Henry VI, Pt. 2
Act III, Scene 3
London. The Cardinal’s bedchamber.
See how the pangs of death do make him grin!
John Boydell; John & Josiah Boydell, printmakers; 1803
- Enter the King, Salisbury, and Warwick to the Cardinal in
- bed, raving and staring as if he were mad.
King Henry the Sixth
1- How fares my lord? Speak, Beauford, to thy sovereign.
Cardinal Beauford
2 - 4- If thou beest death, I’ll give thee England’s treasure,
- Enough to purchase such another island,
- So thou wilt let me live, and feel no pain.
King Henry the Sixth
5 - 6- Ah, what a sign it is of evil life,
- Where death’s approach is seen so terrible!
Earl of Warwick
7- Beauford, it is thy sovereign speaks to thee.
Cardinal Beauford
8 - 18- Bring me unto my trial when you will.
- Died he not in his bed? Where should he die?
- Can I make men live, whe’er they will or no?
- O, torture me no more, I will confess.
- Alive again? Then show me where he is,
- I’ll give a thousand pound to look upon him.
- He hath no eyes, the dust hath blinded them.
- Comb down his hair; look, look, it stands upright,
- Like lime-twigs set to catch my winged soul.
- Give me some drink, and bid the apothecary
- Bring the strong poison that I bought of him.
King Henry the Sixth
19 - 23- O thou eternal Mover of the heavens,
- Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch!
- O, beat away the busy meddling fiend
- That lays strong siege unto this wretch’s soul,
- And from his bosom purge this black despair!
Earl of Warwick
24- See how the pangs of death do make him grin!
Earl of Salisbury
25- Disturb him not, let him pass peaceably.
King Henry the Sixth
26 - 29- Peace to his soul, if God’s good pleasure be!
- Lord Card’nal, if thou think’st on heaven’s bliss,
- Hold up thy hand, make signal of thy hope.
- The Cardinal dies.
- He dies, and makes no sign. O God, forgive him!
Earl of Warwick
30- So bad a death argues a monstrous life.
King Henry the Sixth
31 - 33- Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.
- Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close,
- And let us all to meditation.
- Exeunt.
Byam Shaw, 1901