Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/41

King Henry the Sixth, II. i

Car. Here comes the townsmen on procession,

To present your highness with the man.

King. Great is his comfort in this earthly vale,

Although by his sight his sin be multiplied.

Glo. Stand by, my masters; bring him near the king:

His highness' pleasure is to talk with him.

King. Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance,

That we for thee may glorify the Lord.

What! hast thou been long blind, and now restor'd?

Simp. Born blind, an't please your Grace.

Wife. Ay, indeed, was he.

Suf. What woman is this?

Wife. His wife, an't like your worship.

Glo. Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst have better told.

King. Where wert thou born?

Simp. At Berwick in the north, an 't like your Grace.

King. Poor soul! God's goodness hath been great to thee:

Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass,

But still remember what the Lord hath done.

Queen. Tell me, good fellow, cam'st thou here by chance,

Or of devotion, to this holy shrine?

Simp. God knows, of pure devotion; being call'd

A hundred times and oft'ner in my sleep,

By good Saint Alban; who said, 'Simon, come;

Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.'

Wife. Most true, forsooth; and many time and oft

Myself have heard a voice to call him so.

Car. What! art thou lame?

Simp.Ay, God Almighty help me!

 71 Although the recovery of his eyesight erpose him to additional temptations.

74 circumstance: details

91 Simon; cf. n. 