Henry VI, Part III by William Shakespeare
Act 3 - Scene 1
A forest in the north of England.
First Keeper : Under this thick-grown brake we'll shroud ourselves;
[p]For through
this laund anon the deer will come;
[p]And in this covert will we make
our stand,
[p]Culling the principal of all the deer.
Second Keeper : I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot.
First Keeper : That cannot be; the noise of thy cross-bow
[p]Will scare the herd, and
so my shoot is lost.
[p]Here stand we both, and aim we at the
best:
[p]And, for the time shall not seem tedious,
[p]I'll tell thee
what befell me on a day
[p]In this self-place where now we mean to
stand.
Second Keeper : Here comes a man; let's stay till he be past.
First Keeper : Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee:
[p]This is the quondam
king; let's seize upon him.
Second Keeper : Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him.
First Keeper : Forbear awhile; we'll hear a little more.
Second Keeper : Say, what art thou that talk'st of kings and queens?
Second Keeper : Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king.
Second Keeper : But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown?
Second Keeper : Well, if you be a king crown'd with content,
[p]Your crown content and
you must be contented
[p]To go along with us; for as we think,
[p]You
are the king King Edward hath deposed;
[p]And we his subjects sworn in
all allegiance
[p]Will apprehend you as his enemy.
Second Keeper : No, never such an oath; nor will not now.
Second Keeper : Here in this country, where we now remain.
First Keeper : No;
[p]For we were subjects but while you were king.
First Keeper : We are true subjects to the king, King Edward.
First Keeper : We charge you, in God's name, and the king's,
[p]To go with us unto
the officers.
Previous: Act 2 - Scene 6
Next: Act 3 - Scene 2
