Impairing Henry, strength'ning mis-proud York, Giving no ground unto the house of York, [He faints. Alarum and Retreat. Enter EDWARD, GEORGE, RICHARD, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Soldiers. Edw. Now breathe we, lords; good fortune bids us pause, And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks.— But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them? For, though before his face I speak the words, [CLIFFORD groans,, and dies. Edw. Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave? [9] The Duke of York had been entrusted by Henry with the reins of government both in Ireland and France: and hence perhaps was taught to aspire to the throne. MAL.. Rich. A deadly groan, like life and death's departing.2 Edw. See who it is: and, now the battle's ended, If friend, or foe, let him be gently us❜d. Rich. Revoke that doom of mercy, for 'tis Clifford ; From whence that tender spray did sweetly spring, War. From off the gates of York fetch down the head, 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, [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.3 wont. Rich. What, not an oath ? nay, then the world goes hard, When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath :-- That I in all despite might rail at him, MAL. [2] Departing for separation. expression in the old Marriage Service. [33 Sour words; words of asperity. "Till death us depart" was the FARMER. JOHNS. This hand should chop it off; and with the issuing blood Stifle the villain, whose unstaunched thirst York and young Rutland could not satisfy. War. Ay, but he's dead: Off with the traitor's head, From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France, So shalt thou sinew both these lands together; For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt, And then to Britany 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.- Rich. Let me be duke of Clarence ; George, of Gloster ; For Gloster's dukedom is too ominous.4 War. Tut, that's a foolish observation; Richard, be duke of Gloster: Now to London, To see these honours in possession. ACT III. [Exeunt. SCENE I-A Chace in the North of England. Enter two Keepers, with Cross-bows in their Hands. 1 Keeper. UNDER this thick-grown brake we'll shroud ourselves ; 2 Keep. I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot. [4] Alluding, perhaps, to the deaths of Thomas of Woodstock, and Humphrey, Dukes of Gloster. STEEV. [5] Laund means the same as lawn; a plain extended between woods: STEEV. Will scare the herd, and so my shoot is lost. In this self-place where now we mean to stand. 2 Keep. Here comes a man, let's stay till he be past. Thy place is fill'd, thy scepter wrung from thee, 1 Keep. Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee: 2 Keep. Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him. 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. [2] This is an image very frequent in the works of Shakspeare. It is common in these plays to find the same images, whether jocular or serious, frequently recurring. JOHNS. [3] Quondam had not in Shakspeare's time uniformly acquired a ladicHOLT WHITE. rous sense. He smiles, and says-his Edward is install'd; 2 Keep. Say, who 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 deck'd with diamonds, and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: my crown is call'd, content; A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy. 2 Keep. Well, if you be a king crown'd with content, Your crown content, and you, must be contented To go along with us: for, as we think, You are the king, king Edward hath depos'd; Will apprehend you as his enemy. 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? [4] The piety of Henry scarce interests us more for his misfortunes, than this his constant solicitude for the welfare of his deceitful queen. STEEV. |