The Second part of King Henry the Sixth — Act 4, Scene 9: Kenilworth Castle.

On the terrace, King Henry, Queen Margaret, and Somerset await news after Cade’s defeat. Henry laments that he has little joy as king and says he has longed to be only a subject. Buckingham and Clifford arrive with the rebel followers, now captured and wearing halters, and Clifford reports that Cade has fled and his men have surrendered. Henry thanks God, praises the soldiers for returning to obedience, and pardons them, sending them home. A messenger then brings worse news: York has returned from Ireland with an armed force and is marching toward London, claiming he comes against Somerset. Henry orders Buckingham to meet York and speaks of placing Somerset in the Tower while he tries to manage the crisis.

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Was ever king that joy'd an earthly throne,

And could command no more content than I?

No sooner was I crept out of my cradle

But I was made a king, at nine months old.

Was never subject long'd to be a king

As I do long and wish to be a subject.

Health and glad tidings to your majesty!

Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surprised?

Or is he but retired to make him strong?

He is fled, my lord, and all his powers do yield;

And humbly thus, with halters on their necks,

Expect your highness' doom of life or death.

Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gates,

To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!

Soldiers, this day have you redeemed your lives,

And show'd how well you love your prince and country:

Continue still in this so good a mind,

And Henry, though he be infortunate,

Assure yourselves, will never be unkind:

And so, with thanks and pardon to you all,

I do dismiss you to your several countries.

God save the king! God save the king!

Please it your grace to be advertised

The Duke of York is newly come from Ireland,

And with a puissant and a mighty power

Of gallowglasses and stout kerns

Is marching hitherward in proud array,

And still proclaimeth, as he comes along,

His arms are only to remove from thee

The Duke of Somerset, whom he terms traitor.

Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and York distress'd.

Like to a ship that, having 'scaped a tempest,

Is straightway calm'd and boarded with a pirate:

But now is Cade driven back, his men dispersed;

And now is York in arms to second him.

I pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet him,

And ask him what's the reason of these arms.

Tell him I'll send Duke Edmund to the Tower;

And, Somerset, we'll commit thee thither,

Until his army be dismiss'd from him.

My lord,

I'll yield myself to prison willingly,

Or unto death, to do my country good.

In any case, be not too rough in terms;

For he is fierce and cannot brook hard language.

I will, my lord; and doubt not so to deal

As all things shall redound unto your good.

Come, wife, let's in, and learn to govern better;

For yet may England curse my wretched reign.