Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/59

King Henry the Sixth, III. i

Or else conclude my words effectual.

Suf. Well hath your highness seen into this duke;

And had I first been put to speak my mind,

I think I should have told your Grace's tale.

The duchess, by his subornation,

Upon my life, began her devilish practices:

Or if he were not privy to those faults,

Yet, by reputing of his high descent,

As, next the king he was successive heir,

And such high vaunts of his nobility,

Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess,

By wicked means to frame our sovereign's fall.

Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep,

And in his simple show he harbours treason.

The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb:

No, no, my sovereign; Gloucester is a man

Unsounded yet, and full of deep deceit.

Car. Did he not, contrary to form of law,

Devise strange deaths for small offences done?

York. And did he not, in his protectorship,

Levy great sums of money through the realm

For soldiers' pay in France, and never sent it?

By means whereof the towns each day revolted.

Buck. Tut! these are petty faults to faults unknown,

Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.

King. My lords, at once: the care you have of us,

To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot,

Is worthy praise; but shall I speak my conscience,

Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent

 41 effectual: conclusive

45 subornation: instigation

48 reputing: boasting

52 frame: bring to pass

59 Devise strange deaths; cf. n.

64 to: in comparison with

66 at once: addressing you all together (?), without more ado (?)

68 shall conscience: if I am to say what I really think 