Hold you his hands, whilst I do set it on.— [Putting a paper crown on his head. Ay, marry, sir, now looks he like a king! Ay, this is he that took king Henry's chair; And this is he was his adopted heir.But how is it that great Plantagenet Is crown'd so soon, and broke his solemn oath? As I bethink me, you should not be king, Till our king Henry had shook hands with death. Now in his life, against your holy oath? Off with the crown; and, with the crown, his head; York. She-wolf of France, but worse than wolves of France, Whose tongue more poisons than the adder's tooth! How ill-beseeming is it in thy sex, To triumph like an Amazonian trull, Upon their woes, whom fortune captivates ? But that thy face is, visor-like, unchanging, Made impudent with use of evil deeds, I would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush: Thy father bears the types of king of Naples, Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman. That beggars, mounted, run their horse to death. (1) Impale, encircle with a crown. (2) Kill him. (3) The distinguishing mark. "Tis beauty, that doth oft make women proud; But, God he knows, thy share thereof is small: "Tis virtue, that doth make them most admir'd; The contrary doth make thee wonder'd at: 'Tis government, that makes them seem divine; The want thereof makes thee abominable: Thou art as opposite to every good, As the Antipodes are unto us, Or as the south to the septentrion.2 O, tiger's heart, wrapp'd in a woman's hide! And yet be seen to bear a woman's face? 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: For raging wind blows up incessant showers, And, when the rage allays, the rain begins. These tears are my sweet Rutland's obsequies; And every drop cries vengeance for his death,— "'Gainst thee, fell Clifford,—and thee, false French woman. North. Beshrew me, but his passions3 move me so, That hardly can I check my eyes from tears. York. That face of his the hungry cannibals Would not have touch'd, would not have stain'd with blood: But you are more inhuman, more inexorable,-- [He gives back the handkerchief. (1) Government, in the language of the time, signified evenness of temper, and decency of manners. (2) The north. (3) Sufferings. VOL. V. K 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 Northumberland? Think but upon the wrong he did us all, death. [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 thee. [Dies. 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 Herefordshire. Drums. Enter Edward, and Richard, with their forces, marching. * Edw. I wonder, how our princely father 'scap'd; * Or whether he be 'scap'd away, or no, *From Clifford's and Northumberland's pursuit; * Had he been ta'en, we should have heard the news; Had he been slain, we should have heard the news; *Or, had he 'scap'd, methinks, we should have heard *The happy tidings of his good escape.- And watch'd him, how he singled Clifford forth. Methought, he bore him in the thickest troop, As doth a lion in a herd of neat:2 * Or as a bear, encompass'd round with dogs; *Who having pinch'd a few, and made them cry, *The rest stand all aloof, and bark at him. *So far'd our father with his enemies; So fled his enemies my warlike father; 'Methinks, 'tis prize enough to be his son. See, how the morning opes her golden gates, And takes her farewell of the glorious sun!3 * How well resembles it the prime of youth, * Trimm'd like a younker, prancing to his love! Edw. Dazzle mine eyes, or do I see three suns? Rich. Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun; Not separated with the racking clouds,4 *Edw. 'Tis wondrous strange, the like yet never heard of. I think, it cites us, brother, to the field; (1) Demeaned himself. (2) Neat cattle; cows, oxen, &c. (3) Aurora takes for a time her farewell of the sun, when she dismisses him to his diurnal course. (4) i. e. The clouds in rapid tumultuary motion. Each one already blazing by our meeds, Should, notwithstanding, join our lights together, *Rich. Nay, bear three daughters ;-by your leave I speak it, *You love the breeder better than the male. Enter a Messenger. 'But what art thou, whose heavy looks foretel Edw. O, speak no more! for I have heard too 'Rich. Say how he died, for I will hear it all. 'Mess. Environed he was with many foes; * And stood against them as the hope of Troy2 * Against the Greeks, that would have enter'd Troy. * But Hercules himself must yield to odds; * And many strokes, though with a little axe, *Hew down and fell the hardest-timber'd oak. By many hands your father was subdu'd; But only slaughter'd by the ireful arm 'Of unrelenting Clifford, and the queen: 'Who crown'd the gracious duke in high despite ; Laugh'd in his face; and, when with grief he wept, 'The ruthless queen gave him, to dry his cheeks, 'A napkin steeped in the harmless blood Of sweet young Rutland, by rough Clifford slain: 'And, after many scorns, many foul taunts, They took his head, and on the gates of York They set the same; and there it doth remain, "The saddest spectacle that e'er I view'd.. Edw. Sweet duke of York, our prop to lean upon; Now thou art gone, we have no staff, no stay!-(2) Hector. (1) Merit. |