And we are grac'd with wreaths of victory. Clar. A little gale will soon disperse that cloud, Glo. The queen is valu'd thirty thousand strong, K. Edw. We are advertis'd by our loving friends, Strike up the drum; cry-Courage! and away. SCENE IV. Plains near Tewksbury. March. Enter Queen MARGARET, Prince ED- But cheerly seek how to redress their harms. And half our sailors swallow'd in the flood? And give more strength to that, which hath too much; Th A A The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings? Prince. Methinks, a woman of this valiant spirit Should, if a coward heard her speak these words, Infuse his breast with magnanimity, And make him, naked, foil a man at arms. Oxf. Women and children of so high a courage! And warriors faint! why, 'twere perpetual shame. O, brave young prince! thy famous grandfather Doth live again in thee; Long may'st thou live, To bear his image, and renew his glories! Som. And he that will not fight for such a hope, Go home to bed, and, like the owl by day, If he arise, he mock'd and wonder'd at. Q. Mar. Thanks, gentle Somerset ;-sweet Oxford, thanks. Prince. And take his thanks, that yet hath nothing else. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand, Ready to fight; therefore be resolute. Oaf. I thought no less: it is his policy, To haste thus fast, to find us unprovided. Som. But he's deceiv'd, we are in readiness. Q. Mar. This cheers my heart, to see your forwardness. Oaf. Here pitch our battle, hence we will not budge. March. Enter, at a distance, King EDWARD, CLARENCE, GLOSTER, and Forces. K. Edw. Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood, Which, by the heavens' assistance, and your strength, For, well I wot, ye blaze to burn them out: Q. Mar. Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I should say, My tears gainsay for every word I speak, Therefore, no more but this :-Henry, your sovereign, His realm a slaughterhouse, his subjects slain, SCENE V. Another part of the same. Alarums: Excursions: and afterwards a Retreat. [Exeunt Oxford and Somerset, guarded. Q. Mar. So part we sadly in this troublous world, To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem. K. Ed. 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? Prince. Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York! Suppose, that I am now my father's mouth; Resign thy chair, and, where I stand, kneel thou, Whilst I propose the self-same words to thee, Which, traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to. Q. Mar. Ah, that thy father had been so resolv'd! Glo. That you might still have worn the petticoat, And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster. Prince. Let Esop 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. 2. 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 perjur'd George,And thou misshapen Dick,-I tell ye all, I am your better, traitors as ye are; And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine. here. [Stabs him. Glo. Sprawl'st thou ? take that, to end thy agony. [Glo. stabs him. Clar. And there's for twitching me with perjury. 2. Mar. O, kill me too! Glo. Marry, and shall. [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 mother, boy! Canst thou not speak!-O traitors! murderers!- How sweet a plant have you untimely cropp'd! Look in his youth to have him so cut off, As,deathsmen! you have rid this sweet young prince. K.Edu 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. 2. Mar. Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it. Clar. Didst thou not hear me swear, I would not do it? Q. Mar. Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyself; 'Twas sin before, but now 'tis charity. What! wilt thou not? where is that devil's butcher, Hard-favour'd Richard? Richard, where art thou? Thou art not here: Murder is thy alms-deed; Petitioners for blood thou ne'er put'st back. K. Edw. Away, I say; I charge ye, bear her hence. 2. Mar. So come to you, and yours, as to this prince! [Exit, led out forcibly. K. Edw. Where's Richard gone? Clar. To London, all in post; and, as I guess, To make a bloody supper in the Tower. |