The Complete Works of William Shakespeare · William Shakespeare
SCENE IV. London. The Palace
Enter the King with a supplication, and the Queen with Suffolk’s head, the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Saye. QUEEN MARGARET. [_Aside_.] 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? BUCKINGHAM. What answer makes your grace to the rebels’ supplication? KING HENRY. 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. QUEEN MARGARET. [_Aside_.] 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? KING HENRY. Lord Saye, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head. SAYE. Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his. KING HENRY. 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 mourned so much for me. QUEEN MARGARET. No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.
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