diff --git "a/res/henryvi_part3.txt" "b/res/henryvi_part3.txt" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/res/henryvi_part3.txt" @@ -0,0 +1,5096 @@ +Henry VI, Part 3 +by William Shakespeare + + +Characters in the Play +====================== +KING HENRY VI +QUEEN MARGARET +PRINCE EDWARD +Lord CLIFFORD +Lancastrian supporters: + Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND + Earl of WESTMORLAND + Duke of EXETER + Earl of OXFORD + Sir John SOMERVILLE +Supporters first of York, then of Lancaster: + Earl of WARWICK + Marquess of MONTAGUE + Duke of SOMERSET +Richard Plantagenet, Duke of YORK +Sons of Richard, Duke of York: + EDWARD, Earl of March, later KING EDWARD IV + GEORGE, later Duke of CLARENCE + RICHARD, later Duke of GLOUCESTER + RUTLAND +SIR JOHN Mortimer, York's uncle +LADY GREY, later QUEEN ELIZABETH +Earl RIVERS, brother to the queen +Yorkist supporters: + Duke of NORFOLK + Earl of PEMBROKE + Lord STAFFORD + Lord HASTINGS + Sir William STANLEY + Sir John MONTGOMERY +KING LEWIS of France +LADY BONA, his sister-in-law +Rutland's TUTOR +A SON that has killed his father +A FATHER that has killed his son +FIRST GAMEKEEPER +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +A NOBLEMAN +POST +FIRST WATCH +SECOND WATCH +THIRD WATCH +HUNTSMAN +LIEUTENANT at the Tower of London +FIRST MESSENGER +SECOND MESSENGER +Other MESSENGERS +MAYOR of York +SOLDIER +Soldiers, Servants, Attendants, Drummers, Trumpeters, Sir Hugh Mortimer, Henry, Earl of Richmond, Aldermen of York, Mayor of Coventry, Nurse, the infant prince, and Others + + +ACT 1 +===== + +Scene 1 +======= +[Alarum. Enter Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York; +Edward; Richard; Norfolk; Montague; Warwick; and +Soldiers, all wearing the white rose.] + + +WARWICK +I wonder how the King escaped our hands. + +YORK +While we pursued the horsemen of the north, +He slyly stole away and left his men; +Whereat the great lord of Northumberland, +Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, +Cheered up the drooping army; and himself, +Lord Clifford, and Lord Stafford, all abreast, +Charged our main battle's front and, breaking in, +Were by the swords of common soldiers slain. + +EDWARD +Lord Stafford's father, Duke of Buckingham, +Is either slain or wounded dangerous. +I cleft his beaver with a downright blow. +That this is true, father, behold his blood. +[He shows his bloody sword.] + +MONTAGUE, [to York, showing his sword] +And, brother, here's the Earl of Wiltshire's blood, +Whom I encountered as the battles joined. + +RICHARD, [holding up a severed head] +Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did. + +YORK +Richard hath best deserved of all my sons. +But is your Grace dead, my lord of Somerset? + +NORFOLK +Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt! + +RICHARD +Thus do I hope to shake King Henry's head. + +WARWICK +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. + +NORFOLK +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. +[They go up onto a dais or platform.] + +WARWICK +And when the King comes, offer him no violence +Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce. +[Soldiers exit or retire out of sight.] + +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. + +RICHARD +Armed as we are, let's stay within this house. + +WARWICK +"The Bloody Parliament" shall this be called +Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king +And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardice +Hath made us bywords to our enemies. + +YORK +Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute. +I mean to take possession of my right. + +WARWICK +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. +[York sits in the chair of state.] + +[Flourish. Enter King Henry, Clifford, Northumberland, +Westmorland, Exeter, and the rest, all wearing +the red rose.] + + +KING HENRY +My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, +Even in the chair of state! Belike he means, +Backed 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 vowed +revenge +On him, his sons, his favorites, and his friends. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +If I be not, heavens be revenged on me! + +CLIFFORD +The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel. + +WESTMORLAND +What, shall we suffer this? Let's pluck him down. +My heart for anger burns. I cannot brook it. + +KING HENRY +Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmorland. + +CLIFFORD +Patience is for poltroons such as he. +He durst not sit there had your father lived. +My gracious lord, here in the Parliament +Let us assail the family of York. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +Well hast thou spoken, cousin. Be it so. + +KING HENRY +Ah, know you not the city favors them, +And they have troops of soldiers at their beck? + +EXETER +But when the Duke is slain, they'll quickly fly. + +KING HENRY +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.-- +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. + +EXETER +For shame, come down. He made thee Duke of +York. + +YORK +It was my inheritance, as the earldom was. + +EXETER +Thy father was a traitor to the crown. + +WARWICK +Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown +In following this usurping Henry. + +CLIFFORD +Whom should he follow but his natural king? + +WARWICK +True, Clifford, that's Richard, Duke of York. + +KING HENRY, [to York] +And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne? + +YORK +It must and shall be so. Content thyself. + +WARWICK, [to King Henry] +Be Duke of Lancaster. Let him be king. + +WESTMORLAND +He is both king and Duke of Lancaster, +And that the lord of Westmorland shall maintain. + +WARWICK +And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget +That we are those which chased you from the field +And slew your fathers and, with colors spread, +Marched through the city to the palace gates. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief; +And by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it. + +WESTMORLAND +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. + +CLIFFORD +Urge it no more, lest that, instead of words, +I send thee, Warwick, such a messenger +As shall revenge his death before I stir. + +WARWICK +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. + +KING HENRY +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 seized upon their towns and provinces. + +WARWICK +Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all. + +KING HENRY +The Lord Protector lost it and not I. +When I was crowned, I was but nine months old. + +RICHARD +You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you +lose.-- +Father, tear the crown from the usurper's head. + +EDWARD +Sweet father, do so. Set it on your head. + +MONTAGUE, [to York] +Good brother, as thou lov'st and honorest arms, +Let's fight it out and not stand caviling thus. + +RICHARD +Sound drums and trumpets, and the King will fly. + +YORK Sons, peace! + +KING HENRY +Peace thou, and give King Henry leave to speak! + +WARWICK +Plantagenet shall speak first. Hear him, lords, +And be you silent and attentive too, +For he that interrupts him shall not live. + +KING HENRY +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 colors, 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. + +WARWICK +Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king. + +KING HENRY +Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown. + +YORK +'Twas by rebellion against his king. + +KING HENRY, [aside] +I know not what to say; my title's weak.-- +Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir? + +YORK What then? + +KING HENRY +An if he may, then am I lawful king; +For Richard, in the view of many lords, +Resigned 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. + +WARWICK +Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrained, +Think you 'twere prejudicial to his crown? + +EXETER +No, for he could not so resign his crown +But that the next heir should succeed and reign. + +KING HENRY +Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter? + +EXETER +His is the right, and therefore pardon me. + +YORK +Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not? + +EXETER +My conscience tells me he is lawful king. + +KING HENRY, [aside] +All will revolt from me and turn to him. + +NORTHUMBERLAND, [to York] +Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay'st, +Think not that Henry shall be so deposed. + +WARWICK +Deposed he shall be, in despite of all. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +Thou art deceived. '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. + +CLIFFORD +King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, +Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defense. +May that ground gape and swallow me alive +Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father. + +KING HENRY +O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart! + +YORK +Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.-- +What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords? + +WARWICK, [to King Henry] +Do right unto this princely Duke of York, +Or I will fill the house with armed men, +And over 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.] + +KING HENRY +My lord of Warwick, hear but one word: +Let me for this my lifetime reign as king. + +YORK +Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs, +And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou liv'st. + +KING HENRY +I am content. Richard Plantagenet, +Enjoy the kingdom after my decease. + +CLIFFORD +What wrong is this unto the Prince your son! + +WARWICK +What good is this to England and himself! + +WESTMORLAND +Base, fearful, and despairing Henry! + +CLIFFORD +How hast thou injured both thyself and us! + +WESTMORLAND +I cannot stay to hear these articles. + +NORTHUMBERLAND Nor I. + +CLIFFORD +Come, cousin, let us tell the Queen these news. + +WESTMORLAND +Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, +In whose cold blood no spark of honor bides. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +Be thou a prey unto the house of York, +And die in bands for this unmanly deed. + +CLIFFORD +In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome, +Or live in peace abandoned and despised! +[Westmorland, Northumberland, Clifford, +and their Soldiers exit.] + +WARWICK +Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not. + +EXETER +They seek revenge and therefore will not yield. + +KING HENRY +Ah, Exeter! + +WARWICK Why should you sigh, my lord? + +KING HENRY +Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son, +Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. +But be it as it may. [(To York.)] I here entail +The crown to thee and to thine heirs forever, +Conditionally, that here thou take an oath +To cease this civil war and, whilst I live, +To honor 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. + +WARWICK +Long live King Henry! Plantagenet, embrace him. +[York stands, and King Henry ascends the dais.] + +KING HENRY, [to York] +And long live thou and these thy forward sons! +[They embrace.] + +YORK +Now York and Lancaster are reconciled. + +EXETER +Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes. +[Sennet. Here they come down.] + +YORK, [to King Henry] +Farewell, my gracious lord. I'll to my castle. + +WARWICK +And I'll keep London with my soldiers. + +NORFOLK +And I to Norfolk with my followers. + +MONTAGUE +And I unto the sea, from whence I came. +[York, Edward, Richard, Warwick, Norfolk, +Montague, and their Soldiers exit.] + +KING HENRY +And I with grief and sorrow to the court. + +[Enter Queen Margaret, with Prince Edward.] + + +EXETER +Here comes the Queen, whose looks bewray her +anger. +I'll steal away. + +KING HENRY Exeter, so will I. +[They begin to exit.] + +QUEEN MARGARET +Nay, go not from me. I will follow thee. + +KING HENRY +Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay. + +QUEEN MARGARET +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 proved so unnatural a father. +Hath he deserved to lose his birthright thus? +Hadst thou but loved him half so well as I, +Or felt that pain which I did for him once, +Or nourished 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 EDWARD +Father, you cannot disinherit me. +If you be king, why should not I succeed? + +KING HENRY +Pardon me, Margaret.--Pardon me, sweet son. +The Earl of Warwick and the Duke enforced me. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Enforced thee? Art thou king and wilt be forced? +I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch, +Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me, +And giv'n 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 sepulcher +And creep into it far before thy time? +Warwick is Chancellor and the lord of Callice; +Stern Falconbridge 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 tossed me on their pikes +Before I would have granted to that act. +But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honor. +And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself +Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed, +Until that act of Parliament be repealed +Whereby my son is disinherited. +The northern lords that have forsworn thy colors +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. + +KING HENRY +Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Thou hast spoke too much already. Get thee gone. + +KING HENRY +Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me? + +QUEEN MARGARET +Ay, to be murdered by his enemies! + +PRINCE EDWARD +When I return with victory from the field, +I'll see your Grace. Till then, I'll follow her. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Come, son, away. We may not linger thus. +[Queen Margaret and Prince Edward exit.] + +KING HENRY +Poor queen! How love to me and to her son +Hath made her break out into terms of rage! +Revenged 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. + +EXETER +And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all. +[Flourish. They exit.] + +Scene 2 +======= +[Enter Richard, Edward, and Montague, +all wearing the white rose.] + + +RICHARD +Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave. + +EDWARD +No, I can better play the orator. + +MONTAGUE +But I have reasons strong and forcible. + +[Enter the Duke of York.] + + +YORK +Why, how now, sons and brother, at a strife? +What is your quarrel? How began it first? + +EDWARD +No quarrel, but a slight contention. + +YORK About what? + +RICHARD +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. + +RICHARD +Your right depends not on his life or death. + +EDWARD +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. + +EDWARD +But for a kingdom any oath may be broken. +I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year. + +RICHARD +No, God forbid your Grace should be forsworn. + +YORK +I shall be, if I claim by open war. + +RICHARD +I'll prove the contrary, if you'll hear me speak. + +YORK +Thou canst not, son; it is impossible. + +RICHARD +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 dyed +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 to 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 employed, 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? + +MESSENGER +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. [He exits.] + +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. + +MONTAGUE +Brother, I go. I'll win them, fear it not. +And thus most humbly I do take my leave. +[Montague exits.] + +[Enter Sir John Mortimer, and his brother, +Sir 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? + +RICHARD +Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need. +A woman's general; what should we fear? +[A march afar off.] + +EDWARD +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 +Whenas the enemy hath been ten to one. +Why should I not now have the like success? +[Alarum. They exit.] + +Scene 3 +======= +[Enter Rutland and his Tutor.] + + +RUTLAND +Ah, whither shall I fly to scape their hands? + +[Enter Clifford with Soldiers, all wearing the red rose.] + +Ah, tutor, look where bloody Clifford comes. + +CLIFFORD +Chaplain, away. Thy priesthood saves thy life. +As for the brat of this accursed duke, +Whose father slew my father, he shall die. + +TUTOR +And I, my lord, will bear him company. + +CLIFFORD Soldiers, away with him. + +TUTOR +Ah, Clifford, murder not this innocent child, +Lest thou be hated both of God and man. +[He exits, dragged off by Soldiers.] + +CLIFFORD, [approaching Rutland] +How now? Is he dead already? Or is it fear +That makes him close his eyes? I'll open them. + +RUTLAND +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 threat'ning look. +Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die. +I am too mean a subject for thy wrath. +Be thou revenged on men, and let me live. + +CLIFFORD +In vain thou speak'st, poor boy. My father's blood +Hath stopped the passage where thy words should +enter. + +RUTLAND +Then let my father's blood open it again; +He is a man and, Clifford, cope with him. + +CLIFFORD +Had I thy brethren here, their lives and thine +Were not revenge sufficient for me. +No, if I digged 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-- [He raises his rapier.] + +RUTLAND +O, let me pray before I take my death! +To thee I pray: sweet Clifford, pity me! + +CLIFFORD +Such pity as my rapier's point affords. + +RUTLAND +I never did thee harm. Why wilt thou slay me? + +CLIFFORD +Thy father hath. + +RUTLAND 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 offense +Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause. + +CLIFFORD +No cause? Thy father slew my father; therefore die. +[He stabs Rutland.] + +RUTLAND +Di faciant laudis summa sit ista tuae! [He dies.] + +CLIFFORD +Plantagenet, I come, Plantagenet! +And this thy son's blood, cleaving to my blade, +Shall rust upon my weapon till thy blood, +Congealed with this, do make me wipe off both. +[He exits, with Soldiers carrying off Rutland's body.] + +Scene 4 +======= +[Alarum. Enter Richard, Duke of York, wearing the +white rose.] + + +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 pursued by hunger-starved wolves. +My sons, God knows what hath bechanced them; +But this I know: they have demeaned themselves +Like men borne 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 encountered 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 scepter or an earthly sepulcher!" +With this we charged again; but, out alas, +We budged again, as I have seen a swan +With bootless labor 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 numbered that makes up my life. +Here must I stay, and here my life must end. + +[Enter Queen Margaret, Clifford, Northumberland, +the young Prince Edward, and Soldiers, +all wearing the red rose.] + +Come, bloody Clifford, rough Northumberland, +I dare your quenchless fury to more rage. +I am your butt, and I abide your shot. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +Yield to our mercy, proud Plantagenet. + +CLIFFORD +Ay, to such mercy as his ruthless arm +With downright payment showed unto my father. +Now Phaeton hath tumbled from his car +And made an evening at the noontide prick. + +YORK +My ashes, as the Phoenix', 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? + +CLIFFORD +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'errun 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. + +CLIFFORD +I will not bandy with thee word for word, +But buckler with thee blows twice two for one. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Hold, valiant Clifford, for a thousand causes +I would prolong a while the traitor's life.-- +Wrath makes him deaf; speak thou, Northumberland. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +Hold, Clifford, do not honor him so much +To prick thy finger, though to wound his heart. +What valor 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 valor. +[They attack York.] + +CLIFFORD +Ay, ay, so strives the woodcock with the gin. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +So doth the coney struggle in the net. + +YORK +So triumph thieves upon their conquered booty; +So true men yield with robbers, so o'ermatched. +[York is overcome.] + +NORTHUMBERLAND, [to Queen Margaret] +What would your Grace have done unto him now? + +QUEEN MARGARET +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. +[They place York on a small prominence.] +What, was it you that would be England's king? +Was 't you that reveled 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 crookback prodigy, +Dickie, 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 stained 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. +[She gives him a bloody cloth.] +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 parched 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 would'st be fee'd, I see, to make me sport.-- +York cannot speak unless he wear a crown. +A crown for York! [She is handed a paper crown.] +And, lords, bow low to him. +Hold you his hands whilst I do set it on. +[She puts the crown on York's 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 crowned 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. + +CLIFFORD +That is my office, for my father's sake. + +QUEEN MARGARET +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 vizard-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 derived, +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 admired; +The contrary doth make thee wondered 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 wrapped in a woman's hide, +How couldst thou drain the lifeblood 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! + +NORTHUMBERLAND, [aside] +Beshrew me, but his passions moves me so +That hardly can I check my eyes from tears. + +YORK +That face of his the hungry cannibals +Would not have touched, would not have stained +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 dipped'st in blood of my sweet boy, +And I with tears do wash the blood away. +[He hands her the cloth.] +Keep thou the napkin and go boast of this; +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." +[He hands her the paper crown.] +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. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +Had he been slaughterman to all my kin, +I should not for my life but weep with him +To see how inly sorrow gripes his soul. + +QUEEN MARGARET +What, weeping ripe, my Lord Northumberland? +Think but upon the wrong he did us all, +And that will quickly dry thy melting tears. + +CLIFFORD, [stabbing York twice] +Here's for my oath; here's for my father's death! + +QUEEN MARGARET, [stabbing York] +And here's to right our gentle-hearted king. + +YORK +Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God. +My soul flies through these wounds to seek out Thee. +[He dies.] + +QUEEN MARGARET +Off with his head, and set it on York gates, +So York may overlook the town of York. +[Flourish. They exit, Soldiers carrying York's body.] + + +ACT 2 +===== + +Scene 1 +======= +[A march. Enter Edward, Richard, and their power, +all wearing the white rose.] + + +EDWARD +I wonder how our princely father scaped, +Or whether he be scaped 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 scaped, methinks we should have heard +The happy tidings of his good escape. +How fares my brother? Why is he so sad? + +RICHARD +I cannot joy until I be resolved +Where our right valiant father is become. +I saw him in the battle range about +And watched 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 encompassed round with dogs, +Who having pinched a few and made them cry, +The rest stand all aloof and bark at him; +So fared our father with his enemies; +So fled his enemies my warlike 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, +Trimmed like a younker, prancing to his love! + +EDWARD +Dazzle mine eyes, or do I see three suns? + +RICHARD +Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun, +Not separated with the racking clouds +But severed in a pale clear-shining sky. +See, see, they join, embrace, and seem to kiss, +As if they vowed some league inviolable. +Now are they but one lamp, one light, one sun; +In this, the heaven figures some event. + +EDWARD +'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 overshine the earth, as this the world. +Whate'er it bodes, henceforward will I bear +Upon my target three fair shining suns. + +RICHARD +Nay, bear three daughters: by your leave I speak it, +You love the breeder better than the male. + +[Enter a Messenger, blowing.] + +But what art thou whose heavy looks foretell +Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue? + +MESSENGER +Ah, one that was a woeful looker-on +Whenas the noble Duke of York was slain, +Your princely father and my loving lord. + +EDWARD +O, speak no more, for I have heard too much! + +RICHARD +Say how he died, for I will hear it all. + +MESSENGER +Environed he was with many foes, +And stood against them, as the hope of Troy +Against the Greeks that would have entered Troy. +But Hercules himself must yield to odds; +And many strokes, though with a little axe, +Hews down and fells the hardest-timbered oak. +By many hands your father was subdued, +But only slaughtered by the ireful arm +Of unrelenting Clifford and the Queen, +Who crowned the gracious duke in high despite, +Laughed 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 viewed. [He exits.] + +EDWARD +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 vanquished him, +For hand to hand he would have vanquished 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! [He weeps.] + +RICHARD +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 selfsame wind that I should speak withal +Is kindling coals that fires all my breast +And burns 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. + +EDWARD +His name that valiant duke hath left with thee; +His dukedom and his chair with me is left. + +RICHARD +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. Enter Warwick, Marquess Montague, and their +army, all wearing the white rose.] + + +WARWICK +How now, fair lords? What fare, what news abroad? + +RICHARD +Great lord of Warwick, if we should recount +Our baleful news, and at each word's deliverance +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. + +EDWARD +O Warwick, Warwick, that Plantagenet +Which held thee dearly as his soul's redemption +Is by the stern Lord Clifford done to death. + +WARWICK +Ten days ago I drowned these news in tears. +And now to add more measure to your woes, +I come to tell you things sith then befall'n. +After the bloody fray at Wakefield fought, +Where your brave father breathed 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, +Mustered my soldiers, gathered flocks of friends, +Marched toward Saint Albans 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 Albans met, +Our battles joined, and both sides fiercely fought. +But whether 'twas the coldness of the King, +Who looked full gently on his warlike queen, +That robbed my soldiers of their heated spleen, +Or whether 'twas report of her success +Or more than common fear of Clifford's rigor, +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 an idle thresher with a flail, +Fell gently down, as if they struck their friends. +I cheered 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, posthaste, are come to join with you; +For in the Marches here we heard you were, +Making another head to fight again. + +EDWARD +Where is the Duke of Norfolk, gentle Warwick? +And when came George from Burgundy to England? + +WARWICK +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. + +RICHARD +'Twas odds, belike, when valiant Warwick fled. +Oft have I heard his praises in pursuit, +But ne'er till now his scandal of retire. + +WARWICK +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 scepter from his fist, +Were he as famous and as bold in war +As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer. + +RICHARD +I know it well, Lord Warwick; blame me not. +'Tis love I bear thy glories make 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 Marys 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. + +WARWICK +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, +And once again bestride our foaming steeds, +And once again cry "Charge!" upon our foes, +But never once again turn back and fly. + +RICHARD +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. + +EDWARD +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. + +WARWICK +No longer Earl of March, but Duke of York; +The next degree is England's royal throne: +For King of England shalt thou be proclaimed +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. + +RICHARD +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. + +EDWARD +Then strike up drums! God and Saint George for us! + +[Enter a Messenger.] + + +WARWICK How now, what news? + +MESSENGER +The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me, +The Queen is coming with a puissant host, +And craves your company for speedy counsel. + +WARWICK +Why, then it sorts. Brave warriors, let's away! +[They all exit.] + +Scene 2 +======= +[Flourish. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, +Clifford, Northumberland, and young Prince Edward, +all wearing the red rose with Drum and Trumpets, +the head of York fixed above them.] + + +QUEEN MARGARET, [to King Henry] +Welcome, my lord, to this brave town of York. +Yonder's the head of that arch-enemy +That sought to be encompassed with your crown. +Doth not the object cheer your heart, my lord? + +KING HENRY +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 infringed my vow. + +CLIFFORD +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, blest with a goodly son, +Didst yield consent to disinherit him, +Which argued 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 used with fearful flight, +Make war with him that climbed unto their nest, +Offering their own lives in their young's defense? +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. + +KING HENRY +Full well hath Clifford played 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 thousandfold 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. + +QUEEN MARGARET +My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes are nigh, +And this soft courage makes your followers faint. +You promised knighthood to our forward son. +Unsheathe your sword and dub him presently.-- +Edward, kneel down. [He kneels.] + +KING HENRY, [dubbing him knight] +Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight, +And learn this lesson: draw thy sword in right. + +PRINCE EDWARD, [rising] +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. + +CLIFFORD +Why, that is spoken like a toward prince. + +[Enter a Messenger.] + + +MESSENGER +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. +Deraign your battle, for they are at hand. [He exits.] + +CLIFFORD +I would your Highness would depart the field. +The Queen hath best success when you are absent. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Ay, good my lord, and leave us to our fortune. + +KING HENRY +Why, that's my fortune too; therefore I'll stay. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +Be it with resolution, then, to fight. + +PRINCE EDWARD +My royal father, cheer these noble lords +And hearten those that fight in your defense. +Unsheathe your sword, good father; cry "Saint +George!" + +[March. Enter Edward, Warwick, Richard, +George, Norfolk, Montague, and Soldiers, +all wearing the white rose.] + + +EDWARD +Now, perjured Henry, wilt thou kneel for grace +And set thy diadem upon my head, +Or bide the mortal fortune of the field? + +QUEEN MARGARET +Go rate thy minions, proud insulting boy. +Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms +Before thy sovereign and thy lawful king? + +EDWARD +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 caused him, by new act of Parliament, +To blot out me and put his own son in. + +CLIFFORD And reason too: +Who should succeed the father but the son? + +RICHARD +Are you there, butcher? O, I cannot speak! + +CLIFFORD +Ay, crookback, here I stand to answer thee, +Or any he, the proudest of thy sort. + +RICHARD +'Twas you that killed young Rutland, was it not? + +CLIFFORD +Ay, and old York, and yet not satisfied. + +RICHARD +For God's sake, lords, give signal to the fight! + +WARWICK +What sayst thou, Henry? Wilt thou yield the crown? + +QUEEN MARGARET +Why, how now, long-tongued Warwick, dare you +speak? +When you and I met at Saint Albans last, +Your legs did better service than your hands. + +WARWICK +Then 'twas my turn to fly, and now 'tis thine. + +CLIFFORD +You said so much before, and yet you fled. + +WARWICK +'Twas not your valor, Clifford, drove me thence. + +NORTHUMBERLAND +No, nor your manhood that durst make you stay. + +RICHARD +Northumberland, I hold thee reverently.-- +Break off the parley, for scarce I can refrain +The execution of my big-swoll'n heart +Upon that Clifford, that cruel child-killer. + +CLIFFORD +I slew thy father; call'st thou him a child? + +RICHARD +Ay, like a dastard and a treacherous coward, +As thou didst kill our tender brother Rutland. +But ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed. + +KING HENRY +Have done with words, my lords, and hear me +speak. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Defy them, then, or else hold close thy lips. + +KING HENRY +I prithee, give no limits to my tongue. +I am a king and privileged to speak. + +CLIFFORD +My liege, the wound that bred this meeting here +Cannot be cured by words; therefore, be still. + +RICHARD +Then, executioner, unsheathe thy sword. +By Him that made us all, I am resolved +That Clifford's manhood lies upon his tongue. + +EDWARD +Say, Henry, shall I have my right or no? +A thousand men have broke their fasts today +That ne'er shall dine unless thou yield the crown. + +WARWICK +If thou deny, their blood upon thy head, +For York in justice puts his armor on. + +PRINCE EDWARD +If that be right which Warwick says is right, +There is no wrong, but everything is right. + +RICHARD +Whoever got thee, there thy mother stands, +For well I wot thou hast thy mother's tongue. + +QUEEN MARGARET +But thou art neither like thy sire nor dam, +But like a foul misshapen stigmatic, +Marked by the Destinies to be avoided, +As venom toads or lizards' dreadful stings. + +RICHARD +Iron of Naples, hid with English gilt, +Whose father bears the title of a king, +As if a channel should be called the sea, +Sham'st thou not, knowing whence thou art +extraught, +To let thy tongue detect thy baseborn heart? + +EDWARD +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 wronged +By that false woman as this king by thee. +His father reveled in the heart of France, +And tamed the King, and made the Dauphin stoop; +And had he matched according to his state, +He might have kept that glory to this day. +But when he took a beggar to his bed +And graced thy poor sire with his bridal day, +Even then that sunshine brewed a shower for him +That washed his father's fortunes forth of France +And heaped sedition on his crown at home. +For what hath broached this tumult but thy pride? +Hadst thou been meek, our title still had slept, +And we, in pity of the gentle king, +Had slipped our claim until another age. + +GEORGE +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 bathed thy growing with our heated bloods. + +EDWARD +And in this resolution, I defy thee, +Not willing any longer conference, +Since thou denied'st the gentle king to speak.-- +Sound, trumpets! Let our bloody colors wave; +And either victory or else a grave! + +QUEEN MARGARET Stay, Edward! + +EDWARD +No, wrangling woman, we'll no longer stay. +These words will cost ten thousand lives this day. +[They all exit.] + +Scene 3 +======= +[Alarum. Excursions. Enter Warwick, +wearing the white rose.] + + +WARWICK, [lying down] +Forspent with toil, as runners with a race, +I lay me down a little while to breathe, +For strokes received and many blows repaid +Have robbed my strong-knit sinews of their strength; +And spite of spite, needs must I rest awhile. + +[Enter Edward, wearing the white rose, running.] + + +EDWARD +Smile, gentle heaven, or strike, ungentle death, +For this world frowns and Edward's sun is clouded. + +[Enter George, wearing the white rose.] + + +WARWICK, [standing] +How now, my lord, what hap? What hope of good? + +GEORGE +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? + +EDWARD +Bootless is flight; they follow us with wings, +And weak we are and cannot shun pursuit. + +[Enter Richard, wearing the white rose.] + + +RICHARD +Ah, Warwick, why hast thou withdrawn thyself? +Thy brother's blood the thirsty earth hath drunk, +Broached 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 stained their fetlocks in his smoking blood, +The noble gentleman gave up the ghost. + +WARWICK +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 played in jest by counterfeiting actors? +[He kneels.] +Here on my knee I vow to God above +I'll never pause again, never stand still, +Till either death hath closed these eyes of mine +Or Fortune given me measure of revenge. + +EDWARD +O Warwick, I do bend my knee with thine, +And in this vow do chain my soul to thine +[He kneels.] +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. +[Edward and Warwick stand.] +Now, lords, take leave until we meet again, +Where'er it be, in heaven or in Earth. + +RICHARD +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 springtime so. + +WARWICK +Away, away! Once more, sweet lords, farewell. + +GEORGE +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. +[They exit.] + +Scene 4 +======= +[Excursions. Enter, at separate doors, Richard wearing +the white rose, and Clifford, wearing the red rose.] + + +RICHARD +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 environed with a brazen wall. + +CLIFFORD +Now, Richard, I am with thee here alone. +This is the hand that stabbed 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; Warwick comes; Clifford flies.] + + +RICHARD +Nay, Warwick, single out some other chase, +For I myself will hunt this wolf to death. +[They exit.] + +Scene 5 +======= +[Alarum. Enter King Henry alone, wearing the red rose.] + + +KING HENRY +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 +Forced by the tide to combat with the wind; +Now sways it that way, like the selfsame sea +Forced 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. +[He sits on a small prominence.] +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 makes the hour full complete, +How many hours brings 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, +Passed 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 embroidered canopy +To kings that fear their subjects' treachery? +O yes, it doth, a thousandfold 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 waits on him. + +[Alarum. Enter at one door a Son that hath killed his +Father, carrying the 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 killed. +O heavy times, begetting such events! +From London by the King was I pressed forth. +My father, being the Earl of Warwick's man, +Came on the part of York, pressed by his master. +And I, who at his hands received 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 flowed their fill. +[He weeps.] + +KING HENRY +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'ercharged with grief. + +[Enter at another door a Father that hath killed his Son, +bearing of his Son's body.] + + +FATHER +Thou that so stoutly hath resisted me, +Give me thy gold, if thou hast any gold, +For I have bought it with an 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 kills 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! + +KING HENRY +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 colors 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! + +FATHER +How will my wife for slaughter of my son +Shed seas of tears and ne'er be satisfied! + +KING HENRY +How will the country for these woeful chances +Misthink the King and not be satisfied! + +SON +Was ever son so rued a father's death? + +FATHER +Was ever father so bemoaned his son? + +KING HENRY +Was ever king so grieved for subjects' woe? +Much is your sorrow, mine ten times so much. + +SON +I'll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill. +[He exits, bearing the body.] + +FATHER +These arms of mine shall be thy winding-sheet; +My heart, sweet boy, shall be thy sepulcher, +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 murdered where I should not kill. +[He exits, bearing the body.] + +KING HENRY +Sad-hearted men, much overgone with care, +Here sits a king more woeful than you are. + +[Alarums. Excursions. Enter Queen Margaret, Prince +Edward, and Exeter, all wearing the red rose.] + + +PRINCE EDWARD +Fly, father, fly, for all your friends are fled, +And Warwick rages like a chafed bull. +Away, for Death doth hold us in pursuit. + +QUEEN MARGARET +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 grasped in their ireful hands, +Are at our backs, and therefore hence amain. + +EXETER +Away, for Vengeance comes along with them. +Nay, stay not to expostulate, make speed; +Or else come after; I'll away before. + +KING HENRY +Nay, take me with thee, good sweet Exeter; +Not that I fear to stay, but love to go +Whither the Queen intends. Forward, away! +[They exit.] + +Scene 6 +======= +[A loud alarum. Enter Clifford, +wearing the red rose, wounded.] + + +CLIFFORD +Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies, +Which whiles 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 glued many friends to thee; +And now I fall, thy tough commixtures melts, +Impairing Henry, strength'ning misproud York; +And whither fly the gnats but to the sun? +And who shines now but Henry's enemies? +O Phoebus, hadst thou never given consent +That Phaeton should check thy fiery steeds, +Thy burning car never had scorched the Earth! +And Henry, hadst thou swayed 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, no strength to hold out flight. +The foe is merciless and will not pity, +For at their hands I have deserved 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 stabbed your fathers' bosoms; split my breast. +[He faints.] + +[Alarum and retreat. Enter Edward, Warwick, +Richard, and Soldiers, Montague, and George, +all wearing the white rose.] + + +EDWARD +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 filled with a fretting gust +Command an argosy to stem the waves. +But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them? + +WARWICK +No, 'tis impossible he should escape, +For, though before his face I speak the words, +Your brother Richard marked him for the grave, +And wheresoe'er he is, he's surely dead. +[Clifford groans, and dies.] + +RICHARD +Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave? +A deadly groan, like life and death's departing. + +EDWARD +See who it is; and, now the battle's ended, +If friend or foe, let him be gently used. + +RICHARD +Revoke that doom of mercy, for 'tis Clifford, +Who not contented that he lopped 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. + +WARWICK +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. + +EDWARD +Bring forth that fatal screech owl to our house +That nothing sung but death to us and ours; +Now death shall stop his dismal threat'ning sound, +And his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak. + +WARWICK +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. + +RICHARD +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. + +GEORGE +If so thou think'st, vex him with eager words. + +RICHARD +Clifford, ask mercy and obtain no grace. + +EDWARD +Clifford, repent in bootless penitence. + +WARWICK +Clifford, devise excuses for thy faults. + +GEORGE +While we devise fell tortures for thy faults. + +RICHARD +Thou didst love York, and I am son to York. + +EDWARD +Thou pitied'st Rutland; I will pity thee. + +GEORGE +Where's Captain Margaret to fence you now? + +WARWICK +They mock thee, Clifford; swear as thou wast wont. + +RICHARD +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 but 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. + +WARWICK +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 scattered 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. + +EDWARD +Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be; +For in 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. + +RICHARD +Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloucester, +For Gloucester's dukedom is too ominous. + +WARWICK +Tut, that's a foolish observation. +Richard, be Duke of Gloucester. Now to London, +To see these honors in possession. +[They exit, with Clifford's body.] + + +ACT 3 +===== + +Scene 1 +======= +[Enter two Gamekeepers, +with crossbows in their hands.] + + +FIRST GAMEKEEPER +Under this thick-grown brake 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. + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot. + +FIRST GAMEKEEPER +That cannot be. The noise of thy crossbow +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. + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +Here comes a man; let's stay till he be past. + +[Enter King Henry, in disguise, with a prayer book.] + + +KING HENRY +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 filled, thy scepter wrung from thee, +Thy balm washed off wherewith thou wast anointed. +No bending knee will call thee Caesar now, +No humble suitors press to speak for right, +No, not a man comes for redress of thee; +For how can I help them an not myself? + +FIRST GAMEKEEPER, [aside to Second Gamekeeper] +Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee. +This is the quondam king. Let's seize upon him. + +KING HENRY +Let me embrace the sour adversaries, +For wise men say it is the wisest course. + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER, [aside to First Gamekeeper] +Why linger we? Let us lay hands upon him. + +FIRST GAMEKEEPER, [aside to Second Gamekeeper] +Forbear awhile; we'll hear a little more. + +KING HENRY +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 labor 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 batt'ry 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 deposed; +He smiles and says his Edward is installed; +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. + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +Say, what art thou that talk'st of kings and queens? + +KING HENRY +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? + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king. + +KING HENRY +Why, so I am in mind, and that's enough. + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +But if thou be a king, where is thy crown? + +KING HENRY +My crown is in my heart, not on my head; +Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, +Nor to be seen. My crown is called content; +A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy. + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +Well, if you be a king crowned 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 deposed; +And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance +Will apprehend you as his enemy. + +KING HENRY +But did you never swear and break an oath? + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +No, never such an oath, nor will not now. + +KING HENRY +Where did you dwell when I was King of England? + +SECOND GAMEKEEPER +Here in this country, where we now remain. + +KING HENRY +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 GAMEKEEPER +No, for we were subjects but while you were king. + +KING HENRY +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 GAMEKEEPER +We are true subjects to the King, King Edward. + +KING HENRY +So would you be again to Henry +If he were seated as King Edward is. + +FIRST GAMEKEEPER +We charge you in God's name and the King's +To go with us unto the officers. + +KING HENRY +In God's name, lead. Your king's name be obeyed, +And what God will, that let your king perform. +And what he will, I humbly yield unto. +[They exit.] + +Scene 2 +======= +[Enter King Edward, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, +George, Duke of Clarence, Lady Grey, +and Attendants.] + + +KING EDWARD +Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Albans field +This lady's husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain, +His land then seized 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. + +RICHARD +Your Highness shall do well to grant her suit; +It were dishonor to deny it her. + +KING EDWARD +It were no less, but yet I'll make a pause. + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] Yea, is it so? +I see the lady hath a thing to grant +Before the King will grant her humble suit. + +CLARENCE, [formerly GEORGE, aside to Richard] +He knows the game; how true he keeps the wind! + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] Silence! + +KING EDWARD +Widow, we will consider of your suit, +And come some other time to know our mind. + +LADY 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. + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +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. + +CLARENCE, [aside to Richard] +I fear her not, unless she chance to fall. + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +God forbid that, for he'll take vantages. + +KING EDWARD +How many children hast thou, widow? Tell me. + +CLARENCE, [aside to Richard] +I think he means to beg a child of her. + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +Nay, then, whip me; he'll rather give her two. + +LADY GREY Three, my most gracious lord. + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +You shall have four if you'll be ruled by him. + +KING EDWARD +'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands. + +LADY GREY +Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. + +KING EDWARD +Lords, give us leave. I'll try this widow's wit. +[Richard and Clarence stand aside.] + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +Ay, good leave have you, for you will have leave +Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch. + +KING EDWARD +Now tell me, madam, do you love your children? + +LADY GREY +Ay, full as dearly as I love myself. + +KING EDWARD +And would you not do much to do them good? + +LADY GREY +To do them good I would sustain some harm. + +KING EDWARD +Then get your husband's lands to do them good. + +LADY GREY +Therefore I came unto your Majesty. + +KING EDWARD +I'll tell you how these lands are to be got. + +LADY GREY +So shall you bind me to your Highness' service. + +KING EDWARD +What service wilt thou do me if I give them? + +LADY GREY +What you command that rests in me to do. + +KING EDWARD +But you will take exceptions to my boon. + +LADY GREY +No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it. + +KING EDWARD +Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask. + +LADY GREY +Why, then, I will do what your Grace commands. + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +He plies her hard, and much rain wears the marble. + +CLARENCE, [aside to Richard] +As red as fire! Nay, then, her wax must melt. + +LADY GREY +Why stops my lord? Shall I not hear my task? + +KING EDWARD +An easy task; 'tis but to love a king. + +LADY GREY +That's soon performed because I am a subject. + +KING EDWARD +Why, then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee. + +LADY GREY +I take my leave with many thousand thanks. +[She curtsies and begins to exit.] + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +The match is made; she seals it with a cursy. + +KING EDWARD +But stay thee; 'tis the fruits of love I mean. + +LADY GREY +The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege. + +KING EDWARD +Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense. +What love, think'st thou, I sue so much to get? + +LADY GREY +My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers, +That love which virtue begs and virtue grants. + +KING EDWARD +No, by my troth, I did not mean such love. + +LADY GREY +Why, then, you mean not as I thought you did. + +KING EDWARD +But now you partly may perceive my mind. + +LADY GREY +My mind will never grant what I perceive +Your Highness aims at, if I aim aright. + +KING EDWARD +To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee. + +LADY GREY +To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison. + +KING EDWARD +Why, then, thou shalt not have thy husband's lands. + +LADY GREY +Why, then, mine honesty shall be my dower, +For by that loss I will not purchase them. + +KING EDWARD +Therein thou wrong'st thy children mightily. + +LADY 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. + +KING EDWARD +Ay, if thou wilt say "ay" to my request; +No, if thou dost say "no" to my demand. + +LADY GREY +Then no, my lord; my suit is at an end. + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +The widow likes him not; she knits her brows. + +CLARENCE, [aside to Richard] +He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom. + +KING EDWARD, [aside] +Her looks doth argue her replete with modesty; +Her words doth 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? + +LADY GREY +'Tis better said than done, my gracious lord. +I am a subject fit to jest withal, +But far unfit to be a sovereign. + +KING EDWARD +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. + +LADY 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. + +KING EDWARD +You cavil, widow; I did mean my queen. + +LADY GREY +'Twill grieve your Grace my sons should call you +father. + +KING EDWARD +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. + +RICHARD, [aside to Clarence] +The ghostly father now hath done his shrift. + +CLARENCE, [aside to Richard] +When he was made a shriver, 'twas for shift. + +KING EDWARD +Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had. + +RICHARD +The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad. + +KING EDWARD +You'd think it strange if I should marry her. + +CLARENCE +To who, my lord? + +KING EDWARD Why, Clarence, to myself. + +RICHARD +That would be ten days' wonder at the least. + +CLARENCE +That's a day longer than a wonder lasts. + +RICHARD +By so much is the wonder in extremes. + +KING EDWARD +Well, jest on, brothers. I can tell you both +Her suit is granted for her husband's lands. + +[Enter a Nobleman.] + + +NOBLEMAN +My gracious lord, Henry, your foe, is taken +And brought your prisoner to your palace gate. + +KING EDWARD +See that he be conveyed unto the Tower. +[Nobleman exits.] +And go we, brothers, to the man that took him, +To question of his apprehension.-- +Widow, go you along.--Lords, use her honorably. +[They exit. +Richard remains.] + +RICHARD +Ay, Edward will use women honorably! +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 unlooked-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 keeps 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 withered 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 unlicked bear-whelp, +That carries no impression like the dam. +And am I then a man to be beloved? +O monstrous fault to harbor 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, t' account this world but hell +Until my misshaped 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 whiles 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 slyly than Ulysses could, +And, like a Sinon, take another Troy. +I can add colors to the chameleon, +Change shapes with Proteus for advantages, +And set the murderous Machiavel to school. +Can I do this and cannot get a crown? +Tut, were it farther off, I'll pluck it down. +[He exits.] + +Scene 3 +======= +[Flourish. Enter Lewis the French king, his sister +the Lady Bona, his Admiral called Bourbon, +Prince Edward, Queen Margaret, and the Earl of Oxford, +the last three wearing the red rose.] + +[Lewis sits, and riseth up again.] + + + +KING LEWIS +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. + +QUEEN MARGARET +No, mighty King of France. Now Margaret +Must strike her sail and learn awhile 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 dishonor laid me on the ground, +Where I must take like seat unto my fortune +And to my humble seat conform myself. + +KING LEWIS +Why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep +despair? + +QUEEN MARGARET +From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears +And stops my tongue, while heart is drowned in cares. + +KING LEWIS +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 eased if France can yield relief. + +QUEEN MARGARET +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 banished man +And forced 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 seized, our soldiers put to flight, +And, as thou seest, ourselves in heavy plight. + +KING LEWIS +Renowned queen, with patience calm the storm +While we bethink a means to break it off. + +QUEEN MARGARET +The more we stay, the stronger grows our foe. + +KING LEWIS +The more I stay, the more I'll succor thee. + +QUEEN MARGARET +O, but impatience waiteth on true sorrow. + +[Enter Warwick, wearing the white rose.] + +And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow. + +KING LEWIS +What's he approacheth boldly to our presence? + +QUEEN MARGARET +Our Earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest friend. + +KING LEWIS, [standing] +Welcome, brave Warwick. What brings thee to France? +[He descends. She ariseth.] + +QUEEN MARGARET, [aside] +Ay, now begins a second storm to rise, +For this is he that moves both wind and tide. + +WARWICK +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. + +QUEEN MARGARET, [aside] +If that go forward, Henry's hope is done. + +WARWICK, [speaking to Lady Bona] +And, gracious madam, in our king's behalf, +I am commanded, with your leave and favor, +Humbly to kiss your hand, and with my tongue +To tell the passion of my sovereign's heart, +Where fame, late ent'ring at his heedful ears, +Hath placed thy beauty's image and thy virtue. + +QUEEN MARGARET +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 dishonor; +For though usurpers sway the rule awhile, +Yet heav'ns are just, and time suppresseth wrongs. + +WARWICK +Injurious Margaret! + +PRINCE EDWARD And why not "Queen"? + +WARWICK +Because thy father Henry did usurp, +And thou no more art prince than she is queen. + +OXFORD +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. + +WARWICK +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. + +OXFORD +Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege, +Whom thou obeyed'st thirty and six years, +And not bewray thy treason with a blush? + +WARWICK +Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right, +Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree? +For shame, leave Henry, and call Edward king. + +OXFORD +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 mellowed 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. + +WARWICK And I the house of York. + +KING LEWIS +Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford, +Vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside +While I use further conference with Warwick. +[They stand aloof.] + +QUEEN MARGARET, [aside] +Heavens grant that Warwick's words bewitch him +not. + +KING LEWIS +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. + +WARWICK +Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honor. + +KING LEWIS +But is he gracious in the people's eye? + +WARWICK +The more that Henry was unfortunate. + +KING LEWIS +Then further, all dissembling set aside, +Tell me for truth the measure of his love +Unto our sister Bona. + +WARWICK 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 fixed in virtue's ground, +The leaves and fruit maintained with beauty's sun, +Exempt from envy but not from disdain, +Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain. + +KING LEWIS +Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve. + +LADY BONA +Your grant or your denial shall be mine. +[(Speaks to Warwick.)] Yet I confess that often ere this +day, +When I have heard your king's desert recounted, +Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire. + +KING LEWIS +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 counterpoised.-- +Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness +That Bona shall be wife to the English king. + +PRINCE EDWARD +To Edward, but not to the English king. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Deceitful Warwick, it was thy device +By this alliance to make void my suit. +Before thy coming, Lewis was Henry's friend. + +KING LEWIS +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 released +From giving aid which late I promised. +Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand +That your estate requires and mine can yield. + +WARWICK +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. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Peace, impudent and shameless Warwick, +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 selfsame feather. +[Post blowing a horn within.] + +KING LEWIS +Warwick, this is some post to us or thee. + +[Enter the Post.] + + +POST [speaks to Warwick.] +My lord ambassador, these letters are for you, +Sent from your brother, Marquess Montague. +[(To Lewis.)] These from our king unto your Majesty. +[(To Margaret.)] And, madam, these for you--from +whom, I know not. [They all read their letters.] + +OXFORD, [aside] +I like it well that our fair queen and mistress +Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his. + +PRINCE EDWARD, [aside] +Nay, mark how Lewis stamps as he were nettled. +I hope all's for the best. + +KING LEWIS +Warwick, what are thy news? And yours, fair queen? + +QUEEN MARGARET +Mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped joys. + +WARWICK +Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent. + +KING LEWIS +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 th' alliance that he seeks with France? +Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner? + +QUEEN MARGARET +I told your Majesty as much before. +This proveth Edward's love and Warwick's honesty. + +WARWICK +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 dishonors 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 th' abuse done to my niece? +Did I impale him with the regal crown? +Did I put Henry from his native right? +And am I guerdoned at the last with shame? +Shame on himself, for my desert is honor! +And to repair my honor lost for him, +I here renounce him and return to Henry. +[He removes the white rose.] +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. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Warwick, these words have turned my hate to love, +And I forgive and quite forget old faults, +And joy that thou becom'st King Henry's friend. + +WARWICK +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 succor 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 honor, +Or than for strength and safety of our country. + +LADY BONA +Dear brother, how shall Bona be revenged +But by thy help to this distressed queen? + +QUEEN MARGARET +Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live +Unless thou rescue him from foul despair? + +LADY BONA +My quarrel and this English queen's are one. + +WARWICK +And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours. + +KING LEWIS +And mine with hers and thine and Margaret's. +Therefore at last I firmly am resolved +You shall have aid. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Let me give humble thanks for all, at once. + +KING LEWIS +Then, England's messenger, return in post, +And tell false Edward, thy supposed king, +That Lewis of France is sending over maskers +To revel it with him and his new bride. +Thou seest what's passed; go fear thy king withal. + +LADY BONA +Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, +I wear the willow garland for his sake. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Tell him my mourning weeds are laid aside +And I am ready to put armor on. + +WARWICK +Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong, +And therefore I'll uncrown him ere 't be long. +There's thy reward. [Gives money.] +Be gone. [Post exits.] + +KING LEWIS 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? + +WARWICK +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. + +QUEEN MARGARET +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 EDWARD +Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it, +And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand. +[He gives his hand to Warwick.] + +KING LEWIS +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. + +[All but Warwick exit.] + +WARWICK +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 raised 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. +[He exits.] + + +ACT 4 +===== + +Scene 1 +======= +[Enter Richard of Gloucester, Clarence, Somerset, +and Montague, all wearing the white rose.] + + +RICHARD +Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you +Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey? +Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? + +CLARENCE +Alas, you know 'tis far from hence to France. +How could he stay till Warwick made return? +[Flourish.] + +SOMERSET +My lords, forbear this talk. Here comes the King. + +RICHARD And his well-chosen bride. + +CLARENCE +I mind to tell him plainly what I think. + +[Enter King Edward, with Attendants, +Lady Grey, now Queen Elizabeth, Pembroke, Stafford, +Hastings, and others, all wearing the white rose. +Four stand on one side, and four on the other.] + + +KING EDWARD +Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice, +That you stand pensive, as half malcontent? + +CLARENCE +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 offense at our abuse. + +KING EDWARD +Suppose they take offense without a cause, +They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward, +Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will. + +RICHARD +And shall have your will because our king. +Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well. + +KING EDWARD +Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too? + +RICHARD Not I. +No, God forbid that I should wish them severed +Whom God hath joined together. Ay, and 'twere pity +To sunder them that yoke so well together. + +KING EDWARD +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. + +CLARENCE +Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis +Becomes your enemy for mocking him +About the marriage of the Lady Bona. + +RICHARD +And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge, +Is now dishonored by this new marriage. + +KING EDWARD +What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased +By such invention as I can devise? + +MONTAGUE +Yet to have joined with France in such alliance +Would more have strengthened this our +commonwealth +'Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage. + +HASTINGS +Why, knows not Montague that of itself +England is safe, if true within itself? + +MONTAGUE +But the safer when 'tis backed with France. + +HASTINGS +'Tis better using France than trusting France. +Let us be backed with God and with the seas +Which He hath giv'n for fence impregnable, +And with their helps only defend ourselves. +In them and in ourselves our safety lies. + +CLARENCE +For this one speech, Lord Hastings well deserves +To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford. + +KING EDWARD +Ay, what of that? It was my will and grant, +And for this once my will shall stand for law. + +RICHARD +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. + +CLARENCE +Or else you would not have bestowed the heir +Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife's son, +And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere. + +KING EDWARD +Alas, poor Clarence, is it for a wife +That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee. + +CLARENCE +In choosing for yourself you showed your judgment, +Which, being shallow, you shall give me leave +To play the broker in mine own behalf. +And to that end, I shortly mind to leave you. + +KING EDWARD +Leave me or tarry, Edward will be king +And not be tied unto his brother's will. + +QUEEN ELIZABETH +My lords, before it pleased 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 honors me and mine, +So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing, +Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow. + +KING EDWARD +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. + +RICHARD, [aside] +I hear, yet say not much, but think the more. + +[Enter a Post.] + + +KING EDWARD +Now, messenger, what letters or what news from +France? + +POST +My sovereign liege, no letters and few words +But such as I without your special pardon +Dare not relate. + +KING EDWARD +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? + +POST +At my depart, these were his very words: +"Go tell false Edward, the supposed king, +That Lewis of France is sending over maskers +To revel it with him and his new bride." + +KING EDWARD +Is Lewis so brave? Belike he thinks me Henry. +But what said Lady Bona to my marriage? + +POST +These were her words, uttered with mild disdain: +"Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, +I'll wear the willow garland for his sake." + +KING EDWARD +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. + +POST +"Tell him," quoth she, "my mourning weeds are +done, +And I am ready to put armor on." + +KING EDWARD +Belike she minds to play the Amazon. +But what said Warwick to these injuries? + +POST +He, more incensed against your Majesty +Than all the rest, discharged me with these words: +"Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong, +And therefore I'll uncrown him ere 't be long." + +KING EDWARD +Ha! Durst the traitor breathe out so proud words? +Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarned. +They shall have wars and pay for their presumption. +But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret? + +POST +Ay, gracious sovereign, they are so linked in +friendship +That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's +daughter. + +CLARENCE, [aside] +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. +[Clarence exits, and Somerset follows.] + +RICHARD, [aside] +Not I. My thoughts aim at a further matter: +I stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown. + +KING EDWARD +Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick? +Yet am I armed against the worst can happen, +And haste is needful in this desp'rate 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. +[Pembroke and Stafford exit.] +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. + +MONTAGUE +So God help Montague as he proves true! + +HASTINGS +And Hastings as he favors Edward's cause! + +KING EDWARD +Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us? + +RICHARD +Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you. + +KING EDWARD +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. +[They exit.] + +Scene 2 +======= +[Enter Warwick and Oxford in England, +wearing the red rose, with French Soldiers.] + + +WARWICK +Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well. +The common people by numbers swarm to us. + +[Enter Clarence and Somerset.] + +But see where Somerset and Clarence comes.-- +Speak suddenly, my lords: are we all friends? + +CLARENCE Fear not that, my lord. + +WARWICK +Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick, +And welcome, Somerset. I hold it cowardice +To rest mistrustful where a noble heart +Hath pawned 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 encamped, +His soldiers lurking in the town 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 Diomed +With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents +And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds, +So we, well covered 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! +[They exit.] + +Scene 3 +======= +[Enter three Watchmen to guard King Edward's tent, +all wearing the white rose.] + + +FIRST WATCH +Come on, my masters, each man take his stand. +The King by this is set him down to sleep. + +SECOND 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 suppressed. + +SECOND WATCH +Tomorrow, 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? + +SECOND WATCH +'Tis the more honor, because more dangerous. + +THIRD WATCH +Ay, but give me worship and quietness; +I like it better than a dangerous honor. +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. + +SECOND WATCH +Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent +But to defend his person from night foes? + +[Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, all wearing +the red rose, and French Soldiers, silent all.] + + +WARWICK +This is his tent, and see where stand his guard. +Courage, my masters. Honor, now or never! +But follow me, and Edward shall be ours. + +FIRST WATCH Who goes there? + +SECOND WATCH Stay, or thou diest! +[Warwick and the rest cry all "Warwick, Warwick!" +and set upon the guard, who fly, crying "Arm, Arm!" +Warwick and the rest following them.] + +[The drum playing and trumpet sounding, +enter Warwick, Somerset, and the rest, bringing +King Edward out in his gown, sitting in a chair. +Richard and Hastings flies over the stage.] + + +SOMERSET +What are they that fly there? + +WARWICK Richard and Hastings. +Let them go. Here is the Duke. + +KING EDWARD The Duke? +Why, Warwick, when we parted, thou call'dst me king. + +WARWICK Ay, but the case is altered. +When you disgraced 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? + +KING EDWARD +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. + +WARWICK +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 conveyed +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 awhile farewell, good Duke of York. + +[They begin to lead him out forcibly.] + +KING EDWARD +What Fates impose, that men must needs abide; +It boots not to resist both wind and tide. +[Somerset and Soldiers exit, guarding King Edward.] + +OXFORD +What now remains, my lords, for us to do +But march to London with our soldiers? + +WARWICK +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. +[They exit.] + +Scene 4 +======= +[Enter Rivers and Queen Elizabeth, +wearing the white rose.] + + +RIVERS +Madam, what makes you in this sudden change? + +QUEEN ELIZABETH +Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn +What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward? + +RIVERS +What, loss of some pitched battle against Warwick? + +QUEEN ELIZABETH +No, but the loss of his own royal person. + +RIVERS Then is my sovereign slain? + +QUEEN ELIZABETH +Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner, +Either betrayed by falsehood of his guard +Or by his foe surprised 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. + +RIVERS +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. + +QUEEN ELIZABETH +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 th' English crown. + +RIVERS +But, madam, where is Warwick then become? + +QUEEN ELIZABETH +I am informed 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. +[They exit.] + +Scene 5 +======= +[Enter Richard of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, +and Sir William Stanley, with Soldiers, +all wearing the white rose.] + + +RICHARD +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 advertised him by secret means +That, if about this hour he make this way +Under the color of his usual game, +He shall here find his friends with horse and men +To set him free from his captivity. + +[Enter King Edward, wearing the white rose, +and a Huntsman with him.] + + +HUNTSMAN +This way, my lord, for this way lies the game. + +KING EDWARD +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? + +RICHARD +Brother, the time and case requireth haste. +Your horse stands ready at the park corner. + +KING EDWARD But whither shall we then? + +HASTINGS +To Lynn, my lord, and shipped from thence +to Flanders. + +RICHARD +Well guessed, believe me, for that was my meaning. + +KING EDWARD +Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. + +RICHARD +But wherefore stay we? 'Tis no time to talk. + +KING EDWARD +Huntsman, what sayst thou? Wilt thou go along? + +HUNTSMAN +Better do so than tarry and be hanged. + +RICHARD +Come then, away! Let's ha' no more ado. + +KING EDWARD +Bishop, farewell; shield thee from Warwick's frown, +And pray that I may repossess the crown. +[They exit.] + +Scene 6 +======= +[Flourish. Enter King Henry the Sixth, Clarence, +Warwick, Somerset, young Henry Earl of Richmond, +Oxford, Montague, all wearing the red rose, +and Lieutenant of the Tower.] + + +KING HENRY +Master lieutenant, now that God and friends +Have shaken Edward from the regal seat +And turned my captive state to liberty, +My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys, +At our enlargement what are thy due fees? + +LIEUTENANT +Subjects may challenge nothing of their sov'reigns, +But, if an humble prayer may prevail, +I then crave pardon of your Majesty. + +KING HENRY +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 sett'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 punished 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. + +WARWICK +Your Grace hath still been famed 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. + +CLARENCE +No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway, +To whom the heav'ns in thy nativity +Adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown +As likely to be blest in peace and war; +And therefore I yield thee my free consent. + +WARWICK +And I choose Clarence only for Protector. + +KING HENRY +Warwick and Clarence, give me both your hands. +Now join your hands, and with your hands your +hearts, +That no dissension hinder government. + +[He joins their hands.] +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. + +WARWICK +What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will? + +CLARENCE +That he consents, if Warwick yield consent, +For on thy fortune I repose myself. + +WARWICK +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 honor and his ease. +And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful +Forthwith that Edward be pronounced a traitor +And all his lands and goods be confiscate. + +CLARENCE +What else? And that succession be determined. + +WARWICK +Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part. + +KING HENRY +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 eclipsed. + +CLARENCE +It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed. + +KING HENRY +My lord of Somerset, what youth is that +Of whom you seem to have so tender care? + +SOMERSET +My liege, it is young Henry, Earl of Richmond. + +KING HENRY, [to Richmond] +Come hither, England's hope. +[Lays his hand on Richmond's 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 framed to wear a crown, +His hand to wield a scepter, 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.] + + +WARWICK What news, my friend? + +POST +That Edward is escaped from your brother +And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy. + +WARWICK +Unsavory news! But how made he escape? + +POST +He was conveyed 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 rescued him, +For hunting was his daily exercise. + +WARWICK +My brother was too careless of his charge. +But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide +A salve for any sore that may betide. +[All but Somerset, Richmond, and Oxford exit.] + +SOMERSET, [to Oxford] +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. + +OXFORD +Ay, for if Edward repossess the crown, +'Tis like that Richmond, with the rest, shall down. + +SOMERSET +It shall be so. He shall to Brittany. +Come, therefore, let's about it speedily. +[They exit.] + +Scene 7 +======= +[Flourish. Enter King Edward, Richard, Hastings, +and Soldiers, all wearing the white rose.] + + +KING EDWARD +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 passed, and now re-passed, the seas, +And brought desired help from Burgundy. +What then remains, we being thus arrived +From Ravenspurgh Haven before the gates of York, +But that we enter as into our dukedom? +[Hastings knocks at the gate.] + +RICHARD +The gates made fast? Brother, I like not this. +For many men that stumble at the threshold +Are well foretold that danger lurks within. + +KING EDWARD +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. + +HASTINGS +My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them. +[He knocks.] + +[Enter on the walls the Mayor of York and his brethren, +the Aldermen.] + + +MAYOR +My lords, we were forewarned of your coming, +And shut the gates for safety of ourselves, +For now we owe allegiance unto Henry. + +KING EDWARD +But, master mayor, if Henry be your king, +Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York. + +MAYOR +True, my good lord, I know you for no less. + +KING EDWARD +Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom, +As being well content with that alone. + +RICHARD, [aside] +But when the fox hath once got in his nose, +He'll soon find means to make the body follow. + +HASTINGS +Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt? +Open the gates. We are King Henry's friends. + +MAYOR +Ay, say you so? The gates shall then be opened. +[He descends with the Aldermen.] + +RICHARD +A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded. + +HASTINGS +The good old man would fain that all were well, +So 'twere not long of him; but being entered, +I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade +Both him and all his brothers unto reason. + +[Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen.] + + +KING EDWARD +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. + +[March. Enter Montgomery, with Drum and Soldiers.] + + +RICHARD +Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery, +Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived. + +KING EDWARD +Welcome, Sir John. But why come you in arms? + +MONTGOMERY +To help King Edward in his time of storm, +As every loyal subject ought to do. + +KING EDWARD +Thanks, good Montgomery. But we now forget +Our title to the crown, and only claim +Our dukedom, till God please to send the rest. + +MONTGOMERY +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. +[The Drum begins to march.] + +KING EDWARD +Nay, stay, Sir John, a while, and we'll debate +By what safe means the crown may be recovered. + +MONTGOMERY +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 succor you. +Why shall we fight if you pretend no title? + +RICHARD +Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points? + +KING EDWARD +When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim. +Till then 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. + +HASTINGS +Away with scrupulous wit! Now arms must rule. + +RICHARD +And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns. +Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; +The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. + +KING EDWARD +Then be it as you will, for 'tis my right, +And Henry but usurps the diadem. + +MONTGOMERY +Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself, +And now will I be Edward's champion. + +HASTINGS +Sound, trumpet! Edward shall be here proclaimed.-- +Come, fellow soldier, make thou proclamation. +[Flourish. Sound.] + +SOLDIER [reads] Edward the Fourth, by the Grace of +God, King of England and France, and Lord of +Ireland, &c. + +MONTGOMERY +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! + +KING EDWARD +Thanks, brave Montgomery, and thanks unto you all. +If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness. +Now, for this night let's harbor 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. +[They exit.] + +Scene 8 +======= +[Flourish. Enter King Henry, Warwick, Montague, +Clarence, Oxford, and Exeter, all wearing the red rose.] + + +WARWICK +What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, +With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders, +Hath passed in safety through the Narrow Seas, +And with his troops doth march amain to London, +And many giddy people flock to him. + +KING HENRY +Let's levy men and beat him back again. + +CLARENCE +A little fire is quickly trodden out, +Which, being suffered, rivers cannot quench. + +WARWICK +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 inclined to hear what thou command'st.-- +And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well beloved, +In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.-- +My sovereign, 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. + +KING HENRY +Farewell, my Hector and my Troy's true hope. + +CLARENCE +In sign of truth, I kiss your Highness' hand. + +KING HENRY +Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate. + +MONTAGUE +Comfort, my lord; and so I take my leave. + +OXFORD +And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu. +[He kisses Henry's hand.] + +KING HENRY +Sweet Oxford and my loving Montague +And all at once, once more a happy farewell. + +WARWICK +Farewell, sweet lords. Let's meet at Coventry. +[All but King Henry and Exeter exit.] + +KING HENRY +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. + +EXETER +The doubt is that he will seduce the rest. + +KING HENRY +That's not my fear. My meed hath got me fame. +I have not stopped 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 allayed their swelling griefs, +My mercy dried their water-flowing tears. +I have not been desirous of their wealth +Nor much oppressed them with great subsidies, +Nor forward of revenge, though they much erred. +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 York! A York!"] + +EXETER +Hark, hark, my lord, what shouts are these? + +[Enter King Edward and Richard and Soldiers, +all wearing the white rose.] + + +KING EDWARD +Seize on the shamefaced 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. +[Soldiers exit with King Henry and Exeter.] +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 hoped-for hay. + +RICHARD +Away betimes, before his forces join, +And take the great-grown traitor unawares. +Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. +[They exit.] + + +ACT 5 +===== + +Scene 1 +======= +[Enter Warwick, wearing the red rose, the Mayor of +Coventry, two Messengers, and others, upon the walls.] + + +WARWICK +Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford?-- +How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow? + +FIRST MESSENGER +By this at Dunsmore, marching hitherward. +[He exits.] + +WARWICK +How far off is our brother Montague? +Where is the post that came from Montague? + +SECOND MESSENGER +By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop. [He exits.] + +[Enter, upon the walls, Somerville +wearing the red rose.] + + +WARWICK +Say, Somerville, what says my loving son? +And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now? + +SOMERVILLE +At Southam I did leave him with his forces +And do expect him here some two hours hence. +[Drum offstage.] + +WARWICK +Then Clarence is at hand; I hear his drum. + +SOMERVILLE +It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies. +The drum your Honor hears marcheth from Warwick. + +WARWICK +Who should that be? Belike unlooked-for friends. + +SOMERVILLE +They are at hand, and you shall quickly know. + +[March. Flourish. Enter below, King Edward, +Richard, and Soldiers, including a Trumpeter, +all wearing the white rose.] + + +KING EDWARD +Go, Trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle. + +RICHARD +See how the surly Warwick mans the wall. + +WARWICK +O unbid spite, is sportful Edward come? +Where slept our scouts, or how are they seduced, +That we could hear no news of his repair? + +KING EDWARD +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. + +WARWICK +Nay, rather wilt thou draw thy forces hence, +Confess who set thee up and plucked thee down, +Call Warwick patron, and be penitent, +And thou shalt still remain the Duke of York. + +RICHARD +I thought at least he would have said "the King." +Or did he make the jest against his will? + +WARWICK +Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift? + +RICHARD +Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give. +I'll do thee service for so good a gift. + +WARWICK +'Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother. + +KING EDWARD +Why, then, 'tis mine, if but by Warwick's gift. + +WARWICK +Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight; +And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again, +And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject. + +KING EDWARD +But Warwick's king is Edward's prisoner. +And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this: +What is the body when the head is off? + +RICHARD +Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast, +But whiles he thought to steal the single ten, +The King was slyly fingered from the deck. +You left poor Henry at the Bishop's palace, +And ten to one you'll meet him in the Tower. + +KING EDWARD +'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still. + +RICHARD +Come, Warwick, take the time; kneel down, kneel +down. +Nay, when? Strike now, or else the iron cools. + +WARWICK +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. + +KING EDWARD +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." + +[Enter Oxford, below, wearing the red rose, +with Soldiers, Drum and Colors.] + + +WARWICK +O, cheerful colors, see where Oxford comes! + +OXFORD Oxford, Oxford for Lancaster! +[Oxford and his troops exit as through a city gate.] + +RICHARD +The gates are open; let us enter too. + +KING EDWARD +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 defense, +We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same. + +[Oxford enters aloft.] + + +WARWICK +O welcome, Oxford, for we want thy help. + +[Enter Montague, below, wearing the red rose, +with Soldiers, Drum and Colors.] + + +MONTAGUE Montague, Montague for Lancaster! + +RICHARD +Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason +Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear! +[Montague and his troops exit as through a city gate.] + +KING EDWARD +The harder matched, the greater victory. +My mind presageth happy gain and conquest. + +[Enter Somerset, below, wearing the red rose, +with Soldiers, Drum and Colors.] + + +SOMERSET Somerset, Somerset for Lancaster! + +RICHARD +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. +[Somerset and his troops exit as through a city gate.] + +[Enter Clarence, below, wearing the red rose, +with Soldiers, Drum and Colors.] + + +WARWICK +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. + +CLARENCE +Father of Warwick, know you what this means? +[He removes the red rose.] +Look, here I throw my infamy at thee. +[He throws the rose at Warwick.] +I will not ruinate my father's house, +Who gave his blood to lime the stones together +And set up Lancaster. Why, trowest 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 when he sacrificed 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. + +KING EDWARD +Now, welcome more, and ten times more beloved, +Than if thou never hadst deserved our hate. + +RICHARD +Welcome, good Clarence; this is brother-like. + +WARWICK +O, passing traitor, perjured and unjust. + +KING EDWARD +What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the town and fight? +Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears? + +WARWICK +Alas, I am not cooped here for defense. +I will away towards Barnet presently +And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou dar'st. + +KING EDWARD +Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads the way.-- +[Warwick exits from the walls and descends.] +Lords, to the field! Saint George and victory! +[They exit. March. Warwick and his company follows.] + +Scene 2 +======= +[Alarum and excursions. Enter King Edward, +wearing the white rose, bringing forth Warwick, +wearing the red rose, wounded.] + + +KING EDWARD +So, lie thou there. Die thou, and die our fear, +For Warwick was a bug that feared us all. +Now, Montague, sit fast. I seek for thee, +That Warwick's bones may keep thine company. +[He exits.] + +WARWICK +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 overpeered Jove's spreading tree +And kept low shrubs from winter's pow'rful wind. +These eyes, that now are dimmed with death's black +veil, +Have been as piercing as the midday sun +To search the secret treasons of the world. +The wrinkles in my brows, now filled with blood, +Were likened oft to kingly sepulchers, +For who lived king but I could dig his grave? +And who durst smile when Warwick bent his brow? +Lo, now my glory smeared 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. + +[Enter Oxford and Somerset, both wearing the red rose.] + + +SOMERSET +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, could'st thou fly-- + +WARWICK +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. + +SOMERSET +Ah, Warwick, Montague hath breathed 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 cannon in a vault, +That mought not be distinguished, but at last +I well might hear, delivered with a groan, +"O, farewell, Warwick." + +WARWICK +Sweet rest his soul! Fly, lords, and save yourselves, +For Warwick bids you all farewell to meet in heaven. +[He dies.] + +OXFORD +Away, away, to meet the Queen's great power! +[Here they bear away his body. They exit.] + +Scene 3 +======= +[Flourish. Enter King Edward in triumph, with Richard, +Clarence, and the rest, all wearing the white rose.] + + +KING EDWARD +Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course, +And we are graced 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 raised in Gallia have arrived our coast +And, as we hear, march on to fight with us. + +CLARENCE +A little gale will soon disperse that cloud +And blow it to the source from whence it came; +Thy very beams will dry those vapors up, +For every cloud engenders not a storm. + +RICHARD +The Queen is valued thirty thousand strong, +And Somerset, with Oxford, fled to her. +If she have time to breathe, be well assured +Her faction will be full as strong as ours. + +KING EDWARD +We are advertised by our loving friends +That they do hold their course toward Tewkesbury. +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. +[They exit.] + +Scene 4 +======= +[Flourish. March. Enter Queen Margaret, +young Prince Edward, Somerset, Oxford, +and Soldiers, all wearing the red rose.] + + +QUEEN MARGARET +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 overboard, +The cable broke, the holding-anchor lost, +And half our sailors swallowed 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 saved? +Ah, what a shame, ah, what a fault were this! +Say Warwick was our anchor; what of that? +And Montague our topmast; what of him? +Our slaughtered 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 unskillful, why not Ned and I +For once allowed the skillful 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 these the enemies to our poor bark? +Say you can swim: alas, 'tis but awhile; +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, +If case some one of you would fly from us, +That there's no hoped-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 EDWARD +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. + +OXFORD +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! + +SOMERSET +And he that will not fight for such a hope, +Go home to bed and, like the owl by day, +If he arise, be mocked and wondered at. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Thanks, gentle Somerset.--Sweet Oxford, thanks. + +PRINCE EDWARD +And take his thanks that yet hath nothing else. + +[Enter a Messenger.] + + +MESSENGER +Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand, +Ready to fight. Therefore be resolute. [He exits.] + +OXFORD +I thought no less. It is his policy +To haste thus fast to find us unprovided. + +SOMERSET +But he's deceived. We are in readiness. + +QUEEN MARGARET +This cheers my heart to see your forwardness. + +OXFORD +Here pitch our battle; hence we will not budge. + +[Flourish, and march. Enter King Edward, Richard, +Clarence, and Soldiers, all wearing the white rose.] + + +KING EDWARD, [to his army] +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, you blaze to burn them out. +Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords! + +QUEEN MARGARET, [to her army] +Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I should say +My tears gainsay, for every word I speak +You see I drink the water of my eye. +Therefore, no more but this: Henry, your sovereign, +Is prisoner to the foe, his state usurped, +His realm a slaughterhouse, his subjects slain, +His statutes cancelled 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! +[Alarum, retreat, excursions. They exit.] + +Scene 5 +======= +[Flourish. Enter King Edward, Richard, and +Clarence, all wearing the white rose, with Soldiers +guarding Queen Margaret, Oxford, and Somerset, +all wearing the red rose, prisoners.] + + +KING EDWARD +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. + +OXFORD +For my part, I'll not trouble thee with words. + +SOMERSET +Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune. + +QUEEN MARGARET +So part we sadly in this troublous world +To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem. +[Oxford and Somerset exit, under guard.] + +KING EDWARD +Is proclamation made that who finds Edward +Shall have a high reward, and he his life? + +RICHARD +It is, and lo where youthful Edward comes. + +[Enter Prince Edward, wearing the red rose, +under guard.] + + +KING EDWARD +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 turned me to? + +PRINCE EDWARD +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 selfsame words to thee +Which, traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Ah, that thy father had been so resolved! + +RICHARD +That you might still have worn the petticoat +And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster. + +PRINCE EDWARD +Let Aesop fable in a winter's night; +His currish riddles sorts not with this place. + +RICHARD +By heaven, brat, I'll plague you for that word. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men. + +RICHARD +For God's sake, take away this captive scold. + +PRINCE EDWARD +Nay, take away this scolding crookback, rather. + +KING EDWARD +Peace, willful boy, or I will charm your tongue. + +CLARENCE, [to Prince Edward] +Untutored lad, thou art too malapert. + +PRINCE EDWARD +I know my duty. You are all undutiful. +Lascivious Edward, and thou perjured George, +And thou misshapen Dick, I tell you all +I am your better, traitors as you are, +And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine. + +KING EDWARD +Take that, the likeness of this railer here! [Stabs him.] + +RICHARD +Sprawl'st thou? Take that to end thy agony! +[Richard stabs him.] + +CLARENCE +And there's for twitting me with perjury. +[Clarence stabs him.] + +QUEEN MARGARET O, kill me too! + +RICHARD Marry, and shall. [Offers to kill her.] + +KING EDWARD +Hold, Richard, hold, for we have done too much. + +RICHARD +Why should she live to fill the world with words? +[Queen Margaret faints.] + +KING EDWARD +What, doth she swoon? Use means for her recovery. +[They attempt to revive her.] + +RICHARD, [taking Clarence aside] +Clarence, excuse me to the King my brother. +I'll hence to London on a serious matter. +Ere you come there, be sure to hear some news. + +CLARENCE What? What? + +RICHARD The Tower, the Tower! [He exits.] + +QUEEN MARGARET, [rising from her swoon] +O Ned, sweet Ned, speak to thy mother, boy. +Canst thou not speak? O traitors, murderers! +They that stabbed Caesar 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 cropped! +You have no children, butchers. If you had, +The thought of them would have stirred 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. + +KING EDWARD +Away with her. Go bear her hence perforce. + +QUEEN MARGARET +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. + +CLARENCE +By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease. + +QUEEN MARGARET +Good Clarence, do! Sweet Clarence, do thou do it. + +CLARENCE +Didst thou not hear me swear I would not do it? + +QUEEN MARGARET +Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyself. +'Twas sin before, but now 'tis charity. +What, wilt thou not? Where is that devil's butcher, +Richard, +Hard-favored Richard? Richard, where art thou? +Thou art not here. Murder is thy alms-deed; +Petitioners for blood thou ne'er putt'st back. + +KING EDWARD +Away, I say! [(To Soldiers.)] I charge you bear her +hence. + +QUEEN MARGARET +So come to you and yours as to this prince! +[Queen Margaret exits under guard. +Soldiers carry off Prince Edward's body.] + +KING EDWARD Where's Richard gone? + +CLARENCE +To London all in post, and, as I guess, +To make a bloody supper in the Tower. + +KING EDWARD +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. +[They exit.] + +Scene 6 +======= +[Enter King Henry the Sixth, wearing the red rose, +and Richard of Gloucester, wearing the white rose, +with the Lieutenant above on the Tower walls.] + + +RICHARD +Good day, my lord. What, at your book so hard? + +KING HENRY +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." + +RICHARD, [to Lieutenant] +Sirrah, leave us to ourselves; we must confer. +[Lieutenant exits.] + +KING HENRY +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? + +RICHARD +Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind; +The thief doth fear each bush an officer. + +KING HENRY +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 limed, was caught, and +killed. + +RICHARD +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 drowned. + +KING HENRY +I Daedalus, my poor boy Icarus, +Thy father Minos, that denied our course; +The sun that seared 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? + +RICHARD +Think'st thou I am an executioner? + +KING HENRY +A persecutor I am sure thou art. +If murdering innocents be executing, +Why, then, thou art an executioner. + +RICHARD +Thy son I killed for his presumption. + +KING HENRY +Hadst thou been killed when first thou didst presume, +Thou hadst not lived 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, +Orphans for their parents' timeless death, +Shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born. +The owl shrieked at thy birth, an evil sign; +The night-crow cried, aboding luckless time; +Dogs howled, and hideous tempest shook down trees; +The raven rooked her on the chimney's top; +And chatt'ring 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 indigested and 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-- + +RICHARD +I'll hear no more. Die, prophet, in thy speech; + +[Stabs him.] +For this amongst the rest was I ordained. + +KING HENRY +Ay, and for much more slaughter after this. +O God, forgive my sins, and pardon thee. [Dies.] + +RICHARD +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 you, to make haste +And seek their ruin that usurped our right? +The midwife wondered, 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 shaped 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 graybeards 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. +[He exits, carrying out the body.] + +Scene 7 +======= +[Flourish. Enter King Edward, Queen Elizabeth, +Clarence, Richard of Gloucester, Hastings, Nurse, +carrying infant Prince Edward, and Attendants.] + + +KING EDWARD +Once more we sit in England's royal throne, +Repurchased with the blood of enemies. +What valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn, +Have we mowed down in tops of all their pride! +Three dukes of Somerset, threefold renowned +For hardy and undoubted champions; +Two Cliffords, as the father and the son; +And two Northumberlands; two braver men +Ne'er spurred their coursers at the trumpet's sound. +With them the two brave bears, Warwick and +Montague, +That in their chains fettered the kingly lion +And made the forest tremble when they roared. +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 armors watched the winter's night, +Went all afoot in summer's scalding heat, +That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace, +And of our labors thou shalt reap the gain. + +RICHARD, [aside] +I'll blast his harvest, if your head were laid; +For yet I am not looked on in the world. +This shoulder was ordained so thick to heave, +And heave it shall some weight or break my back. +Work thou the way and that shalt execute. + +KING EDWARD +Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen, +And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. + +CLARENCE +The duty that I owe unto your Majesty +I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. +[He kisses the infant.] + +KING EDWARD +Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks. + +RICHARD +And that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st, +Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit. +[He kisses the infant.] +[Aside.] To say the truth, so Judas kissed his master +And cried "All hail!" whenas he meant all harm. + +KING EDWARD +Now am I seated as my soul delights, +Having my country's peace and brothers' loves. + +CLARENCE +What will your Grace have done with Margaret? +Reignier, her father, to the King of France +Hath pawned the Sicils and Jerusalem, +And hither have they sent it for her ransom. + +KING EDWARD +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 befits the pleasure of the court? +Sound drums and trumpets! Farewell, sour annoy, +For here I hope begins our lasting joy. +[Flourish. They all exit.] \ No newline at end of file