William Shakespeare, The Third Part of King Henry the Sixth [1594]

Edition used:

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (The Oxford Shakespeare), ed. with a glossary by W.J. Craig M.A. (Oxford University Press, 1916).

Author: William Shakespeare

Editor: William James Craig

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One of the plays in the 1916 Oxford University Press edition of all of Shakespeare’s plays and poems.

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THE THIRD PART OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

KING HENRY THE SIXTH. |
EDWARD, | Prince of Wales, his Son.
LEWIS THE ELEVENTH, | King of France.
DUKE OF SOMERSET, } | on King Henry’s side.
DUKE OF EXETER, }
EARL OF OXFORD, }
EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND, }
EARL OF WESTMORELAND, }
LORD CLIFFORD, }
RICHARD PLANTAGENET, | Duke of York.
EDWARD, Earl of March, afterwards King Edward the Fourth, } | his Sons.
EDMUND, Earl of Rutland, }
GEORGE, afterwards Duke of Clarence, }
RICHARD, afterwards Duke of Gloucester, }
DUKE OF NORFOLK, } | of the Duke of York’s Party.
MARQUESS OF MONTAGUE, }
EARL OF WARWICK, }
EARL OF PEMBROKE, }
LORD HASTINGS, }
LORD STAFFORD, }
SIR JOHN MORTIMER, } | Uncles to the Duke of York.
SIR HUGH MORTIMER, }
HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND, | a Youth.
LORD RIVERS, | Brother to Lady Grey.
SIR WILLIAM STANLEY. |
SIR JOHN MONTGOMERY. |
SIR JOHN SOMERVILLE. |
Tutor to Rutland. |
Mayor of York. |
Lieutenant of the Tower. |
A Nobleman. |
Two Keepers. A Huntsman.
A Son that has killed his Father.
A Father that has killed his Son.
QUEEN MARGARET. |
LADY GREY, | afterwards Queen to Edward the Fourth.
BONA, | Sister to the French Queen.
Soldiers, and other Attendants on King Henry and King Edward, Messengers, Watchmen, &c.

Scene.—During part of the Third Act, in France; during the rest of the Play, in England.

ACT I.

Scene I.—

London. The Parliament-House.

Drums. Some Soldiers ofYork’sparty break in. Then, enter theDuke of York, Edward, Richard, Norfolk, Montague, Warwick,and Others, with white roses in their hats.

War.

I wonder how the king escap’d our hands.

York.

While we pursu’d the horsemen of the north,

He slily stole away and left his men:

Whereat the great Lord of Northumberland,

Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat,

Cheer’d up the drooping army; and himself,

Lord Clifford, and Lord Stafford, all abreast,

Charg’d our main battle’s front, and breaking in

Were by the swords of common soldiers slain.

Edw.

Lord Stafford’s father, Duke of Buckingham,

Is either slain or wounded dangerously;

I cleft his beaver with a downright blow:

That this is true, father, behold his blood.

[Showing his bloody sword.

Mont.

And, brother, here’s the Earl of Wiltshire’s blood,

[ToYork,showing his.

Whom I encounter’d as the battles join’d.

Rich.

Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did.

[Throwing down theDuke of Somerset’shead.

York.

Richard hath best deserv’d of all my sons.

But, is your Grace dead, my Lord of Somerset?

Norf.

Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt!

Rich.

Thus do I hope to shake King Henry’s head.

War.

And so do I. Victorious Prince of York,

Before I see thee seated in that throne

Which now the house of Lancaster usurps,

I vow by heaven these eyes shall never close.

This is the palace of the fearful king,

And this the regal seat: possess it, York;

For this is thine, and not King Henry’s heirs’.

York.

Assist me, then, sweet Warwick, and I will;

For hither we have broken in by force.

Norf.

We’ll all assist you; he that flies shall die.

York.

Thanks, gentle Norfolk. Stay by me, my lords;

And, soldiers, stay and lodge by me this night.

War.

And when the king comes, offer him no violence,

Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce.

[The Soldiers retire.

York.

The queen this day here holds her parliament,

But little thinks we shall be of her council:

By words or blows here let us win our right.

Rich.

Arm’d as we are, let’s stay within this house.

War.

The bloody parliament shall this be call’d,

Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king,

And bashful Henry depos’d, whose cowardice

Hath made us by-words to our enemies.

York.

Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute;

I mean to take possession of my right.

War.

Neither the king, nor he that loves him best,

The proudest he that holds up Lancaster,

Dares stir a wing if Warwick shake his bells.

I’ll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dares.

Resolve thee, Richard; claim the English crown.

[WarwickleadsYorkto the throne, who seats himself.

Flourish. EnterKing Henry, Clifford, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Exeter,and Others, with red roses in their hats.

K. Hen.

My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits,

Even in the chair of state! belike he means—

Back’d by the power of Warwick, that false peer—

To aspire unto the crown and reign as king.

Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father,

And thine, Lord Clifford; and you both have vow’d revenge

On him, his sons, his favourites, and his friends.

North.

If I be not, heavens be reveng’d on me!

Clif.

The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel.

West.

What! shall we suffer this? let’s pluck him down:

My heart for anger burns; I cannot brook it.

K. Hen.

Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmoreland.

Clif.

Patience is for poltroons, such as he:

He durst not sit there had your father liv’d.

My gracious lord, here in the parliament

Let us assail the family of York.

North.

Well hast thou spoken, cousin: be it so.

K. Hen.

Ah! know you not the city favours them,

And they have troops of soldiers at their beck?

Exe.

But when the duke is slain they’ll quickly fly.

K. Hen.

Far be the thought of this from Henry’s heart,

To make a shambles of the parliament-house!

Cousin of Exeter, frowns, words, and threats,

Shall be the war that Henry means to use.

[They advance to theDuke.

Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne,

And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet;

I am thy sovereign.

York.

I am thine.

Exe.

For shame! come down: he made thee Duke of York.

York.

’Twas my inheritance, as the earldom was.

Exe.

Thy father was a traitor to the crown.

War.

Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown

In following this usurping Henry.

Clif.

Whom should he follow but his natural king?

War.

True, Clifford; and that’s Richard, Duke of York.

K. Hen.

And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne?

York.

It must and shall be so: content thyself.

War.

Be Duke of Lancaster: let him be king.

West.

He is both king and Duke of Lancaster;

And that the Lord of Westmoreland shall maintain.

War.

And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget

That we are those which chas’d you from the field

And slew your fathers, and with colours spread

March’d through the city to the palace gates.

North.

Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief;

And, by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it.

West.

Plantagenet, of thee, and these thy sons,

Thy kinsmen and thy friends, I’ll have more lives

Than drops of blood were in my father’s veins.

Clif.

Urge it no more; lest that instead of words,

I send thee, Warwick, such a messenger

As shall revenge his death before I stir.

War.

Poor Clifford! how I scorn his worthless threats.

York.

Will you we show our title to the crown?

If not, our swords shall plead it in the field.

K. Hen.

What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown?

Thy father was, as thou art, Duke of York;

Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March;

I am the son of Henry the Fifth,

Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop,

And seiz’d upon their towns and provinces.

War.

Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all.

K. Hen.

The Lord Protector lost it, and not I:

When I was crown’d I was but nine months old.

Rich.

You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose.

Father, tear the crown from the usurper’s head.

Edw.

Sweet father, do so; set it on your head.

Mont.

[ToYork.] Good brother, as thou lov’st and honour’st arms,

Let’s fight it out and not stand cavilling thus.

Rich.

Sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly.

York.

Sons, peace!

K. Hen.

Peace thou! and give King Henry leave to speak.

War.

Plantagenet shall speak first: hear him, lords;

And be you silent and attentive too,

For he that interrupts him shall not live.

K. Hen.

Think’st thou that I will leave my kingly throne,

Wherein my grandsire and my father sat?

No: first shall war unpeople this my realm;

Ay, and their colours, often borne in France,

And now in England to our heart’s great sorrow,

Shall be my winding-sheet. Why faint you, lords?

My title’s good, and better far than his.

War.

Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king.

K. Hen.

Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown.

York.

’Twas by rebellion against his king.

K. Hen.

[Aside.] I know not what to say: my title’s weak.

[Aloud.] Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir?

York.

What then?

K. Hen.

An if he may, then am I lawful king;

For Richard, in the view of many lords,

Resign’d the crown to Henry the Fourth,

Whose heir my father was, and I am his.

York.

He rose against him, being his sovereign,

And made him to resign his crown perforce.

War.

Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrain’d,

Think you ’twere prejudicial to his crown?

Exe.

No; for he could not so resign his crown

But that the next heir should succeed and reign.

K. Hen.

Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter?

Exe.

His is the right, and therefore pardon me.

York.

Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not?

Exe.

My conscience tells me he is lawful king.

K. Hen.

[Aside.] All will revolt from me, and turn to him.

North.

Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay’st,

Think not that Henry shall be so depos’d.

War.

Depos’d he shall be in despite of all.

North.

Thou art deceiv’d: ’tis not thy southern power,

Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent,

Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud,

Can set the duke up in despite of me.

Clif.

King Henry, be thy title right or wrong,

Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence:

May that ground gape and swallow me alive,

Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father!

K. Hen.

O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart!

York.

Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.

What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords?

War.

Do right unto this princely Duke of York,

Or I will fill the house with armed men,

And o’er the chair of state, where now he sits,

Write up his title with usurping blood.

[He stamps with his foot, and the Soldiers show themselves.

K. Hen.

My Lord of Warwick, hear me but one word:—

Let me for this my life-time reign as king.

York.

Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs,

And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou liv’st.

K. Hen.

I am content: Richard Plantagenet,

Enjoy the kingdom after my decease.

Clif.

What wrong is this unto the prince your son!

War.

What good is this to England and himself!

West.

Base, fearful, and despairing Henry!

Clif.

How hast thou injur’d both thyself and us!

West.

I cannot stay to hear these articles.

North.

Nor I.

Clif.

Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these news.

West.

Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king,

In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides.

North.

Be thou a prey unto the house of York,

And die in bands for this unmanly deed!

Clif.

In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome,

Or live in peace abandon’d and despis’d!

[ExeuntNorthumberland, Clifford,andWestmoreland.

War.

Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not.

Exe.

They seek revenge and therefore will not yield.

K. Hen.

Ah! Exeter.

War.

Why should you sigh, my lord?

K. Hen.

Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son,

Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit.

But be it as it may; I here entail

The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever;

Conditionally, that here thou take an oath

To cease this civil war, and, whilst I live,

To honour me as thy king and sovereign;

And neither by treason nor hostility

To seek to put me down and reign thyself.

York.

This oath I willingly take and will perform.

[Coming from the throne.

War.

Long live King Henry! Plantagenet, embrace him.

K. Hen.

And long live thou and these thy forward sons!

York.

Now York and Lancaster are reconcil’d.

Exe.

Accurs’d be he that seeks to make them foes!

[Sennet. The Lords come forward.

York.

Farewell, my gracious lord; I’ll to my castle.

War.

And I’ll keep London with my soldiers.

Norf.

And I to Norfolk with my followers.

Mont.

And I unto the sea from whence I came.

[ExeuntYorkand his Sons,Warwick, Norfolk, Montague, Soldiers, and Attendants.

K. Hen.

And I, with grief and sorrow, to the court.

EnterQueen Margaretand thePrince of Wales.

Exe.

Here comes the queen, whose looks bewray her anger:

I’ll steal away.

[Going.

K. Hen.

Exeter, so will I.

[Going.

Q. Mar.

Nay, go not from me; I will follow thee.

K. Hen.

Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay.

Q. Mar.

Who can be patient in such extremes?

Ah! wretched man; would I had died a maid,

And never seen thee, never borne thee son,

Seeing thou hast prov’d so unnatural a father.

Hath he deserv’d to lose his birthright thus?

Hadst thou but lov’d him half so well as I,

Or felt that pain which I did for him once,

Or nourish’d him as I did with my blood,

Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there,

Rather than have made that savage duke thine heir,

And disinherited thine only son.

Prince.

Father, you cannot disinherit me:

If you be king, why should not I succeed?

K. Hen.

Pardon me, Margaret; pardon me, sweet son;

The Earl of Warwick, and the duke, enforc’d me.

Q. Mar.

Enforc’d thee! art thou king, and wilt be forc’d?

I shame to hear thee speak. Ah! timorous wretch;

Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me;

And given unto the house of York such head

As thou shalt reign but by their sufferance.

To entail him and his heirs unto the crown,

What is it but to make thy sepulchre,

And creep into it far before thy time?

Warwick is chancellor and the Lord of Calais;

Stern Faulconbridge commands the narrow seas;

The duke is made protector of the realm;

And yet shalt thou be safe? such safety finds

The trembling lamb environed with wolves.

Had I been there, which am a silly woman,

The soldiers should have toss’d me on their pikes

Before I would have granted to that act;

But thou preferr’st thy life before thine honour:

And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself,

Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed,

Until that act of parliament be repeal’d

Whereby my son is disinherited.

The northern lords that have forsworn thy colours

Will follow mine, if once they see them spread;

And spread they shall be, to thy foul disgrace,

And utter ruin of the house of York.

Thus do I leave thee. Come, son, let’s away;

Our army is ready; come, we’ll after them.

K. Hen.

Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.

Q. Mar.

Thou hast spoke too much already: get thee gone.

K. Hen.

Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me?

Q. Mar.

Ay, to be murder’d by his enemies.

Prince.

When I return with victory from the field

I’ll see your Grace: till then, I’ll follow her.

Q. Mar.

Come, son, away; we may not linger thus.

[ExeuntQueen Margaretand thePrince of Wales.

K. Hen.

Poor queen! how love to me and to her son

Hath made her break out into terms of rage.

Reveng’d may she be on that hateful duke,

Whose haughty spirit, winged with desire,

Will cost my crown, and like an empty eagle

Tire on the flesh of me and of my son!

The loss of those three lords torments my heart:

I’ll write unto them, and entreat them fair.

Come, cousin; you shall be the messenger.

Exe.

And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—

A Room in Sandal Castle, near Wakefield, in Yorkshire.

EnterEdward, Richard,andMontague.

Rich.

Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave.

Edw.

No, I can better play the orator.

Mont.

But I have reasons strong and forcible.

EnterYork.

York.

Why, how now, sons and brother! at a strife?

What is your quarrel? how began it first?

Edw.

No quarrel, but a slight contention.

York.

About what?

Rich.

About that which concerns your Grace and us;

The crown of England, father, which is yours.

York.

Mine, boy? not till King Henry be dead.

Rich.

Your right depends not on his life or death.

Edw.

Now you are heir, therefore enjoy it now:

By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe,

It will outrun you, father, in the end.

York.

I took an oath that he should quietly reign.

Edw.

But for a kingdom any oath may be broken:

I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year.

Rich.

No; God forbid your Grace should be forsworn.

York.

I shall be, if I claim by open war.

Rich.

I’ll prove the contrary, if you’ll hear me speak.

York.

Thou canst not, son; it is impossible.

Rich.

An oath is of no moment, being not took

Before a true and lawful magistrate

That hath authority over him that swears:

Henry had none, but did usurp the place;

Then, seeing ’twas he that made you to depose,

Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous.

Therefore, to arms! And, father, do but think

How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown,

Within whose circuit is Elysium,

And all that poets feign of bliss and joy.

Why do we linger thus? I cannot rest

Until the white rose that I wear be dy’d

Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry’s heart.

York.

Richard, enough, I will be king, or die.

Brother, thou shalt to London presently,

And whet on Warwick to this enterprise.

Thou, Richard, shalt unto the Duke of Norfolk,

And tell him privily of our intent.

You, Edward, shall unto my Lord Cobham,

With whom the Kentishmen will willingly rise:

In them I trust; for they are soldiers,

Witty, courteous, liberal, full of spirit.

While you are thus employ’d, what resteth more,

But that I seek occasion how to rise,

And yet the king not privy to my drift,

Nor any of the house of Lancaster?

Enter a Messenger.

But, stay: what news? why com’st thou in such post?

Mess.

The queen with all the northern earls and lords

Intend here to besiege you in your castle.

She is hard by with twenty thousand men,

And therefore fortify your hold, my lord.

York.

Ay, with my sword. What! think’st thou that we fear them?

Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me;

My brother Montague shall post to London:

Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest,

Whom we have left protectors of the king,

With powerful policy strengthen themselves,

And trust not simple Henry nor his oaths.

Mont.

Brother, I go; I’ll win them, fear it not:

And thus most humbly I do take my leave.

[Exit.

EnterSir JohnandSir Hugh Mortimer.

York.

Sir John, and Sir Hugh Mortimer, mine uncles!

You are come to Sandal in a happy hour;

The army of the queen mean to besiege us.

Sir John.

She shall not need, we’ll meet her in the field.

York.

What! with five thousand men?

Rich.

Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need:

A woman’s general; what should we fear?

[A march afar off.

Edw.

I hear their drums; let’s set our men in order,

And issue forth and bid them battle straight.

York.

Five men to twenty! though the odds be great,

I doubt not, uncle, of our victory.

Many a battle have I won in France,

When as the enemy hath been ten to one:

Why should I not now have the like success?

[Alarum. Exeunt.

Scene III.—

Field of Battle between Sandal Castle and Wakefield.

Alarums: Excursions. EnterRutlandand his Tutor.

Rut.

Ah, whither shall I fly to ’scape their hands?

Ah! tutor, look, where bloody Clifford comes!

EnterCliffordand Soldiers.

Clif.

Chaplain, away! thy priesthood saves thy life.

As for the brat of this accursed duke,

Whose father slew my father, he shall die.

Tut.

And I, my lord, will bear him company.

Clif.

Soldiers, away with him.

Tut.

Ah! Clifford, murder not this innocent child,

Lest thou be hated both of God and man!

[Exit, forced off by Soldiers.

Clif.

How now! is he dead already? Or is it fear

That makes him close his eyes? I’ll open them.

Rut.

So looks the pent-up lion o’er the wretch

That trembles under his devouring paws;

And so he walks, insulting o’er his prey,

And so he comes to rend his limbs asunder.

Ah! gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword,

And not with such a cruel threatening look.

Sweet Clifford! hear me speak before I die:

I am too mean a subject for thy wrath;

Be thou reveng’d on men, and let me live.

Clif.

In vain thou speak’st, poor boy; my father’s blood

Hath stopp’d the passage where thy words should enter.

Rut.

Then let my father’s blood open it again:

He is a man, and, Clifford, cope with him.

Clif.

Had I thy brethren here, their lives and thine

Were not revenge sufficient for me;

No, if I digg’d up thy forefathers’ graves,

And hung their rotten coffins up in chains,

It could not slake mine ire, nor ease my heart.

The sight of any of the house of York

Is as a fury to torment my soul;

And till I root out their accursed line,

And leave not one alive, I live in hell.

Therefore—

[Lifting his hand.

Rut.

O! let me pray before I take my death.

To thee I pray; sweet Clifford, pity me!

Clif.

Such pity as my rapier’s point affords.

Rut.

I never did thee harm: why wilt thou slay me?

Clif.

Thy father hath.

Rut.

But ’twas ere I was born.

Thou hast one son; for his sake pity me,

Lest in revenge thereof, sith God is just,

He be as miserably slain as I.

Ah! let me live in prison all my days;

And when I give occasion of offence,

Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause.

Clif.

No cause!

Thy father slew my father; therefore, die.

[Stabs him.

Rut.

Dii faciant laudis summa sit ista tuœ!

[Dies.

Clif.

Plantagenet! I come, Plantagenet!

And this thy son’s blood cleaving to my blade

Shall rust upon my weapon, till thy blood,

Congeal’d with this, do make me wipe off both.

[Exit.

Scene IV.—

Another Part of the Plains.

Alarum. EnterYork.

York.

The army of the queen hath got the field:

My uncles both are slain in rescuing me;

And all my followers to the eager foe

Turn back and fly, like ships before the wind,

Or lambs pursu’d by hunger-starved wolves.

My sons, God knows what hath bechanced them:

But this I know, they have demean’d themselves

Like men born to renown by life or death.

Three times did Richard make a lane to me,

And thrice cried, ‘Courage, father! fight it out!’

And full as oft came Edward to my side,

With purple falchion, painted to the hilt

In blood of those that had encounter’d him:

And when the hardiest warriors did retire,

Richard cried, ‘Charge! and give no foot of ground!’

And cried, ‘A crown, or else a glorious tomb!

A sceptre, or an earthly sepulchre!’

With this, we charg’d again; but, out, alas!

We bodg’d again: as I have seen a swan

With bootless labour swim against the tide,

And spend her strength with over-matching waves.

[A short alarum within.

Ah, hark! the fatal followers do pursue;

And I am faint and cannot fly their fury;

And were I strong I would not shun their fury:

The sands are number’d that make up my life;

Here must I stay, and here my life must end.

EnterQueen Margaret, Clifford, Northumberland,the youngPrince,and Soldiers.

Come, bloody Clifford, rough Northumberland,

I dare your quenchless fury to more rage:

I am your butt, and I abide your shot.

North.

Yield to our mercy, proud Plantagenet.

Clif.

Ay, to such mercy as his ruthless arm

With downright payment show’d unto my father.

Now Phæthon hath tumbled from his car,

And made an evening at the noontide prick.

York.

My ashes, as the phœnix, may bring forth

A bird that will revenge upon you all;

And in that hope I throw mine eyes to heaven,

Scorning whate’er you can afflict me with.

Why come you not? what! multitudes, and fear?

Clif.

So cowards fight when they can fly no further;

So doves do peck the falcon’s piercing talons;

So desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives,

Breathe out invectives ’gainst the officers.

York.

O Clifford! but bethink thee once again,

And in thy thought o’er-run my former time;

And, if thou canst for blushing, view this face,

And bite thy tongue, that slanders him with cowardice

Whose frown hath made thee faint and fly ere this.

Clif.

I will not bandy with thee word for word,

But buckle with thee blows, twice two for one.

[Draws.

Q. Mar.

Hold, valiant Clifford! for a thousand causes

I would prolong awhile the traitor’s life.

Wrath makes him deaf: speak thou, Northumberland.

North.

Hold, Clifford! do not honour him so much

To prick thy finger, though to wound his heart.

What valour were it, when a cur doth grin,

For one to thrust his hand between his teeth,

When he might spurn him with his foot away?

It is war’s prize to take all vantages,

And ten to one is no impeach of valour.

[They lay hands onYork,who struggles.

Clif.

Ay, ay; so strives the woodcock with the gin.

North.

So doth the cony struggle in the net.

[Yorkis taken prisoner.

York.

So triumph thieves upon their conquer’d booty;

So true men yield, with robbers so o’er-matched.

North.

What would your Grace have done unto him now?

Q. Mar.

Brave warriors, Clifford and Northumberland,

Come, make him stand upon this molehill here,

That raught at mountains with outstretched arms,

Yet parted but the shadow with his hand.

What! was it you that would be England’s king?

Was’t you that revell’d in our parliament,

And made a preachment of your high descent?

Where are your mess of sons to back you now?

The wanton Edward, and the lusty George?

And where’s that valiant crook-back prodigy,

Dicky your boy, that with his grumbling voice

Was wont to cheer his dad in mutinies?

Or, with the rest, where is your darling Rutland?

Look, York: I stain’d this napkin with the blood

That valiant Clifford with his rapier’s point

Made issue from the bosom of the boy;

And if thine eyes can water for his death,

I give thee this to dry thy cheeks withal.

Alas, poor York! but that I hate thee deadly,

I should lament thy miserable state.

I prithee grieve, to make me merry, York.

What! hath thy fiery heart so parch’d thine entrails

That not a tear can fall for Rutland’s death?

Why art thou patient, man? thou shouldst be mad;

And I, to make thee mad, do mock thee thus.

Stamp, rave, and fret, that I may sing and dance.

Thou wouldst be fee’d, I see, to make me sport:

York cannot speak unless he wear a crown.

A crown for York! and, lords, bow low to him:

Hold you his hands whilst I do set it on.

[Putting a paper crown on his head.

Ay, marry, sir, now looks he like a king!

Ay, this is he that took King Henry’s chair;

And this is he was his adopted heir.

But how is it that great Plantagenet

Is crown’d so soon, and broke his solemn oath?

As I bethink me, you should not be king

Till our King Henry had shook hands with death.

And will you pale your head in Henry’s glory,

And rob his temples of the diadem,

Now in his life, against your holy oath?

O! ’tis a fault too-too unpardonable.

Off with the crown; and, with the crown, his head;

And, whilst we breathe, take time to do him dead.

Clif.

That is my office, for my father’s sake.

Q. Mar.

Nay, stay; let’s hear the orisons he makes.

York.

She-wolf of France, but worse than wolves of France,

Whose tongue more poisons than the adder’s tooth!

How ill-beseeming is it in thy sex

To triumph, like an Amazonian trull,

Upon their woes whom fortune captivates!

But that thy face is, visor-like, unchanging,

Made impudent with use of evil deeds,

I would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush:

To tell thee whence thou cam’st, of whom deriv’d,

Were shame enough to shame thee, wert thou not shameless.

Thy father bears the type of King of Naples,

Of both the Sicils and Jerusalem;

Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman.

Hath that poor monarch taught thee to insult?

It needs not, nor it boots thee not, proud queen,

Unless the adage must be verified,

That beggars mounted run their horse to death.

’Tis beauty that doth oft make women proud;

But, God he knows, thy share thereof is small:

’Tis virtue that doth make them most admir’d;

The contrary doth make thee wonder’d at:

’Tis government that makes them seem divine;

The want thereof makes thee abominable.

Thou art as opposite to every good

As the Antipodes are unto us,

Or as the south to the septentrion.

O tiger’s heart wrapp’d in a woman’s hide!

How couldst thou drain the life-blood of the child,

To bid the father wipe his eyes withal,

And yet be seen to bear a woman’s face?

Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible;

Thou stern, obdurate, flinty, rough, remorseless.

Bidd’st thou me rage? why, now thou hast thy wish:

Wouldst have me weep? why, now thou hast thy will;

For raging wind blows up incessant showers,

And when the rage allays, the rain begins.

These tears are my sweet Rutland’s obsequies,

And every drop cries vengeance for his death,

’Gainst thee, fell Clifford, and thee, false Frenchwoman.

North.

Beshrew me, but his passion moves me so

That hardly can I check my eyes from tears.

York.

That face of his the hungry cannibals

Would not have touch’d, would not have stain’d with blood;

But you are more inhuman, more inexorable,—

O! ten times more, than tigers of Hyrcania.

See, ruthless queen, a hapless father’s tears:

This cloth thou dipp’dst in blood of my sweet boy,

And I with tears do wash the blood away.

Keep thou the napkin, and go boast of this;

[Giving back the handkerchief.

And if thou tell’st the heavy story right,

Upon my soul, the hearers will shed tears;

Yea, even my foes will shed fast-falling tears,

And say, ‘Alas! it was a piteous deed!’

There, take the crown, and, with the crown my curse,

And in thy need such comfort come to thee

As now I reap at thy too cruel hand!

Hard-hearted Clifford, take me from the world;

My soul to heaven, my blood upon your heads!

North.

Had he been slaughter-man to all my kin,

I should not for my life but weep with him,

To see how inly sorrow gripes his soul.

Q. Mar.

What! weeping-ripe, my Lord Northumberland?

Think but upon the wrong he did us all,

And that will quickly dry thy melting tears.

Clif.

Here’s for my oath; here’s for my father’s death.

[Stabbing him.

Q. Mar.

And here’s to right our gentlehearted king.

[Stabbing him.

York.

Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God!

My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.

[Dies.

Q. Mar.

Off with his head, and set it on York gates;

So York may overlook the town of York.

[Flourish. Exeunt.

ACT II.

Scene I.—

A Plain near Mortimer’s Cross in Herefordshire.

Drums. EnterEdwardandRichard,with their Forces, marching.

Edw.

I wonder how our princely father ’scap’d,

Or whether he be ’scap’d away or no

From Clifford’s and Northumberland’s pursuit.

Had he been ta’en we should have heard the news;

Had he been slain we should have heard the news;

Or had he ’scap’d, methinks we should have heard

The happy tidings of his good escape.

How fares my brother? why is he so sad?

Rich.

I cannot joy until I be resolv’d

Where our right valiant father is become.

I saw him in the battle range about,

And watch’d him how he singled Clifford forth.

Methought he bore him in the thickest troop

As doth a lion in a herd of neat;

Or as a bear, encompass’d round with dogs,

Who having pinch’d a few and made them cry,

The rest stand all aloof and bark at him.

So far’d our father with his enemies;

So fled his enemies my war-like father:

Methinks, ’tis prize enough to be his son.

See how the morning opes her golden gates,

And takes her farewell of the glorious sun;

How well resembles it the prime of youth,

Trimm’d like a younker prancing to his love.

Edw.

Dazzle mine eyes, or do I see three suns?

Rich.

Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun;

Not separated with the racking clouds,

But sever’d in a pale clear-shining sky.

See, see! they join, embrace, and seem to kiss,

As if they vow’d some league inviolable:

Now are they but one lamp, one light, one sun.

In this the heaven figures some event.

Edw.

’Tis wondrous strange, the like yet never heard of.

I think it cites us, brother, to the field;

That we, the sons of brave Plantagenet,

Each one already blazing by our meeds,

Should notwithstanding join our lights together,

And over-shine the earth, as this the world.

Whate’er it bodes, henceforward will I bear

Upon my target three fair-shining suns.

Rich.

Nay, bear three daughters: by your leave I speak it,

You love the breeder better than the male.

Enter a Messenger.

But what art thou, whose heavy looks foretell

Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue?

Mess.

Ah! one that was a woeful looker-on,

When as the noble Duke of York was slain,

Your princely father, and my loving lord.

Edw.

O! speak no more, for I have heard too much.

Rich.

Say how he died, for I will hear it all.

Mess.

Environed he was with many foes,

And stood against them, as the hope of Troy

Against the Greeks that would have enter’d Troy.

But Hercules himself must yield to odds;

And many strokes, though with a little axe,

Hew down and fell the hardest-timber’d oak.

By many hands your father was subdu’d;

But only slaughter’d by the ireful arm

Of unrelenting Clifford and the queen,

Who crown’d the gracious duke in high despite;

Laugh’d in his face; and when with grief he wept,

The ruthless queen gave him to dry his cheeks,

A napkin steeped in the harmless blood

Of sweet young Rutland, by rough Clifford slain:

And after many scorns, many foul taunts,

They took his head, and on the gates of York

They set the same; and there it doth remain,

The saddest spectacle that e’er I view’d.

Edw.

Sweet Duke of York! our prop to lean upon,

Now thou art gone, we have no staff, no stay!

O Clifford! boist’rous Clifford! thou hast slain

The flower of Europe for his chivalry;

And treacherously hast thou vanquish’d him,

For hand to hand he would have vanquish’d thee.

Now my soul’s palace is become a prison:

Ah! would she break from hence, that this my body

Might in the ground be closed up in rest,

For never henceforth shall I joy again,

Never, O! never, shall I see more joy.

Rich.

I cannot weep, for all my body’s moisture

Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heart:

Nor can my tongue unload my heart’s great burden;

For self-same wind, that I should speak withal

Is kindling coals that fire all my breast,

And burn me up with flames, that tears would quench.

To weep is to make less the depth of grief:

Tears then, for babes; blows and revenge for me!

Richard, I bear thy name; I’ll venge thy death,

Or die renowned by attempting it.

Edw.

His name that valiant duke hath left with thee;

His dukedom and his chair with me is left.

Rich.

Nay, if thou be that princely eagle’s bird,

Show thy descent by gazing ’gainst the sun:

For chair and dukedom, throne and kingdom say;

Either that is thine, or else thou wert not his.

March. EnterWarwickand theMarquess of Montague,with Forces.

War.

How now, fair lords! What fare? what news abroad?

Rich.

Great Lord of Warwick, if we should recount

Our baleful news, and at each word’s deliv’rance

Stab poniards in our flesh till all were told,

The words would add more anguish than the wounds.

O valiant lord! the Duke of York is slain.

Edw.

O Warwick! Warwick! that Plantagenet

Which held thee dearly as his soul’s redemption,

Is by the stern Lord Clifford done to death.

War.

Ten days ago I drown’d these news in tears,

And now, to add more measure to your woes,

I come to tell you things sith then befallen.

After the bloody fray at Wakefield fought,

Where your brave father breath’d his latest gasp,

Tidings, as swiftly as the posts could run,

Were brought me of your loss and his depart.

I, then in London, keeper of the king,

Muster’d my soldiers, gather’d flocks of friends,

And very well appointed, as I thought,

March’d towards Saint Alban’s to intercept the queen,

Bearing the king in my behalf along;

For by my scouts I was advertised

That she was coming with a full intent

To dash our late decree in parliament,

Touching King Henry’s oath and your succession.

Short tale to make, we at Saint Alban’s met,

Our battles join’d, and both sides fiercely fought:

But whether ’twas the coldness of the king,

Who look’d full gently on his war-like queen,

That robb’d my soldiers of their heated spleen;

Or whether ’twas report of her success;

Or more than common fear of Clifford’s rigour,

Who thunders to his captives blood and death,

I cannot judge: but, to conclude with truth,

Their weapons like to lightning came and went;

Our soldiers’—like the night-owl’s lazy flight,

Or like a lazy thresher with a flail—

Fell gently down, as if they struck their friends.

I cheer’d them up with justice of our cause,

With promise of high pay, and great rewards:

But all in vain; they had no heart to fight,

And we in them no hope to win the day;

So that we fled: the king unto the queen;

Lord George your brother, Norfolk, and myself,

In haste, post-haste, are come to join with you;

For in the marches here we heard you were,

Making another head to fight again.

Edw.

Where is the Duke of Norfolk, gentle Warwick?

And when came George from Burgundy to England?

War.

Some six miles off the duke is with the soldiers;

And for your brother, he was lately sent

From your kind aunt, Duchess of Burgundy,

With aid of soldiers to this needful war.

Rich.

’Twas odds, belike, when valiant Warwick fled:

Oft have I heard his praises in pursuit,

But ne’er till now his scandal of retire.

War.

Nor now my scandal, Richard, dost thou hear;

For thou shalt know, this strong right hand of mine

Can pluck the diadem from faint Henry’s head,

And wring the awful sceptre from his fist,

Were he as famous, and as bold in war

As he is fam’d for mildness, peace, and prayer.

Rich.

I know it well, Lord Warwick; blame me not:

’Tis love I bear thy glories makes me speak.

But, in this troublous time what’s to be done?

Shall we go throw away our coats of steel,

And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns,

Numb’ring our Ave-Maries with our beads?

Or shall we on the helmets of our foes

Tell our devotion with revengeful arms?

If for the last, say ‘Ay,’ and to it, lords.

War.

Why, therefore Warwick came to seek you out;

And therefore comes my brother Montague.

Attend me, lords. The proud insulting queen,

With Clifford and the haught Northumberland,

And of their feather many more proud birds,

Have wrought the easy-melting king like wax.

He swore consent to your succession,

His oath enrolled in the parliament;

And now to London all the crew are gone,

To frustrate both his oath and what beside

May make against the house of Lancaster.

Their power, I think, is thirty thousand strong:

Now, if the help of Norfolk and myself,

With all the friends that thou, brave Earl of March,

Amongst the loving Welshmen canst procure,

Will but amount to five and twenty thousand,

Why, Via! to London will we march amain,

And once again bestride our foaming steeds,

And once again cry, ‘Charge upon our foes!’

But never once again turn back and fly.

Rich.

Ay, now methinks I hear great Warwick speak:

Ne’er may he live to see a sunshine day,

That cries ‘Retire,’ if Warwick bid him stay.

Edw.

Lord Warwick, on thy shoulder will I lean;

And when thou fail’st—as God forbid the hour!—

Must Edward fall, which peril heaven forfend!

War.

No longer Earl of March, but Duke of York:

The next degree is England’s royal throne;

For King of England shalt thou be proclaim’d

In every borough as we pass along;

And he that throws not up his cap for joy

Shall for the fault make forfeit of his head.

King Edward, valiant Richard, Montague,

Stay we no longer dreaming of renown,

But sound the trumpets, and about our task.

Rich.

Then, Clifford, were thy heart as hard as steel,—

As thou hast shown it flinty by thy deeds,—

I come to pierce it, or to give thee mine.

Edw.

Then strike up, drums! God, and Saint George for us!

Enter a Messenger.

War.

How now! what news?

Mess.

The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me,

The queen is coming with a puissant host;

And craves your company for speedy counsel.

War.

Why then it sorts; brave warriors, let’s away.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—

Before York.

Flourish. EnterKing Henry, Queen Margaret,thePrince of Wales, CliffordandNorthumberland,with drums and trumpets.

Q. Mar.

Welcome, my lord, to this brave town of York.

Yonder’s the head of that arch-enemy,

That sought to be encompass’d with your crown:

Doth not the object cheer your heart, my lord?

K. Hen.

Ay, as the rocks cheer them that fear their wrack:

To see this sight, it irks my very soul.

Withhold revenge, dear God! ’tis not my fault,

Nor wittingly have I infring’d my vow.

Clif.

My gracious liege, this too much lenity

And harmful pity must be laid aside.

To whom do lions cast their gentle looks?

Not to the beast that would usurp their den.

Whose hand is that the forest bear doth lick?

Not his that spoils her young before her face.

Who ’scapes the lurking serpent’s mortal sting?

Not he that sets his foot upon her back.

The smallest worm will turn being trodden on,

And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood.

Ambitious York did level at thy crown;

Thou smiling while he knit his angry brows:

He, but a duke, would have his son a king,

And raise his issue like a loving sire;

Thou, being a king, bless’d with a goodly son,

Didst yield consent to disinherit him,

Which argu’d thee a most unloving father.

Unreasonable creatures feed their young;

And though man’s face be fearful to their eyes,

Yet, in protection of their tender ones,

Who hath not seen them, even with those wings

Which sometime they have us’d with fearful flight,

Make war with him that climb’d unto their nest,

Offering their own lives in their young’s defence?

For shame, my liege! make them your precedent.

Were it not pity that this goodly boy

Should lose his birthright by his father’s fault,

And long hereafter say unto his child,

‘What my great grandfather and grandsire got,

My careless father fondly gave away?’

Ah! what a shame were this. Look on the boy;

And let his manly face, which promiseth

Successful fortune, steel thy melting heart

To hold thine own and leave thine own with him.

K. Hen.

Full well hath Clifford play’d the orator,

Inferring arguments of mighty force.

But, Clifford, tell me, didst thou never hear

That things ill got had ever bad success?

And happy always was it for that son

Whose father for his hoarding went to hell?

I’ll leave my son my virtuous deeds behind;

And would my father had left me no more!

For all the rest is held at such a rate

As brings a thousand-fold more care to keep

Than in possession any jot of pleasure.

Ah! cousin York, would thy best friends did know

How it doth grieve me that thy head is here!

Q. Mar.

My lord, cheer up your spirits: our foes are nigh,

And this soft courage makes your followers faint.

You promis’d knighthood to our forward son:

Unsheathe your sword, and dub him presently.

Edward, kneel down.

K. Hen.

Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight;

And learn this lesson, draw thy sword in right.

Prince.

My gracious father, by your kingly leave,

I’ll draw it as apparent to the crown,

And in that quarrel use it to the death.

Clif.

Why, that is spoken like a toward prince.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

Royal commanders, be in readiness:

For with a band of thirty thousand men

Comes Warwick, backing of the Duke of York;

And in the towns, as they do march along,

Proclaims him king, and many fly to him:

Darraign your battle, for they are at hand.

Clif.

I would your highness would depart the field:

The queen hath best success when you are absent.

Q. Mar.

Ay, good my lord, and leave us to our fortune.

K. Hen.

Why, that’s my fortune too; therefore I’ll stay.

North.

Be it with resolution then to fight.

Prince.

My royal father, cheer these noble lords,

And hearten those that fight in your defence:

Unsheathe your sword, good father: cry, ‘Saint George!’

March. EnterEdward, George, Richard, Warwick, Norfolk, Montague,and Soldiers.

Edw.

Now, perjur’d Henry, wilt thou kneel for grace,

And set thy diadem upon my head;

Or bide the mortal fortune of the field?

Q. Mar.

Go, rate thy minions, proud insulting boy!

Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms

Before thy sovereign and thy lawful king?

Edw.

I am his king, and he should bow his knee;

I was adopted heir by his consent:

Since when, his oath is broke; for, as I hear,

You, that are king, though he do wear the crown,

Have caus’d him, by new act of parliament,

To blot out me, and put his own son in.

Clif.

And reason too:

Who should succeed the father but the son?

Rich.

Are you there, butcher? O! I cannot speak.

Clif.

Ay, crook-back; here I stand to answer thee,

Or any he the proudest of thy sort.

Rich.

’Twas you that kill’d young Rutland, was it not?

Clif.

Ay, and old York, and yet not satisfied.

Rich.

For God’s sake, lords, give signal to the fight.

War.

What sayst thou, Henry, wilt thou yield the crown?

Q. Mar.

Why, how now, long-tongu’d Warwick! dare you speak?

When you and I met at Saint Alban’s last,

Your legs did better service than your hands.

War.

Then ’twas my turn to fly, and now ’tis thine.

Clif.

You said so much before, and yet you fled.

War.

’Twas not your valour, Clifford, drove me thence.

North.

No, nor your manhood that durst make you stay.

Rich.

Northumberland, I hold thee reverently.

Break off the parley; for scarce I can refrain

The execution of my big-swoln heart

Upon that Clifford, that cruel child-killer.

Clif.

I slew thy father: call’st thou him a child?

Rich.

Ay, like a dastard and a treacherous coward,

As thou didst kill our tender brother Rutland;

But ere sun-set I’ll make thee curse the deed.

K. Hen.

Have done with words, my lords, and hear me speak.

Q. Mar.

Defy them, then, or else hold close thy lips.

K. Hen.

I prithee, give no limits to my tongue:

I am a king, and privileg’d to speak.

Clif.

My liege, the wound that bred this meeting here

Cannot be cur’d by words; therefore be still.

Rich.

Then, executioner, unsheathe thy sword.

By him that made us all, I am resolv’d

That Clifford’s manhood lies upon his tongue.

Edw.

Say, Henry, shall I have my right or no?

A thousand men have broke their fasts to-day,

That ne’er shall dine unless thou yield the crown.

War.

If thou deny, their blood upon thy head;

For York in justice puts his armour on.

Prince.

If that be right which Warwick says is right,

There is no wrong, but everything is right.

Rich.

Whoever got thee, there thy mother stands;

For well I wot thou hast thy mother’s tongue.

Q. Mar.

But thou art neither like thy sire nor dam,

But like a foul misshapen stigmatic,

Mark’d by the destinies to be avoided,

As venom toads, or lizards’ dreadful stings.

Rich.

Iron of Naples hid with English gilt,

Whose father bears the title of a king,—

As if a channel should be call’d the sea,—

Sham’st thou not, knowing whence thou art extraught,

To let thy tongue detect thy base-born heart?

Edw.

A wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns,

To make this shameless callet know herself.

Helen of Greece was fairer far than thou,

Although thy husband may be Menelaus;

And ne’er was Agamemnon’s brother wrong’d

By that false woman as this king by thee.

His father revell’d in the heart of France,

And tam’d the king, and made the Dauphin stoop;

And had he match’d according to his state,

He might have kept that glory to this day;

But when he took a beggar to his bed,

And grac’d thy poor sire with his bridal day,

Even then that sunshine brew’d a shower for him,

That wash’d his father’s fortunes forth of France,

And heap’d sedition on his crown at home.

For what hath broach’d this tumult but thy pride?

Hadst thou been meek our title still had slept,

And we, in pity of the gentle king,

Had slipp’d our claim until another age.

Geo.

But when we saw our sunshine made thy spring,

And that thy summer bred us no increase,

We set the axe to thy usurping root;

And though the edge hath something hit ourselves,

Yet know thou, since we have begun to strike,

We’ll never leave, till we have hewn thee down,

Or bath’d thy growing with our heated bloods.

Edw.

And in this resolution I defy thee;

Not willing any longer conference,

Since thou deny’st the gentle king to speak.

Sound trumpets!—let our bloody colours wave!

And either victory, or else a grave.

Q. Mar.

Stay, Edward.

Edw.

No, wrangling woman, we’ll no longer stay:

These words will cost ten thousand lives this day

[Exeunt.

Scene III.—

A Field of Battle between Towton and Saxton, in Yorkshire.

Alarums: Excursions. EnterWarwick.

War.

Forspent with toil, as runners with a race,

I lay me down a little while to breathe;

For strokes receiv’d, and many blows repaid,

Have robb’d my strong-knit sinews of their strength,

And spite of spite needs must I rest a while.

EnterEdward,running.

Edw.

Smile, gentle heaven! or strike, ungentle death!

For this world frowns, and Edward’s sun is clouded.

War.

How now, my lord! what hap? what hope of good?

EnterGeorge.

Geo.

Our hap is loss, our hope but sad despair,

Our ranks are broke, and ruin follows us.

What counsel give you? whither shall we fly?

Edw.

Bootless is flight, they follow us with wings;

And weak we are and cannot shun pursuit.

EnterRichard.

Rich.

Ah! Warwick, why hast thou withdrawn thyself?

Thy brother’s blood the thirsty earth hath drunk,

Broach’d with the steely point of Clifford’s lance;

And in the very pangs of death he cried,

Like to a dismal clangor heard from far,

‘Warwick, revenge! brother, revenge my death!’

So, underneath the belly of their steeds,

That stain’d their fetlocks in his smoking blood,

The noble gentleman gave up the ghost.

War.

Then let the earth be drunken with our blood:

I’ll kill my horse because I will not fly.

Why stand we like soft-hearted women here,

Wailing our losses, whiles the foe doth rage;

And look upon, as if the tragedy

Were play’d in jest by counterfeiting actors?

Here on my knee I vow to God above,

I’ll never pause again, never stand still

Till either death hath clos’d these eyes of mine,

Of fortune given me measure of revenge.

Edw.

O Warwick! I do bend my knee with thine;

And in this vow do chain my soul to thine.

And, ere my knee rise from the earth’s cold face,

I throw my hands, mine eyes, my heart to thee,

Thou setter up and plucker down of kings,

Beseeching thee, if with thy will it stands

That to my foes this body must be prey,

Yet that thy brazen gates of heaven may ope,

And give sweet passage to my sinful soul!

Now, lords, take leave until we meet again,

Where’er it be, in heaven or in earth.

Rich.

Brother, give me thy hand; and, gentle Warwick,

Let me embrace thee in my weary arms:

I, that did never weep, now melt with woe

That winter should cut off our spring-time so.

War.

Away, away! Once more, sweet lords, farewell.

Geo.

Yet let us all together to our troops,

And give them leave to fly that will not stay,

And call them pillars that will stand to us;

And if we thrive, promise them such rewards

As victors wear at the Olympian games.

This may plant courage in their quailing breasts;

For yet is hope of life and victory.

Forslow no longer; make we hence amain.

[Exeunt.

Scene IV.—

Another Part of the Field.

Excursions. EnterRichardandClifford.

Rich.

Now, Clifford, I have singled thee alone.

Suppose this arm is for the Duke of York,

And this for Rutland; both bound to revenge,

Wert thou environ’d with a brazen wall.

Clif.

Now, Richard, I am with thee here alone.

This is the hand that stabb’d thy father York,

And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland;

And here’s the heart that triumphs in their death

And cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother,

To execute the like upon thyself;

And so, have at thee!

[They fight.Warwickenters;Cliffordflies.

Rich.

Nay, Warwick, single out some other chase;

For I myself will hunt this wolf to death.

[Exeunt.

Scene V.—

Another Part of the Field.

Alarum. EnterKing Henry.

K. Hen.

This battle fares like to the morning’s war,

When dying clouds contend with growing light,

What time the shepherd, blowing of his nails,

Can neither call it perfect day nor night.

Now sways it this way, like a mighty sea

Forc’d by the tide to combat with the wind;

Now sways it that way, like the self-same sea

Forc’d to retire by fury of the wind:

Sometime the flood prevails, and then the wind;

Now one the better, then another best;

Both tugging to be victors, breast to breast,

Yet neither conqueror nor conquered:

So is the equal poise of this fell war.

Here on this molehill will I sit me down.

To whom God will, there be the victory!

For Margaret my queen, and Clifford too,

Have chid me from the battle; swearing both

They prosper best of all when I am thence.

Would I were dead! if God’s good will were so;

For what is in this world but grief and woe?

O God! methinks it were a happy life,

To be no better than a homely swain;

To sit upon a hill, as I do now,

To carve out dials quaintly, point by point,

Thereby to see the minutes how they run,

How many make the hour full complete;

How many hours bring about the day;

How many days will finish up the year;

How many years a mortal man may live.

When this is known, then to divide the times:

So many hours must I tend my flock;

So many hours must I take my rest;

So many hours must I contemplate;

So many hours must I sport myself;

So many days my ewes have been with young;

So many weeks ere the poor fools will ean;

So many years ere I shall shear the fleece:

So minutes, hours, days, months, and years,

Pass’d over to the end they were created,

Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave.

Ah! what a life were this! how sweet! how lovely!

Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade

To shepherds, looking on their silly sheep,

Than doth a rich embroider’d canopy

To kings, that fear their subjects’ treachery?

O, yes! it doth; a thousand-fold it doth.

And to conclude, the shepherd’s homely curds,

His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle,

His wonted sleep under a fresh tree’s shade,

All which secure and sweetly he enjoys,

Is far beyond a prince’s delicates,

His viands sparkling in a golden cup,

His body couched in a curious bed,

When care, mistrust, and treason wait on him.

Alarum. Enter a Son that hath killed his Father, with the dead body.

Son.

Ill blows the wind that profits nobody.

This man whom hand to hand I slew in fight,

May be possessed with some store of crowns;

And I, that haply take them from him now,

May yet ere night yield both my life and them

To some man else, as this dead man doth me.

Who’s this? O God! it is my father’s face,

Whom in this conflict I unwares have kill’d.

O heavy times, begetting such events!

From London by the king was I press’d forth;

My father, being the Earl of Warwick’s man,

Came on the part of York, press’d by his master;

And I, who at his hands receiv’d my life,

Have by my hands of life bereaved him.

Pardon me, God, I knew not what I did!

And pardon, father, for I knew not thee!

My tears shall wipe away these bloody marks;

And no more words till they have flow’d their fill.

K. Hen.

O piteous spectacle! O bloody times!

Whiles lions war and battle for their dens,

Poor harmless lambs abide their enmity.

Weep, wretched man, I’ll aid thee tear for tear;

And let our hearts and eyes, like civil war,

Be blind with tears, and break o’ercharg’d with grief.

Enter a Father that hath killed his Son, with the body in his arms.

Fath.

Thou that so stoutly hast resisted me,

Give me thy gold, if thou hast any gold,

For I have bought it with a hundred blows.

But let me see: is this our foeman’s face?

Ah! no, no, no, it is mine only son.

Ah! boy, if any life be left in thee,

Throw up thine eye: see, see! what showers arise,

Blown with the windy tempest of my heart,

Upon thy wounds, that kill mine eye and heart.

O! pity, God, this miserable age.

What stratagems, how fell, how butcherly,

Erroneous, mutinous, and unnatural,

This deadly quarrel daily doth beget!

O boy! thy father gave thee life too soon,

And hath bereft thee of thy life too late.

K. Hen.

Woe above woe! grief more than common grief!

O! that my death would stay these ruthful deeds.

O! pity, pity; gentle heaven, pity.

The red rose and the white are on his face,

The fatal colours of our striving houses:

The one his purple blood right well resembles;

The other his pale cheeks, methinks, presenteth:

Wither one rose, and let the other flourish!

If you contend, a thousand lives must wither.

Son.

How will my mother for a father’s death

Take on with me and ne’er be satisfied!

Fath.

How will my wife for slaughter of my son

Shed seas of tears and ne’er be satisfied!

K. Hen.

How will the country for these woeful chances

Misthink the king and not be satisfied!

Son.

Was ever son so ru’d a father’s death?

Fath.

Was ever father so bemoan’d a son?

K. Hen.

Was ever king so griev’d for subjects’ woe?

Much is your sorrow; mine, ten times so much.

Son.

I’ll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill.

[Exit with the body.

Fath.

These arms of mine shall be thy winding-sheet;

My heart, sweet boy, shall be thy sepulchre,

For from my heart thine image ne’er shall go:

My sighing breast shall be thy funeral bell;

And so obsequious will thy father be,

E’en for the loss of thee, having no more,

As Priam was for all his valiant sons.

I’ll bear thee hence; and let them fight that will,

For I have murder’d where I should not kill.

[Exit with the body.

K. Hen.

Sad-hearted men,’ much overgone with care,

Here sits a king more woeful than you are.

Alarum. Excursions. EnterQueen Margaret, Prince of Wales,andExeter.

Prince.

Fly, father, fly! for all your friends are fled,

And Warwick rages like a chafed bull.

Away! for death doth hold us in pursuit.

Q. Mar.

Mount you, my lord; towards Berwick post amain.

Edward and Richard, like a brace of greyhounds

Having the fearful flying hare in sight,

With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath,

And bloody steel grasp’d in their ireful hands,

Are at our backs; and therefore hence amain.

Exe.

Away! for vengeance comes along with them.

Nay, stay not to expostulate; make speed,

Or else come after: I’ll away before.

K. Hen.

Nay, take me with thee, good sweet Exeter:

Not that I fear to stay, but love to go

Whither the queen intends. Forward! away!

[Exeunt.

Scene VI.—

The Same.

A loud alarum. EnterClifford,wounded.

Clif.

Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies,

Which, while it lasted, gave King Henry light.

O Lancaster! I fear thy overthrow

More than my body’s parting with my soul.

My love and fear glu’d many friends to thee;

And, now I fall, thy tough commixtures melt,

Impairing Henry, strengthening misproud York:

The common people swarm like summer flies;

And whither fly the gnats but to the sun?

And who shines now but Henry’s enemies?

O Phœbus! hadst thou never given consent

That Phæthon should check thy fiery steeds,

Thy burning car never had scorch’d the earth;

And, Henry, hadst thou sway’d as kings should do,

Or as thy father and his father did,

Giving no ground unto the house of York,

They never then had sprung like summer flies;

I and ten thousand in this luckless realm

Had left no mourning widows for our death,

And thou this day hadst kept thy chair in peace.

For what doth cherish weeds but gentle air?

And what makes robbers bold but too much lenity?

Bootless are plaints, and cureless are my wounds;

No way to fly, nor strength to hold out flight:

The foe is merciless, and will not pity;

For at their hands I have deserv’d no pity.

The air hath got into my deadly wounds,

And much effuse of blood doth make me faint.

Come, York and Richard, Warwick and the rest;

I stabb’d your fathers’ bosoms, split my breast.

[He faints.

Alarum and Retreat. EnterEdward, George, Richard, Montague, Warwick,and Soldiers.

Edw.

Now breathe we, lords: good fortune bids us pause,

And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks.

Some troops pursue the bloody-minded queen,

That led calm Henry, though he were a king,

As doth a sail, fill’d with a fretting gust,

Command an argosy to stern the waves.

But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them?

War.

No, ’tis impossible he should escape;

For, though before his face I speak the words,

Your brother Richard mark’d him for the grave;

And wheresoe’er he is, he’s surely dead.

[Cliffordgroans and dies.

Edw.

Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave?

Rich.

A deadly groan, like life and death’s departing.

Edw.

See who it is: and now the battle’s ended,

If friend or foe let him be gently us’d.

Rich.

Revoke that doom of mercy, for ’tis Clifford;

Who not contented that he lopp’d the branch

In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth,

But set his murd’ring knife unto the root

From whence that tender spray did sweetly spring,

I mean our princely father, Duke of York.

War.

From off the gates of York fetch down the head,

Your father’s head, which Clifford placed there;

Instead whereof let this supply the room:

Measure for measure must be answered.

Edw.

Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house,

That nothing sung but death to us and ours:

Now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound,

And his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak.

[Attendants bring the body forward.

War.

I think his understanding is bereft.

Speak, Clifford; dost thou know who speaks to thee?

Dark cloudy death o’ershades his beams of life,

And he nor sees, nor hears us what we say.

Rich.

O! would he did; and so perhaps he doth:

’Tis but his policy to counterfeit,

Because he would avoid such bitter taunts

Which in the time of death he gave our father.

Geo.

If so thou think’st, vex him with eager words.

Rich.

Clifford! ask mercy and obtain no grace.

Edw.

Clifford, repent in bootless penitence.

War.

Clifford! devise excuses for thy faults.

Geo.

While we devise fell tortures for thy faults.

Rich.

Thou didst love York, and I am son to York.

Edw.

Thou pitiedst Rutland, I will pity thee.

Geo.

Where’s Captain Margaret, to fence you now?

War.

They mock thee, Clifford: swear as thou wast wont.

Rich.

What! not an oath? nay, then the world goes hard

When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath.

I know by that he’s dead; and, by my soul,

If this right hand would buy two hours’ life,

That I in all despite might rail at him,

This hand should chop it off, and with the issuing blood

Stifle the villain whose unstaunched thirst

York and young Rutland could not satisfy.

War.

Ay, but he’s dead: off with the traitor’s head,

And rear it in the place your father’s stands.

And now to London with triumphant march,

There to be crowned England’s royal king:

From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France,

And ask the Lady Bona for thy queen.

So shalt thou sinew both these lands together;

And, having France thy friend, thou shalt not dread

The scatter’d foe that hopes to rise again;

For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt,

Yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears.

First will I see the coronation;

And then to Brittany I’ll cross the sea,

To effect this marriage, so it please my lord.

Edw.

Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be;

For on thy shoulder do I build my seat,

And never will I undertake the thing

Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting.

Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester;

And George, of Clarence; Warwick, as ourself,

Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best.

Rich.

Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloucester,

For Gloucester’s dukedom is too ominous.

War.

Tut! that’s a foolish observation:

Richard, be Duke of Gloucester. Now to London,

To see these honours in possession.

[Exeunt.

ACT III.

Scene I.—

A Chase in the North of England.

Enter two Keepers, with cross-bows in their hands.

First Keep.

Under this thick-grown hrake we’ll shroud ourselves;

For through this laund anon the deer will come;

And in this covert will we make our stand,

Culling the principal of all the deer.

Sec. Keep.

I’ll stay above the hill, so both may shoot.

First Keep.

That cannot be; the noise of thy cross-bow

Will scare the herd, and so my shoot is lost.

Here stand we both, and aim we at the best:

And, for the time shall not seem tedious,

I’ll tell thee what befell me on a day

In this self place where now we mean to stand.

Sec. Keep.

Here comes a man; let’s stay till he be past.

EnterKing Henry,disguised, with a prayer-book.

K. Hen.

From Scotland am I stol’n, even of pure love,

To greet mine own land with my wishful sight.

No, Harry, Harry, ’tis no land of thine;

Thy place is fill’d, thy sceptre wrung from thee,

Thy balm wash’d off wherewith thou wast anointed:

No bending knee will call thee Cæsar now,

No humble suitors press to speak for right,

No, not a man comes for redress of thee;

For how can I help them, and not myself?

First Keep.

Ay, here’s a deer whose skin’s a keeper’s fee:

This is the quondam king; let’s seize upon him.

K. Hen.

Let me embrace thee, sour adversity,

For wise men say it is the wisest course.

Sec. Keep.

Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him.

First Keep.

Forbear awhile; we’ll hear a little more.

K. Hen.

My queen and son are gone to France for aid;

And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick

Is thither gone, to crave the French king’s sister

To wife for Edward. If this news be true,

Poor queen and son, your labour is but lost;

For Warwick is a subtle orator,

And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words.

By this account then Margaret may win him,

For she’s a woman to be pitied much:

Her sighs will make a battery in his breast;

Her tears will pierce into a marble heart;

The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn;

And Nero will be tainted with remorse,

To hear and see her plaints, her brinish tears.

Ay, but she’s come to beg; Warwick, to give:

She on his left side craving aid for Henry;

He on his right asking a wife for Edward.

She weeps, and says her Henry is depos’d;

He smiles, and says his Edward is install’d;

That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more:

Whiles Warwick tells his title, smooths the wrong,

Inferreth arguments of mighty strength,

And in conclusion wins the king from her,

With promise of his sister, and what else,

To strengthen and support King Edward’s place.

O Margaret! thus ’twill be; and thou, poor soul,

Art then forsaken, as thou went’st forlorn.

Sec. Keep.

Say, what art thou, that talk’st of kings and queens?

K. Hen.

More than I seem, and less than I was born to:

A man at least, for less I should not be;

And men may talk of kings, and why not I?

Sec. Keep.

Ay, but thou talk’st as if thou wert a king.

K. Hen.

Why, so I am, in mind; and that’s enough.

Sec. Keep.

But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown?

K. Hen.

My crown is in my heart, not on my head;

Not deck’d with diamonds and Indian stones,

Nor to be seen: my crown is call’d content;

A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

Sec. Keep.

Well, if you be a king crown’d with content,

Your crown content and you must be contented

To go along with us; for, as we think,

You are the king King Edward hath depos’d;

And we his subjects, sworn in all allegiance,

Will apprehend you as his enemy.

K. Hen.

But did you never swear, and break an oath?

Sec. Keep.

No, never such an oath; nor will not now.

K. Hen.

Where did you dwell when I was King of England?

Sec. Keep.

Here in this country, where we now remain.

K. Hen.

I was anointed king at nine months old;

My father and my grandfather were kings,

And you were sworn true subjects unto me:

And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?

First Keep.

No;

For we were subjects but while you were king.

K. Hen.

Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man?

Ah! simple men, you know not what you swear.

Look, as I blow this feather from my face,

And as the air blows it to me again,

Obeying with my wind when I do blow,

And yielding to another when it blows,

Commanded always by the greater gust;

Such is the lightness of you common men.

But do not break your oaths; for of that sin

My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.

Go where you will, the king shall be commanded;

And be you kings: command, and I’ll obey.

First Keep.

We are true subjects to the king, King Edward.

K. Hen.

So would you be again to Henry,

If he were seated as King Edward is.

First Keep.

We charge you, in God’s name, and in the king’s,

To go with us unto the officers.

K. Hen.

In God’s name, lead; your king’s name be obey’d:

And what God will, that let your king perform;

And what he will, I humbly yield unto.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—

London. A Room in the Palace.

EnterKing Edward, Gloucester, Clarence,andLady Grey.

K. Edw.

Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Alban’s field

This lady’s husband, Sir John Grey, was slain,

His lands then seiz’d on by the conqueror:

Her suit is now, to repossess those lands;

Which we in justice cannot well deny,

Because in quarrel of the house of York

The worthy gentleman did lose his life.

Glo.

Your highness shall do well to grant her suit;

It were dishonour to deny it her.

K. Edw.

It were no less: but yet I’ll make a pause.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] Yea; is it so?

I see the lady hath a thing to grant

Before the king will grant her humble suit.

Clar.

[Aside toGloucester.] He knows the game: how true he keeps the wind!

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] Silence!

K. Edw.

Widow, we will consider of your suit,

And come some other time to know our mind.

L. Grey.

Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay:

May it please your highness to resolve me now,

And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] Ay, widow? then I’ll warrant you all your lands,

An if what pleases him shall pleasure you,

Fight closer, or, good faith, you’ll catch a blow.

Clar.

[Aside toGloucester.] I fear her not, unless she chance to fall.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] God forbid that! for he’ll take vantages.

K. Edw.

How many children hast thou, widow? tell me.

Clar.

[Aside toGloucester.] I think he means to beg a child of her.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] Nay, whip me, then; he’ll rather give her two.

L. Grey.

Three, my most gracious lord.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] You shall have four, if you’ll be rul’d by him.

K. Edw.

’Twere pity they should lose their father’s lands.

L. Grey.

Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.

K. Edw.

Lords, give us leave: I’ll try this widow’s wit.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave,

Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.

[Retiring withClarence.

K. Edw.

Now, tell me, madam, do you love your children?

L. Grey.

Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.

K. Edw.

And would you not do much to do them good?

L. Grey.

To do them good I would sustain some harm.

K. Edw.

Then get your husband’s lands, to do them good.

L. Grey.

Therefore I came unto your majesty.

K. Edw.

I’ll tell you how these lands are to be got.

L. Grey.

So shall you bind me to your highness’ service.

K. Edw.

What service wilt thou do me, if I give them?

L. Grey.

What you command, that rests in me to do.

K. Edw.

But you will take exceptions to my boon.

L. Grey.

No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.

K. Edw.

Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.

L. Grey.

Why, then I will do what your Grace commands.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] He plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble.

Clar.

[Aside toGloucester.] As red as fire! nay, then her wax must melt.

L. Grey.

Why stops my lord? shall I not hear my task?

K. Edw.

An easy task: ’tis but to love a king.

L. Grey.

That’s soon perform’d, because I am a subject.

K. Edw.

Why then, thy husband’s lands I freely give thee.

L. Grey.

I take my leave with many thousand thanks.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] The match is made; she seals it with a curtsy.

K. Edw.

But stay thee; ’tis the fruits of love I mean.

L. Grey.

The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.

K. Edw.

Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.

What love think’st thou I sue so much to get?

L. Grey.

My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers:

That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.

K. Edw.

No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.

L. Grey.

Why, then you mean not as I thought you did.

K. Edw.

But now you partly may perceive my mind.

L. Grey.

My mind will never grant what I perceive

Your highness aims at, if I aim aright.

K. Edw.

To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.

L. Grey.

To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.

K. Edw.

Why, then thou shalt not have thy husband’s lands.

L. Grey.

Why, then mine honesty shall be my dower;

For by that loss I will not purchase them.

K. Edw.

Therein thou wrong’st thy children mightily.

L. Grey.

Herein your highness wrongs both them and me.

But, mighty lord, this merry inclination

Accords not with the sadness of my suit:

Please you dismiss me, either with ‘ay,’ or ‘no.’

K. Edw.

Ay, if thou wilt say ‘ay’ to my request;

No, if thou dost say ‘no’ to my demand.

L. Grey.

Then, no, my lord. My suit is at an end.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] The widow likes him not, she knits her brows.

Clar.

[Aside toGloucester.] He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom.

K. Edw.

[Aside.] Her looks do argue her replete with modesty;

Her words do show her wit incomparable;

All her perfections challenge sovereignty:

One way or other, she is for a king;

And she shall be my love, or else my queen.

Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?

L. Grey.

’Tis better said than done, my gracious lord:

I am a subject fit to jest withal,

But far unfit to be a sovereign.

K. Edw.

Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee,

I speak no more than what my soul intends;

And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.

L. Grey.

And that is more than I will yield unto.

I know I am too mean to be your queen,

And yet too good to be your concubine.

K. Edw.

You cavil, widow: I did mean, my queen.

L. Grey.

’Twill grieve your Grace my sons should call you father.

K. Edw.

No more than when my daughters call thee mother.

Thou art a widow, and thou hast some children;

And, by God’s mother, I, being but a bachelor,

Have other some: why, ’tis a happy thing

To be the father unto many sons.

Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.

Glo.

[Aside toClarence.] The ghostly father now hath done his shrift.

Clar.

[Aside toGloucester.] When he was made a shriver, ’twas for shift.

K. Edw.

Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had.

Glo.

The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.

K. Edw.

You’d think it strange if I should marry her.

Clar.

To whom, my lord?

K. Edw.

Why, Clarence, to myself.

Glo.

That would be ten days’ wonder at the least.

Clar.

That’s a day longer than a wonder lasts.

Glo.

By so much is the wonder in extremes.

K. Edw.

Well, jest on, brothers: I can tell you both

Her suit is granted for her husband’s lands.

Enter a Nobleman.

Nob.

My gracious lord, Henry your foe is taken,

And brought as prisoner to your palace gate.

K. Edw.

See that he be convey’d unto the Tower:

And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,

To question of his apprehension.

Widow, go you along. Lords, use her honourably.

[Exeunt all butGloucester.

Glo.

Ay, Edward will use women honourably.

Would he were wasted, marrow, bones, and all,

That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring,

To cross me from the golden time I look for!

And yet, between my soul’s desire and me—

The lustful Edward’s title buried,—

Is Clarence, Henry, and his son young Edward,

And all the unlook’d for issue of their bodies,

To take their rooms, ere I can place myself:

A cold premeditation for my purpose!

Why then, I do but dream on sovereignty;

Like one that stands upon a promontory,

And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,

Wishing his foot were equal with his eye;

And chides the sea that sunders him from thence,

Saying, he’ll lade it dry to have his way:

So do I wish the crown, being so far off,

And so I chide the means that keep me from it,

And so I say I’ll cut the causes off,

Flattering me with impossibilities.

My eye’s too quick, my heart o’erweens too much,

Unless my hand and strength could equal them.

Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard;

What other pleasure can the world afford?

I’ll make my heaven in a lady’s lap,

And deck my body in gay ornaments,

And witch sweet ladies with my words and looks.

O miserable thought! and more unlikely

Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns.

Why, love forswore me in my mother’s womb:

And, for I should not deal in her soft laws,

She did corrupt frail nature with some bribe,

To shrink mine arm up like a wither’d shrub;

To make an envious mountain on my back,

Where sits deformity to mock my body;

To shape my legs of an unequal size;

To disproportion me in every part,

Like to a chaos, or an unlick’d bear-whelp

That carries no impression like the dam.

And am I then a man to be belov’d?

O monstrous fault! to harbour such a thought.

Then, since this earth affords no joy to me

But to command, to check, to o’erbear such

As are of better person than myself,

I’ll make my heaven to dream upon the crown;

And, whiles I live, to account this world but hell,

Until my mis-shap’d trunk that bears this head

Be round impaled with a glorious crown.

And yet I know not how to get the crown,

For many lives stand between me and home:

And I, like one lost in a thorny wood,

That rents the thorns and is rent with the thorns,

Seeking a way and straying from the way;

Not knowing how to find the open air,

But toiling desperately to find it out,

Torment myself to catch the English crown:

And from that torment I will free myself,

Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.

Why, I can smile, and murder while I smile,

And cry, ‘Content,’ to that which grieves my heart,

And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,

And frame my face to all occasions.

I’ll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall;

I’ll slay more gazers than the basilisk;

I’ll play the orator as well as Nestor,

Deceive more slily than Ulysses could,

And, like a Sinon, take another Troy.

I can add colours to the chameleon,

Change shapes with Proteus for advantages,

And set the murd’rous Machiavel to school.

Can I do this, and cannot get a crown?

Tut! were it further off, I’ll pluck it down.

[Exit.

Scene III.—

France. A Room in the Palace.

Flourish. EnterLewisthe French King, his sisterLady Bona,attended: his Admiral calledBourbon;the King takes his state. Then enterQueen Margaret, Prince Edward,and theEarl of Oxford. Lewissits, and riseth up again.

K. Lew.

Fair Queen of England, worthy Margaret,

Sit down with us: it ill befits thy state

And birth, that thou shouldst stand while Lewis doth sit.

Q. Mar.

No, mighty King of France: now Margaret

Must strike her sail, and learn a while to serve

Where kings command. I was, I must confess,

Great Albion’s queen in former golden days;

But now mischance hath trod my title down,

And with dishonour laid me on the ground,

Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,

And to my humble seat conform myself.

K. Lew.

Why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep despair?

Q. Mar.

From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears

And stops my tongue, while heart is drown’d in cares.

K. Lew.

Whate’er it be, be thou still like thyself,

And sit thee by our side. [Seats her by him.] Yield not thy neck

To fortune’s yoke, but let thy dauntless mind

Still ride in triumph over all mischance.

Be plain, Queen Margaret, and tell thy grief;

It shall be eas’d, if France can yield relief.

Q. Mar.

Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts,

And give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak.

Now, therefore, be it known to noble Lewis,

That Henry, sole possessor of my love,

Is of a king become a banish’d man,

And forc’d to live in Scotland a forlorn;

While proud ambitious Edward Duke of York

Usurps the regal title and the seat

Of England’s true-anointed lawful king.

This is the cause that I, poor Margaret,

With this my son, Prince Edward, Henry’s heir,

Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid;

And if thou fail us, all our hope is done.

Scotland hath will to help, but cannot help;

Our people and our peers are both misled,

Our treasure seiz’d, our soldiers put to flight,

And, as thou seest, ourselves in heavy plight.

K. Lew.

Renowned queen, with patience calm the storm,

While we bethink a means to break it off.

Q. Mar.

The more we stay, the stronger grows our foe.

K. Lew.

The more I stay, the more I’ll succour thee.

Q. Mar.

O! but impatience waiteth on true sorrow:

And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow.

EnterWarwick,attended.

K. Lew.

What’s he, approacheth boldly to our presence?

Q. Mar.

Our Earl of Warwick, Edward’s greatest friend.

K. Lew.

Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France?

[Descending from his state.Queen Margaretrises.

Q. Mar.

Ay, now begins a second storm to rise;

For this is he that moves both wind and tide.

War.

From worthy Edward, King of Albion,

My lord and sovereign, and thy vowed friend,

I come, in kindness and unfeigned love,

First, to do greetings to thy royal person;

And then to crave a league of amity;

And lastly to confirm that amity

With nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant

That virtuous Lady Bona, thy fair sister,

To England’s king in lawful marriage.

Q. Mar.

If that go forward, Henry’s hope is done.

War.

[ToBona.] And, gracious madam, in our king’s behalf,

I am commanded, with your leave and favour,

Humbly to kiss your hand, and with my tongue

To tell the passion of my sov’reign’s heart;

Where fame, late entering at his heedful ears,

Hath plac’d thy beauty’s image and thy virtue.

Q. Mar.

King Lewis and Lady Bona, hear me speak,

Before you answer Warwick. His demand

Springs not from Edward’s well-meant honest love,

But from deceit bred by necessity;

For how can tyrants safely govern home,

Unless abroad they purchase great alliance?

To prove him tyrant this reason may suffice,

That Henry liveth still; but were he dead,

Yet here Prince Edward stands, King Henry’s son.

Look, therefore, Lewis, that by this league and marriage

Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour;

For though usurpers sway the rule awhile,

Yet heavens are just, and time suppresseth wrongs.

War.

Injurious Margaret!

Prince.

And why not queen?

War.

Because thy father Henry did usurp,

And thou no more art prince than she is queen.

Oxf.

Then Warwick disannuls great John of Gaunt,

Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain;

And, after John of Gaunt, Henry the Fourth,

Whose wisdom was a mirror to the wisest;

And, after that wise prince, Henry the Fifth,

Who by his prowess conquered all France:

From these our Henry lineally descends.

War.

Oxford, how haps it, in this smooth discourse,

You told not how Henry the Sixth hath lost

All that which Henry the Fifth had gotten?

Methinks these peers of France should smile at that.

But for the rest, you tell a pedigree

Of threescore and two years; a silly time

To make prescription for a kingdom’s worth.

Oxf.

Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege,

Whom thou obeyedst thirty and six years,

And not bewray thy treason with a blush?

War.

Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right,

Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree?

For shame! leave Henry, and call Edward king.

Oxf.

Call him my king, by whose injurious doom

My elder brother, the Lord Aubrey Vere,

Was done to death? and more than so, my father,

Even in the downfall of his mellow’d years,

When nature brought him to the door of death?

No, Warwick, no; while life upholds this arm,

This arm upholds the house of Lancaster.

War.

And I the house of York.

K. Lew.

Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford,

Vouchsafe at our request to stand aside,

While I use further conference with Warwick.

[They stand aloof.

Q. Mar.

Heaven grant that Warwick’s words bewitch him not!

K. Lew.

Now, Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience,

Is Edward your true king? for I were loath

To link with him that were not lawful chosen.

War.

Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour.

K. Lew.

But is he gracious in the people’s eye?

War.

The more that Henry was unfortunate.

K. Lew.

Then further, all dissembling set aside,

Tell me for truth the measure of his love

Unto our sister Bona.

War.

Such it seems

As may beseem a monarch like himself.

Myself have often heard him say and swear

That this his love was an eternal plant,

Whereof the root was fix’d in virtue’s ground,

The leaves and fruit maintain’d with beauty’s sun,

Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,

Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain.

K. Lew.

Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.

Bona.

Your grant, or your denial, shall be mine:

[ToWarwick.] Yet I confess that often ere this day,

When I have heard your king’s desert recounted,

Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire.

K. Lew.

Then, Warwick, thus: our sister shall be Edward’s;

And now forthwith shall articles be drawn

Touching the jointure that your king must make,

Which with her dowry shall be counterpois’d.

Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness

That Bona shall be wife to the English king.

Prince.

To Edward, but not to the English king.

Q. Mar.

Deceitful Warwick! it was thy device

By this alliance to make void my suit:

Before thy coming Lewis was Henry’s friend.

K. Lew.

And still is friend to him and Margaret:

But if your title to the crown be weak,

As may appear by Edward’s good success,

Then ’tis but reason that I be releas’d

From giving aid which late I promised.

Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand

That your estate requires and mine can yield.

War.

Henry now lives in Scotland at his ease,

Where having nothing, nothing can he lose.

And as for you yourself, our quondam queen,

You have a father able to maintain you,

And better ’twere you troubled him than France.

Q. Mar.

Peace! impudent and shameless Warwick, peace;

Proud setter up and puller down of kings;

I will not hence, till, with my talk and tears,

Both full of truth, I make King Lewis behold

Thy sly conveyance and thy lord’s false love;

For both of you are birds of self-same feather.

[A horn winded within.

K. Lew.

Warwick, this is some post to us or thee.

Enter a Post.

Mess.

My lord ambassador, these letters are for you,

Sent from your brother, Marquess Montague:

These from our king unto your majesty;

[ToMargaret.] And, madam, these for you; from whom I know not.

[They all read their letters.

Oxf.

I like it well that our fair queen and mistress

Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his.

Prince.

Nay, mark how Lewis stamps as he were nettled:

I hope all’s for the best.

K. Lew.

Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen?

Q. Mar.

Mine, such as fill my heart with unhop’d joys.

War.

Mine, full of sorrow and heart’s discontent.

K. Lew.

What! has your king married the Lady Grey?

And now, to soothe your forgery and his,

Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?

Is this the alliance that he seeks with France?

Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?

Q. Mar.

I told your majesty as much before:

This proveth Edward’s love and Warwick’s honesty.

War.

King Lewis, I here protest, in sight of heaven,

And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,

That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward’s;

No more my king, for he dishonours me;

But most himself, if he could see his shame.

Did I forget that by the house of York

My father came untimely to his death?

Did I let pass the abuse done to my niece?

Did I impale him with the regal crown?

Did I put Henry from his native right?

And am I guerdon’d at the last with shame?

Shame on himself! for my desert is honour:

And, to repair my honour, lost for him,

I here renounce him and return to Henry.

My noble queen, let former grudges pass,

And henceforth I am thy true servitor.

I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona,

And replant Henry in his former state.

Q. Mar.

Warwick, these words have turn’d my hate to love;

And I forgive and quite forget old faults,

And joy that thou becom’st King Henry’s friend.

War.

So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend,

That, if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us

With some few bands of chosen soldiers,

I’ll undertake to land them on our coast,

And force the tyrant from his seat by war.

’Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him:

And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me,

He’s very likely now to fall from him,

For matching more for wanton lust than honour,

Or than for strength and safety of our country.

Bona.

Dear brother, how shall Bona be reveng’d,

But by thy help to this distressed queen?

Q. Mar.

Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live,

Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?

Bona.

My quarrel and this English queen’s are one.

War.

And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours.

K. Lew.

And mine with hers, and thine and Margaret’s.

Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv’d

You shall have aid.

Q. Mar.

Let me give humble thanks for all at once.

K. Lew.

Then, England’s messenger, return in post,

And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,

That Lewis of France is sending over masquers,

To revel it with him and his new bride.

Thou seest what’s past; go fear thy king withal.

Bona.

Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,

I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.

Q. Mar.

Tell him, my mourning weeds are laid aside,

And I am ready to put armour on.

War.

Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong,

And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.

There’s thy reward: be gone.

[Exit Messenger.

K. Lew.

But, Warwick,

Thou and Oxford, with five thousand men,

Shall cross the seas, and bid false Edward battle;

And, as occasion serves, this noble queen

And prince shall follow with a fresh supply.

Yet ere thou go, but answer me one doubt:

What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?

War.

This shall assure my constant loyalty:

That if our queen and this young prince agree,

I’ll join mine eldest daughter and my joy

To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.

Q. Mar.

Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.

Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,

Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick;

And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable,

That only Warwick’s daughter shall be thine.

Prince.

Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it;

And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand.

[He gives his hand toWarwick.

K. Lew.

Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied,

And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral,

Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.

I long till Edward fall by war’s mischance,

For mocking marriage with a dame of France.

[Exeunt all exceptWarwick.

War.

I came from Edward as ambassador,

But I return his sworn and mortal foe:

Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,

But dreadful war shall answer his demand.

Had he none else to make a stale but me?

Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.

I was the chief that rais’d him to the crown,

And I’ll be chief to bring him down again:

Not that I pity Henry’s misery,

But seek revenge on Edward’s mockery.

[Exit.

ACT IV.

Scene I.—

London. A Room in the Palace.

EnterGloucester, Clarence, Somerset, Montague,and Others.

Glo.

Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you

Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey?

Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?

Clar.

Alas! you know, ’tis far from hence to France;

How could he stay till Warwick made return?

Som.

My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king.

Glo.

And his well-chosen bride.

Clar.

I mind to tell him plainly what I think.

Flourish. EnterKing Edward,attended;Lady Grey,as Queen;Pembroke, Stafford, Hastings,and Others.

K. Edw.

Now, brother Clarence, how like you our choice,

That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?

Clar.

As well as Lewis of France, or the Earl of Warwick;

Which are so weak of courage and in judgment

That they’ll take no offence at our abuse.

K. Edw.

Suppose they take offence without a cause,

They are but Lewis and Warwick: I am Edward,

Your king and Warwick’s, and must have my will.

Glo.

And you shall have your will, because our king:

Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.

K. Edw.

Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?

Glo.

Not I:

No, God forbid, that I should wish them sever’d

Whom God hath join’d together; ay, and ’twere pity

To sunder them that yoke so well together.

K. Edw.

Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,

Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey

Should not become my wife and England’s queen:

And you too, Somerset and Montague,

Speak freely what you think.

Clar.

Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis

Becomes your enemy for mocking him

About the marriage of the Lady Bona.

Glo.

And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,

Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

K. Edw.

What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas’d

By such invention as I can devise?

Mont.

Yet to have join’d with France in such alliance

Would more have strengthen’d this our commonwealth

’Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage.

Hast.

Why, knows not Montague, that of itself

England is safe, if true within itself?

Mont.

Yes; but the safer when ’tis back’d with France.

Hast.

’Tis better using France than trusting France:

Let us be back’d with God and with the seas

Which he hath given for fence impregnable,

And with their helps only defend ourselves:

In them and in ourselves our safety lies.

Clar.

For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves

To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.

K. Edw.

Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant;

And for this once my will shall stand for law.

Glo.

And yet methinks your Grace hath not done well,

To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales

Unto the brother of your loving bride:

She better would have fitted me or Clarence:

But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

Clar.

Or else you would not have bestow’d the heir

Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife’s son,

And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

K. Edw.

Alas, poor Clarence, is it for a wife

That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

Clar.

In choosing for yourself you show’d your judgment,

Which being shallow, you shall give me leave

To play the broker on mine own behalf;

And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.

K. Edw.

Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king,

And not be tied unto his brother’s will.

Q. Eliz.

My lords, before it pleas’d his majesty

To raise my state to title of a queen,

Do me but right, and you must all-confess

That I was not ignoble of descent;

And meaner than myself have had like fortune.

But as this title honours me and mine,

So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,

Do cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.

K. Edw.

My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns:

What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,

So long as Edward is thy constant friend,

And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?

Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,

Unless they seek for hatred at my hands;

Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,

And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

Glo.

[Aside.] I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.

Enter a Messenger.

K. Edw.

Now, messenger, what letters or what news

From France?

Mess.

My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words;

But such as I, without your special pardon,

Dare not relate.

K. Edw.

Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief,

Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them.

What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?

Mess.

At my depart these were his very words:

‘Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,

That Lewis of France is sending over masquers,

To revel it with him and his new bride.’

K. Edw.

Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry.

But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?

Mess.

These were her words, utter’d with mild disdain:

‘Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,

I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.’

K. Edw.

I blame not her, she could say little less;

She had the wrong. But what said Henry’s queen?

For I have heard that she was there in place.

Mess.

‘Tell him,’ quoth she, ‘my mourning weeds are done,

And I am ready to put armour on.’

K. Edw.

Belike she minds to play the Amazon.

But what said Warwick to these injuries?

Mess.

He, more incens’d against your majesty

Than all the rest, discharg’d me with these words:

‘Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,

And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.’

K. Edw.

Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?

Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn’d:

They shall have wars, and pay for their presumption.

But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

Mess.

Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link’d in friendship,

That young Prince Edward marries Warwick’s daughter.

Clar.

Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger.

Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,

For I will hence to Warwick’s other daughter;

That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage

I may not prove inferior to yourself.

You, that love me and Warwick, follow me.

[ExitClarence,andSomersetfollows.

Glo.

[Aside.] Not I.

My thoughts aim at a further matter; I

Stay not for love of Edward, but the crown.

K. Edw.

Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!

Yet am I arm’d against the worst can happen,

And haste is needful in this desperate case.

Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf

Go levy men, and make prepare for war:

They are already, or quickly will be landed:

Myself in person will straight follow you,

[ExeuntPembrokeandStafford.

But ere I go, Hastings and Montague,

Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,

Are near to Warwick by blood, and by alliance:

Tell me if you love Warwick more than me?

If it be so, then both depart to him;

I rather wish you foes than hollow friends:

But if you mind to hold your true obedience,

Give me assurance with some friendly vow

That I may never have you in suspect.

Mont.

So God help Montague as he proves true!

Hast.

And Hastings as he favours Edward’s cause!

K. Edw.

Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

Glo.

Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.

K. Edw.

Why, so! then am I sure of victory.

Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour

Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.

[Exeunt.

Scene II.—

A Plain in Warwickshire.

EnterWarwickandOxford,with French and other Forces.

War.

Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;

The common people by numbers swarm to us.

EnterClarenceandSomerset.

But see where Somerset and Clarence come!

Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?

Clar.

Fear not that, my lord.

War.

Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick;

And welcome, Somerset: I hold it cowardice,

To rest mistrustful where a noble heart

Hath pawn’d an open hand in sign of love;

Else might I think that Clarence, Edward’s brother,

Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings:

But welcome, sweet Clarence; my daughter shall be thine.

And now what rests, but in night’s coverture,

Thy brother being carelessly encamp’d,

His soldiers lurking in the towns about,

And but attended by a simple guard,

We may surprise and take him at our pleasure?

Our scouts have found the adventure very easy.

That as Ulysses, and stout Diomede,

With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus’ tents,

And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds;

So we, well cover’d with the night’s black mantle,

At unawares may beat down Edward’s guard,

And seize himself; I say not, slaughter him,

For I intend but only to surprise him.

You, that will follow me to this attempt,

Applaud the name of Henry with your leader.

[They all cry ‘Henry!’

Why, then, let’s on our way in silent sort.

For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!

[Exeunt.

Scene III.—

Edward’sCamp near Warwick.

Enter certain Watchmen to guard theKing’stent.

First Watch.

Come on, my masters, each man take his stand;

The king, by this, is set him down to sleep.

Sec. Watch.

What, will he not to bed?

First Watch.

Why, no: for he hath made a solemn vow

Never to lie and take his natural rest

Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress’d.

Sec. Watch.

To-morrow then belike shall be the day,

If Warwick be so near as men report.

Third Watch.

But say, I pray, what nobleman is that

That with the king here resteth in his tent?

First Watch.

’Tis the Lord Hastings, the king’s chiefest friend.

Third Watch.

O! is it so? But why commands the king

That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,

While he himself keeps in the cold field?

Sec. Watch.

’Tis the more honour, because the more dangerous.

Third Watch.

Ay, but give me worship and quietness;

I like it better than a dangerous honour.

If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,

’Tis to be doubted he would waken him.

First Watch.

Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

Sec. Watch.

Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent,

But to defend his person from night-foes?

EnterWarwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset,and Forces.

War.

This is his tent; and see where stand his guard.

Courage, my masters! honour now or never!

But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

First Watch.

Who goes there?

Sec. Watch.

Stay, or thou diest.

[Warwickand the rest cry all, ‘Warwick! Warwick!’ and set upon the Guard; who fly, crying, ‘Arm! Arm!’ Warwickand the rest following them.

Drums beating, and Trumpets sounding, re-enterWarwickand the rest, bringing theKingout in his gown, sitting in a chair.GloucesterandHastingsfly over the stage.

Som.

What are they that fly there?

War.

Richard and Hastings: let them go; here’s the duke.

K. Edw.

The duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted last,

Thou call’dst me king!

War.

Ay, but the case is alter’d:

When you disgrac’d me in my embassade,

Then I degraded you from being king,

And come now to create you Duke of York.

Alas! how should you govern any kingdom,

That know not how to use ambassadors,

Nor how to be contented with one wife,

Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,

Nor how to study for the people’s welfare,

Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?

K. Edw.

Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too?

Nay, then, I see that Edward needs must down.

Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,

Of thee thyself, and all thy complices,

Edward will always bear himself as king:

Though Fortune’s malice overthrow my state,

My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.

War.

Then, for his mind, be Edward England’s king:

[Takes off his crown.

But Henry now shall wear the English crown,

And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow.

My Lord of Somerset, at my request,

See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey’d

Unto my brother, Archbishop of York.

When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,

I’ll follow you, and tell what answer

Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him:

Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York.

K. Edw.

What fates impose, that men must needs abide;

It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

[Exit, led out;Somersetwith him.

Oxf.

What now remains, my lords, for us to do,

But march to London with our soldiers?

War.

Ay, that’s the first thing that we have to do;

To free King Henry from imprisonment,

And see him seated in the regal throne.

[Exeunt.

Scene IV.—

London. A Room in the Palace.

EnterQueen ElizabethandRivers.

Riv.

Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?

Q Eliz.

Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn,

What late misfortune is befall’n King Edward?

Riv.

What! loss of some pitch’d battle against Warwick?

Q. Eliz.

No, but the loss of his own royal person.

Riv.

Then is my sovereign slain?

Q. Eliz.

Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner;

Either betray’d by falsehood of his guard

Or by his foe surpris’d at unawares:

And, as I further have to understand,

Is new committed to the Bishop of York,

Fell Warwick’s brother, and by that our foe.

Riv.

These news, I must confess, are full of grief;

Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may:

Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.

Q. Eliz.

Till then fair hope must hinder life’s decay.

And I the rather wean me from despair

For love of Edward’s offspring in my womb:

This is it that makes me bridle passion,

And bear with mildness my misfortune’s cross;

Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,

And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,

Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown

King Edward’s fruit, true heir to the English crown.

Riv.

But, madam, where is Warwick then become?

Q. Eliz.

I am inform’d that he comes towards London,

To set the crown once more on Henry’s head:

Guess thou the rest; King Edward’s friends must down.

But, to prevent the tyrant’s violence,—

For trust not him that hath once broken faith,—

I’ll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,

To save at least the heir of Edward’s right:

There shall I rest secure from force and fraud.

Come, therefore; let us fly while we may fly:

If Warwick take us we are sure to die.

[Exeunt.

Scene V.—

A Park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire.

EnterGloucester, Hastings, Sir William Stanley,and Others.

Glo.

Now, my Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley,

Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,

Into this chiefest thicket of the park.

Thus stands the case. You know, our king, my brother,

Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands

He hath good usage and great liberty,

And often but attended with weak guard,

Comes hunting this way to disport himself.

I have advertis’d him by secret means,

That if about this hour he make this way,

Under the colour of his usual game,

He shall here find his friends, with horse and men

To set him free from his captivity.

EnterKing Edwardand a Huntsman.

Hunt.

This way, my lord, for this way lies the game.

K. Edw.

Nay, this way, man: see where the huntsmen stand.

Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and the rest,

Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop’s deer?

Glo.

Brother, the time and case requireth haste.

Your horse stands ready at the park corner.

K. Edw.

But whither shall we then?

Hast.

To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence to Flanders.

Glo.

Well guess’d, believe me; for that was my meaning.

K. Edw.

Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness.

Glo.

But wherefore stay we? ’tis no time to talk.

K. Edw.

Huntsman, what sayst thou? wilt thou go along?

Hunt.

Better do so than tarry and be hang’d.

Glo.

Come then, away; let’s ha’ no more ado.

K. Edw.

Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick’s frown,

And pray that I may repossess the crown.

[Exeunt.

Scene VI.—

A Room in the Tower.

EnterKing Henry, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset,youngRichmond, Oxford, Montague, Lieutenant of the Tower, and Attendants.

K. Hen.

Master lieutenant, now that God and friends

Have shaken Edward from the regal seat,

And turn’d my captive state to liberty,

My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys,

At our enlargement what are thy due fees?

Lieu.

Subjects may challenge nothing of their sovereigns;

But if a humble prayer may prevail,

I then crave pardon of your majesty.

K. Hen.

For what, lieutenant? for well using me?

Nay, be thou sure, I’ll well requite thy kindness,

For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure;

Ay, such a pleasure as encaged birds

Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts

At last by notes of household harmony

They quite forget their loss of liberty.

But, Warwick, after God, thou set’st me free,

And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee;

He was the author, thou the instrument.

Therefore, that I may conquer Fortune’s spite

By living low, where Fortune cannot hurt me,

And that the people of this blessed land

May not be punish’d with my thwarting stars,

Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,

I here resign my government to thee,

For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

War.

Your Grace hath still been fam’d for virtuous;

And now may seem as wise as virtuous,

By spying and avoiding Fortune’s malice;

For few men rightly temper with the stars:

Yet in this one thing let me blame your Grace,

For choosing me when Clarence is in place.

Clar.

No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,

To whom the heavens, in thy nativity

Adjudg’d an olive branch and laurel crown,

As likely to be blest in peace, and war;

And therefore I yield thee my free consent.

War.

And I choose Clarence only for protector.

K. Hen

Warwick and Clarence, give me both your hands:

Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts,

That no dissension hinder government:

I make you both protectors of this land,

While I myself will lead a private life,

And in devotion spend my latter days,

To sin’s rebuke and my Creator’s praise.

War.

What answers Clarence to his sovereign’s will?

Clar.

That he consents, if Warwick yield consent;

For on thy fortune I repose myself.

War.

Why then, though loath, yet must I be content:

We’ll yoke together, like a double shadow

To Henry’s body, and supply his place;

I mean, in bearing weight of government,

While he enjoys the honour and his ease.

And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful

Forthwith that Edward be pronounc’d a traitor,

And all his lands and goods be confiscate.

Clar.

What else? and that succession be determin’d.

War.

Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part.

K. Hen.

But, with the first of all your chief affairs,

Let me entreat, for I command no more,

That Margaret your queen, and my son Edward,

Be sent for, to return from France with speed:

For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear

My joy of liberty is half eclips’d.

Clar.

It shall be done, my sov’reign, with all speed.

K. Hen.

My Lord of Somerset, what youth is that

Of whom you seem to have so tender care?

Som.

My liege, it is young Henry, Earl of Richmond.

K. Hen.

Come hither, England’s hope: [Lays his hand on his head.] If secret powers

Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,

This pretty lad will prove our country’s bliss.

His looks are full of peaceful majesty,

His head by nature fram’d to wear a crown,

His hand to wield a sceptre, and himself

Likely in time to bless a regal throne.

Make much of him, my lords; for this is he

Must help you more than you are hurt by me.

Enter a Post.

War.

What news, my friend?

Mess.

That Edward is escaped from your brother,

And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

War.

Unsavoury news! but how made he escape?

Mess.

He was convey’d by Richard Duke of Gloucester,

And the Lord Hastings, who attended him

In secret ambush on the forest side,

And from the bishop’s huntsmen rescu’d him:

For hunting was his daily exercise.

War.

My brother was too careless of his charge.

But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide

A salve for any sore that may betide.

[ExeuntKing Henry, Warwick, Clarence, Lieutenant, and Attendant.

Som.

My lord, I like not of this flight of Edward’s;

For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help,

And we shall have more wars before’t be long.

As Henry’s late presaging prophecy

Did glad my heart with hope of this young Richmond,

So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts

What may befall him to his harm and ours:

Therefore, Lord Oxford, to prevent the worst,

Forthwith we’ll send him hence to Brittany,

Till storms be past of civil enmity.

Oxf.

Ay, for if Edward repossess the crown,

’Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down.

Som.

It shall be so; he shall to Brittany.

Come, therefore, let’s about it speedily.

[Exeunt.

Scene VII.—

Before York.

EnterKing Edward, Gloucester, Hastings,and Forces.

K. Edw.

Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,

Yet thus far Fortune maketh us amends,

And says, that once more I shall interchange

My waned state for Henry’s regal crown.

Well have we pass’d, and now repass’d the seas,

And brought desired help from Burgundy:

What then remains, we being thus arriv’d

From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York,

But that we enter, as into our dukedom?

Glo.

The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this;

For many men that stumble at the threshold

Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

K. Edw.

Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us.

By fair or foul means we must enter in,

For hither will our friends repair to us.

Hast.

My liege, I’ll knock once more to summon them.

Enter, on the Walls, the Mayor of York and his Brethren.

May

My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,

And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;

For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

K. Edw.

But, Master Mayor, if Henry be your king,

Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.

May.

True, my good lord, I know you for no less.

K. Edw.

Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,

As being well content with that alone.

Glo.

[Aside.] But when the fox hath once got in his nose,

He’ll soon find means to make the body follow.

Hast.

Why, Master Mayor, why stand you in a doubt?

Open the gates; we are King Henry’s friends.

May

Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open’d.

[Exit, with Aldermen, above.

Glo

A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded.

Hast.

The good old man would fain that all were well,

So ’twere not ’long of him; but being enter’d,

I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade

Both him and all his brothers unto reason.

Re-enter the Mayor and two Aldermen.

K. Edw.

So, Master Mayor: these gates must not be shut

But in the night, or in the time of war.

What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;

[Takes his keys.

For Edward will defend the town and thee,

And all those friends that deign to follow me.

EnterMontgomeryand Forces.

Glo.

Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,

Our trusty friend, unless I be deceiv’d.

K. Edw.

Welcome, Sir John! but why come you in arms?

Mont.

To help King Edward in his time of storm,

As every loyal subject ought to do.

K. Edw.

Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget

Our title to the crown, and only claim

Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.

Mont.

Then fare you well, for I will hence again:

I came to serve a king and not a duke.

Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.

[A march begun.

K. Edw.

Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile; and we’ll debate

By what safe means the crown may be recover’d.

Mont.

What talk you of debating? in few words,

If you’ll not here proclaim yourself our king.

I’ll leave you to your fortune, and be gone

To keep them back that come to succour you.

Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title?

Glo.

Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?

K. Edw.

When we grow stronger then we’ll make our claim;

Till then, ’tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.

Hast.

Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

Glo.

And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.

Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;

The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.

K. Edw.

Then be it as you will; for ’tis my right,

And Henry but usurps the diadem.

Mont.

Ay, now my sov’reign speaketh like himself;

And now will I be Edward’s champion.

Hast.

Sound, trumpet! Edward shall be here proclaim’d;

Come, fellow soldier, make thou proclamation.

[Gives him a paper. Flourish.

Sold.

Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, &c.

Mont.

And whosoe’er gainsays King Edward’s right,

By this I challenge him to single fight.

[Throws down his gauntlet.

All.

Long live Edward the Fourth!

K. Edw.

Thanks, brave Montgomery;—and thanks unto you all:

If Fortune serve me, I’ll requite this kindness.

Now, for this night, let’s harbour here in York;

And when the morning sun shall raise his car

Above the border of this horizon,

We’ll forward towards Warwick, and his mates;

For well I wot that Henry is no soldier.

Ah, froward Clarence, how evil it beseems thee

To flatter Henry, and forsake thy brother!

Yet, as we may, we’ll meet both thee and Warwick.

Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day;

And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.

[Exeunt.

Scene VIII.—

London. A Room in the Palace.

Flourish. EnterKing Henry, Warwick, Clarence, Montague, Exeter,andOxford.

War

What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia,

With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders,

Hath pass’d in safety through the narrow seas,

And with his troops doth march amain to London;

And many giddy people flock to him.

Oxf.

Let’s levy men, and beat him back again.

Clar.

A little fire is quickly trodden out,

Which, being suffer’d, rivers cannot quench.

War.

In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends,

Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war;

Those will I muster up: and thou, son Clarence,

Shalt stir up in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent,

The knights and gentlemen to come with thee:

Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,

Northampton, and in Leicestershire, shalt find

Men well inclin’d to hear what thou command’st:

And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well belov’d

In Oxfordshire, shalt muster up thy friends.

My sov’reign, with the loving citizens,

Like to his island girt in with the ocean,

Or modest Dian circled with her nymphs,

Shall rest in London till we come to him.

Fair lords, take leave, and stand not to reply.

Farewell, my sovereign.

K. Hen.

Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy’s true hope.

Clar.

In sign of truth, I kiss your highness’ hand.

K. Hen.

Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate!

Mont.

Comfort, my lord; and so, I take my leave.

Oxf.

[KissingHenry’shand.] And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu.

K. Hen.

Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague,

And all at once, once more a happy farewell.

War.

Farewell, sweet lords: let’s meet at Coventry.

[Exeunt all butKing HenryandExeter.

K. Hen.

Here at the palace will I rest awhile.

Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?

Methinks the power that Edward hath in field

Should not be able to encounter mine.

Exe.

The doubt is that he will seduce the rest.

K. Hen.

That’s not my fear; my meed hath got me fame:

I have not stopp’d mine ears to their demands,

Nor posted off their suits with slow delays;

My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds,

My mildness hath allay’d their swelling griefs,

My mercy dried their water-flowing tears;

I have not been desirous of their wealth;

Nor much oppress’d them with great subsidies,

Nor forward of revenge, though they much err’d.

Then why should they love Edward more than me?

No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace:

And, when the lion fawns upon the lamb,

The lamb will never cease to follow him.

[Shout within, ‘A Lancaster! A Lancaster!’

Exe.

Hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these?

EnterKing Edward, Gloucester,and Soldiers.

K. Edw.

Seize on the shame-fac’d Henry! bear him hence:

And once again proclaim us King of England.

You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow:

Now stops thy spring; my sea shall suck them dry,

And swell so much the higher by their ebb.

Hence with him to the Tower! let him not speak.

[Exeunt some withKing Henry.

And, lords, towards Coventry bend we our course,

Where peremptory Warwick now remains:

The sun shines hot; and, if we use delay,

Cold biting winter mars our hop’d-for hay.

Glo.

Away betimes, before his forces join,

And take the great-grown traitor unawares:

Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.

[Exeunt.

ACT V.

Scene I.—

Coventry.

Enter, upon the Walls,Warwick,the Mayor of Coventry, two Messengers, and Others.

War.

Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford?

How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow?

First Mess.

By this at Dunsmore, marching hitherward.

War.

How far off is our brother Montague?

Where is the post that came from Montague?

Sec. Mess.

By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop.

EnterSir John Somerville.

War.

Say, Somerville, what says my loving son?

And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now?

Som.

At Southam I did leave him with his forces,

And do expect him here some two hours hence.

[Drum heard.

War.

Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum.

Som.

It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies:

The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick.

War.

Who should that be? belike, unlook’d for friends.

Som.

They are at hand, and you shall quickly know.

EnterKing Edward, Gloucester,and Forces.

K. Edw.

Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle.

Glo.

See how the surly Warwick mans the wall.

War.

O, unbid spite! is sportful Edward come?

Where slept our scouts, or how are they seduc’d,

That we could hear no news of his repair?

K. Edw

Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates,

Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?—

Call Edward king, and at his hands beg mercy?

And he shall pardon thee these outrages.

War.

Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence,—

Confess who set thee up and pluck’d thee down?—

Call Warwick patron, and be penitent;

And thou shalt still remain the Duke of York.

Glo.

I thought, at least, he would have said the king;

Or did he make the jest against his will?

War.

Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift?

Glo.

Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give:

I’ll do thee service for so good a gift.

War.

’Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother.

K. Edw.

Why then ’tis mine, if but by Warwick’s gift.

War.

Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight:

And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again;

And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject.

K. Edw.

But Warwick’s king is Edward’s prisoner;

And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this,

What is the body, when the head is off?

Glo.

Alas! that Warwick had no more forecast,

But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten,

The king was slily finger’d from the deck.

You left poor Henry at the bishop’s palace,

And, ten to one, you’ll meet him in the Tower.

K. Edw.

’Tis even so: yet you are Warwick still.

Glo.

Come, Warwick, take the time; kneel down, kneel down:

Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools.

War.

I had rather chop this hand off at a blow,

And with the other fling it at thy face,

Than bear so low a sail to strike to thee.

K. Edw.

Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend;

This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair,

Shall, whiles thy head is warm and new cut off,

Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood:

‘Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more.’

EnterOxford,with Soldiers, drum, and colours.

War.

O cheerful colours! see where Oxford comes!

Oxf.

Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster!

[He and his Forces enter the city.

Glo.

The gates are open, let us enter too.

K. Edw.

So other foes may set upon our backs.

Stand we in good array; for they no doubt

Will issue out again and bid us battle:

If not, the city being but of small defence,

We’ll quickly rouse the traitors in the same.

War.

O! welcome, Oxford! for we want thy help.

EnterMontague,with Soldiers, drum, and colours.

Mont.

Montague, Montague, for Lancaster!

[He and his Forces enter the city.

Glo.

Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason

Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear.

K. Edw.

The harder match’d, the greater victory:

My mind presageth happy gain, and conquest.

EnterSomerset,with Soldiers, drum, and colours.

Som.

Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!

[He and his Forces enter the city.

Glo.

Two of thy name, both Dukes of Somerset,

Have sold their lives unto the house of York;

And thou shalt be the third, if this sword hold.

EnterClarence,with Forces, drum, and colours.

War.

And lo! where George of Clarence sweeps along,

Of force enough to bid his brother battle;

With whom an upright zeal to right prevails

More than the nature of a brother’s love.

Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick call.

Clar.

Father of Warwick, know you what this means?

[Taking the red rose out of his hat.

Look here, I throw my infamy at thee:

I will not ruinate my father’s house,

Who gave his blood to lime the stones together,

And set up Lancaster. Why, trow’st thou, Warwick,

That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural,

To bend the fatal instruments of war

Against his brother and his lawful king?

Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath:

To keep that oath were more impiety

Than Jephthah’s, when he sacrific’d his daughter.

I am so sorry for my trespass made

That, to deserve well at my brother’s hands,

I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe;

With resolution, wheresoe’er I meet thee—

As I will meet thee if thou stir abroad—

To plague thee for thy foul misleading me.

And so, proud-hearted Warwick, I defy thee,

And to my brother turn my blushing cheeks.

Pardon me, Edward, I will make amends;

And, Richard, do not frown upon my faults,

For I will henceforth be no more unconstant.

K. Edw.

Now welcome more, and ten times more belov’d,

Than if thou never hadst deserv’d our hate.

Glo.

Welcome, good Clarence; this is brother-like.

War.

O passing traitor, perjur’d, and unjust!

K. Edw.

What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the town, and fight?

Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears?

War.

Alas! I am not coop’d here for defence:

I will away towards Barnet presently,

And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou dar’st.

K. Edw.

Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads the way.

Lords, to the field; Saint George and victory!

[March. Exeunt.

Scene II.—

A Field of Battle near Barnet.

Alarums and Excursions. EnterKing Edward,bringing inWarwick,wounded.

K. Edw.

So, lie thou there: die thou, and die our fear;

For Warwick was a bug that fear’d us all.

Now Montague, sit fast; I seek for thee,

That Warwick’s bones may keep thine company.

[Exit.

War.

Ah! who is nigh? come to me, friend or foe,

And tell me who is victor, York or Warwick?

Why ask I that? my mangled body shows,

My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart shows,

That I must yield my body to the earth,

And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe.

Thus yields the cedar to the axe’s edge,

Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle,

Under whose shade the ramping lion slept,

Whose top branch overpeer’d Jove’s spreading tree,

And kept low shrubs from winter’s powerful wind.

These eyes, that now are dimm’d with death’s black veil,

Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun,

To search the secret treasons of the world:

The wrinkles in my brows, now fill’d with blood,

Were liken’d oft to kingly sepulchres;

For who liv’d king, but I could dig his grave?

And who durst smile when Warwick bent his brow?

Lo! now my glory smear’d in dust and blood;

My parks, my walks, my manors that I had,

Even now forsake me; and, of all my lands

Is nothing left me but my body’s length.

Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?

And, live we how we can, yet die we must.

EnterOxfordandSomerset.

Som.

Ah! Warwick, Warwick, wert thou as we are,

We might recover all our loss again.

The queen from France hath brought a puissant power;

Even now we heard the news. Ah! couldst thou fly.

War.

Why, then, I would not fly. Ah! Montague,

If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand,

And with thy lips keep in my soul awhile.

Thou lov’st me not; for, brother, if thou didst,

Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood

That glues my lips and will not let me speak.

Come quickly, Montague, or I am dead.

Som.

Ah! Warwick, Montague hath breath’d his last;

And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick,

And said, ‘Commend me to my valiant brother.’

And more he would have said; and more he spoke,

Which sounded like a clamour in a vault,

That mought not be distinguish’d: but at last

I well might hear, deliver’d with a groan,

‘O! farewell, Warwick!’

War.

Sweet rest his soul! Fly, lords, and save yourselves;

For Warwick bids you all farewell, to meet in heaven.

[Dies.

Oxf.

Away, away, to meet the queen’s great power.

[Exeunt, bearing offWarwick’sbody.

Scene III.—

Another Part of the Field.

Flourish. EnterKing Edward,in triumph: withClarence, Gloucester,and the rest.

K. Edw.

Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course,

And we are grac’d with wreaths of victory.

But in the midst of this bright-shining day,

I spy a black, suspicious, threat’ning cloud,

That will encounter with our glorious sun,

Ere he attain his easeful western bed:

I mean, my lords, those powers that the queen

Hath rais’d in Gallia, have arriv’d our coast,

And, as we hear, march on to fight with us.

Clar.

A little gale will soon disperse that cloud,

And blow it to the source from whence it came:

Thy very beams will dry those vapours up,

For every cloud engenders not a storm.

Glo.

The queen is valu’d thirty thousand strong,

And Somerset, with Oxford, fled to her:

If she have time to breathe, be well assur’d

Her faction will be full as strong as ours.

K. Edw.

We are advertis’d by our loving friends

That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury.

We, having now the best at Barnet field,

Will thither straight, for willingness rids way;

And, as we march, our strength will be augmented

In every county as we go along.

Strike up the drum! cry ‘Courage!’ and away.

[Flourish. Exeunt.

Scene IV.—

Plains near Tewksbury.

March. EnterQueen Margaret, Prince Edward, Somerset, Oxford,and Soldiers.

Q. Mar.

Great lords, wise men ne’er sit and wail their loss,

But cheerly seek how to redress their harms.

What though the mast be now blown over-board,

The cable broke, the holding anchor lost,

And half our sailors swallow’d in the flood?

Yet lives our pilot still: is’t meet that he

Should leave the helm and like a fearful lad

With tearful eyes add water to the sea,

And give more strength to that which hath too much;

Whiles in his moan the ship splits on the rock,

Which industry and courage might have sav’d?

Ah! what a shame! ah, what a fault were this.

Say, Warwick was our anchor; what of that?

And Montague our top-mast; what of him?

Our slaughter’d friends the tackles; what of these?

Why, is not Oxford here another anchor?

And Somerset, another goodly mast?

The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings?

And, though unskilful, why not Ned and I

For once allow’d the skilful pilot’s charge?

We will not from the helm, to sit and weep,

But keep our course, though the rough wind say no,

From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wrack.

As good to chide the waves as speak them fair.

And what is Edward but a ruthless sea?

What Clarence but a quicksand of deceit?

And Richard but a ragged fatal rock?

All those the enemies to our poor bark.

Say you can swim; alas! ’tis but a while:

Tread on the sand; why, there you quickly sink:

Bestride the rock; the tide will wash you off,

Or else you famish; that’s a threefold death.

This speak I, lords, to let you understand,

In case some one of you would fly from us,

That there’s no hop’d-for mercy with the brothers

More than with ruthless waves, with sands and rocks.

Why, courage, then! what cannot be avoided

’Twere childish weakness to lament or fear.

Prince.

Methinks a woman of this valiant spirit

Should, if a coward heard her speak these words,

Infuse his breast with magnanimity,

And make him, naked, foil a man at arms.

I speak not this, as doubting any here;

For did I but suspect a fearful man,

He should have leave to go away betimes,

Lest in our need he might infect another,

And make him of like spirit to himself.

If any such be here, as God forbid!

Let him depart before we need his help.

Oxf.

Women and children of so high a courage,

And warriors faint! why, ’twere perpetual shame.

O brave young prince! thy famous grandfather

Doth live again in thee: long mayst thou live

To bear his image and renew his glories!

Som.

And he, that will not fight for such a hope,

Go home to bed, and, like the owl by day,

If he arise, be mock’d and wonder’d at.

Q. Mar.

Thanks, gentle Somerset: sweet Oxford, thanks.

Prince.

And take his thanks that yet hath nothing else.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand,

Ready to fight; therefore be resolute.

Oxf.

I thought no less: it is his policy

To haste thus fast, to find us unprovided.

Som.

But he’s deceiv’d; we are in readiness.

Q. Mar.

This cheers my heart to see your forwardness.

Oxf.

Here pitch our battle; hence we will not budge.

March. Enter, at a distance,King Edward, Clarence, Gloucester,and Forces.

K. Edw.

Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood,

Which, by the heavens’ assistance, and your strength,

Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night.

I need not add more fuel to your fire,

For well I wot ye blaze to burn them out:

Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords.

Q. Mar.

Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I should say

My tears gainsay; for every word I speak,

Ye see, I drink the water of mine eyes.

Therefore, no more but this: Henry, your sovereign,

Is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp’d,

His realm a slaughter house, his subjects slain,

His statutes cancell’d, and his treasure spent;

And yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil.

You fight in justice: then, in God’s name, lords,

Be valiant, and give signal to the fight.

[Exeunt both armies.

Scene V.—

Another Part of the Same.

Alarums: Excursions: and afterwards a retreat. Then enterKing Edward, Clarence, Gloucester,and Forces; withQueen Margaret, Oxford,andSomersetprisoners.

K. Edw.

Now, here a period of tumultuous broils.

Away with Oxford to Hames Castle straight:

For Somerset, off with his guilty head.

Go, bear them hence; I will not hear them speak.

Oxf.

For my part, I’ll not trouble thee with words.

Som.

Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune.

[ExeuntOxfordandSomerset,guarded.

Q. Mar.

So part we sadly in this troublous world,

To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem.

K. Edw.

Is proclamation made, that who finds Edward

Shall have a high reward, and he his life?

Glo.

It is: and lo, where youthful Edward comes.

Enter Soldiers, withPrince Edward.

K. Edw.

Bring forth the gallant: let us hear him speak.

What! can so young a thorn begin to prick?

Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make,

For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects,

And all the trouble thou hast turn’d me to?

Prince.

Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York!

Suppose that I am now my father’s mouth:

Resign thy chair, and where I stand kneel thou,

Whilst I propose the self-same words to thee,

Which, traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to.

Q. Mar.

Ah! that thy father had been so resolv’d.

Glo.

That you might still have worn the petticoat,

And ne’er have stol’n the breech from Lancaster.

Prince.

Let Æsop fable in a winter’s night;

His currish riddles sort not with this place.

Glo.

By heaven, brat, I’ll plague you for that word.

Q. Mar.

Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men.

Glo.

For God’s sake, take away this captive scold.

Prince.

Nay, take away this scolding crookback rather.

K. Edw.

Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue.

Clar.

Untutor’d lad, thou art too malapert.

Prince.

I know my duty; you are all undutiful:

Lascivious Edward, and thou perjur’d George,

And thou mis-shapen Dick, I tell ye all,

I am your better, traitors as ye are;

And thou usurp’st my father’s right and mine.

K. Edw.

Take that, the likeness of this railer here.

[Stabs him.

Glo.

Sprawl’st thou? take that, to end thy agony.

[Stabs him.

Clar.

And there’s for twitting me with perjury.

[Stabs him.

Q. Mar.

O, kill me too!

Glo.

Marry, and shall.

[Offers to kill her.

K. Edw.

Hold, Richard, hold! for we have done too much.

Glo.

Why should she live, to fill the world with words?

K. Edw.

What! doth she swoon? use means for her recovery.

Glo.

Clarence, excuse me to the king, my brother;

I’ll hence to London on a serious matter:

Ere ye come there, be sure to hear some news.

Clar.

What? what?

Glo.

The Tower! the Tower!

[Exit.

Q. Mar.

O Ned, sweet Ned! speak to thy mother, boy!

Canst thou not speak? O traitors! murderers!

They that stabb’d Cæsar shed no blood at all,

Did not offend, nor were not worthy blame,

If this foul deed were by, to equal it:

He was a man; this, in respect, a child;

And men ne’er spend their fury on a child.

What’s worse than murderer, that I may name it?

No, no, my heart will burst, an if I speak:

And I will speak, that so my heart may burst.

Butchers and villains! bloody cannibals!

How sweet a plant have you untimely cropp’d!

You have no children, butchers! if you had,

The thought of them would have stirr’d up remorse:

But if you ever chance to have a child,

Look in his youth to have him so cut off

As, deathsmen, you have rid this sweet young prince!

K. Edw.

Away with her! go, bear her hence perforce.

Q. Mar.

Nay, never bear me hence, dispatch me here:

Here sheathe thy sword, I’ll pardon thee my death.

What! wilt thou not? then, Clarence, do it thou.

Clar.

By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease.

Q. Mar.

Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it.

Clar.

Didst thou not hear me swear I would not do it?

Q. Mar.

Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyself:

’Twas sin before, but now ’tis charity.

What! wilt thou not? Where is that devil’s butcher,

Hard-favour’d Richard? Richard, where art thou?

Thou art not here: murder is thy alms-deed;

Petitioners for blood thou ne’er put’st back.

K. Edw.

Away, I say! I charge ye, bear her hence.

Q. Mar.

So come to you and yours, as to this prince!

[Exit, led out forcibly.

K. Edw.

Where’s Richard gone?

Clar.

To London, all in post; and, as I guess,

To make a bloody supper in the Tower.

K. Edw.

He’s sudden if a thing comes in his head.

Now march we hence: discharge the common sort

With pay and thanks, and let’s away to London

And see our gentle queen how well she fares;

By this, I hope, she hath a son for me.

[Exeunt.

Scene VI.—

London. A Room in the Tower.

King Henryis discovered sitting with a book in his hand, the Lieutenant attending. EnterGloucester.

Glo.

Good day, my lord. What! at your book so hard?

K. Hen.

Ay, my good lord:—my lord, I should say rather;

’Tis sin to flatter, ‘good’ was little better:

‘Good Gloucester’ and ‘good devil’ were alike,

And both preposterous; therefore, not ‘good lord.’

Glo.

Sirrah, leave us to ourselves: we must confer.

[Exit Lieutenant.

K. Hen.

So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf;

So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece,

And next his throat unto the butcher’s knife.

What scene of death hath Roscius now to act?

Glo.

Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind;

The thief doth fear each bush an officer.

K. Hen.

The bird that hath been limed in a bush,

With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush;

And I, the hapless male to one sweet bird,

Have now the fatal object in my eye

Where my poor young was lim’d, was caught, and kill’d.

Glo.

Why, what a peevish fool was that of Crete,

That taught his son the office of a fowl!

And yet, for all his wings, the fool was drown’d.

K. Hen.

I, Dædalus; my poor boy, Icarus;

Thy father, Minos, that denied our course;

The sun, that sear’d the wings of my sweet boy,

Thy brother Edward, and thyself the sea,

Whose envious gulf did swallow up his life.

Ah! kill me with thy weapon, not with words.

My breast can better brook thy dagger’s point

Than can my ears that tragic history.

But wherefore dost thou come? is’t for my life?

Glo.

Think’st thou I am an executioner?

K. Hen.

A persecutor, I am sure, thou art:

If murd’ring innocents be executing,

Why, then thou art an executioner.

Glo.

Thy son I kill’d for his presumption.

K. Hen.

Hadst thou been kill’d, when first thou didst presume,

Thou hadst not liv’d to kill a son of mine.

And thus I prophesy: that many a thousand,

Which now mistrust no parcel of my fear,

And many an old man’s sigh, and many a widow’s,

And many an orphan’s water-standing eye,

Men for their sons’, wives for their husbands’,

And orphans for their parents’ timeless death,

Shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born.

The owl shriek’d at thy birth, an evil sign;

The night-crow cried, aboding luckless time;

Dogs howl’d, and hideous tempest shook down trees!

The raven rook’d her on the chimney’s top,

And chattering pies in dismal discords sung.

Thy mother felt more than a mother’s pain,

And yet brought forth less than a mother’s hope;

To wit an indigest deformed lump,

Not like the fruit of such a goodly tree.

Teeth hadst thou in thy head when thou wast born,

To signify thou cam’st to bite the world:

And, if the rest be true which I have heard,

Thou cam’st—

Glo.

I’ll hear no more: die, prophet, in thy speech:

[Stabs him.

For this, amongst the rest, was I ordain’d.

K. Hen.

Ay, and for much more slaughter after this.

O, God forgive my sins, and pardon thee!

[Dies.

Glo.

What! will the aspiring blood of Lancaster

Sink in the ground? I thought it would have mounted.

See how my sword weeps for the poor king’s death!

O! may such purple tears be always shed

From those that wish the downfall of our house.

If any spark of life be yet remaining,

Down, down to hell; and say I sent thee thither,

[Stabs him again.

I, that have neither pity, love, nor fear.

Indeed, ’tis true, that Henry told me of;

For I have often heard my mother say

I came into the world with my legs forward.

Had I not reason, think ye, to make haste,

And seek their ruin that usurp’d our right?

The midwife wonder’d, and the women cried

‘O! Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth.’

And so I was; which plainly signified

That I should snarl and bite and play the dog.

Then, since the heavens have shap’d my body so,

Let hell make crook’d my mind to answer it.

I have no brother, I am like no brother;

And this word ‘love,’ which greybeards call divine,

Be resident in men like one another

And not in me: I am myself alone.

Clarence, beware; thou keep’st me from the light:

But I will sort a pitchy day for thee;

For I will buzz abroad such prophecies

That Edward shall be fearful of his life;

And then, to purge his fear, I’ll be thy death.

King Henry and the prince his son are gone:

Clarence, thy turn is next, and then the rest,

Counting myself but bad till I be best.

I’ll throw thy body in another room,

And triumph, Henry, in thy day of doom.

[Exit with the body.

Scene VII.—

The Same. A Room in the Palace.

King Edwardis discovered sitting on his throne:Queen Elizabethwith the infant Prince,Clarence, Gloucester, Hastings,and Others, near him.

K. Edw.

Once more we sit in England’s royal throne,

Re-purchas’d with the blood of enemies.

What valiant foemen like to autumn’s corn,

Have we mow’d down, in tops of all their pride!

Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown’d

For hardy and undoubted champions;

Two Cliffords, as the father and the son;

And two Northumberlands: two braver men

Ne’er spurr’d their coursers at the trumpet’s sound;

With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague,

That in their chains fetter’d the kingly lion,

And made the forest tremble when they roar’d.

Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat,

And made our footstool of security.

Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.

Young Ned, for thee thine uncles and myself

Have in our armours watch’d the winter’s night;

Went all a-foot in summer’s scalding heat,

That thou might’st repossess the crown in peace;

And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain.

Glo.

[Aside.] I’ll blast his harvest, if your head were laid;

For yet I am not look’d on in the world.

This shoulder was ordain’d so thick to heave;

And heave it shall some weight, or break my back:

Work thou the way, and thou shalt execute.

K. Edw.

Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen;

And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both.

Clar.

The duty, that I owe unto your majesty,

I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe.

K. Edw.

Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks.

Glo.

And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang’st,

Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.

[Aside.] To say the truth, so Judas kiss’d his master,

And cried ‘all hail!’ when as he meant all harm.

K. Edw.

Now am I seated as my soul delights,

Having my country’s peace and brothers’ loves.

Clar.

What will your Grace have done with Margaret?

Reignier, her father, to the King of France

Hath pawn’d the Sicils and Jerusalem,

And hither have they sent it for her ransom.

K. Edw.

Away with her, and waft her hence to France.

And now what rests but that we spend the time

With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows,

Such as befit the pleasure of the court?

Sound, drums and trumpets! farewell, sour annoy!

For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.

[Exeunt.