close dealing. Well, I will be there.This is close dealing. Well, I will be there.close (adj.)
secret, covert, underhanded		2H6 II.iv.73
Exit Herald 2H6 II.iv.73
My Nell, I take my leaue: and Master Sherife,My Nell, I take my leave; and, Master Sheriff, 2H6 II.iv.74
Let not her Penance exceede the Kings Commission.Let not her penance exceed the King's commission.commission (n.)
warrant, authority [to act]		2H6 II.iv.75
Sh. SHERIFF 
And't please your Grace, here my Commission stayes:An't please your grace, here my commission stays,stay (v.)

old form: stayes
stop, halt, come to a standstill		2H6 II.iv.76
And Sir Iohn Stanly is appointed now,And Sir John Stanley is appointed now 2H6 II.iv.77
To take her with him to the Ile of Man.To take her with him to the Isle of Man. 2H6 II.iv.78
Glost. GLOUCESTER 
Must you, Sir Iohn, protect my Lady here?Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here?protect (v.)
act as escort for, be custodian of		2H6 II.iv.79
Stanly. STANLEY 
So am I giuen in charge, may't please your Grace.So am I given in charge, may't please your grace.give in charge

old form: giuen
give orders, command, direct		2H6 II.iv.80
Glost. GLOUCESTER 
Entreat her not the worse, in that I prayEntreat her not the worse in that I prayentreat, intreat (v.)
treat, handle, deal with		2H6 II.iv.81
You vse her well: the World may laugh againe,You use her well. The world may laugh again; 2H6 II.iv.82
And I may liue to doe you kindnesse, if you doe it her.And I may live to do you kindness if 2H6 II.iv.83
And so Sir Iohn, farewell.You do it her. And so, Sir John, farewell. 2H6 II.iv.84
Elianor. DUCHESS 
What, gone my Lord, and bid me not farewell? What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell? 2H6 II.iv.85
Glost. GLOUCESTER 
Witnesse my teares, I cannot stay to speake.Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak. 2H6 II.iv.86
Exit Gloster.Exit Gloucester with his men 2H6 II.iv.86
Elianor. DUCHESS 
Art thou gone to? all comfort goe with thee,Art thou gone too? All comfort go with thee! 2H6 II.iv.87
For none abides with me: my Ioy, is Death;For none abides with me; my joy is death –  2H6 II.iv.88
Death, at whose Name I oft haue beene afear'd,Death, at whose name I oft have been afeard,oft (adv.)
often		2H6 II.iv.89
afeard (adj.)

old form: afear'd
afraid, frightened, scared
Because I wish'd this Worlds eternitie.Because I wished this world's eternity.eternity (n.)

old form: eternitie
perpetual existence, lasting for ever		2H6 II.iv.90
Stanley, I prethee goe, and take me hence,Stanley, I prithee, go and take me hence; 2H6 II.iv.91
I care not whither, for I begge no fauor;I care not whither, for I beg no favour; 2H6 II.iv.92
Onely conuey me where thou art commanded.Only convey me where thou art commanded. 2H6 II.iv.93
Stanley. STANLEY 
Why, Madame, that is to the Ile of Man,Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man, 2H6 II.iv.94
There to be vs'd according to your State.There to be used according to your state.state (n.)
status, rank, position		2H6 II.iv.95
use (v.)

old form: vs'd
treat, deal with, manage
Elianor. DUCHESS 
That's bad enough, for I am but reproach:That's bad enough, for I am but reproach;reproach (n.)
someone deserving of blame, source of disgrace		2H6 II.iv.96
And shall I then be vs'd reproachfully?And shall I then be used reproachfully? 2H6 II.iv.97
Stanley. STANLEY 
Like to a Duchesse, and Duke Humfreyes Lady,Like to a duchess and Duke Humphrey's lady,like to / unto (conj./prep.)
similar to, comparable with		2H6 II.iv.98
According to that State you shall be vs'd.According to that state you shall be used. 2H6 II.iv.99
Elianor. DUCHESS 
Sherife farewell, and better then I fare,Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare,fare (v.)
get on, manage, do, cope		2H6 II.iv.100
Although thou hast beene Conduct of my shame.Although thou hast been conduct of my shame.conduct (n.)
escort, attendant, guide		2H6 II.iv.101
Sherife. SHERIFF 
It is my Office, and Madame pardon me.It is my office; and, madam, pardon me.office (n.)
task, service, duty, responsibility		2H6 II.iv.102
Elianor. DUCHESS 
I, I, farewell, thy Office is discharg'd:Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharged.discharge (v.)

old form: discharg'd
fulfil, execute, perform		2H6 II.iv.103
Come Stanley, shall we goe?Come, Stanley, shall we go? 2H6 II.iv.104
Stanley. STANLEY 
Madame, your Penance done, / Throw off this Sheet,Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet, 2H6 II.iv.105
And goe we to attyre you for our Iourney.And go we to attire you for our journey. 2H6 II.iv.106
Elianor. DUCHESS 
My shame will not be shifted with my Sheet:My shame will not be shifted with my sheet.shift (v.)
change, exchange, swap		2H6 II.iv.107
No, it will hang vpon my richest Robes,No; it will hang upon my richest robes 2H6 II.iv.108
And shew it selfe, attyre me how I can.And show itself, attire me how I can. 2H6 II.iv.109
Goe, leade the way, I long to see my Prison. Go, lead the way; I long to see my prison. 2H6 II.iv.110
ExeuntExeunt 2H6 II.iv.110
 Previous Act II, Scene IV Next  
x

Jump directly to