The acclaimed Pelican Shakespeare series edited by A. R. Braunmuller and Stephen Orgel The legendary Pelican Shakespeare series features authoritative and meticulously researched texts paired with scholarship by renowned Shakespeareans. Each book includes an essay on the theatrical world of Shakespeare’s time, an introduction to the individual play, and a detailed note on the text used. Updated by general editors Stephen Orgel and A. R. Braunmuller, these easy-to-read editions incorporate over thirty years of Shakespeare scholarship undertaken since the original series, edited by Alfred Harbage, appeared between 1956 and 1967. With definitive texts and illuminating essays, the Pelican Shakespeare will remain a valued resource for students, teachers, and theater professionals for many years to come. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,800 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. “Gorgeous new Shakespeare paperbacks.” —Marlon James, author of A Brief History of Seven Killings “I have been using the Pelican Shakespeare for years in my lecture course--it's invaluable, the best individual-volume series available for students.” — Marjorie Garber, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of English and Visual and Environmental Studies, Harvard University William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April, 1564, and his birth is traditionally celebrated on April 23. The facts of his life, known from surviving documents, are sparse. He died on April 23, 1616, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. A. R. Braunmuller is Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has written critical volumes on George Peele and George Chapman and has edited plays in both the Oxford ( King John ) and Cambridge ( Macbeth ) series of Shakespeare editions. He is also general editor of The New Cambridge Shakespeare. Stephen Orgel is the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor of the Humanities at Stanford University and general editor of the Cambridge Studies in Renaissance Literature and Culture. His books include Imagining Shakespeare , The Authentic Shakespeare , Impersonations: The Performance of Gender in Shakespeare’s England and The Illusion of Power . The First Part of Henry the Sixth ¥ I.1 Dead march. Enter the funeral of King Henry the Fifth, attended on by the Duke of Bedford, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Exeter, the Earl of Warwick, the Bishop of Winchester, and the Duke of Somerset. bedford Hung be the heavens with black! Yield, day, to night! Comets, importing change of times and states, 2 Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky, And with them scourge the bad revolting stars 4 That have consented unto Henry's death- King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long. England ne'er lost a king of so much worth. gloucester England ne'er had a king until his time. Virtue he had, deserving to command. 9 His brandished sword did blind men with his beams. 10 His arms spread wider than a dragon's wings. His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire, More dazzled and drove back his enemies Than midday sun, fierce bent against their faces. What should I say? His deeds exceed all speech. He ne'er lift up his hand but conquerd. 16 exeter We mourn in black; why mourn we not in blood? 17 Henry is dead, and never shall revive. Upon a wooden coffin we attend, And death's dishonorable victory 20 We with our stately presence glorify, Like captives bound to a triumphant car. 22 What, shall we curse the planets of mishap, That plotted thus our glory's overthrow? Or shall we think the subtle-witted French Conjurers and sorcerers, that, afraid of him, By magic verses have contrived his end? bishop of winchester He was a king blessed of the King of Kings. Unto the French, the dreadful judgment day So dreadful will not be as was his sight. 30 The battles of the Lord of Hosts he fought. The church's prayers made him so prosperous. 32 gloucester The church? Where is it? Had not churchmen prayed, 33 His thread of life had not so soon decayed. None do you like but an effeminate prince, Whom like a schoolboy you may overawe. bishop of winchester Gloucester, whate'er we like, thou art Protector, And lookest to command the prince and realm. Thy wife is proud: she holdeth thee in awe, 39 More than God or religious churchmen may. 40 gloucester Name not religion, for thou lov'st the flesh, And ne'er throughout the year to chur