Monologue

King Henry Monologue from Henry VI

From Henry VI by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 58 sec

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O Thou that judgest all things, stay my thoughts, My thoughts that labour to persuade my soul Some violent hands were laid on Humphrey’s life. If my suspect be false, forgive me, God, For judgment only doth belong to Thee. Fain would I go to chafe his paly lips With twenty thousand kisses, and to drain Upon his face an ocean of salt tears, To tell my love unto his dumb deaf trunk, And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling; But all in vain are these mean obsequies. And to survey his dead and earthy image, What were it but to make my sorrow greater? Enter Warwick and others, bearing Gloucester’s body on a bed.

About this piece

King Henry reflects on the death of Humphrey and grapples with his grief and suspicions surrounding the circumstances of his death, as others enter bearing Gloucester's body.

30s · sadness · death · love · grief · betrayal

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