Henry VI Part 2 by William Shakespeare

The First Part of the Contention

of the Two Famous Houses of York and Lancaster

written by William Shakespeare

HENRY "Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow?

Old Sailsbury, shame to thy silver hair,

Thou mad misleader of thy brainsick son!

What, wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian,

And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?

O, where is faith? O, where is loyalty?

If it be banished from the frosty head,

Where shall it find a harbour in the earth?

Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war,

And shame thy honourable age with nlood?

Why, art thou old and want'st experience?

Or wherefore dost abust it if thou hast it?

For shame in duty bend thy knee to me,

That bows unto the grave with mickle age."

Act V Scene I