Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 4 (loyalty, handmaid, spotless, blessings, hamilcar, moves…). Matches are highlighted.
far, And if I err not, this is he himself. What honoured tongue? Oh thou, whose eye of contemplation, Looks through the windows of the highest heavens, Resolve thy Handmaid, where Earl Gloucester lives: And whither he shall live, and escape the hate, Of proud young Henry and his brother John? Stay here are strangers. Why curse you
yet I care not greatly if I tell thee. Thou seest my husband full of jealousy; Prince Richard in his suit importunate, My brother Gloucester threatened by young Henry; To clear these doubts, I will in some disguise, Go to black Heath unto the holy Hermit, Whose wisdom in foretelling things to come, Will let me see the issue of
Lord? Who being given himself to be unchaste, Think all men Like himself, in their effects, And injures me, that never had a thought, To wrong the sacred rites of spotless faith. I am assured that man's some murderer, Exit. Good Father Hermit speak and comfort me, Are you at prayers good old man? I pray you speak, What's here a beard?
defend his death I should desire) Then if your highness dame so base a match, And holy laws admit a marriage, Considering our affinity in blood, I will become your Handmaid not your harlot. That shame shall never dwell upon my brow. You are my servant then. You are my fellow Robert. But where's the Princess? I am loath to see the Court,
are my fellow Robert. But where's the Princess? I am loath to see the Court, Gloucester being from thence, Or kneel to him that gave us this offence. Oh but King Henry hear a sister speak, Gloucester was wronged, his lands were given away, They are not Justly said. Just laws to break, That keep their own right, with what power
Full speech
What Block, what Block I say what do you there? Go attend y e gate, see if you can let in more grief thereat, will you be gone sir? The Prince, if he give heed to Marrians suit, Must hear heart-sigh's, see sorrow in my eyes, And find cold welcome to calamities, Even for Gloucesters sake, I have no prisoner, Go to, you are disposed to jest my Lord, Are you in love? Then do you love the loveliest man alive. The Princeliest person of King Henries sons, he is virtuous in his mind his body fair, His deeds are Just, his speeches debonair, In deed he is what no body can deny. All lovely, beauty all, all Majesty. Nay hear you young Lord? Gods pity stay. I have said to much if you misconstrue me. Duty bids praise him, not unchastity. Grief at my brother's durance anger's me. who he? alas good Gentleman he wronged me not. No matter for all this, I'll tell your tale. Now sirrah whats the matter? Oh I conceive thee, bid him blithely fare, Bear him this Ring in token of my care. Good neighbours bring this honest fellow thither, Ther's for his pains a crown if he say true, And for your labour ther's as much for you. Thou hast no wrong in this, farewell good fellow. Make them drink Block. I'll fit you well enough for all your hope, Fau. beckons to Block. Fair honourable Prince. My soul hath your deserts in good esteem. But were you the sole Monarch of the earth, Your power were insufficient to invade, My never yielding heart of chastity. Beside my gracious Lord. however secretly great Princes sin, The King of all hearts will have all sins known. Let it not be delayed deer Faukenbridge. why do you stay sir? Walk in the Garden I will follow you. I faith I faith you are a noble wag. Well said well said, I'll have these toys amended, Go, will you walk into the Garden sir, Upon my word I'll bring none but my self, This youth and Richard, think me easily won, But Marrian rather will embrace, The bony carcase of dismaying death, Than prove unchaste to Noble Faukenbridge, Richard's king Henries son, is light, Wanton and loves not humble modesty, Which makes me (much contrary to my thoughts) Flatter his humour for my brother's safety, But I protest I'll dwell among the dead, Ere I pollute my sacred nuptial bed. Exit. Do not deny me gentle Huntington. Tut let me excuse thee. The more his error, but will you agree To be the Lady Faukenbridge one day? On Monday. Nay then you do me wrong with inquisition. And yet I care not greatly if I tell thee. Thou seest my husband full of jealousy; Prince Richard in his suit importunate, My brother Gloucester threatened by young Henry; To clear these doubts, I will in some disguise, Go to black Heath unto the holy Hermit, Whose wisdom in foretelling things to come, Will let me see the issue of my cares. If destinies ordain me happiness, I'll chase these mists of sorrow from my heart, With the bright Sun of mirth: if fate agree, It, and my friends, must suffer misery, Yet I'll be merry too, till mischief come. only I long to know the worst of ill. Be wary least you be discovered Robin. Brother I pray you forbear. Dear brother, tell us how you made escape? Brother I'll furnish you with beard & hair, and Garments Like my husband, how Like you that? Exit. Lady Prince Richard wore them hither in a mask, Can you not stay here safe? Farewell all comfort. No, there I'll learn both of his life and death. You will not miss then: Mean while I'll spend my time in prayers & tears, That Gloucester may escape these threatened fears. Exit. See how affection arms my feeble strength, To this so desperate journeying all alone, While Robin Hood young Earl of Huntington, Plays Lady Faukenbridge for me at home. By this broad beaten path, it should appear, The holy Hermit's Cave cannot be far, And if I err not, this is he himself. What honoured tongue? Oh thou, whose eye of contemplation, Looks through the windows of the highest heavens, Resolve thy Handmaid, where Earl Gloucester lives: And whither he shall live, and escape the hate, Of proud young Henry and his brother John? Stay here are strangers. Why curse you sacred worth? It seems so fox, Oh what a world is this, There most sin reins where least suspicion is, I will not fail, I warrant you, most gracious Lord. Why, then my Lord. This night at stepney by my summer house, There is a tavern which I sometime use, When we from London come a gossoping, It is the Hind, One word's enough, I'll fit my old adulterer and your grace, I'll send the Princess thither in my place. I'll meet you both, and meet with both of you. Father what answer do you give to me? At your best leisure father, Oh the life That this thrice reverend Hermit leads here. How far remote from mortal vanities, Baits to the soul, enticements to the eye? How far is he unlike my lustful Lord? Who being given himself to be unchaste, Think all men Like himself, in their effects, And injures me, that never had a thought, To wrong the sacred rites of spotless faith. I am assured that man's some murderer, Exit. Good Father Hermit speak and comfort me, Are you at prayers good old man? I pray you speak, What's here a beard? a counterfeited hair? The Hermit's ports? garments and his beads? Jesus defend me I will fly this den, It's some thieves cave, no haunt for holy men. What if the murderer, (as I ges him one) Set on my husband, tush Prince John and he Are able to defend them noble selves, How ear, I will not tarry, I'll away, Least unto theft and rape, I prove apray. Exit. Robin what news? how hast thou done this night? Was he here? Nay keep my habit yet a little while, Old Faukenbridge is almost at the gate, I met him at Black heath joust at the Hermit's, And taking me to be a Merchant's wife, Fell mightily in love, gave me his ring, Made me protest that I would meet him here. I told him of his Lady, Oh tut quoth he, I'll shake her up, isle pack her out of sighed, He comes kind Robin Hood, hold up the jest. Why good Sir Richard, let me speak with you, Alas will you undo me? will you shame me? Is this your promise? came I here for this? To be a laughing stock unto your Lady I tell your wife? think you I am such a beast? Now God forgive you, I am quite undone. Fox look about you, you are caught i'faith. You are too cursed (me thinks sir) to your Lady; You have given good counsel sir, isle repent me, Here's your ring, isle only love my husband. About your age. Oh but you'll forget me presently, When you look well upon your Ladies beauty. I am very fearful. Help Madam Faukenbridge for gods sake. Help Gentle Madam help, Why speakest thou not, what aylst thou? Oh Madam this vile man would have abused me, And forcest me to his closet, Call in your fellows block, Before you all I must sure complain, You see this wicked man, and you all know How oft he hath been Jealous of my life, Suspecting falsehood being false himself; The Constable for me fie, fie upon you. Madam do you know this ring? My husband bankrout? my husband in the Fleet prisoner? No, no, he is as good a man as you. Nay Madam he is hard by, there must be Reuelles at the Hind to night; Your copesmate there, Prince John. He was fierce as you, but I have matched him, The Princess shall be there in my attire. Trust him Madam. And I your Lady whom you coorted last, You looked about you ill, fox we have caught you, I met you at Black heath, and you were hight. Well, I must bear it all. I do forgive it and forget it sir. We will. I swear so? No not deluded, but hindered from desire unchaste and rude: Oh let me woo ye with the tongue of ruth, Dewing your Princely hand with pities tears, That you would leave this most unlawful suit, If ere we live till Faukenbridge be dead, (As God defend his death I should desire) Then if your highness dame so base a match, And holy laws admit a marriage, Considering our affinity in blood, I will become your Handmaid not your harlot. That shame shall never dwell upon my brow. You are my servant then. You are my fellow Robert. But where's the Princess? I am loath to see the Court, Gloucester being from thence, Or kneel to him that gave us this offence. Oh but King Henry hear a sister speak, Gloucester was wronged, his lands were given away, They are not Justly said. Just laws to break, That keep their own right, with what power they may, Think then thy Royal self began the wrong, In giving Skinke what did to him belong. Has no man heart to speak? Bravely resolved brother, I honour thee. Wondrous conversion. Do or I'll crack your crown, Your travail and your comfortable news, This Ring, the certain sign you met with him, Binds me in duetyous love unto your grace: But on my knees I fallen, and humbly crave, Importune that no more, you never can have. Indeed my husband is a bankrout, Of faith, of love, of shame, of chastity, Dotes upon other women more then me. Pray God it prove so.
Plot summary
Plot — Look About You
Before the start of the action, Queen Eleanor had her rival, Rosamund, poisoned by Skink, and was imprisoned for it; Skink escaped and has taken the identity of a fortune-telling hermit. Her son Henry and his brothers attempted a coup, and there are now two kings in England, father and son. At a parliament, the younger King Henry offers to split the kingdom with the elder, but alienates his supporters by his readiness to seize their lands. Skink, summoned to the parliament by Prince Richard, is rewarded with Gloucester’s lands, and Gloucester imprisoned when he protests and strikes Skink. Richard, who has an interest in Gloucester’s sister, Lady Falconbridge, promises to free him. Eavesdropping on a meeting between them, Sir Richard Falconbridge sees his wife reject the Prince’s advances. Pursued by the watch, Skink evades arrest by swapping clothes with Redcap, but is taken to the Fleet prison for identification by Redcap’s father, the porter. Gloucester swaps clothes with him in turn and escapes, and finally Skink too gets away by purloining Prince John’s clothes. Lady Falconbridge disguises Gloucester as her husband, fooling the watch sent to search for him. The substitutions cause misunderstandings when Skink (as John) is given a chain by Falconbridge and Gloucester (as Falconbridge) is given John’s sword; in each case the real man denies what his doppelganger has done. The porter of the Fleet is to be hanged for Gloucester’s escape, but the old King is persuaded to reprieve him. Gloucester intercepts the pursuivant, gets him drunk, steals the pardon, and ensures that it reaches its destination. Skink evades capture at the tavern by swapping clothes with the drawer and pretending to have been assaulted by the escaped Skink. John and Falconbridge consult the hermit: John wants to locate Gloucester, and Falconbridge to know for sure whether his wife is committing adultery. Lady Falconbridge also goes there in disguise, leaving Robin Hood standing in for her at home, cross-dressed. She too wants to locate Gloucester, to save him from the malice of John and his mother; John and Falconbridge both arrange assignations with her. Skink resumes the hermit’s identity, tells them how Gloucester escaped, and predicts that they will be able to catch Skink committing a robbery nearby; he then changes his disguise, induces them to fall in a hole, and steals their purses. While he is away, Gloucester finds his hermit costume and puts it on, convincing the robbed…