KING HENRY
. . .
Canst thou, o partial sleep, give thy repose
To the wet sea's son in an hour so rude,
And in the calmest and most stillest night,
With all appliances and means to boot,
Deny it to a king? Then, happy low, lie down,
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

In this passage from "Henry IV, Part II," King Henry reflects on the burdens of kingship. Although he has achieved victory, he finds himself unable to rest, feeling forsaken by sleep, which he sees as unfairly favoring others. The king observes that even in turbulent times, sleep visits those in humble circumstances, while eluding him even in the most tranquil moments. His lament highlights the paradox of power: the greater the authority, the heavier the responsibilities, leading to unrest and isolation. The line "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown" has since become a proverbial expression, encapsulating the idea that leadership brings inevitable stress and worry. It reflects the universal truth that with great power comes great responsibility, a theme that resonates beyond the play into the complexities of leadership in any era.