Henry VI, Part 3 Translation Act 4, Scene 8
Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VI, WARWICK, MONTAGUE, CLARENCE, EXETER, and OXFORD
WARWICK
What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders, Hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas, And with his troops doth march amain to London; And many giddy people flock to him.
WARWICK
What advice would you give us, lords? Edward is coming from the Netherlands with quick-tempered Germans and uncivilized Dutchmen. They have passed the English Channel safely and he is marching rapidly towards London with his army. Many inconstant people join him.
KING HENRY VI
Let's levy men, and beat him back again.
KING HENRY VI
Let's muster our men and let's beat him back to where he came from.
CLARENCE
A little fire is quickly trodden out;Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench.
CLARENCE
A little fire can be quickly extinguished. If it's allowed to grow, not even whole rivers can put it out.
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In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends, Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; Those will I muster up: and thou, son Clarence, Shalt stir up in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent, The knights and gentlemen to come with thee: Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham, Northampton and in Leicestershire, shalt find Men well inclined to hear what thou command'st: And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well beloved, In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends. My sovereign, with the loving citizens, Like to his island girt in with the ocean, Or modest Dian circled with her nymphs, Shall rest in London till we come to him. Fair lords, take leave and stand not to reply. Farewell, my sovereign.
WARWICK
I have good friends in Warwickshire. They don't rebel during times of peace, and they are brave during wartime. I will recruit those followers, and you, Clarence, my son-in-law, shall convince the knights and gentlemen in Suffolk, Norfolk and Kent to come with you. You, Montague, my brother, will find men in Buckingham, Northampton, and Leicestershire who will be happy to follow your command. And you, brave Oxford, hugely beloved, you'll recruit your friends in Oxfordshire. My king will remain in London with his supportive citizens until we come to him, like an island surrounded by the ocean, or the chaste goddess Diana surrounded by the nymphs that waited on her. Go, fair lords and do not wait to answer me. Goodbye, my king.
KING HENRY VI
Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope.
KING HENRY VI
Goodbye, my Hector and the best hope for my Troy.
CLARENCE
In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand.
CLARENCE
I kiss your hand as a sign of my loyalty.
KING HENRY VI
Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate!
KING HENRY VI
Loyal Clarence, I hope you will do well!
MONTAGUE
Comfort, my lord; and so I take my leave.
MONTAGUE
Take courage, my lord. And so I am going.
OXFORD
And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu.
OXFORD
And I kiss your hand in loyalty too, and say goodbye.
KING HENRY VI
Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague,And all at once, once more a happy farewell.
KING HENRY VI
Sweet Oxford and my loving Montague both leaving me at the same time. Once again I wish you a fond farewell.
WARWICK
Farewell, sweet lords: let's meet at Coventry.
WARWICK
Goodbye, good lords. Let's meet at Coventry.
Exeunt all but KING HENRY VI and EXETER
KING HENRY VI
Here at the palace I will rest awhile.Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?Methinks the power that Edward hath in fieldShould not be able to encounter mine.
KING HENRY VI
I will stay here at the palace for a while. What do you think, Lord of Exeter? I think that the power that Edward has in the battlefield won't be able to match mine.
EXETER
The doubt is that he will seduce the rest.
EXETER
The only fear is that he may persuade more soldiers to switch sides and fight for him.
KING HENRY VI
That's not my fear; my meed hath got me fame: I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands, Nor posted off their suits with slow delays; My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs, My mercy dried their water-flowing tears; I have not been desirous of their wealth, Nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies. Nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd: Then why should they love Edward more than me? No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace: And when the lion fawns upon the lamb, The lamb will never cease to follow him.
KING HENRY VI
That's not what I fear. My virtue has made me famous. I haven't listening to my subjects' demands. I haven't put off listening to their petitions with long delays. My pity served as relief to heal their wounds, my mildness has soothed their growing griefs, my mercy dried their tears. I have never wanted their money, nor have I ever forced them to pay great taxes, nor did I ever harshly punish them even when they deserved my revenge. So then why should they love Edward more than me? No, Exeter, these virtuous actions of mine will command respect and love. When the lion acts tenderly to the lamb, the lamb will never stop following him.
Shout within. 'A Lancaster! A Lancaster!'
EXETER
Hark, hark, my lord! What shouts are these?
EXETER
Listen, listen, my lord! What does this shouting mean?
Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER, and soldiers
KING EDWARD IV
Seize on the shame-faced Henry, bear him hence; And once again proclaim us King of England. You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow: Now stops thy spring; my sea shall suck them dry, And swell so much the higher by their ebb. Hence with him to the Tower; let him not speak.
KING EDWARD IV
Grab the bashful Henry and bring him here. Once again I proclaim myself the King of England. You are like the source from which small streams flow. Now your water stops flowing. The sea of my own power will make all of your streams dry up, and the sea levels of my power will only grow when yours diminishes. Take him to the Tower. Don't let him speak.
Exeunt some with KING HENRY VI
And, lords, towards Coventry bend we our courseWhere peremptory Warwick now remains:The sun shines hot; and, if we use delay,Cold biting winter mars our hoped-for hay.
And, lords, we turn towards Coventry, where the imperious Warwick is now. The sun shines hot. If we waste time, cold biting winter will ruin our harvest.
GLOUCESTER
Away betimes, before his forces join,And take the great-grown traitor unawares:Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.
GLOUCESTER
Away quickly, before his forces appear by surprise and steal back this great traitor. Brave warriors, march quickly towards Coventry!
Exeunt
