Ambitious York did level at thy crown, Thou smiling, while he knit his angry brows: Thou, being a king, blest with a goodly son, 230 Who hath not seen them (even with those wings Should lose his birth-right by his father's fault; Ah, what a shame were this! Look on the boy; Successful fortune, steel thy melting heart, 250 To hold thine own, and leave thine own with him. But, Clifford, tell me, didst thou never hear- I'll I'll leave my son my virtuous deeds behind; And 'would my father had left me no more! As brings a thousand fold more care to keep, 260 Ah, cousin York! 'would thy best friends did know, How it doth grieve me that thy head is here! Queen. My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes And this soft courage makes your followers faint. 269 K. Henry. Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight; And learn this lesson-Draw thy sword in right.→ Prince. My gracious father, by your kingly leave, I'll draw it as apparent to the crown, And in that quarrel use it to the death. Clif. Why, that is spoken like a toward prince. Enter a Messenger. Mes. Royal commanders, be in readiness: 280 Clif. I would, your highness would depart the field; The queen hath best success when you are absent. Queen. Queen. Ay, good my lord, and leave us to our for tune. K. Henry. Why, that's my fortune too; therefore I'll stay. North. Be it with resolution then to fight. Prince. My royal father, cheer these noble lords, And hearten those that fight in your defence: Unsheath your sword, good father; cry, Saint George!" March. Enter EDWARD, CLARENCE, RICHARD, WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, and Soldiers. Edw. Now, perjur'd Henry! wilt thou kneel for grace, And set thy diadem upon my head; Or bide the mortal fortune of the field? 290 Queen. Go rate thy minions, proud insulting boy! Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms, Before thy sovereign, and thy lawful king Edw. I am his king, and he should bow his knee; I was adopted heir by his consent Since when, his oath is broke; for, as I hear, You that are king, though he do wear the crown→→→ Have caus'd him, by new act of parliament, To blot out me, and put his own son in. Clif. And reason too; Who should succeed the father, but the son? 300 Rich. Art thou there, butcher? O, I cannot speak! Clif. Ay, crook-back; here I stand, to answer thee, Qr Or any he the proudest of thy sort. Rich. 'Twas you that kill'd young Rutland, was it not? Clif. Ay, and old York, and yet not satisfy'd. Rich. For God's sake, lords, give signal to the fight. War. What say'st thou, Henry, wilt thou yield the 310 crown? Queen. Why, how now, long-tongu'd Warwick? dare you speak? When you and I met at Saint Alban's last, War. Then 'twas my turn to fly, and now 'tis thine. North. No, nor your manhood, that durst. make you stay. Rich. Northumberland, I hold thee reverently ;- 320 Clif. I slew thy father; Call'st thou him a child ?· · Rich. Ay, like a dastard, and a treacherous coward, As thou didst kill our tender brother Rutland; But, ere sun-set, I'll make thee curse the deed. K. Henry. Have done with words, my lords, and hear me speak. Queen. Defy them then, or else hold close thy lips. K. Henry. I pr'ythee, give no limits to my tongue; I am I am a king, and privileg'd to speak. Clif. My liege, the wound, that bred this meeting here, Cannot be cur'd by words; therefore be still. 330 Edw. Say, Henry, shall I have my right, or no? A thousand men have broke their fasts to-day, That ne'er shall dine, unless thou yield the crown. War. If thou deny, their blood upon thy head; For York in justice puts his armour on. Prince. If that be right, which Warwick says is right, There is no wrong, but every thing is right. 340 Rich. Whoever got thee, there thy mother stands For, well I wot, thou hast thy mother's tongue. Queen. But thou art neither like thy sire, nor dam; But like a foul mis-shapen stigmatick, Mark'd by the destinies to be avoided, As venom'd toads, or lizards' dreadful stings. 850 Edw. A wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns, To make this shameless callat know herself.→→→ Helen of Greece was fairer far than thou, |