Page:Henry VI Part 1 (1918) Yale.djvu/57

King Henry the Sixth, III. i

In that thou laid'st a trap to take my life

As well at London Bridge as at the Tower?

Beside, I fear me, if thy thoughts were sifted,

The king, thy sovereign, is not quite exempt

From envious malice of thy swelling heart.

Win. Gloucester, I do defy thee. Lords, vouchsafe

To give me hearing what I shall reply.

If I were covetous, ambitious, or perverse,

As he will have me, how am I so poor?

Or how haps it I seek not to advance

Or raise myself, but keep my wonted calling?

And for dissension, who preferreth peace

More than I do, except I be provok'd?

No, my good lords, it is not that offends;

It is not that that hath incens'd the duke:

It is, because no one should sway but he;

No one but he should be about the king;

And that engenders thunder in his breast,

And makes him roar these accusations forth.

But he shall know I am as good—

Glo.As good!

Thou bastard of my grandfather!

Win. Ay, lordly sir; for what are you, I pray,

But one imperious in another's throne?

Glo. Am I not protector, saucy priest?

Win. And am not I a prelate of the church?

Glo. Yes, as an outlaw in a castle keeps,

And useth it to patronage his theft.

Win. Unreverent Gloucester!

Glo.Thou art reverent,

Touching thy spiritual function, not thy life.

 22, 23 Cf. n.

44 imperious: playing the emperor

48 patronage: maintain, dignify

49 reverent: reverend 