Whiles, in his moan, the ship splits on the rock, Why, is not Oxford here another anchor? The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings? -no, From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wreck. As good to chide the waves, as speak them fair. rocks. Why, courage then! What cannot be avoided, Prince. Methinks, a woman of this valiant spirit Oxf. Women and children of so high a courage! And warriors faint! Why, 'twere perpetual shame.0, brave young prince! Thy famous grandfather Doth live again in thee: Long may'st thou live, To bear his image, and renew his glories! Som. And he, that will not fight for such a hope, Q. Mar. Thanks, gentle Somerset ;-Sweet Ox- Prince. And take his thanks, that yet hath nothing else. Enter a MESSENGER. Mess. Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand, Ready to fight; therefore be resolute. Of. I thought no less it is his policy, Som. But he's deceived, we are in readiness. Oaf. Here pitch our battle, hence we will not budge. March. Enter at a distance, King EDWARD, CLA- K. Edw. Brave followers, yonder stands the Which, by the heaven's assistance, and your Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night. Q. Mar. Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I My tears gainsay; for every word I speak, reign, Is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd, [Exeunt both Armies. Unsay, deny. * Know. SCENE V.-Another Part of the same. Alarums; Excursions; and afterwards a Retreat.Then enter King EDWARD, CLARENCE, GLOster, and Forces; with Queen MARGARET, OXFORD, and SOMERSET, Prisoners. K. Edw. Now, here a period of tumultuous broils. Away with Oxford to Hammes' castle straight: For Somerset, off with his guilty head. Go, bear them hence, I will not hear them speak. Oxf. For my part, I'll not trouble thee with words. Som. Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune. [Exeunt Somerset and Oxford, guarded. Q. Mar. So part we sadly in this troublous world, To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem. K. Edw. Is proclamation made,—that who finds Edward, Shall have a high reward, and he his life? Glo. It is; and, lo, where youthful Edward comes. Enter Soldiers, with Prince EDWARD. K. Edw. Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak. What! Can so young a thorn begin to prick ?- Suppose, that I am now my father's mouth; Glo. That you might still have worn the petticoat, And ne'er have stolen the breech from Lancaster. Prince. Let Æsop+ fable in a winter's night; His currish riddles sort not with this place. Glo. By heaven, brat, I'll plague you for that word. A castle in Picardy. The prince calls Richard, for his crookedness, Æsop. Q. Mar. Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men. Glo. For God's sake, take away this captive scold. Prince. Nay, take away this scolding crook-back rather. K. Edw. Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue. Clar. Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert. Prince. I know my duty, you are all undutiful: Lascivious Edward,-and thou perjured George,And thou misshapen Dick,-I tell you all, I am your better, traitors as ye are ; And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine. K. Edw. Take that, the likeness of this railer here. [Stabs him. Glo. Sprawl'st thou? Take that, to end thy agony. [Glo. stabs him. Clar. And there's for twitting me with perjury. Q. Mar. O, kill me too! [Clar. stabs him. [Offers to kill her. K. Edw. Hold, Richard, hold, for we have done too much. Glo. Why should she live, to fill the world with words +? K. Edw. What? doth she swoon? Use means for her recovery. Glo. Clarence, excuse me to the king my brother; I'll hence to London on a serious matter: Ere ye come there, be sure to hear some news. Glo. The Tower, the Tower! [Exit. Q. Mar. O, Ned, sweet Ned! Speak to thy mo ther, boy! Canst thou not speak ?-0 traitors! murderers!- He was a man; this, in respect, a child; What's worse than murderer, that I may name it? i. e. I will compel you to be as silent as if you were deprived of speech by enchantment. + Dispute, contention. You have no children, butchers! If you had, The thought of them would have stirr'd up re morse : But, if you ever chance to have a child, As, deathsmen! you have rid this sweet young prince! K. Edw. Away with her; go, bear her hence perforce. Q. Mar. Nay, never bear me hence, despatch me here; Here sheath thy sword; I'll pardon thee my death: What Wilt thou not!-Then, Clarence, do it thou. Clar. By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease. Q. Mar. Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it. Clar. Didst thou not hear me swear, I would not do it. Q. Mar. Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyfelf; 'Twas sin before, but now 'tis charity. What? Wilt thou not? Where is that devil's butcher, Hard-favour'd Richard? Richard, where art thon ? Thou art not here: Murder is thy alms-deed; Petitioners for blood thou ne'er put'st back. K. Edw. Away, I say. I charge ye, bear her hence. Q. Mar. So come to you, and yours, as to this prince! (Erit, led out forcibly. K. Edw. Where's Richard gone? Clar. To London, all in post; and, as I guess, To make a bloody supper in the Tower. K. Edw. He is sudden, if a thing comes in his head. Now march we hence: discharge the common sort [Exeunt. SCENE VI.-London.-A Room in the Tower. King HENRY is discovered sitting with a Book in his Hand, the LIEUTENANT attending. Enter. GLOSTER. Glo. Good day, my lord! What, at your book so hard? She alludes to the desertion of Clarence. |