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, Or I will fill the house with armed men, [He stamps with his foot, and the soldiers K. Hen. My Lord of Warwick, hear me but one word: 170 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 while thou liv'st. King. I am content: Richard Plantagenet, Enjoy the kingdom after my decease. Clif. What wrong is this unto the prince your son! K. Hen. Ah, Exeter! War. 190 Why should you sigh, my lord? K. Hen. Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son, Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. 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. [Sennet. The Lords come forward. York. Farewell, my gracious lord; I'll to my castle. 1 Fearful, i.e. cowardly. 2 Bands, bonds, i.e. prison. Q. Mar. Who can be patient in such extremes? Ah, wretched man! would I had died a maid, Rather than made that savage duke thine heir, Prince. Father, you cannot disinherit me: If you be king, why should not I succeed? K. Hen. Pardon me, Margaret; pardon me, sweet son: 1 Bewray, discover, show. 2 Patient, here a trisyllable. I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch! Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me; The northern lords that have forsworn thý 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; Our army's ready; come, we 'll after them. K. Hen. Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak. 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, 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! Reveng'd may she be on that hateful duke, Whose haughty spirit, winged with desire, Will coast my crown, and, like an empty eagle, Tire on the flesh of me and of my son! The loss of those three lords torments my heart: 270 Edw. No, I can better play the orator. Mont. But I have reasons strong and forcible. Enter the DUKE OF YORK. 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; York. Thou canst not, son; it is impossible. Rich. An oath is of no moment, being not took Before a true and lawful magistrate, Enter CLIFFORD and Soldiers. Clif. Chaplain, away! thy priesthood saves thy life. As for the brat of this accursed duke, Clif. Soldiers, away with him! 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 't 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; 3 Post, haste. 5 Policy, art. |