Henry VI, Part 2
Shakescleare Translation

Henry VI, Part 2 Translation Act 4, Scene 4

Line Map Clear Line Map Add

Enter KING HENRY VI with a supplication, and the QUEEN with SUFFOLK'S head, BUCKINGHAM and Lord SAY

QUEEN MARGARET

Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind, And makes it fearful and degenerate; Think therefore on revenge and cease to weep. But who can cease to weep and look on this? Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast: But where's the body that I should embrace?

QUEEN MARGARET

I have often heard that grief softens the mind, making it deteriorate with fear. So I should think about revenge and stop crying. But who can stop crying and look at this? His head may lie on my heaving chest, but where is the body that I would like to embrace?

BUCKINGHAM

What answer makes your grace to the rebels'supplication?

BUCKINGHAM

What do you say to the rebels' petition, your grace?

KING HENRY VI

I'll send some holy bishop to entreat; For God forbid so many simple souls Should perish by the sword! And I myself, Rather than bloody war shall cut them short, Will parley with Jack Cade their general: But stay, I'll read it over once again.

KING HENRY VI

I'll send a holy bishop to meet with them. God forbid that so many ordinary people should die violently! Rather than let them die in a bloody war, I'll go myself to negotiate with their general Jack Cade. But wait, I'll read it over once again.

QUEEN MARGARET

Ah, barbarous villains! Hath this lovely face Ruled, like a wandering planet, over me, And could it not enforce them to relent, That were unworthy to behold the same?

QUEEN MARGARET

Oh, barbaric villains! How did this lovely face rule over me like a moving planet, but wasn't able to force them to have mercy, since they were unworthy to look at him?

KING HENRY VI

Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.

KING HENRY VI

Lord Say, Jack Cade swore that he will have your head.

SAY

Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his.

SAY

Yes, but I hope that your highness shall have his. 

KING HENRY VI

How now, madam! Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk's death? I fear me, love, if that I had been dead, Thou wouldst not have mourn'd so much for me.

KING HENRY VI

How are you, madam? Are you still sad and grieving Suffolk's death? I am afraid that if I had been dead, love, you wouldn't have grieved so much for me. 

QUEEN MARGARET

No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.

QUEEN MARGARET

No, my love. I wouldn't have grieved, but I would have died for you. 

Enter a Messenger

KING HENRY VI

How now! What news? Why comest thou in such haste?

KING HENRY VI

What's the news? Why are you in such a hurry?

MESSENGER

The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord! Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer, Descended from the Duke of Clarence' house, And calls your grace usurper openly And vows to crown himself in Westminster. His army is a ragged multitude Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless: Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother's death Hath given them heart and courage to proceed: All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen, They call false caterpillars, and intend their death.

MESSENGER

The rebels are in Southwark. Run away, my lord! Jack Cade claims that he is Lord Mortimer, descended from the Duke of Clarence's house, and he openly calls you a usurper and swears that he will crown himself in Westminster. His army is a weary large group of servants and peasants, rough and merciless. The deaths of Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother have given them strength and courage to carry on. They call all scholars, lawyers, courtiers and gentlemen treacherous parasites, and plan to kill them.

KING HENRY VI

O graceless men! They know not what they do.

KING HENRY VI

Oh, ignorant men! They don't know what they're doing.

BUCKINGHAM

My gracious lord, return to Killingworth,Until a power be raised to put them down.

BUCKINGHAM

My gracious lord, return to Killingworth, until an army is put together to stop them.

QUEEN MARGARET

Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased!

QUEEN MARGARET

Ah, if the Duke of Suffolk were alive now, these Kentish rebels would be defeated very soon!

KING HENRY VI

Lord Say, the traitors hate thee;Therefore away with us to Killingworth.

KING HENRY VI

Lord Say, the traitors hate you. So come away with us to Killingworth.

SAY

So might your grace's person be in danger.The sight of me is odious in their eyes;And therefore in this city will I stayAnd live alone as secret as I may.

SAY

Then your grace might be in danger. They hate the sight of me. So I will stay in this city and go into hiding.

Enter another Messenger

MESSENGER

Jack Cade hath gotten London bridge: The citizens fly and forsake their houses: The rascal people, thirsting after prey, Join with the traitor, and they jointly swear To spoil the city and your royal court.

MESSENGER

Jack Cade has gotten to London bridge. The citizens are running away and abandoning their houses. The rabble, thirsting after their prey, has joined the traitor. They all swear to plunder the city and your royal court.

BUCKINGHAM

Then linger not, my lord, away, take horse.

BUCKINGHAM

Then let's not stay here any longer. My lord, let's go, take a horse!

KING HENRY VI

Come, Margaret; God, our hope, will succor us.

KING HENRY VI

Come, Margaret. God, our hope, will help us.

QUEEN MARGARET

My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceased.

QUEEN MARGARET

My hope is gone now that Suffolk is dead.

KING HENRY VI

Farewell, my lord: trust not the Kentish rebels.

KING HENRY VI

Goodbye, my lord. Don't trust these Kentish rebels.

BUCKINGHAM

Trust nobody, for fear you be betray'd.

BUCKINGHAM

Don't trust anyone or you may be betrayed. 

SAY

The trust I have is in mine innocence,And therefore am I bold and resolute.

SAY

I only trust my own innocence, and that's why I am brave and determined.

Exeunt