Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/91

King Henry the Sixth, IV. i

Suf. O! that I were a god, to shoot forth thunder

Upon these paltry, servile, abject drudges.

Small things make base men proud: this villain here,

Being captain of a pinnace, threatens more

Than Bargulus, the strong Illyrian pirate.

Drones suck not eagles' blood, but rob beehives.

It is impossible that I should die

By such a lowly vassal as thyself.

Thy words move rage, and not remorse in me:

I go of message from the queen to France;

I charge thee, waft me safely cross the Channel.

Lieu. Walter!

Whit. Come, Suffolk, I must waft thee to thy death.

Suf. Pene gelidus timor occupat artus: it is thee I fear.

Whit. Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee.

What! are ye daunted now? now will ye stoop?

1. Gent. My gracious lord, entreat him, speak him fair.

Suf. Suffolk's imperial tongue is stern and rough,

Us'd to command, untaught to plead for favour.

Far be it we should honour such as these

With humble suit; no, rather let my head

Stoop to the block than these knees bow to any,

Save to the God of heaven and to my king;

And sooner dance upon a bloody pole

Than stand uncover'd to the vulgar groom.

True nobility is exempt from fear:

More can I bear than you dare execute.

Lieu. Hale him away, and let him talk no more.

Suf. Come, soldiers, show what cruelty ye can,

 108 Bargulus; cf. n.

113 of message: as messenger

114 waft: convey by water

117 Pene artus; cf. n.

127 dance pole; cf. n. 