Page:Henry IV Part 2 (1921) Yale.djvu/106

94

How doth the king?

Glo.Exceeding ill.

Prince.Heard he the good news yet?

Tell it him.

Glo. He alter'd much upon the hearing it.

Prince. If he be sick with joy, he'll recover

without physic.

War. Not so much noise, my lords. Sweet prince, speak low;

The king your father is dispos'd to sleep.

Cla. Let us withdraw into the other room.

War. Will 't please your Grace to go along with us?

Prince. No; I will sit and watch here by the king.

[Exeunt all but the Prince.]

Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow,

Being so troublesome a bedfellow?

O polish'd perturbation! golden care!

That keep'st the ports of slumber open wide

To many a watchful night! Sleep with it now!

Yet not so sound, and half so deeply sweet

As he whose brow with homely biggin bound

Snores out the watch of night. O majesty!

When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit

Like a rich armour worn in heat of day,

That scalds with safety. By his gates of breath

There lies a downy feather which stirs not:

Did he suspire, that light and weightless down

Perforce must move. My gracious lord! my father!

This sleep is sound indeed; this is a sleep

That from this golden rigol hath divorc'd

So many English kings. Thy due from me

 23 ports: gates

26 biggin: nightcap

30 with safety: while it gives safety

32 suspire: breathe

35 rigol: circle, crown 