I'll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dares :Resolve thee, Richard; claim the English crown. [Warwick leads York to the throne, who seats himself. York. Will you, we show our title to the crown? If not, our swords shall plead it in the field. K. Hen. What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown? Flourish. Enter King Henry, Clifford, Northum-Thy father was, as thou art, duke of York; red roses in their hats. K. Hen. My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits,|| revenge On him, his sons, his favourites, and his friends. 'North. If I be not, heavens, be reveng'd on me! Clif. The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel. West. What, shall we suffer this? let's pluck him down: 'My heart for anger burns, I cannot brook it. K. Hen. Be patient, gentle earl of Westmoreland. Clif. Patience is for poltroons, and such as he; He durst not sit there had your father livid. My gracious lord, here in the parliainent Let us assail the family of York. North. Well hast thou spoken, cousin; be it so. K. Hen. Ah, know you not, the city favours them, And they have troops of soldiers at their beck? Exe. But when the duke is slain, they'll quickly fly. K. Hen. Far be the thought of this from Henry's heart, To make a shambles of the parliament-house! York. 'Twas my inheritance, as the earldom was. Exe. Thy father was a traitor to the crown. War. Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown, In following this usurping Henry. Clif. Whom should he follow, but his natural king? War. True, Clifford; and that's Richard, duke of York. 'K. Hen. And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne? ⚫ York. It must and shall be so. Content thyself. War. Be duke of Lancaster, let him be king. West. He is both king and duke of Lancaster: And that the lord of Westmoreland shall maintain. War. And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget, That we are those, which chas'd you from the field, And slew your fathers, and with colours spread March'd through the city to the palace gates. 'North. Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief; And, by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it. 'West. Plantagenet, of thee, and these thy sons, Thy kinsmen, and thy friends, I'll have more lives, Than drops of blood were in my father's veins. Clif. Urge it no more; lest that, instead of words, I send thee, Warwick, such a messenger, As shall revenge his death, before I stir. 'War. Poor Clifford! how I scorn his worthless threats! (1) Since. War. Talk not of France, sith' thou hast lost it all. K. Hen. The lord protector lost it, and not I; When I was crown'd, I was but nine months old. Rich. You are old enough now, and yet, methinks you lose : Father, tear the crown from the usurper's head. Let's fight it out, and not stand cavilling thus. K. Hen. Peace thou! and give king Henry leave to speak. War Plantagenet shall speak first :-hear him, lords; And be you silent and attentive too, 'K. Hen. Think'st thou, that I will leave my kingly throne, Wherein my grandsire, and my father, sat? Ay, and their colours-often borne in France; And now in England, to our heart's great sorrow,— Shall be my winding sheet.-Why faint you, lords? My title's good, and better far than his. War. But prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king. K. Hen. Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown. York. 'Twas by rebellion against his king. K. Hen. I know not what to say; my title's weak. Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir? York. What then? 6 K. Hen. An if he may, then am I lawful king: For Richard, in the view of many lords, Resign'd the crown to Henry the Fourth; Whose heir my father was, and I am his. York. He rose against him, being his sovereign, And made him to resign his crown perforce. War. Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrain'd, Think you, 'twere prejudicial to his crown ?2 Exe. No; for he could not so resign his crown, But that the next heir should succeed and reign. K. Hen. Art thou against us, duke of Exeter? Exe. His is the right, and therefore pardon me. * York. Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not? Exe. My conscience tells me he is lawful king. K. Hen. 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 '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; Or I will fill the house with armed men, And, o'er the chair of state, where now he sits, Write up his title with usurping blood. [He stamps, and the soldiers show themselves. K. Hen. My lord of Warwick, hear me but one word; 'Let me, for this my life-time, reign as king. York. Confirm the crown to me, and to mine heirs, And thou shalt reign in quiet whilst thou liv'st. K. Hen. I am content: Richard Plantagenet, Enjoy the kingdom after my decease. 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 injured both thyself and us West. I cannot stay to hear these articles. North. Nor I. Clif. Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. The crown to thee, and to thine heirs for ever; Conditionally, that here thou take an oath To cease this civil war, and, whilst I live, To honour me as thy king and sovereign; * And neither by treason, nor hostility, *To seek to put me down, and reign thyself. York. This oath I willingly take, and will per[Coming from the throne. War. Long live king Henry !-Plantagenet, em form. brace him. 1 'Q. Mar. Nay, go not from me, I will follow thee. K. Hen. Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay 'Q. Mar. Who can be patient in such extremes? Ah, wretched man! would I had died a maid, *And never seen thee, never borne thee son, *Seeing thou hast prov'd so unnatural a father! Hath he deserv'd to lose his birthright thus? Hadst thou but lov'd him half so well as I; *Or felt that pain which I did for him once; *Or nourish'd him, as I did with my blood; Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there, Rather than made that savage duke thine heir, *And disinherited thine only son. * Prince. Father, you cannot disinherit me: If you be king, why should not I succeed? *K. Hen. Pardon me, Margaret ;-pardon me, sweet son;— The earl of Warwick, and the duke, enforc'd me. *Q. Mar. Enforc'd thee! art thou king, and wilt be forc'd? I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch! And yet shalt thou be safe? * such safety finds Until that act of parliament be repeal'd, Whereby my son is disinherited. The northern lords, that have forsworn thy colours, Will follow mine, if once they see them spread: And spread they shall be; to thy foul disgrace, And utter ruin of the house of York. Thus do I leave thee :-Come, son, let's away; Q. Mar. Thou hast spoke too much already; get thee gone. K. Hen. Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me? Q. Mar. Ay, to be murder'd by his enemies. Prince. When I return with victory from the field, I'll see your grace: till then, I'll follow her. Q. Mar. Come, son, away; we may not linger thus. [Exe. Queen Mar, and the Prince. K. Hen. Poor queen! how love to me, and to her son, Hath made her break out into terms of rage! Reveng'd may she be on that hateful duke; *Whose haughty spirit, winged with desire, *Will cost my crown, and, like an empty eagle, Tire2 on the flesh of me, and of my son! *The loss of those three lords torments my heart: *I'll write unto them, and entreat them fair; Come, cousin, you shall be the messenger. * Exe. And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all. [Exeunt. VOL II. SCENE II-A room in Sandal Castle, near Wakefield, in Yorkshire. Enter Edward, Richard, 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 '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. 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. York. I took an oath, that he should quietly reign. Edw. But, for a kingdom, any oath may be broken: I'd break a thousand oaths, to reign one year. York. I shall be, if I claim by open war. • York. Thou canst not, son; it is impossible. Rich. An oath is of no moment, being not took 'Before a true and lawful magistrate, 'That hath authority over him that swears: Henry had none, but did usurp the place; Then, seeing 'twas he that made you to depose, 'Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous. Therefore, to arms. *And, father, do but think, *How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown; * Within whose circuit is Elysium, * And all that poets feign of bliss and joy. Why do we linger thus? I cannot rest, Until the white rose, that I wear, be died *Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart. York. Richard, enough; I will be king, or die. 'Brother, thou shalt to London presently, And whet on Warwick to this enterprise.— Thou, Richard, shalt unto the duke of Norfolk, And tell him privily of our intent.You, Edward, shall unto my lord Cobham, With whom the Kentish-men will willingly rise: In them I trust; for they are soldiers, Witty and courteous, liberal, full of spirit.While you are thus employ'd, what resteth more, But that I seek occasion how to rise; And yet the king not privy to my drift, 'Nor any of the house of Lancaster? Enter a Messenger. But, stay; What news? Why com'st thou in such post? Mess. The queen, with all the northern earls and lords, Intend here to besiege you in your castle : She is hard by with twenty thousand men; And therefore fortify your hold, my lord. *York. Ay, with my sword. What! think'st thou, that we fear them? (1) Of sound judgment. Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me ;My brother Montague shall post to London: * Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest, * Whom we have left protectors of the king, With powerful policy strengthen themselves, *And trust not simple Henry, nor his oaths. *Mont. Brother, I go; I'll win them, fear it not *And thus most humbly I do take my leave. [Ex. Enter Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer. York. Sir John, and sir Hugh Mortimer, inine uncles! You are come to Sandal in a happy hour; The army of the queen mean to besiege us. Sir John. She shall not need, we'll meet her in the field. York. What, with five thousand men? Rich. Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need. A woman's general; what should we fear? [A march afar off Edw. I hear their drums; let's set our men in order; And issue forth, and bid them battle straight. I doubt not, uncle, of our victory. SCENE III.-Plains near Sandal Castle. Alar ums: Excursions. Enter Rutland, and his Tutor. Rut. Ah, whither shall fly to 'scape their hands? child, Lest thou be hated both of God and man. [Exit, forced off by Soldiers Clif. How now! is he dead already? Or, is it fear, 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.- Clif. In vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood Hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should enter. Rut. Then let my father's blood open it again; He is a man, and, Člifford, cope with him. Clif. Had I thy brethren here, their lives, and thine, Were not revenge sufficient for me; And till I root out their accursed line, 'And leave not one alive, I live in hell. Therefore [Lifting his hand. Rut. O, let me pray before I take my death :To thee I pray; Sweet Clifford, pity me! Clif. Such pity as my rapier's point affords. Rut. I never did thee harm; Why wilt thou slay me? Clif. Thy father hath. Rut. But 'twas ere I was born. Ah, let me live in prison all my days; Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause. Thy father slew my father; therefore, die. Clif. Plantagenet! I come, Plantagenet!" And this thy son's blood cleaving to my blade, Shall rust upon my weapon, till thy blood, Congeal'd with this, do make me wipe off both. [Exit. SCENE IV.-The same. Alarum. Enter York. 'York. The army of the queen hath got the field: My uncles both are slain in rescuing me; And all my followers to the eager foe Turn back, and fly, like ships before the wind, 'Or lambs pursu'd by hunger-starved wolves. My sons-God knows, what hath bechanced them: But this I know,-they have demean'd themselves Like men born to renown, by life, or death. • Three times did Richard make a lane to me; And thrice cried,-Courage, father! fight it out! And full as oft came Edward to my side, With purple falchion, painted to the hilt "In blood of those that had encounter'd him: And when the hardiest warriors did retire, Richard cried,-Charge! and give no foot of ground! And cried,-A crown, or else a glorious tomb! A sceptre, or an earthly sepulchre! With this we charg'd again: but, out, alas! "We bodg'd' again; as I have seen a swan With bootless labour swim against the tide, And spend her strength with over-matching waves. [A short alarum within. Ah, hark! the fatal followers do pursue; ⚫ And I am faint, and cannot fly their fury: And, were I strong, I would not shun their fury The sands are number'd, that make up my life; • Here must I stay, and here my life must end. Enter Queen Margaret, Clifford, Northumberland, and Soldiers. Come, bloody Clifford,-rough Northumberland,-I dare your quenchless fury to more rage; I am your butt, and I abide your shot. North. Yield to our mercy, proud Plantagenet. Clif Ay, to such mercy, as his ruthless arm, With downright payment, show'd unto my father. Now Phaeton hath tumbled from his car, And made an evening at the noontide prick.4 York. My ashes, as the phoenix, may bring forth A bird that will revenge upon you all: • And, in that hope, I throw mine eyes to heaven, Scorning whate'er you can afflict me with. (1) Since. (2) Heaven grant this may be your greatest boast. Ovid. Epist. Why come you not? what! multitudes, and fear? Clif. So cowards fight, when they can fly no further; So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons; So desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives, Breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers. York. O, Clifford, but bethink thee once again, And in thy thought o'er-run my former time: *And, if thou canst for blushing, view this face; And bite thy tongue, that slanders him with cowardice, Whose frown hath made thee faint and fly ere this. Clif. I will not bandy with thee word for word; But buckle with thee blows, twice two for one. [Draws. Q. Mar. Hold, valiant Clifford! for a thousand causes, I would prolong a while the traitor's life :Wrath makes him deaf: speak thou, Northumber land. North. Hold, Clifford; do not honour him so much, To prick thy finger, though to wound his heart: [They lay hands on York, who struggles. Clif Ay, ay, so strives the woodcock with the gin. North. So doth the coney struggle in the net. [York is taken prisoner. York. So triumph thieves upon their conquer'd booty; So true mens yield, with robbers so o'er-match'd. North. What would your grace have done unto him now? Q. Mar. Brave warriors, Clifford, and Northumberland, Come, make him stand upon this mole-hill here; And where's that valiant crook-back prodigy, Dicky your boy, that, with his grumbling voice, Was wont to cheer his dad in mutinies?" Or, with the rest, where is your darling Rutland? I pr'ythee, grieve, to make me merry, York: * [Putting a paper crown on his head. (3) i. e. We boggled, made bad or bungling work of our attempt to rally. (4) Noontide point on the dial. (5) Honest men. (6) Reached. (7) Handkerchief. Ay, marry, sir, now looks he like a king! Is crown'd so soon, and broke his solemn oath? York. She-wolf of France, but worse than Whose tongue more poisons than the adder's tooth! To triumph like an Amazonian trull, Upon their woes, whom fortune captivates? I would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush: Thy father bears the types of king of Naples, That beggars, mounted, run their horse to death. As the Antipodes are unto us, Thou, stern, obdurate, flinty, rough, remorseless. 'Bid'st thou me rage? why, now thou hast thy wish: 'Would'st have me weep? why, now thou hast thy will: And I with tears do wash the blood away. And, if thou tell'st the heavy story right, curse; And, in thy need, such comfort come to thee, Q. Mar. What, weeping-ripe, my lord Northum- Think but upon the wrong he did us all, [Stabbing him. Q. Mar. And here's to right our gentle-hearted king. [Stabbing him. York. Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God! My soul flies through these wounds to seek out [Dies. thee. Q. Mar. Off with his head, and set it on York gates; So York may overlook the town of York. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I-A plain near Mortimer's Cross, in news; Had he been slain, we should have heard the news; *The happy tidings of his good escape.--. For raging wind blows up incessant showers, woman. North. Beshrew me, but his passions6 move me so, But you are more inhuman, more inexorable,- (1) Impale, encircle with a crown. (2) Kill him. (3) The distinguishing mark. (4) Government, in the language of the time, signified evenness of temper, and decency of manners. (5) The north. (6) Sufferings. So fled his enemies my warlike father; How well resembles it the prime of youth, sun; Not separated with the racking clouds,10 (7) Demeaned himself. (8) Neat cattle; cows, oxen, &c. (9) Aurora takes for a time her farewell of the sun when she dismisses him to his diurnal course. (10) i. e. The clouds in rapid tumultuary motion. |