Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/155

King Henry the Sixth portant dramatic incident, and can hardly be shown to have made any first-hand study of the historical sources.

Thus the consideration of Shakespeare's additions does not really involve a study of the sources of the play (apart from the Contention); it involves almost solely the question of the spirit in which Shakespeare improvised new speeches to fit the scenario furnished by the old play. This matter will be discussed in Appendix C.

The simpler and generally clearer tone of the Contention is well illustrated in the scenes depicting Suffolk's death and that of Cade. The 147 lines of 2 Henry VI IV. i are expanded from the following 78 lines of the Contention.

'Alarmes within, and the chambers be discharged, like as it were a fight at sea. And then enter the Captaine of the ship and the Maister, and the Maisters Mate, & the Duke of Suffolke disguised, and others with him, and Water Whickmore.

Cap. Bring forward these prisoners that scorn'd to yeeld,

Vnlade their goods with speed and sincke their ship,

Here Maister, this prisoner I giue to you.

This other, the Maisters Mate shall haue,

And Water Whickmore thou shalt haue this man,

And let them paie their ransomes ere they passe.

Suffolke. Water!

Water. How now, what doest feare me?

Thou shalt haue better cause anon.

Suf. It is thy name affrights me, not thy selfe.

I do remember well, a cunning Wyssard told me,

That by Water I should die:

Yet let not that make thee bloudie minded.

Thy name being rightly sounded,

Is Gualter, not Water.

VVater. Gualter or Water, als one to me,