The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare 

By: Geddes and Grosset

King Henry VI, Part 1

SCENE:

Partly In England and Partly In France

Act 1, Scene 1

Westminster Abbey

Dead march. The body of King Henry. The Fifth is discovered, lying in state, attended on by the Dukes of Bedford, Gloucester and Exeter, the Earl of Warwick, the Bishop of Winchester, heralds, etc.

Bedford: Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night! Comets, importing change of times and states, Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky and with them scourge the bad revolting stars that have consented unto Henry's death! King Henry the fifth, too famous to live long! England ne'er lost a king of so much worth.

Gloucester: England ne'er had a king, until his time. Virtue he had, deserving to command; His brandish'd sword did blind men with his beams; His arms spread wider than a dragon's wings; His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire, More dazzled and drove back his enemies than mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces. What should I say? His deeds exceed all speech: He never lift up his hand but conquered.

Exeter: We mourn in black: why mourn we not in blood? Henry is dead and never shall revive. Upon a wooden coffin we attend; and death's dishonourable victory, we with our stately presence glorify, like captives bound to a triumphant car.  What shall we curse the planets of mishap that plotted thus our glory's overthrow? Or shall we think the subtle-witted French conjurers and sorcerers that afraid of him, by magic verses have contriv'd his end?

To be continued tomorrow here...