SCENE I. [London. The Parliament-house.] Alarum. Enter the DUKE OF YORK, EDWARD, RICHARD, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Soldiers. War. I wonder how the King escap'd our hands. York. While we pursu'd the horsemen of the north, He slily stole away and left his men; Were by the swords of common soldiers slain. Edu. Lord Stafford's father, Duke of Buckingham, Is either slain or wounded dangerous; 10 I cleft his beaver with a downright blow. 15 Whom I encount'red as the battles join'd. [Showing the Duke of Somerset's York. Richard hath best deserv'd of all my Rich. Thus do I hope to shake King Henry's head. 20 War. 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; 95 For hither we have broken in by force. Norf. We'll all assist you; he that flies shall die. York. Thanks, gentle Norfolk. my lords; 30 Stay by me, And, soldiers, stay and lodge by me this night. [They go up. War. And when the King comes, offer him no violence, Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce. York. The Queen this day here holds her parliament, 36 But little thinks we shall be of her council. War. The bloody parliament shall this be call'd, Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king, And bashful Henry depos'd, whose cowardice Hath made us by-words to our enemies. York. Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute; I mean to take possession of my right. K. Hen. [Aside.] All will revolt from me, and turn to him. North. Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay'st, Think not that Henry shall be so depos'd. War. Depos'd he shall be, in despite of all. North. Thou art deceiv'd. 'Tis not thy southern power, 156 Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent, Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud, Can set the Duke up in despite of me. Clif. King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence. 160 May that ground gape and swallow me alive, Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father! K. Hen. O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart! York. Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown. What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords? War. Do right unto this princely Duke of York, 160 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. 175 And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou liv'st. King. I am content. Richard Plantagenet, Enjoy the kingdom after decease. my Clif. What wrong is this unto the Prince your son! War. What good is this to England and himself! West. Base, fearful, and despairing Henry! Clif. How hast thou injur'd both thyself and us! West. I cannot stay to hear these articles. 180 North. Nor I. Clif. Come, cousin, let us tell the Queen these news. West. Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides. North. Be thou a prey unto the house of York, 185 And die in bands for this unmanly deed! Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. 200 War. Long live King Henry! Plantagenet, embrace him. K. Hen. And long live thou, and these thy forward sons! York. Now York and Lancaster are reconcil'd. Exe. Accurs'd be he that seeks to make them foes! 205 I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch ! Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me; Warwick is chancellor and the lord of Calais ; 245 Before I would have granted to that act. K. Hen. Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me? Prince. When I return with victory from the Mar. Ay, to be murder'd by his enemies. field 261 I'll see your Grace; till then I'll follow her. Q. Mar. Come, son, away; we may not linger thus. [Exeunt Queen Margaret and the Prince.] K. Hen. Poor queen! how love to me and to her son Hath made her break out into terms of rage! 270 I'll write unto them and entreat them fair. [SCENE II. Sandal Castle.] Enter RICHARD, EDWARD, and MONTAGUE. Rich. Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave. Edw. No, I can better play the orator. York. Why, how now, sons and brother! at a strife? What is your quarrel! How began it first? Edw. No quarrel, but a slight contention. York. About what? Rich. 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. 10 Rich. Your right depends not on his life or death. Edw. 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. I would break a thousand oaths to reign one York. Thou canst not, son; it is impossible. Rich. An oath is of no moment, being not took Before a true and lawful magistrate, When as the enemy hath been ten to one; Why should I not now have the like success? 78 [Alarum. Exeunt. [SCENE III. Field of battle betwixt Sandal Castle and Wakefield.] [Alarums.] Enter RUTLAND and his TUTOR. Rut. Ah, whither shall I fly to scape their hands? Ah, tutor, look where bloody Clifford comes ! Enter CLIFFORD [and Soldiers]. Clif Chaplain, away! thy priesthood saves thy life. As for the brat of this accursed duke, Tut. Ah, Clifford, murder not this innocent child, Lest thou be hated both of God and man! [Exit [dragged off by soldiers]. Clif. How now, is he dead already? Or is it fear 10 That makes him close his eyes? I'll open them. Rut. 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. 18 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 reveng'd on men, and let me live. Clif. In vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood 20 30 Were not revenge sufficient for me; 36 40 Rut. Ah, let me live in prison all my days; Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause, & |