Speak, Clifford, dost thou know who speaks to thee?- Rich. O, 'would he did! and, so, perhaps he doth; 'Tis but his policy to counterfeit, Because he would avoid such bitter taunts, Geo. Where's Captam Margaret to fence you now? wont. Rich, What, not an oath? nay, then the world goes hard, 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, And rear it in the place your father's stands.And now to London with triumphant march, There to be crowned England's royal king. 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: Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting. And George, of Clarence; -Warwick, as ourself, 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 honours 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 ourselves; For through this laund anon the deer will come; 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. To greet mine own land with my wishful sight. Thy place is fill'd, thy sceptre wrung from thee, Thy balm wash'd off, wherewith thou wast anointed: 1 Keep. Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee: This is the quondam king; let's seize upon him. 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 Poor queen, and son, your labour is but lost; And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words. Her sighs will make a battery in his breast; And, in conclusion, wins the king from her, To strengthen and support King Edward's place. 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 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 You are the king, King Edward hath depos'd; 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 month☛ 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? Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear. Look, as I blow this feather from my face, And as the air blows it to me again, Obeying with my wind when I do blow, And yielding to another when it blows, Commanded always by the greater gust; Such is the lightness of you common men. But do not break your oaths; for, of that sin My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty. Go where you will, the king shall be commanded; And be you kings; command, and I'll obey. 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 obey'd: And what God will, then let your king perform; [Exeunt. SCENE 11. 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 seiz'd on by the conqueror: Her suit is now, to repossess those lands; Glo. Your highness shall do well to grant her suit; It were dishonour 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. [Aside. Glo. God forbid that! for he'll take vantages. [Aside. K. Edw. How many children hast thou, widow? tell me. Clar. I think, he means to beg a child of her. [Aside. Glo. Nay, whip me then; he'll rather give her two. [Aside. L. Grey. 'Three, my most gracious lord. [Aside. K. Edw. 'Twere pity, they should lose their father's land. L. Grey. Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. K. Edw. Lords, give us leave; I'll try this widow's wit. Glo. Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave, Till youth take leave, and leave you to the crutch. [GLO. and CLAR, retire to the other side. K. Edw. Now tell me, madam, do you love your children? |