Page 1161 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

III CITIZEN

Woe to that land that’s govern’d by a child.

II CITIZEN

In him there is a hope of government,
Which, in his nonage, council under him,
And in his full and ripen’d years himself,
No doubt shall then, and till then, govern well. [15]

I CITIZEN

So stood the state when Henry the Sixth
Was crown’d in Paris but at nine months old.

III CITIZEN

Stood the state so? No, no, good friends, God wot.
For then this land was famously enrich’d
With politic grave counsel; then the King [20]
Had virtuous uncles to protect his Grace.

I CITIZEN

Why, so hath this, both by his father and mother.

III CITIZEN

Better it were they all came by his father,
Or by his father there were none at all:
For emulation who shall now be nearest [25]
Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not.
O, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester,
And the Queen’s sons and brothers, haught and proud;
And were they to be rul’d, and not to rule,
This sickly land might solace as before. [30]

I CITIZEN

Come, come: we fear the worst; all will be well.

III CITIZEN

When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks;
When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand;
When the sun sets, who doth not look for night?
Untimely storms makes men expect a dearth. [35]