Henry VI Part 2

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter Duke Humfrey and his wife Enter the Duke of Gloucester and his wife the 2H6 I.ii.1.1
Elianor.Duchess 2H6 I.ii.1.2
Elia. DUCHESS 
Why droopes my Lord like ouer-ripen'd Corn,Why droops my lord like overripened corn, 2H6 I.ii.1
Hanging the head at Ceres plenteous load?Hanging the head at Ceres' plenteous load?Ceres (n.)
[pron: 'seereez] Roman goddess of crops and fruit
2H6 I.ii.2
Why doth the Great Duke Humfrey knit his browes,Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows,brow (n.)

old form: browes
eyebrow
2H6 I.ii.3
As frowning at the Fauours of the world?As frowning at the favours of the world? 2H6 I.ii.4
Why are thine eyes fixt to the sullen earth,Why are thine eyes fixed to the sullen earth,sullen (adj.)
dull, drab, sombre
2H6 I.ii.5
Gazing on that which seemes to dimme thy sight?Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight? 2H6 I.ii.6
What seest thou there? King Henries Diadem,What seest thou there? King Henry's diadem,diadem (n.)
crown, sovereign power
2H6 I.ii.7
Inchac'd with all the Honors of the world?Enchased with all the honours of the world?enchased (adj.)

old form: Inchac'd
adorned, decorated, inlaid
2H6 I.ii.8
If so, Gaze on, and grouell on thy face,If so, gaze on, and grovel on thy face, 2H6 I.ii.9
Vntill thy head be circled with the same.Until thy head be circled with the same. 2H6 I.ii.10
Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious Gold.Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold.reach at (v.)
reach out for, strive to attain
2H6 I.ii.11
What, is't too short? Ile lengthen it with mine,What, is't too short? I'll lengthen it with mine; 2H6 I.ii.12
And hauing both together heau'd it vp,And having both together heaved it up,heave up (v.)

old form: heau'd vp
raise, lift up
2H6 I.ii.13
Wee'l both together lift our heads to heauen,We'll both together lift our heads to heaven, 2H6 I.ii.14
And neuer more abase our sight so low,And never more abase our sight so lowabase (v.)
lower, cast down
2H6 I.ii.15
As to vouchsafe one glance vnto the ground.As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground.vouchsafe (v.)
allow, permit, grant
2H6 I.ii.16
Hum. GLOUCESTER 
O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost louethy Lord,O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord, 2H6 I.ii.17
Banish the Canker of ambitious thoughts:Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts!canker (n./adj.)
cancer, ulcer, blight, corruption
2H6 I.ii.18
And may that thought, when I imagine illAnd may that thought, when I imagine illill (n.)
wrong, injury, harm, evil
2H6 I.ii.19
imagine (v.)
conceive, devise, plan
Against my King and Nephew, vertuous Henry,Against my king and nephew, virtuous Henry, 2H6 I.ii.20
Be my last breathing in this mortall world.Be my last breathing in this mortal world! 2H6 I.ii.21
My troublous dreames this night, doth make me sad.My troublous dreams this night doth make me sad.sad (adj.)
downcast, distressed, mournful, gloomy
2H6 I.ii.22
troublous (adj.)
troubled, disturbed, confused
Eli. DUCHESS 
What dream'd my Lord, tell me, and Ile requite itWhat dreamed my lord? Tell me, and I'll requite itrequite (v.), past forms requit, requited
reward, repay, recompense
2H6 I.ii.23
With sweet rehearsall of my mornings dreame?With sweet rehearsal of my morning's dream.rehearsal (n.)

old form: rehearsall
story, account, recounting
2H6 I.ii.24
Hum. GLOUCESTER 
Me thought this staffe mine Office-badge in CourtMethought this staff, mine office-badge in court,methinks(t), methought(s) (v.)

old form: Me thought
it seems / seemed to me
2H6 I.ii.25
office-badge (n.)
symbol of office
Was broke in twaine: by whom, I haue forgot,Was broke in twain – by whom I have forgot, 2H6 I.ii.26
But as I thinke, it was by'th Cardinall,But, as I think, it was by the Cardinal –  2H6 I.ii.27
And on the peeces of the broken WandAnd on the pieces of the broken wandwand (n.)
rod, staff
2H6 I.ii.28
Were plac'd the heads of Edmond Duke of Somerset,Were placed the heads of Edmund Duke of Somerset 2H6 I.ii.29
And William de la Pole first Duke of Suffolke.And William de la Pole, first Duke of Suffolk. 2H6 I.ii.30
This was my dreame, what it doth bode God knowes.This was my dream; what it doth bode, God knows.bode (v.)
forebode, portend, predict, augur
2H6 I.ii.31
Eli. DUCHESS 
Tut, this was nothing but an argument,Tut, this was nothing but an argumentargument (n.)
proof, evidence, demonstration
2H6 I.ii.32
That he that breakes a sticke of Glosters groue,That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester's grove 2H6 I.ii.33
Shall loose his head for his presumption.Shall lose his head for his presumption. 2H6 I.ii.34
But list to me my Humfrey, my sweete Duke:But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet Duke:list (v.)
listen
2H6 I.ii.35
Me thought I sate in Seate of Maiesty,Methought I sat in seat of majestymethinks(t), methought(s) (v.)

old form: Me thought
it seems / seemed to me
2H6 I.ii.36
In the Cathedrall Church of Westminster,In the cathedral church of Westminster, 2H6 I.ii.37
And in that Chaire where Kings & Queens wer crownd,And in that chair where kings and queens were crowned, 2H6 I.ii.38
Where Henrie and Dame Margaret kneel'dto me,Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneeled to me, 2H6 I.ii.39
And on my head did set the Diadem.And on my head did set the diadem.diadem (n.)
crown, sovereign power
2H6 I.ii.40
Hum. GLOUCESTER 
Nay Elinor, then must I chide outright:Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright:chide (v.), past form chid
scold, rebuke, reprove
2H6 I.ii.41
Presumptuous Dame, ill-nurter'd Elianor,Presumptuous dame! Ill-nurtured Eleanor!ill-nurtured (adj.)

old form: ill-nurter'd
ill-bred, badly brought up
2H6 I.ii.42
dame (n.)
woman, girl
Art thou not second Woman in the Realme?Art thou not second woman in the realm, 2H6 I.ii.43
And the Protectors wife belou'd of him?And the Protector's wife, beloved of him? 2H6 I.ii.44
Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command,Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command 2H6 I.ii.45
Aboue the reach or compasse of thy thought?Above the reach or compass of thy thought?compass (n.)

old form: compasse
range, reach, limit, scope
2H6 I.ii.46
And wilt thou still be hammering Treachery,And wilt thou still be hammering treachery,still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually
2H6 I.ii.47
hammer (v.)
think hard, deliberate, ponder
To tumble downe thy husband, and thy selfe,To tumble down thy husband and thyself 2H6 I.ii.48
From top of Honor, to Disgraces feete?From top of honour to disgrace's feet? 2H6 I.ii.49
Away from me, and let me heare no more.Away from me, and let me hear no more! 2H6 I.ii.50
Elia. DUCHESS 
What, what, my Lord? Are you so chollerickeWhat, what, my lord? Are you so cholericcholeric (adj.)

old form: chollericke
inclined to anger, hot-tempered, irascible
2H6 I.ii.51
With Elianor, for telling but her dreame?With Eleanor, for telling but her dream? 2H6 I.ii.52
Next time Ile keepe my dreames vnto my selfe,Next time I'll keep my dreams unto myself, 2H6 I.ii.53
And not be check'd.And not be checked.check (v.)

old form: check'd
rebuke, scold, reprimand
2H6 I.ii.54
Hum. GLOUCESTER 
Nay be not angry, I am pleas'd againe.Nay, be not angry; I am pleased again. 2H6 I.ii.55
Enter Messenger.Enter a Messenger 2H6 I.ii.56.1
Mess. MESSENGER 
My Lord Protector, 'tis his Highnes pleasure,My Lord Protector, 'tis his highness' pleasurepleasure (n.)
wish, desire, will
2H6 I.ii.56
You do prepare to ride vnto S. Albons,You do prepare to ride unto Saint Albans, 2H6 I.ii.57
Where as the King and Queene do meane to Hawke.Where as the King and Queen do mean to hawk.hawk (v.)

old form: Hawke
hunt with hawks
2H6 I.ii.58
Hu. GLOUCESTER 
I go. Come Nel thou wilt ride withvs? I go. Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us? 2H6 I.ii.59
Eli. DUCHESS 
Yes my good Lord, Ile follow presently.Yes, my good lord, I'll follow presently.presently (adv.)
after a short time, soon, before long
2H6 I.ii.60
Ex. HumExeunt Gloucester and Messenger 2H6 I.ii.60
Follow I must, I cannot go before,Follow I must; I cannot go before 2H6 I.ii.61
While Gloster beares this base and humble minde.While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind.base (adj.)
poor, wretched, of low quality
2H6 I.ii.62
Were I a Man, a Duke, and next of blood,Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood,blood (n.)
blood relationship, kinship
2H6 I.ii.63
I would remoue these tedious stumbling blockes,I would remove these tedious stumbling-blocks 2H6 I.ii.64
And smooth my way vpon their headlesse neckes.And smooth my way upon their headless necks; 2H6 I.ii.65
And being a woman, I will not be slackeAnd, being a woman, I will not be slack 2H6 I.ii.66
To play my part in Fortunes Pageant.To play my part in Fortune's pageant.pageant (n.)
show, scene, spectacle, tableau
2H6 I.ii.67
Fortune (n.)
Roman goddess, shown as a woman at a spinning-wheel, or controlling a rudder, and as blind
Where are you there? Sir Iohn; nay feare not man,Where are you there? Sir John! Nay, fear not, man. 2H6 I.ii.68
We are alone, here's none but thee, & I. We are alone; here's none but thee and I. 2H6 I.ii.69
Enter Hume.Enter John Hume 2H6 I.ii.70
Hume. HUME 
Iesus preserue your Royall Maiesty.Jesus preserve your royal majesty! 2H6 I.ii.70
Elia. DUCHESS 
What saist thou? Maiesty: I am but Grace.What sayst thou? ‘ Majesty ’! I am but ‘ grace.’ 2H6 I.ii.71
Hume. HUME 
But by the grace of God, and Humes aduice,But, by the grace of God and Hume's advice, 2H6 I.ii.72
Your Graces Title shall be multiplied.Your grace's title shall be multiplied. 2H6 I.ii.73
Elia. DUCHESS 
What saist thou man? Hast thou as yet confer'dWhat sayst thou, man? Hast thou as yet conferred 2H6 I.ii.74
With Margerie Iordane the cunning Witch,With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch,cunning (adj.)
knowledgeable, skilful, clever
2H6 I.ii.75
With Roger Bollingbrooke the Coniurer?With Roger Bolingbroke, the conjurer?conjurer, conjuror (n.)

old form: Coniurer
exorcist, sorcerer, raiser of spirits
2H6 I.ii.76
And will they vndertake to do me good?And will they undertake to do me good?good, do one
make prosper, enable to succeed
2H6 I.ii.77
Hume. HUME 
This they haue promised to shew your HighnesThis they have promised: to show your highness 2H6 I.ii.78
A Spirit rais'd from depth of vnder ground,A spirit raised from depth of under ground, 2H6 I.ii.79
That shall make answere to such Questions,That shall make answer to such questions 2H6 I.ii.80
As by your Grace shall be propounded him.As by your grace shall be propounded him. 2H6 I.ii.81
Elianor. DUCHESS 
It is enough, Ile thinke vpon the Questions:It is enough; I'll think upon the questions. 2H6 I.ii.82
When from Saint Albones we doe make returne,When from Saint Albans we do make return, 2H6 I.ii.83
Wee'le see these things effected to the full.We'll see these things effected to the full. 2H6 I.ii.84
Here Hume, take this reward, make merry manHere, Hume, take this reward. Make merry, man, 2H6 I.ii.85
With thy Confederates in this weightie cause. With thy confederates in this weighty cause. 2H6 I.ii.86
Exit Elianor. Exit 2H6 I.ii.86
Hume. HUME 
Hume must make merry with the Duchesse Gold:Hume must make merry with the Duchess' gold; 2H6 I.ii.87
Marry and shall: but how now, Sir Iohn Hume?Marry, and shall. But how now, Sir John Hume?marry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary
2H6 I.ii.88
Seale vp your Lips, and giue no words but Mum,Seal up your lips and give no words but mum;mum (int.)
be quiet, shush
2H6 I.ii.89
The businesse asketh silent secrecie.The business asketh silent secrecy.ask (v.)
demand, require, call for
2H6 I.ii.90
Dame Elianor giues Gold, to bring the Witch:Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch; 2H6 I.ii.91
Gold cannot come amisse, were she a Deuill.Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil. 2H6 I.ii.92
Yet haue I Gold flyes from another Coast:Yet have I gold flies from another coastcoast (n.)
quarter, direction, route
2H6 I.ii.93
I dare not say, from the rich Cardinall,I dare not say from the rich Cardinal 2H6 I.ii.94
And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolke;And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk. 2H6 I.ii.95
Yet I doe finde it so: for to be plaine,Yet I do find it so; for, to be plain, 2H6 I.ii.96
They (knowing Dame Elianors aspiring humor)They, knowing Dame Eleanor's aspiring humour,humour (n.)

old form: humor
mood, disposition, frame of mind, temperament [as determined by bodily fluids]
2H6 I.ii.97
Haue hyred me to vnder-mine the Duchesse,Have hired me to undermine the Duchess, 2H6 I.ii.98
And buzze these Coniurations in her brayne.And buzz these conjurations in her brain.buzz (v.)

old form: buzze
spread, move about, send
2H6 I.ii.99
conjuration (n.)

old form: Coniurations
incantation, invocation of spirits
They say, A craftie Knaue do's need no Broker,They say ‘ A crafty knave does need no broker;’knave (n.)

old form: Knaue
scoundrel, rascal, rogue
2H6 I.ii.100
Yet am I Suffolke and the Cardinalls Broker.Yet am I Suffolk and the Cardinal's broker.broker, broker-between (n.)
go-between, intermediary, agent
2H6 I.ii.101
Hume, if you take not heed, you shall goe neereHume, if you take not heed, you shall go near 2H6 I.ii.102
To call them both a payre of craftie Knaues.To call them both a pair of crafty knaves. 2H6 I.ii.103
Well, so it stands: and thus I feare at last,Well, so it stands; and thus, I fear, at last 2H6 I.ii.104
Humes Knauerie will be the Duchesse Wracke,Hume's knavery will be the Duchess' wrack,wrack (n.)

old form: Wracke
destruction, ruin
2H6 I.ii.105
And her Attainture, will be Humphreyes fall:And her attainture will be Humphrey's fall.attainture (n.)
conviction, condemnation, sentence
2H6 I.ii.106
Sort how it will, I shall haue Gold for all. Sort how it will, I shall have gold for all.sort (v.)
turn out, fall out, come about
2H6 I.ii.107
Exit.Exit 2H6 I.ii.107
 Previous Act I, Scene II Next  
x

Jump directly to