Monologue

King Henry Monologue from Henry VI

From Henry VI by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 1:39 min

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Ay, Margaret; my heart is drowned with grief, Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes, My body round engirt with misery; For what’s more miserable than discontent? Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see The map of honour, truth, and loyalty; And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come That e’er I proved thee false or feared thy faith. What louring star now envies thy estate That these great lords and Margaret our Queen Do seek subversion of thy harmless life? Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong. And as the butcher takes away the calf And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains, Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse, Even so remorseless have they borne him hence; And as the dam runs lowing up and down, Looking the way her harmless young one went, And can do naught but wail her darling’s loss, Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimmed eyes Look after him, and cannot do him good, So mighty are his vowed enemies. His fortunes I will weep and ’twixt each groan Say “Who’s a traitor? Gloucester he is none.”

About this piece

King Henry expresses deep sorrow and concern for his uncle Gloucester, who is unjustly persecuted by powerful lords and the Queen, reflecting on themes of loyalty and betrayal.

30s · sadness · betrayal · honor · loss · power

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