Can no man tell me of my unthrifty son?
’Tis full three months since I did see him last.
If any plague hang over us, ’tis he.
I would to God, my lords, he might be found.
Inquire at London, ’mongst the taverns there,
For there, they say, he daily doth frequent
With unrestrained loose companions,
Even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes
And beat our watch and rob our passengers,
While he, young wanton and effeminate boy,
Takes on the point of honour to support
So dissolute a crew.
Can no man tell me of my unthrifty son?
’Tis full three months since I did see him last.
If any plague hang over us, ’tis he.
I would to God, my lords, he might be found.
Inquire at London, ’mongst the taverns there,
For there, they say, he daily doth frequent
With unrestrained loose companions,
Even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes
And beat our watch and rob our passengers,
While he, young wanton and effeminate boy,
Takes on the point of honour to support
So dissolute a crew.
can no man tell me of my unthrifty son?
’tis full three months since i did see him last.
if any plague hang over us, ’tis he.
i would to god, my lords, he might be found.
inquire at london, ’mongst the taverns there,
for there, they say, he daily doth frequent
with unrestrained loose companions,
even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes
and beat our watch and rob our passengers,
while he, young wanton and effeminate boy,
takes on the point of honour to support
so dissolute a crew.
Can no man tell me of my unthrifty son? ’Tis full
My lord, some two days since I saw the Prince,
And told him of those triumphs held at Oxford.
My lord, some two days since I saw the Prince,
And told him of those triumphs held at Oxford.
my lord, some two days since i saw the prince,
and told him of those triumphs held at oxford.
My lord, some two days since I saw the Prince, And
And what said the gallant?
And what said the gallant?
and what said the gallant?
And what said the gallant?
His answer was he would unto the stews,
And from the common’st creature pluck a glove
And wear it as a favour, and with that
He would unhorse the lustiest challenger.
His answer was he would unto the stews,
And from the common’st creature pluck a glove
And wear it as a favour, and with that
He would unhorse the lustiest challenger.
his answer was he would unto the stews,
and from the common’st creature pluck a glove
and wear it as a favour, and with that
he would unhorse the lustiest challenger.
His answer was he would unto the stews, And from t
As dissolute as desperate! Yet through both
I see some sparks of better hope, which elder years
May happily bring forth. But who comes here?
As dissolute as desperate! Yet through both
I see some sparks of better hope, which elder years
May happily bring forth. But who comes here?
as dissolute as desperate! yet through both
i see some sparks of better hope, which elder years
may happily bring forth. but who comes here?
As dissolute as desperate! Yet through both I see
Where is the King?
Where is the King?
where is the king?
Where is the King?
What means our cousin that he stares and looks so wildly?
What means our cousin that he stares and looks so wildly?
what means our cousin that he stares and looks so wildly?
What means our cousin that he stares and looks so
God save your Grace! I do beseech your majesty
To have some conference with your Grace alone.
God save your Grace! I do beseech your majesty
To have some conference with your Grace alone.
god save your grace! i do beseech your majesty
to have some conference with your grace alone.
God save your Grace! I do beseech your majesty To
Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone.
Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone.
withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone.
Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone.
My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth,
Unless a pardon ere I rise or speak.
My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth,
Unless a pardon ere I rise or speak.
my tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth,
unless a pardon ere i rise or speak.
My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth, Unles
Intended or committed was this fault?
If on the first, how heinous e’er it be,
To win thy after-love I pardon thee.
Intended or committed was this fault?
If on the first, how heinous e’er it be,
To win thy after-love I pardon thee.
intended or committed was this fault?
if on the first, how heinous e’er it be,
to win thy after-love i pardon thee.
Intended or committed was this fault? If on the fi
Then give me leave that I may turn the key,
That no man enter till my tale be done.
Then give me leave that I may turn the key,
That no man enter till my tale be done.
then give me leave that i may turn the key,
that no man enter till my tale be done.
Then give me leave that I may turn the key, That n
Have thy desire.
Have thy desire.
have thy desire.
Have thy desire.
Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there.
Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there.
thou hast a traitor in thy presence there.
Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there.
Stay thy revengeful hand. Thou hast no cause to fear.
Stay thy revengeful hand. Thou hast no cause to fear.
stay thy revengeful hand. thou hast no cause to fear.
Stay thy revengeful hand. Thou hast no cause to fe
Shall I for love speak treason to thy face?
Open the door, or I will break it open.
Shall I for love speak treason to thy face?
Open the door, or I will break it open.
shall i for love speak treason to thy face?
open the door, or i will break it open.
Shall I for love speak treason to thy face? Open t
What is the matter, uncle? Speak!
Recover breath. Tell us how near is danger,
That we may arm us to encounter it.
What is the matter, uncle? Speak!
Recover breath. Tell us how near is danger,
That we may arm us to encounter it.
what is the matter, uncle? speak!
recover breath. tell us how near is danger,
that we may arm us to encounter it.
What is the matter, uncle? Speak! Recover breath.
Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know
The treason that my haste forbids me show.
Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know
The treason that my haste forbids me show.
peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know
the treason that my haste forbids me show.
Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know The
Remember, as thou read’st, thy promise passed.
I do repent me. Read not my name there;
My heart is not confederate with my hand.
Remember, as thou read’st, thy promise passed.
I do repent me. Read not my name there;
My heart is not confederate with my hand.
remember, as thou read’st, thy promise passed.
i do repent me. read not my name there;
my heart is not confederate with my hand.
Remember, as thou read’st, thy promise passed. I d
It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down.
I tore it from the traitor’s bosom, king.
Fear, and not love, begets his penitence.
Forget to pity him, lest thy pity prove
A serpent that will sting thee to the heart.
It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down.
I tore it from the traitor’s bosom, king.
Fear, and not love, begets his penitence.
Forget to pity him, lest thy pity prove
A serpent that will sting thee to the heart.
it was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down.
i tore it from the traitor’s bosom, king.
fear, and not love, begets his penitence.
forget to pity him, lest thy pity prove
a serpent that will sting thee to the heart.
It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down. I t
O heinous, strong, and bold conspiracy!
O loyal father of a treacherous son!
Thou sheer, immaculate, and silver fountain
From whence this stream through muddy passages
Hath held his current and defiled himself!
Thy overflow of good converts to bad,
And thy abundant goodness shall excuse
This deadly blot in thy digressing son.
O heinous, strong, and bold conspiracy!
O loyal father of a treacherous son!
Thou sheer, immaculate, and silver fountain
From whence this stream through muddy passages
Hath held his current and defiled himself!
Thy overflow of good converts to bad,
And thy abundant goodness shall excuse
This deadly blot in thy digressing son.
o heinous, strong, and bold conspiracy!
o loyal father of a treacherous son!
thou sheer, immaculate, and silver fountain
from whence this stream through muddy passages
hath held his current and defiled himself!
thy overflow of good converts to bad,
and thy abundant goodness shall excuse
this deadly blot in thy digressing son.
O heinous, strong, and bold conspiracy! O loyal fa
The triple-kneel sequence — Aumerle kneeling for his life, his father kneeling against him, his mother kneeling for him, all simultaneously before Henry IV — is one of Shakespeare's most deliberate tonal disruptions. In the middle of the darkest play in the second tetralogy, the audience gets something close to farce: a door being pounded on, a king drawing his weapon at a kneeling man, an old woman insisting on the exact word 'pardon' when 'stand up' is offered as a substitute. The comedy doesn't undercut the seriousness — it holds it. The stakes are real (Aumerle's life is genuinely at risk) and the behavior is absurd (York has literally kneeled to plead for his son's execution) and both things are simultaneously true. Shakespeare is showing us something true about family: the worst crises have an element of farce because the people in them are human and therefore somewhat ridiculous even in extremity.
So shall my virtue be his vice’s bawd,
And he shall spend mine honour with his shame,
As thriftless sons their scraping fathers’ gold.
Mine honour lives when his dishonour dies,
Or my shamed life in his dishonour lies.
Thou kill’st me in his life: giving him breath,
The traitor lives, the true man’s put to death.
So shall my virtue be his vice’s bawd,
And he shall spend mine honour with his shame,
As thriftless sons their scraping fathers’ gold.
Mine honour lives when his dishonour dies,
Or my shamed life in his dishonour lies.
Thou kill’st me in his life: giving him breath,
The traitor lives, the true man’s put to death.
so shall my virtue be his vice’s bawd,
and he shall spend mine honour with his shame,
as thriftless sons their scraping fathers’ gold.
mine honour lives when his dishonour dies,
or my shamed life in his dishonour lies.
thou kill’st me in his life: giving him breath,
the traitor lives, the true man’s put to death.
So shall my virtue be his vice’s bawd, And he shal
What shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry?
What shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry?
what shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry?
What shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry?
Speak with me, pity me, open the door!
A beggar begs that never begged before.
Speak with me, pity me, open the door!
A beggar begs that never begged before.
speak with me, pity me, open the door!
a beggar begs that never begged before.
Speak with me, pity me, open the door! A beggar be
Our scene is altered from a serious thing,
And now changed to “The Beggar and the King.”
My dangerous cousin, let your mother in.
I know she’s come to pray for your foul sin.
Our scene is altered from a serious thing,
And now changed to “The Beggar and the King.”
My dangerous cousin, let your mother in.
I know she’s come to pray for your foul sin.
our scene is altered from a serious thing,
and now changed to “the beggar and the king.”
my dangerous cousin, let your mother in.
i know she’s come to pray for your foul sin.
Our scene is altered from a serious thing, And now
If thou do pardon whosoever pray,
More sins for this forgiveness prosper may.
This festered joint cut off, the rest rest sound;
This let alone will all the rest confound.
If thou do pardon whosoever pray,
More sins for this forgiveness prosper may.
This festered joint cut off, the rest rest sound;
This let alone will all the rest confound.
if thou do pardon whosoever pray,
more sins for this forgiveness prosper may.
this festered joint cut off, the rest rest sound;
this let alone will all the rest confound.
If thou do pardon whosoever pray, More sins for th
O King, believe not this hard-hearted man.
Love loving not itself none other can.
O King, believe not this hard-hearted man.
Love loving not itself none other can.
o king, believe not this hard-hearted man.
love loving not itself none other can.
O King, believe not this hard-hearted man. Love lo
Thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here?
Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear?
Thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here?
Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear?
thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here?
shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear?
Thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here? Shal
Sweet York, be patient. [_Kneels_.] Hear me, gentle liege.
Sweet York, be patient. [_Kneels_.] Hear me, gentle liege.
sweet york, be patient. [_kneels_.] hear me, gentle liege.
Sweet York, be patient. [_Kneels_.] Hear me, gentl
Rise up, good aunt.
Rise up, good aunt.
rise up, good aunt.
Rise up, good aunt.
Not yet, I thee beseech.
For ever will I walk upon my knees
And never see day that the happy sees,
Till thou give joy, until thou bid me joy
By pardoning Rutland, my transgressing boy.
Not yet, I thee beseech.
For ever will I walk upon my knees
And never see day that the happy sees,
Till thou give joy, until thou bid me joy
By pardoning Rutland, my transgressing boy.
not yet, i thee beseech.
for ever will i walk upon my knees
and never see day that the happy sees,
till thou give joy, until thou bid me joy
by pardoning rutland, my transgressing boy.
Not yet, I thee beseech. For ever will I walk upon
Unto my mother’s prayers I bend my knee.
Unto my mother’s prayers I bend my knee.
unto my mother’s prayers i bend my knee.
Unto my mother’s prayers I bend my knee.
Against them both, my true joints bended be.
Against them both, my true joints bended be.
against them both, my true joints bended be.
Against them both, my true joints bended be.
Pleads he in earnest? Look upon his face.
His eyes do drop no tears, his prayers are in jest;
His words come from his mouth, ours from our breast.
He prays but faintly and would be denied;
We pray with heart and soul and all beside:
His weary joints would gladly rise, I know;
Our knees still kneel till to the ground they grow.
His prayers are full of false hypocrisy;
Ours of true zeal and deep integrity.
Our prayers do outpray his; then let them have
That mercy which true prayer ought to have.
Pleads he in earnest? Look upon his face.
His eyes do drop no tears, his prayers are in jest;
His words come from his mouth, ours from our breast.
He prays but faintly and would be denied;
We pray with heart and soul and all beside:
His weary joints would gladly rise, I know;
Our knees still kneel till to the ground they grow.
His prayers are full of false hypocrisy;
Ours of true zeal and deep integrity.
Our prayers do outpray his; then let them have
That mercy which true prayer ought to have.
pleads he in earnest? look upon his face.
his eyes do drop no tears, his prayers are in jest;
his words come from his mouth, ours from our breast.
he prays but faintly and would be denied;
we pray with heart and soul and all beside:
his weary joints would gladly rise, i know;
our knees still kneel till to the ground they grow.
his prayers are full of false hypocrisy;
ours of true zeal and deep integrity.
our prayers do outpray his; then let them have
that mercy which true prayer ought to have.
Pleads he in earnest? Look upon his face. His eyes
Good aunt, stand up.
Good aunt, stand up.
good aunt, stand up.
Good aunt, stand up.
Nay, do not say “stand up”.
Say “pardon” first, and afterwards “stand up”.
An if I were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach,
“Pardon” should be the first word of thy speech.
I never longed to hear a word till now.
Say “pardon,” king; let pity teach thee how.
The word is short, but not so short as sweet;
No word like “pardon” for kings’ mouths so meet.
Nay, do not say “stand up”.
Say “pardon” first, and afterwards “stand up”.
An if I were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach,
“Pardon” should be the first word of thy speech.
I never longed to hear a word till now.
Say “pardon,” king; let pity teach thee how.
The word is short, but not so short as sweet;
No word like “pardon” for kings’ mouths so meet.
nay, do not say “stand up”.
say “pardon” first, and afterwards “stand up”.
an if i were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach,
“pardon” should be the first word of thy speech.
i never longed to hear a word till now.
say “pardon,” king; let pity teach thee how.
the word is short, but not so short as sweet;
no word like “pardon” for kings’ mouths so meet.
Nay, do not say “stand up”. Say “pardon” first, an
Speak it in French, King, say “pardonne moy.”
Speak it in French, King, say “pardonne moy.”
speak it in french, king, say “pardonne moy.”
Speak it in French, King, say “pardonne moy.”
Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy?
Ah! my sour husband, my hard-hearted lord,
That sets the word itself against the word!
Speak “pardon” as ’tis current in our land;
The chopping French we do not understand.
Thine eye begins to speak, set thy tongue there,
Or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear,
That, hearing how our plaints and prayers do pierce,
Pity may move thee “pardon” to rehearse.
Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy?
Ah! my sour husband, my hard-hearted lord,
That sets the word itself against the word!
Speak “pardon” as ’tis current in our land;
The chopping French we do not understand.
Thine eye begins to speak, set thy tongue there,
Or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear,
That, hearing how our plaints and prayers do pierce,
Pity may move thee “pardon” to rehearse.
dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy?
ah! my sour husband, my hard-hearted lord,
that sets the word itself against the word!
speak “pardon” as ’tis current in our land;
the chopping french we do not understand.
thine eye begins to speak, set thy tongue there,
or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear,
that, hearing how our plaints and prayers do pierce,
pity may move thee “pardon” to rehearse.
Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy? Ah! my s
Good aunt, stand up.
Good aunt, stand up.
good aunt, stand up.
Good aunt, stand up.
I do not sue to stand.
Pardon is all the suit I have in hand.
I do not sue to stand.
Pardon is all the suit I have in hand.
i do not sue to stand.
pardon is all the suit i have in hand.
I do not sue to stand. Pardon is all the suit I ha
I pardon him, as God shall pardon me.
I pardon him, as God shall pardon me.
i pardon him, as god shall pardon me.
I pardon him, as God shall pardon me.
O, happy vantage of a kneeling knee!
Yet am I sick for fear. Speak it again,
Twice saying “pardon” doth not pardon twain,
But makes one pardon strong.
O, happy vantage of a kneeling knee!
Yet am I sick for fear. Speak it again,
Twice saying “pardon” doth not pardon twain,
But makes one pardon strong.
o, happy vantage of a kneeling knee!
yet am i sick for fear. speak it again,
twice saying “pardon” doth not pardon twain,
but makes one pardon strong.
O, happy vantage of a kneeling knee! Yet am I sick
With all my heart
I pardon him.
With all my heart
I pardon him.
with all my heart
i pardon him.
With all my heart I pardon him.
A god on earth thou art.
A god on earth thou art.
a god on earth thou art.
A god on earth thou art.
But for our trusty brother-in-law and the Abbot,
With all the rest of that consorted crew,
Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels.
Good uncle, help to order several powers
To Oxford, or where’er these traitors are;
They shall not live within this world, I swear,
But I will have them, if I once know where.
Uncle, farewell, and cousin, adieu.
Your mother well hath prayed, and prove you true.
But for our trusty brother-in-law and the Abbot,
With all the rest of that consorted crew,
Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels.
Good uncle, help to order several powers
To Oxford, or where’er these traitors are;
They shall not live within this world, I swear,
But I will have them, if I once know where.
Uncle, farewell, and cousin, adieu.
Your mother well hath prayed, and prove you true.
but for our trusty brother-in-law and the abbot,
with all the rest of that consorted crew,
destruction straight shall dog them at the heels.
good uncle, help to order several powers
to oxford, or where’er these traitors are;
they shall not live within this world, i swear,
but i will have them, if i once know where.
uncle, farewell, and cousin, adieu.
your mother well hath prayed, and prove you true.
But for our trusty brother-in-law and the Abbot, W
Come, my old son. I pray God make thee new.
Come, my old son. I pray God make thee new.
come, my old son. i pray god make thee new.
Come, my old son. I pray God make thee new.
The Reckoning
Sixty-four chunks. The scene opens with a ten-line cameo of Prince Hal — the first glimpse of the character who will dominate the next two plays — and then proceeds to a near-farcical triple-kneel sequence. Henry IV, newly crowned, spends his first private scene managing a family crisis: father against mother against son, all kneeling before him. His pardon of Aumerle is the first act of grace in the new reign. The Duchess's campaign — requiring the exact word 'pardon,' refusing to accept 'stand up' as a substitute — is one of Shakespeare's best comic-serious sequences. And Henry's joke ('Our scene is altered... changed to The Beggar and the King') is the most self-aware line in the play.
If this happened today…
The new CEO has his first private breakfast meeting — mainly telling his inner circle that his nephew is a disaster, hanging out in nightclubs, getting into fights. Then his nephew bursts in, locks the conference room door, and begs for a private word before his father arrives. His father pounds on the door. The CEO lets him in. The father hands over a document showing the nephew signed a plan to assassinate the CEO. The CEO's aunt arrives, having driven three hours. She will not stand up until he says the exact word 'pardoned.' The CEO's uncle is still urging execution. The CEO says 'I pardon him — and his mother is right, my uncle should go get religion. Now let's find the others.'