Henry IV Part 2
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter King, Warwicke, Enter the King, carried in a chair, Warwick, Thomas 2H4 IV.iv.1.1
Clarence, Gloucester.Duke of Clarence, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, and 2H4 IV.iv.1.2
attendant lords 2H4 IV.iv.1.3
King.KING HENRY IV 
Now Lords, if Heauen doth giue successefull end Now, lords, if God doth give successful end 2H4 IV.iv.1
To this Debate, that bleedeth at our doores, To this debate that bleedeth at our doors,debate (n.)
quarrel, wrangling, strife		2H4 IV.iv.2
Wee will our Youth lead on to higher Fields, We will our youth lead on to higher fields,field (n.)
field of battle, battleground, field of combat		2H4 IV.iv.3
high (adj.)
important, major, special
And draw no Swords, but what are sanctify'd. And draw no swords but what are sanctified. 2H4 IV.iv.4
Our Nauie is addressed, our Power collected, Our navy is addressed, our power collected,power (n.)
armed force, troops, host, army		2H4 IV.iv.5
address (v.)
prepare, make ready, poise to act
Our Substitutes, in absence, well inuested, Our substitutes in absence well invested,invest (v.)

old form: inuested
empower, install in office, give authority		2H4 IV.iv.6
substitute (n.)
subordinate, deputy, underling
And euery thing lyes leuell to our wish; And everything lies level to our wish;level (adj.)

old form: leuell
accessible, readily achievable		2H4 IV.iv.7
Onely wee want a little personall Strength: Only we want a little personal strength,want (v.)
lack, need, be without		2H4 IV.iv.8
And pawse vs, till these Rebels, now a-foot, And pause us till these rebels now afoot 2H4 IV.iv.9
Come vnderneath the yoake of Gouernment. Come underneath the yoke of government. 2H4 IV.iv.10
War.WARWICK 
Both which we doubt not, but your Maiestie Both which we doubt not but your majesty 2H4 IV.iv.11
Shall soone enioy. Shall soon enjoy. 2H4 IV.iv.12.1
King.KING HENRY IV 
Humphrey (my Sonne of Gloucester) Humphrey, my son of Gloucester, 2H4 IV.iv.12.2
where is the Prince, your Brother? Where is the Prince your brother? 2H4 IV.iv.13
Glo.GLOUCESTER 
I thinke hee's gone to hunt (my Lord) at Windsor. I think he's gone to hunt, my lord, at Windsor. 2H4 IV.iv.14
King.KING HENRY IV 
And how accompanied? And how accompanied? 2H4 IV.iv.15.1
Glo.GLOUCESTER 
I doe not know (my Lord.) I do not know, my lord. 2H4 IV.iv.15.2
King.KING HENRY IV 
Is not his Brother, Thomas of Clarence, with him? Is not his brother Thomas of Clarence with him? 2H4 IV.iv.16
Glo.GLOUCESTER 
No (my good Lord) hee is in presence heere. No, my good lord, he is in presence here.presence (n.)
attendance, state of being present		2H4 IV.iv.17
Clar.CLARENCE 
What would my Lord, and Father? What would my lord and father? 2H4 IV.iv.18
King.KING HENRY IV 
Nothing but well to thee, Thomas of Clarence. Nothing but well to thee, Thomas of Clarence. 2H4 IV.iv.19
How chance thou art not with the Prince, thy Brother? How chance thou art not with the Prince thy brother?chance (v.)
happen [to], transpire, come about		2H4 IV.iv.20
Hee loues thee, and thou do'st neglect him (Thomas.) He loves thee, and thou dost neglect him, Thomas. 2H4 IV.iv.21
Thou hast a better place in his Affection, Thou hast a better place in his affection 2H4 IV.iv.22
Then all thy Brothers: cherish it (my Boy) Than all thy brothers; cherish it, my boy, 2H4 IV.iv.23
And Noble Offices thou may'st effect And noble offices thou mayst effectoffice (n.)
task, service, duty, responsibility		2H4 IV.iv.24
Of Mediation (after I am dead) Of mediation, after I am dead, 2H4 IV.iv.25
Betweene his Greatnesse, and thy other Brethren. Between his greatness and thy other brethren. 2H4 IV.iv.26
Therefore omit him not: blunt not his Loue, Therefore omit him not; blunt not his love,omit (v.)
neglect, disregard, forget about		2H4 IV.iv.27
Nor loose the good aduantage of his Grace, Nor lose the good advantage of his gracegrace (n.)
favour, good will		2H4 IV.iv.28
By seeming cold, or carelesse of his will. By seeming cold or careless of his will. 2H4 IV.iv.29
For hee is gracious, if hee be obseru'd: For he is gracious, if he be observed;observe (v.)

old form: obseru'd
humour, gratify, indulge		2H4 IV.iv.30
Hee hath a Teare for Pitie, and a Hand He hath a tear for pity, and a hand 2H4 IV.iv.31
Open (as Day) for melting Charitie: Open as day for melting charity;melting (adj.)
moving, affecting, causing tenderness		2H4 IV.iv.32
open (adj.)
generous, liberal, freely giving
Yet notwithstanding, being incens'd, hee's Flint, Yet notwithstanding, being incensed, he is flint,flint (n.)
flint-like, hard, merciless		2H4 IV.iv.33
As humorous as Winter, and as sudden, As humorous as winter, and as suddensudden (adj.)
unpredictable, prone to sudden violence		2H4 IV.iv.34
humorous (adj.)
capricious, moody, temperamental
As Flawes congealed in the Spring of day. As flaws congealed in the spring of day.spring (n.)
first moment, dawn, break		2H4 IV.iv.35
flaw (n.)
gust, squall, blast
congealed (adj.)
icy, freezing, hail-filled
His temper therefore must be well obseru'd: His temper therefore must be well observed.temper (n.)
frame of mind, temperament, disposition		2H4 IV.iv.36
observe (v.)

old form: obseru'd
humour, gratify, indulge
Chide him for faults, and doe it reuerently, Chide him for faults, and do it reverently,chide (v.), past form chid
scold, rebuke, reprove		2H4 IV.iv.37
When you perceiue his blood enclin'd to mirth: When thou perceive his blood inclined to mirth;blood (n.)
disposition, temper, mood		2H4 IV.iv.38
But being moodie, giue him Line, and scope, But, being moody, give him time and scope, 2H4 IV.iv.39
Till that his passions (like a Whale on ground) Till that his passions, like a whale on ground,passion (n.)
fit of anger, feeling of rage		2H4 IV.iv.40
ground (n.)
bottom [as of the sea]
Confound themselues with working. Learne this Thomas, Confound themselves with working. Learn this, Thomas,working (n.)
effort, exertion, labour		2H4 IV.iv.41
confound (v.)
destroy, overthrow, ruin
And thou shalt proue a shelter to thy friends, And thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends, 2H4 IV.iv.42
A Hoope of Gold, to binde thy Brothers in: A hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in, 2H4 IV.iv.43
That the vnited Vessell of their Blood That the united vessel of their blood,blood (n.)
blood relationship, kinship		2H4 IV.iv.44
(Mingled with Venome of Suggestion, Mingled with venom of suggestion,suggestion (n.)
temptation, instigation, prompting towards evil		2H4 IV.iv.45
As force, perforce, the Age will powre it in) As force perforce the age will pour it in,force perforce
with violent compulsion		2H4 IV.iv.46
Shall neuer leake, though it doe worke as strong Shall never leak, though it do work as strong 2H4 IV.iv.47
As Aconitum, or rash Gun-powder. As aconitum or rash gunpowder.rash (adj.)
sudden, quickly acting, operating immediately		2H4 IV.iv.48
aconitum (n.)
variety of highly poisonous plant, aconite
Clar.CLARENCE 
I shall obserue him with all care, and loue. I shall observe him with all care and love.observe (v.)

old form: obserue
humour, gratify, indulge		2H4 IV.iv.49
King.KING HENRY IV 
Why art thou not at Windsor with him (Thomas?) Why art thou not at Windsor with him, Thomas? 2H4 IV.iv.50
Clar.CLARENCE 
Hee is not there to day: hee dines in London. He is not there today; he dines in London. 2H4 IV.iv.51
King.KING HENRY IV 
And how accompanyed? Canst thou tell that? And how accompanied? Canst thou tell that? 2H4 IV.iv.52
Clar.CLARENCE 
With Pointz, and other his continuall followers. With Poins, and other his continual followers. 2H4 IV.iv.53
King.KING HENRY IV 
Most subiect is the fattest Soyle to Weedes: Most subject is the fattest soil to weeds,fat (adj.)
fertile, rich, productive		2H4 IV.iv.54
And hee (the Noble Image of my Youth) And he, the noble image of my youth, 2H4 IV.iv.55
Is ouer-spread with them: therefore my griefe Is overspread with them:; therefore my grief 2H4 IV.iv.56
Stretches it selfe beyond the howre of death. Stretches itself beyond the hour of death. 2H4 IV.iv.57
The blood weepes from my heart, when I doe shape The blood weeps from my heart when I do shapeshape (v.)
create, fashion, bring about		2H4 IV.iv.58
(In formes imaginarie) th'vnguided Dayes, In forms imaginary th' unguided days 2H4 IV.iv.59
And rotten Times, that you shall looke vpon, And rotten times that you shall look upon 2H4 IV.iv.60
When I am sleeping with my Ancestors. When I am sleeping with my ancestors. 2H4 IV.iv.61
For when his head-strong Riot hath no Curbe, For when his headstrong riot hath no curb,riot (n.)
dissipation, debauchery, wantonness		2H4 IV.iv.62
When Rage and hot-Blood are his Counsailors, When rage and hot blood are his counsellors,rage (n.)
violent outburst, furious passion		2H4 IV.iv.63
hot (adj.)
hot-tempered, angry, passionate
blood (n.)
anger, temper, passion
When Meanes and lauish Manners meete together; When means and lavish manners meet together,lavish (adj.)

old form: lauish
undisciplined, impetuous, wild		2H4 IV.iv.64
Oh, with what Wings shall his Affections flye O, with what wings shall his affections flyaffection (n.)
emotion, feeling		2H4 IV.iv.65
Towards fronting Perill, and oppos'd Decay? Towards fronting peril and opposed decay!opposed (adj.)

old form: oppos'd
hostile, malevolent		2H4 IV.iv.66
fronting (adj.)
confronting, facing
War.WARWICK 
My gracious Lord, you looke beyond him quite: My gracious lord, you look beyond him quite.look beyond (v.)

old form: looke
exaggerate, find too much in		2H4 IV.iv.67
The Prince but studies his Companions, The Prince but studies his companions 2H4 IV.iv.68
Like a strange Tongue: wherein, to gaine the Language, Like a strange tongue, wherein, to gain the language, 2H4 IV.iv.69
'Tis needfull, that the most immodest word 'Tis needful that the most immodest word 2H4 IV.iv.70
Be look'd vpon, and learn'd: which once attayn'd, Be looked upon and learnt, which, once attained, 2H4 IV.iv.71
Your Highnesse knowes, comes to no farther vse, Your highness knows, comes to no further use 2H4 IV.iv.72
But to be knowne, and hated. So, like grosse termes, But to be known and hated. So, like gross terms,gross (adj.)

old form: grosse
coarse, vulgar, unrefined		2H4 IV.iv.73
term (n.)

old form: termes
word, expression, utterance
The Prince will, in the perfectnesse of time, The Prince will, in the perfectness of time,perfectness (n.)

old form: perfectnesse
fullness		2H4 IV.iv.74
Cast off his followers: and their memorie Cast off his followers, and their memory 2H4 IV.iv.75
Shall as a Patterne, or a Measure, liue, Shall as a pattern or a measure live 2H4 IV.iv.76
By which his Grace must mete the liues of others, By which his grace must mete the lives of other,mete (v.)
appraise, measure, evaluate		2H4 IV.iv.77
Turning past-euills to aduantages. Turning past evils to advantages. 2H4 IV.iv.78
King.KING HENRY IV 
'Tis seldome, when the Bee doth leaue her Combe 'Tis seldom when the bee doth leave her combcomb (n.)

old form: Combe
honeycomb		2H4 IV.iv.79
In the dead Carrion. In the dead carrion.carrion (n.)
dead putrifying flesh, rotting carcass		2H4 IV.iv.80.1
Enter Westmerland.Enter Westmorland 2H4 IV.iv.80
Who's heere? Westmerland? Who's here? Westmorland? 2H4 IV.iv.80.2
West.WESTMORLAND 
Health to my Soueraigne, and new happinesse Health to my sovereign, and new happiness 2H4 IV.iv.81
Added to that, that I am to deliuer. Added to that that I am to deliver! 2H4 IV.iv.82
Prince Iohn, your Sonne, doth kisse your Graces Hand: Prince John your son doth kiss your grace's hand. 2H4 IV.iv.83
Mowbray, the Bishop, Scroope, Hastings, and all,Mowbray, the Bishop Scroop, Hastings, and all 2H4 IV.iv.84
Are brought to the Correction of your Law. Are brought to the correction of your law. 2H4 IV.iv.85
There is not now a Rebels Sword vnsheath'd, There is not now a rebel's sword unsheathed, 2H4 IV.iv.86
But Peace puts forth her Oliue euery where: But Peace puts forth her olive everywhere.olive (n.)

old form: Oliue
olive-branch [symbol of peace]		2H4 IV.iv.87
The manner how this Action hath beene borne, The manner how this action hath been borne 2H4 IV.iv.88
Here (at more leysure) may your Highnesse reade, Here at more leisure may your highness read, 2H4 IV.iv.89
With euery course, in his particular. With every course in his particular.particular (n.)
individual issue, point of detail		2H4 IV.iv.90
course (n.)
course of action, way of proceeding
King.KING HENRY IV 
O Westmerland, thou art a Summer Bird, O Westmorland, thou art a summer bird, 2H4 IV.iv.91
Which euer in the haunch of Winter sings Which ever in the haunch of winter singshaunch (n.)
latter end, hind part		2H4 IV.iv.92
The lifting vp of day. The lifting up of day.lifting up (n.)
dawning, arrival, arising		2H4 IV.iv.93.1
Enter Harcourt.Enter Harcourt 2H4 IV.iv.93
Looke, heere's more newes. Look, here's more news. 2H4 IV.iv.93.2
Harc.HARCOURT 
From Enemies, Heauen keepe your Maiestie: From enemies heaven keep your majesty, 2H4 IV.iv.94
And when they stand against you, may they fall, And, when they stand against you, may they fall 2H4 IV.iv.95
As those that I am come to tell you of. As those that I am come to tell you of! 2H4 IV.iv.96
The Earle Northumberland, and the Lord Bardolfe, The Earl Northumberland and the Lord Bardolph, 2H4 IV.iv.97
With a great Power of English, and of Scots, With a great power of English and of Scotspower (n.)
armed force, troops, host, army		2H4 IV.iv.98
Are by the Sherife of Yorkeshire ouerthrowne: Are by the shrieve of Yorkshire overthrown.shrieve (n.)
sheriff		2H4 IV.iv.99
The manner, and true order of the fight, The manner and true order of the fightorder (n.)
formation, formal array		2H4 IV.iv.100
This Packet (please it you) containes at large. This packet, please it you, contains at large.large, at
at length, in full, thoroughly		2H4 IV.iv.101
King.KING HENRY IV 
And wherefore should these good newes / Make me sicke? And wherefore should these good news make me sick? 2H4 IV.iv.102
Will Fortune neuer come with both hands full, Will Fortune never come with both hands full,Fortune (n.)
Roman goddess, shown as a woman at a spinning-wheel, or controlling a rudder, and as blind		2H4 IV.iv.103
But write her faire words still in foulest Letters? But wet her fair words still in foulest terms?still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually		2H4 IV.iv.104
term (n.)
word, expression, utterance
wet (v.)
[unclear meaning] bequeath, bestow; suffuse, steep
Shee eyther giues a Stomack, and no Foode, She either gives a stomach and no food –  2H4 IV.iv.105
(Such are the poore, in health) or else a Feast, Such are the poor, in health – or else a feast 2H4 IV.iv.106
And takes away the Stomack (such are the Rich, And takes away the stomach – such are the richstomach (n.)

old form: Stomack
appetite, desire [for food]		2H4 IV.iv.107
That haue aboundance, and enioy it not.) That have abundance and enjoy it not. 2H4 IV.iv.108
I should reioyce now, at this happy newes, I should rejoice now at this happy news, 2H4 IV.iv.109
And now my Sight fayles, and my Braine is giddie. And now my sight fails, and my brain is giddy. 2H4 IV.iv.110
O me, come neere me, now I am much ill. O me! Come near me. Now I am much ill. 2H4 IV.iv.111
Glo.GLOUCESTER 
Comfort your Maiestie. Comfort, your majesty! 2H4 IV.iv.112.1
Cla.CLARENCE 
Oh, my Royall Father. O my royal father! 2H4 IV.iv.112.2
West.WESTMORLAND 
My Soueraigne Lord, cheare vp your selfe, looke vp. My sovereign lord, cheer up yourself, look up.look up (v.)

old form: vp
be cheerful, take courage		2H4 IV.iv.113
War.WARWICK 
Be patient (Princes) you doe know, these Fits Be patient, Princes. You do know these fits 2H4 IV.iv.114
Are with his Highnesse very ordinarie. Are with his highness very ordinary. 2H4 IV.iv.115
Stand from him, giue him ayre: / Hee'le straight be well. Stand from him, give him air; he'll straight be well.straight (adv.)
straightaway, immediately, at once		2H4 IV.iv.116
Clar.CLARENCE 
No, no, hee cannot long hold out: these pangs, No, no, he cannot long hold out these pangs. 2H4 IV.iv.117
Th' incessant care, and labour of his Minde, Th' incessant care and labour of his mind 2H4 IV.iv.118
Hath wrought the Mure, that should confine it in, Hath wrought the mure that should confine it inmure (n.)
wall		2H4 IV.iv.119
work (v.), past form wrought
bring about, arrange, effect
So thinne, that Life lookes through, and will breake out. So thin that life looks through and will break out. 2H4 IV.iv.120
Glo.GLOUCESTER 
The people feare me: for they doe obserue The people fear me, for they do observefear (v.)

old form: feare
frighten, scare, terrify, daunt		2H4 IV.iv.121
Vnfather'd Heires, and loathly Births of Nature: Unfathered heirs and loathly births of nature.loathly (adj.)
loathsome, hateful., disgusting		2H4 IV.iv.122
unfathered (adj.)

old form: Vnfather'd
unnaturally conceived, illegitimate
The Seasons change their manners, as the Yeere The seasons change their manners, as the yearmanner (n.)
character, nature, quality		2H4 IV.iv.123
Had found some Moneths asleepe, and leap'd them ouer. Had found some months asleep and leaped them over. 2H4 IV.iv.124
Clar.CLARENCE 
The Riuer hath thrice flow'd, no ebbe betweene: The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between, 2H4 IV.iv.125
And the old folke (Times doting Chronicles) And the old folk, time's doting chronicles,doting (adj.)
foolish, stupid, weak-minded		2H4 IV.iv.126
Say it did so, a little time before Say it did so a little time before 2H4 IV.iv.127
That our great Grand-sire Edward sick'd, and dy'de. That our great-grandsire, Edward, sicked and died.sick (v.)

old form: sick'd
sicken, fall ill		2H4 IV.iv.128
War.WARWICK 
Speake lower (Princes) for the King recouers. Speak lower, Princes, for the King recovers. 2H4 IV.iv.129
Glo.GLOUCESTER 
This Apoplexie will (certaine) be his end. This apoplexy will certain be his end.end (n.)
death, ending [of life]		2H4 IV.iv.130
apoplexy (n.)

old form: Apoplexie
paralysis, torpor, total breakdown
King.KING HENRY IV 
I pray you take me vp, and beare me hence I pray you take me up, and bear me hence 2H4 IV.iv.131
Into some other Chamber: softly 'pray. Into some other chamber. Softly, pray. 2H4 IV.iv.132
 Previous Act IV, Scene IV Next  
x

Jump directly to