Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not this; For many men, that stumble at the threshold, Are well foretold-that danger lurks within. K. Edw. Tush, man! abodements must not now By fair or foul means we must enter in, [them. Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more to summon Enter, on the Walls, the Mayor of York, and his Brethren. May. My lords, we were forewarned of your coming, And shut the gates for safety of ourselves; For now we owe allegiance unto Henry. K. Edw. But, master mayor, if Henry be your king, Yet Edward, at the least, is duke of York. May. True, my good lord; I know you for no less. K. Edw. Why, and I challenge nothing but my As being well content with that alone. [dukedom; Glo. But when the fox hath once got in his nose, He'll soon find means to make the body follow. [Aside. Hast. Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt? Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends. May. Ay, say you so! the gates shall then be open'd. [Exeunt from above. Glo. A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon! Hast. The good old man would fain that all were well, So 'twere not 'long of him but, being enter'd, Re-enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below. LA March begun. K. Edw. Nuy, stay, sir John, awhile; and we'll debate, By what safe means the crown may be recover'd. K. Ed. When we grow stronger, then we'll make Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns. Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right, And Heary but usurps the diadem. And now will I be Edward's champion. [claim'd:Mont. Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself; Hast. Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proCome, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. [Gives him a Paper. Flourish. Sold. [Reads] Edward the fourth, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, &c. Mont. And whosoe'er gainsays king Edward's right, By this I challenge him to single tight. [Throws downs his Gauntlet. All. Long live Edward the fourth! K. Edw. Thanks, brave Montgomery ;—and thanks unto you all. If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness. Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York: And, when the morning sun shall raise his car Above the border of this horizon, We'll forward towards Warwick, and his mates; For, well I wot, that Henry is no soldier.-- War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, Oxf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out; Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench. War. In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends, Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; Those will I muster up-and thou, son Clarence, Shalt stir, in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Kent, The knights and gentlemen to come with thee:Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham, Northampton, and in Leicestershire, shalt find Men well inclin'd to hear what thou command'st:And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well belov'd, In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.My sovereign, with the loving citizens,-Like to his island, girt in with the ocean, Or modest Dian circled with her nymphs, Shall rest in London, till we come to him.Fair lords, take leave, and stand not to reply. Farewell, my sovereign. [hope. K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true Clar. In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand. K. Hen. Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate! Mont. Comfort, my lord;-and so I take my leave. Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's Hand] I seal my truth, and bid adieu. K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague, And all at once, once more a happy farewell. War. Farewell, sweet lords; let's meet at Coventry. [Exeunt War. Clar. Oxf. and Mont. K. Hen. Here at the palace will I rest awhile. Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship? Methinks, the power that Edward hath in field, Should not be able to encounter mine. Exe. The doubt is, that he will seduce the rest. K. Hen. That's not my fear, my meed hath got me I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands, [fame. Nor posted off their suits with slow delays; My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs, My mercy dried their water-flowing tears: I have not been desirous of their wealth, Nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies, Nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd; Then why should they love Edward more than me? No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace: And, when the lion fawns upon the lamb, The lamb will never cease to follow him. [Shout within. A Lancaster! a Lancaster! Exe. Hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these? Enter King Edward, Gloster, and Soldiers. K. Edw. Seize on the shame-fac'd Henry, bear him hence, And once again proclaim us king of England.- Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join, ACT V. SCENE I. Coventry. [Exeunt. And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick, War. Sweet rest to his soul!Fly, lords, and save yourselves; for Warwick bids You all farewell, to meet again in heaven. [Dies. Oxf. Away, away, to meet the queen's great power! [Exeunt, bearing off Warwick's Body. SCENE III. Another Part of the Field. Flourish. Enter King Edward in triumph; with Clarence, Gloster, and the rest. K. Edw. Thus far our fortune keeps an upward I mean, my lords, those powers, that the queen Clar. A little gale will soon disperse that cloud, Glo. The queen is valu'd thirty thousand strong, And Somerset, with Oxford, fled to her; If she have time to breathe, be well assur'd, Her faction will be full as strong as ours. K. Edw. We are advertis'd by our loving friends, That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury; We, having now the best at Barnet field, Will thither straight, For willingness rids way; And, as we march, our strength will be augmented In every county as we go along. Strike up the drum; cry-Courage! and away. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Plains near Tewksbury. March. Enter Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, Q. Mar. Great lords, wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss, But cheerly seek how to redress their harms. And half our sailors swallow'd in the flood? The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings? Prince. Methinks, a woman of this valiant spirit He should have leave to go away betimes; 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 mayst 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, be mock'd and wonder'd at. Q. Mar. Thanks, gentle Somerset ;-sweet Oxford, thanks. [else. Prince. And take his thanks, that yet hath nothing Enter a Messenger. Mess. Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand, Ready to fight; therefore be resolute. Oxf. 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. [ness. Q. Mar. This cheers my heart, to see your forwardOxf. 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, I need not add more fuel to your fire, Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords. Q. Mar. Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I should say, My tears gainsay; for every word I speak, [Exeunt both Armies. SCENE V. Another Part of the same. Alarums: Excursions: and afterwards a Retreat. Then enter King Edward, Clarence, Gloster, and Forces; with Queen Margaret, Oxford, and Somerset, Prisoners. K. Edw. Now, here a period of tumultuous broils. Away with Oxford to Hammes' castle straight: Go, bear them hence; I will not hear them speak. For Somerset, off with his guilty head. Oxf. For my part, I'll not trouble thee with words. Som. Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune. [Exeunt Oxford and Somerset, guarded. Q. Mar. So part we sadly in this troublous world, To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem. K. Edw. Is proclamation made, that who finds EdShall have a high reward, and he his life? [ward, Glo. It is and, lo, where youthful Edward comes. Enter Soldiers, with Prince Edward. K. Edw. Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him. What! can so young a thorn begin to prick! [speak. Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make, For hearing arms, for stirring up my subjects, And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to ? 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 Æsop fable in a winter's night; His currish riddles sort not with this place. rather. Glo. By heaven, brat, I'll plague you for that word. Q. 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 [tongue. K. Edw. Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your Clar. Untator'd lad, thou art too malapert. Prince. I know my duty, you are all undutiful: Lascivious Edward,-and thou perjur'd George,And thou mis-shapen Dick,-I tell ye all, K K K. Edw. Hold, Richard, hold, for we have done too much. Glo. Why should she live, to fill the world with words! [her recovery. K. Edw. What! doth she swoon? use means for. 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. Clar. What? what? Glo. The Tower, the Tower! [Exit. Q. Mar. O, Ned, sweet Ned! speak to thy mother, boy! Canst thou not speak ?-0 traitors! murderers !-- force. [here; Q. Mar. Nay, never bear me hence, despatch me 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. Q. Mar. Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it. [do it? Clar. Didst thou not hear me swear, I would not 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 Q. Mar. So come to you, and yours, as to this prince. [Exit, led out forcibly. K. Ed. Where's Richard gone? Clar. To London, all in post; and, as I guess, To make a bloody supper in the Tower. K. Edw. He's sudden, if a thing comes in his head. Now march we hence: discharge the common sort With pay and thanks, and let's away to London, And see our gentle queen how well she fares; By this, I hope, she hath a son for me. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. London. A Room in the Tower. King Henry is discovered sitting with a Book in his Hand, the Lieutenant attending. Enter Gloster. Glo. Good day, my lord! What, at your book so hard ? [rather; K. Hen. Ay, my good lord: My lord, I should say 'Tis sin to flatter, good was little better: Good Gloster, and good devil, were alike, And both preposterous; therefore, not good lord. Glo. Sirrah, leave us to ourselves: we must confer. [Exit Lieutenant. K. Hen. So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf: So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece, Glo. Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind; The thief doth fear each bush an officer. K. Hen. The bird, that hath been limed in a bush, With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush: And I, the hapless male to one sweet bird, Have now the fatal object in my eye, [kill'd. Where my poor young was lim'd, was caught, and Glo. Why, what a peevish fool was that of Crete, That taught his son the office of a fowl? And yet, for all his wings, the fool was drown'd. K. Hen. I, Dædalus; my poor boy, Icarus ; But wherefore dost thou come? Is't for my life? Glo. Thy son I kill'd for his presumption. Thou hadst not liv'd to kill a son of mine. Glo. I'll hear no more;-Die, prophet, in thy For this, amongst the rest, was I ordain'd. I, that have neither pity, love, nor fear.- [Exit. SCENE VII. The same. A Room in the Palace. King Edward is discovered sitting on his Throne; Queen Elizabeth with the infant Prince, Clarence, Gloster, Hastings, and others, near him. K. Edw. Once more we sit in England's royal throne, Re-purchas'd with the blood of enemies. What valiant foe-men, like to autumn's corn, Have we mow'd down in tops of all their pride? Three dukes of Somerset, threefold renown'd For hardy and undoubted champions: Two Cliffords, as the father and the son, And two Northumberlands; two braver men Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's sound: With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and Mon- Glo. I'll blast his harvest, if your head were laid; [Aside. K. Edw. Clarence, and Gloster, love my lovely queen; And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. Clar. The duty that I owe unto your majesty, I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. [thanks. K. Edw. Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, Glo. And, that I love the tree from whence thou Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit: [sprang'st, To say the truth, so Judas kiss'd his master;) And cried-all hail!-when as he meant-Aside. all harm. K. Edw. Now am I seated as my soul delights, Having my country's peace, and brothers' loves. Clar. What will your grace have done with MarReignier, her father, to the king of France [garet? Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem, And hither have they sent it for her ransom. [France. Life and Death of King Richard the Third. King Edward the Fourth. Edward, Prince of Wales, after wards King Edward V. Richard, Duke of York, George, Duke of Clarence, DRAMATIS PERSONE. Sir Thomas Vaughan. Sir Richard Ratcliff. Sons to the King. Sir James Blount. Sir Walter Herbert. Richard, Duke of Gloster, Brothers to the King. afterwards King Richard III. A young Son of Clarence. Henry, Earl of Richmond, afterwards K. Henry VII. Duke of Buckingham. Duke of Norfolk. Earl of Surry, his Son. Earl Rivers, Brother to King Edward's Queen. Marquis of Dorset, and Lord Grey, her Sons. Earl of Oxford. Lord Hastings. Lord Stanley. Lord Lovel. ACT I. SCENE I. London. A Street. Enter Gloster. Sir Robert Brakenbury, Lieutenant of the Tower. Elizabeth, Queen of King Edward IV. Lady Anne, Widow of Edward, Prince of Wales, Son to King Henry VI.; afterwards married to the Duke of Gloster. A young Daughter of Clarence. Lords and other Attendants; two Gentlemen, a Pursuivant, Scrivener, Citizens, Murderers, Messengers, Ghosts, Soldiers, &c. SCENE, England. Glo. Now is the winter of our discontent 1, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty, I am determined to prove a villain, Enter Clarence, guarded, and Brakenbury. Brother, good day: What means this armed guard, That waits upon your grace? Clar. His majesty, Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed This conduct to convey me to the Tower. Glo. Upon what cause? Clar. Because my name is-George. Glo. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours; He should, for that, commit your godfathers :-O, belike, his majesty hath some intent, That you shall be new christen'd in the Tower, But what's the matter, Clarence? may I know? Clar. Yea, Richard, when I know; for, I protest, As yet I do not: But, as I can learn, And, for my name of George begins with G, women: |