King John & Henry VIII Read online

  4 faint retire weak retreat

  4 bravely splendidly

  4 came we off we left the field of combat

  5 needless superfluous, unnecessary

  7 tott’ring waving/tattered (from the battle)

  12 are … off have once again withdrawn their allegiance

  15 shrewd harsh

  19 stumbling i.e. causing the men to stumble

  21 quarter watch

  23 adventure fortune/hazard

  5.6 Location: England, not far from Swinstead Abbey

  5.6 severally separately

  3 Of the part on the side

  8 perfect accurate

  9 upon all hazards whatever the risks

  14 come … of am descended from (via one of my parents)

  15 Unkind remembrance! Unnatural memory! (Hubert addresses his own memory; unkind may play on the sense of “lacking proper kinship”)

  17 accent utterance/way of speaking

  17 breaking coming

  18 scape escape, elude

  19 sans compliment without ceremony

  19 abroad at large, out there

  21 find you out find you

  22 Brief be brief

  25 very wound most painful part, worst

  28 broke out rushed out, left

  30 to for

  30 sudden time unexpected events, emergency

  31 at leisure later, without urgency

  32 taste act as taster (i.e. person who ate some of the king’s food to see whether it was poisoned)

  34 bowels intestines

  35 Yet still

  35 peradventure perhaps, by chance

  38 Prince Henry John’s son, the future Henry III, who ruled 1216–72

  42 bear … power endure more than we are able to

  43 power army

  44 Passing passing over

  44 flats sandbanks

  45 Lincoln Washes sandbanks in Lincolnshire

  46 hardly barely/with difficulty

  47 Away before lead on, go ahead

  48 doubt fear

  48 or ere before

  5.7 Location: England, the garden of Swinstead Abbey

  2 touched tainted/endangered

  2 corruptibly in a manner causing decay

  2 pure clear, lucid

  4 idle nonsensical

  9 fell cruel/fierce

  10 orchard garden

  11 rage rave

  14 vanity absurdity

  15 not feel themselves be unaware/become unaware of physical pain

  17 invisible invisibly

  19 legions multitudes/armies

  20 hold stronghold (i.e. the mind)

  21 Confound destroy, defeat/confuse

  22 cygnet young swan, i.e. Prince Henry, the dying John’s youthful son

  22 swan the swan was thought to sing only once, just before it died

  27 indigest shapeless mass/confused situation

  28 rude undefined, rough, disordered

  29 elbow-room i.e. enough space

  33 scribbled form indistinctly drawn shape/hasty sketch

  37 fare food (plays on the sense of the verb—i.e. “to do”)

  37 forsook rejected, abandoned

  39 maw throat/stomach

  41 north north wind

  44 cold comfort comforting coolness/no comfort

  44 strait severe/stingy (“straight” in Folio)

  45 ingrateful ungrateful

  46 virtue power/remedy

  52 motion urge

  53 spleen eagerness

  54 set close (after death)

  55 tackle rigging and sails

  56 shrouds ship’s ropes (plays on the sense of “burial sheet”)

  58 string heartstring/rope

  58 stay support/anchor

  60 clod lump of earth

  61 module model, image

  61 confounded destroyed

  62 preparing hitherward on his way here/preparing to come here

  63 heaven he probably originally “God he,” altered because of 1606 Parliamentary “Act to restrain the Abuses of Players,” which sought to put an end to blasphemous language on the stage

  65 upon i.e. to gain (tactical)

  65 remove move, change the position of

  67 flood rushing water/tide

  68 dead deadly/grave

  69 But just

  69 thus i.e. dead

  70 Even so in the same way

  71 stay support

  75 wait on escort

  76 still always

  77 right spheres proper orbits

  82 Straight at once

  88 respect self-respect

  89 presently immediately

  90 rather sooner

  91 sinewèd strengthened

  93 carriages gun-carriages (i.e. supports for artillery)

  95 disposing management

  97 meet fitting

  97 post hasten

  98 consummate conclude

  100 princes nobles

  101 wait upon attend, serve in

  105 happily with good fortune

  106 lineal state i.e. rightfully inherited kingship

  108 bequeath give

  110 like tender same offer

  111 rest remain

  111 spot blot

  114 but ambiguous here since it can mean both “only” and “not merely”

  114 needful woe necessary mourning

  115 beforehand in credit, had more than enough (financial term)

  118 But except

  120 three corners i.e. all other parts

  121 shock repel with force

  121 rue grieve

  122 rest remain

  3 Sad serious, solemn

  3 high lofty/important

  3 working emotive, moving

  3 state stateliness, dignity

  10 show spectacle

  11 pass be approved, pass muster

  11 still, and willing attentive and well-inclined

  12 shilling the cost of some of the most expensive seats in the theater

  13 two short hours i.e. the length of the play

  15 targets shields

  16 motley parti- or multicolored

  16 guarded trimmed

  16 long … yellow a fool’s customary costume

  17 deceived disappointed

  17 know understand (that)

  19 forfeiting … brains abandoning our intelligence

  20 opinion … intend reputation we have for presenting truthfully what we intend to perform

  22 understanding comprehending (plays on the sense of audience members “standing under” the stage, in the yard)

  24 happiest most favored

  25 sad serious

  27 As as if

  27 great influential, of high rank

  1.1 Location: the royal court, London

  2 saw saw one another

  4 fresh untired, eager

  5 what … there Norfolk refers to the meeting of Henry VIII and the French King François I at the Field of the Cloth of Gold

  6 untimely ague badly timed fever

  7 Stayed detained

  10 ’Twixt between

  10 Guînes and Ardres towns near Calais in northern France

  12 lighted alighted, dismounted

  13 as as if

  14 Which had they i.e. had they grown together

  14 throned ones i.e. kings

  14 weighed balanced, equaled

  20 pomp splendor, ceremony

  21 following succeeding

  21 Each … master i.e. each day learned something from the one before it

  22 master teacher

  23 its i.e. its own

  24 clinquant glittering

  25 Shone down outshone

  25 tomorrow i.e. the next day

  25 they i.e. the English

  26 India i.e. seem as wealthy as the Indies (whose mines were thought to be sources of immeasurable riches)

  27 Showed appeared

  28 cherubins (statues of)
angels

  28 madams high-ranking ladies

  30 pride magnificent finery, rich clothing, and accessories

  30 that so that

  30 labour … painting efforts caused them to flush, so that they looked as if they were wearing rouge

  31 masque courtly entertainment involving elaborate costume

  32 cried proclaimed

  32 night i.e. night’s entertainments

  33 Made … beggar i.e. seemed trivial and cheap in comparison

  34 were … them were deemed more or less splendid depending on which one was on view at the time

  35 him … praise the king on view always being the one praised

  36 being … one when both kings were present they appeared indistinguishable in their splendor

  37 discerner observer/one who perceives a difference

  38 Durst dared

  38 censure judgment (in favor of one rather than the other)

  39 phrase call, term

  40 perform … compass enact unimaginable feats

  40 compass bounds, limit

  41 that … credit so that tales formerly thought to be mythical and far-fetched gained such credibility

  43 Bevis the tale of Bevis of Hampton; the hero of an early English romance, he carried out legendary feats of chivalry and skill

  44 go far are making very great claims/exaggerate

  45 belong to worship hold high rank, am a nobleman

  45 affect … honesty respect integrity in matters of honor

  46 tract narrative, course of events

  47 discourser narrator

  47 lose … to fall short in describing the actual vivid events

  49 To … rebelled i.e. nothing interfered with the arrangement and handling of events

  50 Order … view good preparations meant that everything was visible

  50 The … function officials carried out their respective duties properly

  54 sport entertainment

  55 certes certainly

  55 promises no element is not in his usual role

  58 ordered organized

  58 discretion judgment

  59 Cardinal of York i.e. Wolsey

  60 speed prosper, i.e. dispatch, hasten to his death

  62 fierce high-spirited/warlike

  62 vanities entertainments/extravagances

  63 keech lump of animal fat (probably alludes to Wolsey’s origins as a butcher’s son as well as to his size)

  64 Take up absorb, occupy

  64 o’th’beneficial plays on the sense of “granting benefices” (ecclesiastical positions)

  64 sun i.e. King Henry VIII

  67 stuff substance, personal traits (plays on the sense of “meat for stuffing a pie”)

  67 puts encourages, provokes

  68 ancestry i.e. high birth

  68 grace honor, renown, virtue

  69 Chalks shows

  70 high feats important services

  71 eminent assistants noble patrons/influential helpers

  72 self-drawing self-made

  72 a he

  72 a … note he lets us know

  75 next to intimately close to/next in status to

  77 graver more reverend, wiser

  80 niggard miser

  81 he i.e. Wolsey

  84 going out expedition

  85 privity private knowledge and consent

  86 attend on him i.e. accompany the king to France (a costly enterprise)

  86 file register, list

  87 such … upon i.e. those listed will have to pay a disproportionately large amount for the small honor bestowed on them

  89 own letter personal summons (to attend)

  90 board of council i.e. Privy Council, the king’s advisers

  90 out disregarded, not consulted

  91 fetch … papers summon whoever is listed

  91 papers sets down on paper

  94 sickened weakened, depleted

  95 abound prosper, be wealthy

  97 laying … ’em selling property to pay for fine clothes

  98 vanity foolish extravagance (i.e. the lavish meeting of the two kings)

  99 minister … issue provide the opportunity for a useless discussion (communication may possibly play on the sense of “sexual procreation,” and poor issue does play on the sense of “impoverished children”; the sale of assets will affect the noblemen’s heirs)

  101 Grievingly sadly

  102 not values is not worth

  106 inspired i.e. with divine, prophetic power

  106 not consulting without consulting one another, independently

  107 general universal

  108 Dashing destroying

  108 aboded predicted, foretold

  109 on’t of it

  110 is budded out has developed, come to pass

  111 flawed broken, contravened

  111 attached seized

  113 therefore for that reason

  114 silenced placed under house arrest

  115 Marry by the Virgin Mary

  116 proper title of fine name for

  117 superfluous rate very high cost

  119 carried managed

  120 Like it may it please

  121 state Privy Council/the king

  121 difference dispute, discord

  124 read consider/interpret

  125 potency power

  127 would wishes to

  127 wants lacks

  128 minister agent

  132 darts thrusts

  132 Bosom up keep secret/take to heart

  133 wholesome healthy, beneficial

  133 Lo look

  134 purse containing the great seal of England, used by the king to authenticate documents; the Lord Chancellor (Wolsey) was its official keeper

  135 surveyor estate manager

  136 examination deposition, statement

  141 big proud, haughty

  141.1 train retinue, attendants

  142 butcher’s cur another reference to Wolsey’s origins as a butcher’s son

  142 cur dog

  144 beggar’s … blood a poor man’s (i.e. Wolsey’s) learning is more highly valued than a nobleman’s lineage

  146 chafed irritated, angry

  147 temp’rance self-control, moderation

  147 th’appliance only the only remedy

  150 Matter substance, something significant (plays on the sense of “rheum, infected ocular discharge”)

  151 abject object despicable view

  152 bores cheats

  155 choler anger

  158 full hot very headstrong, overly hasty

  159 Self-mettle his own vigorous spirit

  163 mouth of honour i.e. gentleman’s mouth

  163 quite completely

  164 Ipswich Wolsey’s birthplace, a town in Suffolk in eastern England

  165 difference distinction of rank

  166 advised warned

  170 overrunning running past it

  171 mounts causes to rise up, i.e. boils

  176 allay diminish, moderate/mix, alloy

  179 prescription direction, advice

  179 top-proud proud to the highest degree

  180 gall bile, bitterness

  181 motions motives

  181 intelligence secret information

  182 founts springs

  186 vouch affirmation, allegation

  188 equal just as

  189 subtle cunning

  190 place official position (as Lord Chancellor)

  192 pomp greatness, splendor

  193 suggests persuades, encourages, tempts

  194 last recent

  194 th’interview the meeting (between the French and English kings)

  195 treasure money, wealth

  196 i’th’wrenching in the rinsing/distortion of meaning

  198 give me favour i.e. permit me to continue

  199 articles clauses, terms

  199 o’th’combination of the treaty

  199 drew dr
afted, drew up

  201 end effect, use

  202 count-cardinal i.e. cardinal behaving like an aristocrat (contemptuous); often emended to “court-cardinal”

  206 dam mother

  206 Charles the Emperor Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, Katherine of Aragon’s nephew

  208 colour pretext

  209 whisper whisper to

  213 privily privately, secretly

  214 trow believe

  216 ere before

  217 but only

  219 he i.e. Wolsey

  222 his i.e. the king’s

  222 he i.e. Wolsey

  226 Something somewhat

  226 mistaken misunderstood, misrepresented

  229 in proof when put to the test/in fact, according to evidence

  230 office duty, task

  233 Hertford historically Hereford, to which some editors emend

  238 device and practice plots and stratagems

  240 look on witness

  241 pleasure will

  242 th’Tower the Tower of London

  243 nothing in no way

  255 t’attach to arrest

  255 bodies persons

  260 o’th’Chartreux of the Carthusian order—a monastical order noted for its severity

  263 false disloyal

  264 showed him gold bribed him (to betray Buckingham; whether the surveyor lies or reveals an actual plot is unclear)

  264 spanned measured out

  265 shadow … Buckingham the shadowy likeness of my former self

  267 Whose … sun my form being now obscured by cloud and its former innocent brightness (clear sun) dimmed/my form being shrouded by a sudden cloud that darkens my king’s favor (sun)

  1.2 Cornets hornlike wind instruments (here announcing the king’s arrival)

  1.2 under … feet standing at the foot of the king’s throne or dais on which it sits

  1 best heart very essence

  2 level aim, target sights

  3 full-charged fully loaded

  3 confederacy conspiracy, plot

  6 justify prove, confirm

  8 state throne

  9 we the royal plural

  9 suitor person with a request to make, favor to ask

  10 place your official place as queen

  12 moiety half

  13 Repeat your will utter your desire

  14 Thank i.e. I thank

  17 dignity honor, kingly status

  20 solicited urged, entreated

  21 true condition loyal disposition

  22 grievance distress

  22 commissions official authorization (to collect taxes)

  23 flawed cracked, damaged

  26 putter-on instigator

  27 exactions extortionate charges

  28 soil dishonorable stain

  34 clothiers cloth workers, who dealt with woollen fabric

  35 longing belonging, i.e. dependent on them for employment

  35 put off dismissed

  36 spinsters spinners of wool into thread for weaving into cloth