Believe me, lords, for flying at the brook
I saw not better sport these seven years’ day;
Yet, by your leave, the wind was very high,
And, ten to one, old Joan had not gone out.
Believe me, lords, I haven't seen such fine hawking in seven years. Though I must admit, the wind was quite strong today.
Seriously, I haven't seen better hunting like this in years. The wind was crazy though.
great hunting today
best in years
But what a point, my lord, your falcon made,
And what a pitch she flew above the rest!
To see how God in all His creatures works!
Yea, man and birds are fain of climbing high.
Your Majesty, what a magnificent flight your hawk made! And what a height she reached! It shows us God's perfect design in all of nature.
That was amazing—your bird flew so high. It's like seeing God's plan at work.
amazing flight
god's design
No marvel, an it like your majesty,
My Lord Protector’s hawks do tower so well;
They know their master loves to be aloft,
And bears his thoughts above his falcon’s pitch.
It is no surprise, Your Majesty, that the Protector's hawks fly so high. They know their master loves to reach for things beyond his station, and he teaches them to carry his lofty ambitions.
Of course the Protector's birds fly high—he taught them to reach for things he shouldn't. Just like him.
protector's ambitions
reaching too high
just like him
My lord, ’tis but a base ignoble mind
That mounts no higher than a bird can soar.
My lord, only a base and ignoble mind concerns itself with such petty heights. A man's true greatness is measured by his service to his King and realm, not by how high his bird can fly.
Look, that's a cheap shot. Real greatness isn't about showing off with hawks. It's about serving the King and the country.
that's cheap
real greatness = service
not showing off
I thought as much. He would be above the clouds.
Exactly so. I thought as much. He would never be content to stay within proper bounds.
Right. Of course. He wants everything.
typical
wants everything
Ay, my Lord Cardinal, how think you by that?
Were it not good your grace could fly to heaven?
Ay, my Lord Cardinal, how think you by that? Were it not good your grace could fly to heaven?...
Ay, my Lord Cardinal, how think you by that? Were it not good your grace could fly to heaven?...
[core emotion]
The treasury of everlasting joy.
The treasury of everlasting joy....
The treasury of everlasting joy....
[core emotion]
Thy heaven is on earth; thine eyes and thoughts
Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart,
Pernicious Protector, dangerous peer,
That smooth’st it so with king and commonweal!
Thy heaven is on earth; thine eyes and thoughts Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart, Pernicio...
Thy heaven is on earth; thine eyes and thoughts Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart, Pernicio...
[core emotion]
What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown peremptory?
_Tantaene animis coelestibus irae?_
Churchmen so hot? Good uncle, hide such malice.
With such holiness can you do it?
What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown peremptory? _Tantaene animis coelestibus irae?_ Churchmen s...
What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown peremptory? _Tantaene animis coelestibus irae?_ Churchmen s...
[core emotion]
No malice, sir; no more than well becomes
So good a quarrel and so bad a peer.
No malice, sir; no more than well becomes So good a quarrel and so bad a peer....
No malice, sir; no more than well becomes So good a quarrel and so bad a peer....
[core emotion]
As who, my lord?
As who, my lord?...
As who, my lord?...
[core emotion]
Why, as you, my lord,
An ’t like your lordly Lord Protectorship.
Why, as you, my lord, An ’t like your lordly Lord Protectorship....
Why, as you, my lord, An ’t like your lordly Lord Protectorship....
[core emotion]
Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence.
Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence....
Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence....
[core emotion]
And thy ambition, Gloucester.
And thy ambition, Gloucester....
And thy ambition, Gloucester....
[core emotion]
I prithee, peace, good queen,
And whet not on these furious peers;
For blessed are the peacemakers on earth.
I prithee, peace, good queen, And whet not on these furious peers; For blessed are the peacemakers o...
I prithee, peace, good queen, And whet not on these furious peers; For blessed are the peacemakers o...
[core emotion]
Let me be blessed for the peace I make
Against this proud Protector, with my sword!
Let me be blessed for the peace I make Against this proud Protector, with my sword!...
Let me be blessed for the peace I make Against this proud Protector, with my sword!...
[core emotion]
In thine own person answer thy abuse.
In thine own person answer thy abuse....
In thine own person answer thy abuse....
[core emotion]
dar’st,
This evening, on the east side of the grove.
dar’st, This evening, on the east side of the grove....
dar’st, This evening, on the east side of the grove....
[core emotion]
How now, my lords?
How now, my lords?...
How now, my lords?...
[core emotion]
Believe me, cousin Gloucester,
Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly,
We had had more sport.—[_Aside to Gloucester_.]
Come with thy two-hand sword.
Believe me, cousin Gloucester, Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly, We had had more sport.—...
Believe me, cousin Gloucester, Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly, We had had more sport.—...
[core emotion]
True, uncle.
True, uncle....
True, uncle....
[core emotion]
Why, how now, uncle Gloucester?
Why, how now, uncle Gloucester?...
Why, how now, uncle Gloucester?...
[core emotion]
Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord.
Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord....
Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord....
[core emotion]
The Simpcox scene is one of Shakespeare's most compressed and efficient pieces of comic writing. In about twenty exchanges, Gloucester identifies a fraud that has fooled the king, the queen, the Cardinal, and an entire town — and then engineers a spectacular public exposure. The comedy is real and delightful: Simpcox sprinting away on 'lame' legs is pure physical theater. But the episode does political work too. It demonstrates exactly what England needs and is about to lose: a Protector who cuts through pretense with calm logic and a sense of humor. Henry sees a miracle; Gloucester sees a test that can be failed. The play asks us to keep that distinction in mind when Gloucester is accused of crimes he didn't commit and no one applies the same rigorous skepticism.
Protector, see to ’t well, protect yourself.
Protector, see to ’t well, protect yourself....
Protector, see to ’t well, protect yourself....
[core emotion]
The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords.
How irksome is this music to my heart!
When such strings jar, what hope of harmony?
I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.
The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords. How irksome is this music to my heart! When such st...
The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords. How irksome is this music to my heart! When such st...
[core emotion]
What means this noise?
Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?
What means this noise? Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?...
What means this noise? Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?...
[core emotion]
A miracle! A miracle!
A miracle! A miracle!...
A miracle! A miracle!...
[core emotion]
Come to the King, and tell him what miracle.
Come to the King, and tell him what miracle....
Come to the King, and tell him what miracle....
[core emotion]
Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine,
Within this half hour, hath received his sight,
A man that ne’er saw in his life before.
Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine, Within this half hour, hath received his sight, A man...
Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine, Within this half hour, hath received his sight, A man...
[core emotion]
Now, God be praised, that to believing souls
Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair!
Now, God be praised, that to believing souls Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair!...
Now, God be praised, that to believing souls Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair!...
[core emotion]
Here comes the townsmen on procession,
To present your highness with the man.
Here comes the townsmen on procession, To present your highness with the man....
Here comes the townsmen on procession, To present your highness with the man....
[core emotion]
Great is his comfort in this earthly vale,
Although by his sight his sin be multiplied.
Great is his comfort in this earthly vale, Although by his sight his sin be multiplied....
Great is his comfort in this earthly vale, Although by his sight his sin be multiplied....
[core emotion]
Stand by, my masters. Bring him near the King.
His highness’ pleasure is to talk with him.
Stand by, my masters. Bring him near the King. His highness’ pleasure is to talk with him....
Stand by, my masters. Bring him near the King. His highness’ pleasure is to talk with him....
[core emotion]
Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance,
That we for thee may glorify the Lord.
What, hast thou been long blind and now restored?
Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance, That we for thee may glorify the Lord. What, hast thou b...
Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance, That we for thee may glorify the Lord. What, hast thou b...
[core emotion]
Simpcox speaks in the wheedling register of practiced fraud — every answer carefully vague, every claim just specific enough to be convincing. Watch for how his answers get more elaborate when he's cornered.
Born blind, an ’t please your grace.
Born blind, an ’t please your grace....
Born blind, an ’t please your grace....
[core emotion]
Ay, indeed, was he.
Ay, indeed, was he....
Ay, indeed, was he....
[core emotion]
What woman is this?
What woman is this?...
What woman is this?...
[core emotion]
His wife, an ’t like your worship.
His wife, an ’t like your worship....
His wife, an ’t like your worship....
[core emotion]
Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst have better told.
Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst have better told....
Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst have better told....
[core emotion]
Where wert thou born?
Where wert thou born?...
Where wert thou born?...
[core emotion]
At Berwick in the north, an ’t like your grace.
At Berwick in the north, an ’t like your grace....
At Berwick in the north, an ’t like your grace....
[core emotion]
Poor soul, God’s goodness hath been great to thee.
Let never day nor night unhallowed pass,
But still remember what the Lord hath done.
Poor soul, God’s goodness hath been great to thee. Let never day nor night unhallowed pass, But stil...
Poor soul, God’s goodness hath been great to thee. Let never day nor night unhallowed pass, But stil...
[core emotion]
Tell me, good fellow, cam’st thou here by chance,
Or of devotion, to this holy shrine?
Tell me, good fellow, cam’st thou here by chance, Or of devotion, to this holy shrine?...
Tell me, good fellow, cam’st thou here by chance, Or of devotion, to this holy shrine?...
[core emotion]
God knows, of pure devotion; being called
A hundred times and oftener, in my sleep,
By good Saint Alban, who said “Simpcox, come,
Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.”
God knows, of pure devotion; being called A hundred times and oftener, in my sleep, By good Saint Al...
God knows, of pure devotion; being called A hundred times and oftener, in my sleep, By good Saint Al...
[core emotion]
Most true, forsooth; and many time and oft
Myself have heard a voice to call him so.
Most true, forsooth; and many time and oft Myself have heard a voice to call him so....
Most true, forsooth; and many time and oft Myself have heard a voice to call him so....
[core emotion]
What, art thou lame?
What, art thou lame?...
What, art thou lame?...
[core emotion]
Ay, God Almighty help me!
Ay, God Almighty help me!...
Ay, God Almighty help me!...
[core emotion]
The scene opens with a royal hawking party — not incidental. Falconry was the supreme aristocratic sport of the medieval and Renaissance periods: expensive, time-consuming, requiring trained birds, skilled falconers, and large open land. Only the wealthy could practice it seriously. The birds themselves were ranked by social status: an eagle for an emperor, a falcon for a king, a gyrfalcon for a prince, a merlin for a lady. The sport had its own technical vocabulary ('pitch,' 'tower,' 'stoop') that educated audiences understood as a register of class. When Suffolk says Gloucester's hawks soar so high because their master does, he's deploying this vocabulary for political attack. The falconry frame then collapses into comedy when the townsman arrives shouting about miracles — the aristocratic world interrupted by base reality.
How cam’st thou so?
How cam’st thou so?...
How cam’st thou so?...
[core emotion]
A fall off of a tree.
A fall off of a tree....
A fall off of a tree....
[core emotion]
A plum-tree, master.
A plum-tree, master....
A plum-tree, master....
[core emotion]
How long hast thou been blind?
How long hast thou been blind?...
How long hast thou been blind?...
[core emotion]
O, born so, master.
O, born so, master....
O, born so, master....
[core emotion]
What, and wouldst climb a tree?
What, and wouldst climb a tree?...
What, and wouldst climb a tree?...
[core emotion]
But that in all my life, when I was a youth.
But that in all my life, when I was a youth....
But that in all my life, when I was a youth....
[core emotion]
Too true; and bought his climbing very dear.
Too true; and bought his climbing very dear....
Too true; and bought his climbing very dear....
[core emotion]
Mass, thou lov’dst plums well, that wouldst venture so.
Mass, thou lov’dst plums well, that wouldst venture so....
Mass, thou lov’dst plums well, that wouldst venture so....
[core emotion]
Alas, good master, my wife desired some damsons,
And made me climb, with danger of my life.
Alas, good master, my wife desired some damsons, And made me climb, with danger of my life....
Alas, good master, my wife desired some damsons, And made me climb, with danger of my life....
[core emotion]
A subtle knave! But yet it shall not serve.—
Let me see thine eyes. Wink now. Now open them.
In my opinion yet thou seest not well.
A subtle knave! But yet it shall not serve.— Let me see thine eyes. Wink now. Now open them. In my o...
A subtle knave! But yet it shall not serve.— Let me see thine eyes. Wink now. Now open them. In my o...
[core emotion]
Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God and Saint Alban.
Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God and Saint Alban....
Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God and Saint Alban....
[core emotion]
Sayst thou me so? What colour is this cloak of?
Sayst thou me so? What colour is this cloak of?...
Sayst thou me so? What colour is this cloak of?...
[core emotion]
Red, master, red as blood.
Red, master, red as blood....
Red, master, red as blood....
[core emotion]
Why, that’s well said. What colour is my gown of?
Why, that’s well said. What colour is my gown of?...
Why, that’s well said. What colour is my gown of?...
[core emotion]
Black, forsooth, coal-black as jet.
Black, forsooth, coal-black as jet....
Black, forsooth, coal-black as jet....
[core emotion]
Why, then, thou know’st what colour jet is of?
Why, then, thou know’st what colour jet is of?...
Why, then, thou know’st what colour jet is of?...
[core emotion]
And yet, I think, jet did he never see.
And yet, I think, jet did he never see....
And yet, I think, jet did he never see....
[core emotion]
But cloaks and gowns before this day, a many.
But cloaks and gowns before this day, a many....
But cloaks and gowns before this day, a many....
[core emotion]
Never before this day in all his life.
Never before this day in all his life....
Never before this day in all his life....
[core emotion]
Tell me, sirrah, what’s my name?
Tell me, sirrah, what’s my name?...
Tell me, sirrah, what’s my name?...
[core emotion]
Alas, master, I know not.
Alas, master, I know not....
Alas, master, I know not....
[core emotion]
What’s his name?
What’s his name?...
What’s his name?...
[core emotion]
I know not.
I know not....
I know not....
[core emotion]
Nor his?
Nor his?...
Nor his?...
[core emotion]
No, indeed, master.
No, indeed, master....
No, indeed, master....
[core emotion]
What’s thine own name?
What’s thine own name?...
What’s thine own name?...
[core emotion]
Sander Simpcox, an if it please you, master.
Sander Simpcox, an if it please you, master....
Sander Simpcox, an if it please you, master....
[core emotion]
Then, Sander, sit there, the lyingest knave in Christendom. If thou
hadst been born blind, thou mightst as well have known all our names as
thus to name the several colours we do wear. Sight may distinguish of
colours; but suddenly to nominate them all, it is impossible.—My lords,
Saint Alban here hath done a miracle; and would ye not think his
cunning to be great that could restore this cripple to his legs again?
Then, Sander, sit there, the lyingest knave in Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, thou migh...
Then, Sander, sit there, the lyingest knave in Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, thou migh...
[core emotion]
O master, that you could!
O master, that you could!...
O master, that you could!...
[core emotion]
My masters of Saint Albans, have you not beadles in your town, and
things called whips?
My masters of Saint Albans, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips?...
My masters of Saint Albans, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips?...
[core emotion]
The secret duel arranged between Gloucester and the Cardinal — east side of the grove, tonight — is one of the play's most significant non-events. It would have been a public reckoning, the kind of direct confrontation where Gloucester's physical courage could have mattered. Instead, Eleanor's arrest delivers him into a different kind of helplessness. The duel is canceled not by cowardice or negotiation but by grief. This is structurally important: throughout the play, Gloucester's enemies never face him directly. They maneuver around him, use his wife, deploy legal process, arrange a murder. The one time a direct confrontation was scheduled, it is stolen from him by the very trap that will eventually destroy him. There is no arena where Gloucester can win.
Yes, my lord, if it please your grace.
Yes, my lord, if it please your grace....
Yes, my lord, if it please your grace....
[core emotion]
Then send for one presently.
Then send for one presently....
Then send for one presently....
[core emotion]
Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight.
Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight....
Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight....
[core emotion]
Now fetch me a stool hither by and by.—Now, sirrah, if you mean to save
yourself from whipping, leap me over this stool and run away.
Now fetch me a stool hither by and by.—Now, sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap...
Now fetch me a stool hither by and by.—Now, sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap...
[core emotion]
Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone.
You go about to torture me in vain.
Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone. You go about to torture me in vain....
Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone. You go about to torture me in vain....
[core emotion]
Well, sir, we must have you find your legs.
Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stool.
Well, sir, we must have you find your legs. Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stoo...
Well, sir, we must have you find your legs. Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stoo...
[core emotion]
I will, my lord.—Come on, sirrah; off with your doublet quickly.
I will, my lord.—Come on, sirrah; off with your doublet quickly....
I will, my lord.—Come on, sirrah; off with your doublet quickly....
[core emotion]
Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand.
Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand....
Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand....
[core emotion]
O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long?
O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long?...
O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long?...
[core emotion]
It made me laugh to see the villain run.
It made me laugh to see the villain run....
It made me laugh to see the villain run....
[core emotion]
Follow the knave, and take this drab away.
Follow the knave, and take this drab away....
Follow the knave, and take this drab away....
[core emotion]
Alas, sir, we did it for pure need.
Alas, sir, we did it for pure need....
Alas, sir, we did it for pure need....
[core emotion]
Let them be whipped through every market town
Till they come to Berwick, from whence they came.
Let them be whipped through every market town Till they come to Berwick, from whence they came....
Let them be whipped through every market town Till they come to Berwick, from whence they came....
[core emotion]
Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today.
Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today....
Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today....
[core emotion]
True, made the lame to leap and fly away.
True, made the lame to leap and fly away....
True, made the lame to leap and fly away....
[core emotion]
But you have done more miracles than I.
You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly.
But you have done more miracles than I. You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly....
But you have done more miracles than I. You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly....
[core emotion]
What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?
What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?...
What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?...
[core emotion]
Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold.
A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent,
Under the countenance and confederacy
Of Lady Eleanor, the Protector’s wife,
The ringleader and head of all this rout,
Have practised dangerously against your state,
Dealing with witches and with conjurers,
Whom we have apprehended in the fact,
Raising up wicked spirits from under ground,
Demanding of King Henry’s life and death,
And other of your highness’ Privy Council,
As more at large your Grace shall understand.
Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold. A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent, Under the countenan...
Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold. A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent, Under the countenan...
[core emotion]
Your lady is forthcoming yet at London.
This news, I think, hath turned your weapon’s edge;
’Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour.
Your lady is forthcoming yet at London. This news, I think, hath turned your weapon’s edge; ’Tis lik...
Your lady is forthcoming yet at London. This news, I think, hath turned your weapon’s edge; ’Tis lik...
[core emotion]
Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart.
Sorrow and grief have vanquished all my powers,
And, vanquished as I am, I yield to thee,
Or to the meanest groom.
Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart. Sorrow and grief have vanquished all my powers, And,...
Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart. Sorrow and grief have vanquished all my powers, And,...
[core emotion]
O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones,
Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby!
O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones, Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby!...
O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones, Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby!...
[core emotion]
Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest,
And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best.
Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest, And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best....
Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest, And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best....
[core emotion]
Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal
How I have loved my king and commonweal;
And, for my wife, I know not how it stands.
Sorry I am to hear what I have heard.
Noble she is; but if she have forgot
Honour and virtue, and conversed with such
As like to pitch defile nobility,
I banish her my bed and company
And give her as a prey to law and shame
That hath dishonoured Gloucester’s honest name.
Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal How I have loved my king and commonweal; And, for my wife, ...
Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal How I have loved my king and commonweal; And, for my wife, ...
[core emotion]
Well, for this night we will repose us here;
Tomorrow toward London back again,
To look into this business thoroughly,
And call these foul offenders to their answers,
And poise the cause in Justice’ equal scales,
Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful cause prevails.
Well, for this night we will repose us here; Tomorrow toward London back again, To look into this bu...
Well, for this night we will repose us here; Tomorrow toward London back again, To look into this bu...
[core emotion]
The Reckoning
Three stories collide in one scene: the smoldering violence between Gloucester and the Cardinal, the absurdist comedy of the fake miracle, and the hammer-blow of Eleanor's arrest. The Simpcox episode is Shakespeare at his most darkly funny — Gloucester's interrogation is crisp, almost cheerful, and then devastating. But that humor is immediately extinguished when Buckingham enters. The moment Gloucester hears of Eleanor's arrest, he surrenders. The man who couldn't be frightened by the Cardinal's sword is broken by his wife's name.
If this happened today…
A corporate retreat turns into a near-brawl between the company chairman and the division head who's been undermining him for years. Suddenly a local news story breaks: a man near the retreat venue has gone viral claiming he was miraculously healed — the chairman investigates and debunks it in two minutes flat. Then his phone rings: his wife has been arrested in a sting operation the rivals set up. The chairman, who was about to win a public confrontation, goes completely silent.