That led calm Henry, though he were a king, But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them? [CLIFFORD groans, and dies. Edw. Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave? Rich. A deadly groan, like life and death's departing. Edw. See who it is; and now the battle's ended, If friend or foe, let him be gently used. Rich. Revoke that doom of mercy, for 'tis Clifford ; Who not contented that he lopped the branch In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth, From whence that tender spray did sweetly spring; I mean our princely father, duke of York. War. From off the gates of York fetch down the head, Your father's head, which Clifford placed there; Instead, whereof, let this supply the room; Measure for measure must be answered. Edw. Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house, That nothing sung but death to us and ours; Now death shall stop his dismal, threatening sound, And his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak. [Attendants bring the body forward. War. I think his understanding is bereft: Speak, Clifford, dost thou know who speaks to thee?Dark, cloudy, death o'ershades his beams of life, And he nor sees, nor hears us what we say. Rich. O, 'would he did! and so, perhaps, he doth; 'Tis but his policy to counterfeit, Because he would avoid such bitter taunts, Which in the time of death he gave our father. Geo. If so thou think'st, vex him with eager words. When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath; This hand should chop it off; and with the issuing blood Stifle the villain, whose unstanched thirst York and young Rutland could not satisfy. War. Ay, but he's dead. Off with the traitor's head, From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France, So shalt thou sinew both these lands together; And, having France thy friend, thou shalt not dread For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt, Yet look to have them buzz, to offend thine ears. And then to Brittany I'll cross the sea, To effect this marriage, so it please my lord. Edw. Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be; For on thy shoulder do I build my seat; And never will I undertake the thing, Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting. And George, of Clarence;-Warwick, as ourself, Shall do, and undo, as him pleaseth best. Rich. Let me be duke of Clarence; George, of Gloster; For Gloster's dukedom is too ominous. War. Tut, that's a foolish observation; Richard, be duke of Gloster. Now to London, To see these honors in possession. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. A Chase in the North of England. Enter two Keepers, with crossbows in their hands. 1 Keep. Under this thick-grown brake we'll shroud our selves; For through this laund anon the deer will come; And in this covert will we make our stand, 2 Keep. I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot. 1 Keep. 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. 2 Keep. Here comes a man; let's stay till he be passed. Thy place is filled, thy sceptre wrung from thee, 1 Keep Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee: This is the quondam king; let's seize upon him. K. Hen. Let me embrace these sour adversities; For wise men say, it is the wisest course. 2 Keep. Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him. 1 Keep. Forbear awhile; we'll hear a little more. K. Hen. My queen and son are gone to France for aid; And, as I hear, the great, commanding Warwick Is thither gone, to crave the French king's sister And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words. Her sighs will make a battery in his breast; To hear, and see, her plaints, her brinish tears. That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more; Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn. 2 Keep. Say, what art thou, that talk'st of kings and queens? K. Hen. More than I seem, and less than I was born to; A man at least, for less I should not be; And men may talk of kings, and why not I? 2 Keep. Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king. K. Hen. Why, so I am, in mind; and that's enough. 2 Keep. But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown? K. Hen. 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. 2 Keep. 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, K. Hen. But did you never swear, and break an oath? 2 Keep. No, never such an oath, nor will not now. K. Hen. Where did you dwell, when I was king of England? 2 Keep. Here in this country, where we now remain. K. Hen. I was anointed king at nine months old; My father and my grandfather were kings; And you were sworn true subjects unto me; And, tell me then, have you not broke your oaths? 1 Keep. No; For we were subjects but while you were king. K. Hen. Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man ? My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty. 1 Keep. We are true subjects to the king, king Edward. K. Hen. So would you be again to Henry, If he were seated as king Edward is. 1 Keep. We charge you, in God's name, and in the king's, To go with us unto the officers. K. Hen. In God's name, lead; your king's name be obeyed: And what God will, then let your king perform; [Exeunt. SCENE II. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, CLARENCE, and LADY GREY. K. Edw. Brother of Gloster, at Saint Albans' field This lady's husband, sir John Grey, was slain, His lands 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. Glo. Your highness shall do well to grant her suit; It were dishonor to deny it her. K. Edw. It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause. Glo. Yea! is it so? I see, the lady hath a thing to grant, Before the king will grant her humble suit. Clar. He knows the game; how true he keeps the wind! Glo. Silence! [Aside. [Aside. K. Edw. Widow, we will consider of your suit; And come some other time, to know our mind. L. Grey. Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay: May it please your highness to resolve me now; And what your pleasure is, shall satisfy me. Glo. [Aside.] Ay, widow? then I'll warrant you all your lands, And if what pleases him shall pleasure you. Fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow. Clar. I fear her not, unless she chance to fall. [Aside. Aside. K. Edw. How many children hast thou, widow? tell me. |