MARQUIS OF MONTAGUE, EARL OF WARWICK, EARL OF PEMBROKE, LORD HASTINGS, LORD STAFFORD, of the Duke of York's Party. A Son that has killed his Father. A Father that has killed his Son. QUEEN MARGARET. LADY GREY, afterwards Queen to Edward IV. Soldiers, and other Attendants on King Henry and SCENE,-During part of the third Act, in France; during all the rest of the Play, in England. ACT I. [north, SCENE I.-London. The Parliament-House. Drums. Some Soldiers of York's Party break in. Then, enter the Duke of YORK, EDWARD, RICHARD, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and others, with white roses in their hats. War. I wonder how the king escap'd our hands. York. While we pursu'd the horsemen of the He slily stole away, and left his men : Whereat the great lord of Northumberland, Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, Cheer'd up the drooping army; and himself, Lord Clifford, and lord Stafford, all a-breast, Charg'd our main battle's front, and, breaking in, Were by the swords of common soldiers slain. Edw. Lord Stafford's father, duke of BuckingIs either slain, or wounded dangerous: I cleft his beaver with a downright blow; That this is true, father, behold his blood. (Shewing his bloody sword.) Mont. And, brother, here's the earl of Wiltshire's blood, (To York, shewing his.) Whom I encounter'd as the battles join'd. Rich. Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did. (Throwing down the Duke of Somerset's head.) [ham, Rich. Thus do I hope to shake king Henry's head. War. And so do I.-Victorious prince of York, Before I see thee seated in that throne Which now the house of Lancaster usurps, I vow by heaven, these eyes shall never close. This is the palace of the fearful king, And this the regal seat: possess it, York; For this is thine, and not king Henry's heirs. York. Assist me then, sweet Warwick, and I will; For bither we have broken in by force. Norf. We'll all assist you; he, that flies, shall die. York. Thanks, gentle Norfolk.-Stay by me, my lords; And, soldiers, stay, and lodge by me this night. War. And, when the king comes, offer him no violence, Unless he seek to thrust you out by force. (They retire.) York. The queen, this day, here holds her parliament, But little thinks we shall be of her council: War. The bloody parliament shall this be call'd, York. Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute; I mean to take possession of my right. [best, War. Neither the king, nor he that loves him The proudest he that holds up Lancaster, Dares stir a wing, if Warwick shake his bells. 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.) Flourish. Enter King HENRY, CLIFFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND, WESTMORELAND, EXETER, and others, with red roses in their hats. K. Hen. My lords, look where the sturdy rebel Even in the chair of state! belike, he means, [sits, (Back'd by the power of Warwick, that false peer,) To aspire unto the crown, and reign as king.Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father;And thine, lord Clifford; and you both have vow'd revenge On him, his sons, his favourites, and his friends. 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. Theart, K. Hen. Far be the thought of this from Henry's To make a shambles of the parliament-house! Cousin of Exeter, frowns, words, and threats, Shall be the war that Henry means to use. (They advance to the Duke.) Thou factions duke of York, descend my throne, And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet; I am thy sovereign. York. Thou art deceiv'd, I am thine. Exe. For shame, come down; he made thee duke of York. 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? [of York. War. True, Clifford; and that's Richard, duke 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, York. Will you, we shew 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? Thy father was, as thou art, duke of York; Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, earl of March: I am the son of Henry the Fifth, Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop, And seiz'd upon their towns and provinces. 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. Edw. Sweet father, do so; set it on your head. Mont. Good brother, (to York) as thou lov'st and honour'st arms, Let's fight it out, and not stand cavilling thus. Rich. Sound drums and trumpets, and the king York. Sons, peace! [will fly. K. Hen. Peace thou! and give king Henry leave to speak. War. Plantagenet shall speak first :-hear him, And be you silent and attentive too, [lords; For he that interrupts him shall not live. K. Hen. Think'st thou that I will leave my kingly throne, Wherein my grandsire, and my father, sat? War. But prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king. [crown. K. Hen. Henry the Fourth, by conquest got the York. 'Twas by rebellion against his king. K. Hen. I know not what to say; my title's Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir? [weak. York. What then? 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? 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 power, Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent,Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud, Can set the duke up, in despite of me. Clif. King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence: 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, SCENE 2.] KING HENRY VI. And o'er the chair of state, where now he sits, up (He stamps, and the Soldiers shew 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, [news. Clif. Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these West. Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides. [Exeunt Northumberland, Clifford, and not. War. Turn this way, Henry, and regard them Why should you sigh, my lord? The crown to thee, and to thine heirs for ever; castle. War. And I'll keep London, with my soldiers. Norf. And I to Norfolk, with my followers.. Mont. And I unto the sea, from whence I came. [Exeunt York, and his Sons, Warwick, Norfolk, Montague, Soldiers, and Attendants. K. Hen. And I, with grief and sorrow, to the court. Enter Queen MARGARET and the Prince of WALES. Exe. Here comes the queen, whose looks bewray her anger: I'll steal away. (Going.) K. Hen. Exeter, so will I. K. Hen. Be patient, gentle queen, and I will Prince. Father, you cannot disinherit me : K. Hen. Pardon me, Margaret;-pardon me, sweet son; The earl of Warwick, and the duke, enforc'd me. I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch! Q. Mar. Thou hast spoke too much already; get me? Q. Mar. Ay, to be murder'd by his enemies. her son, Hath made her break out into terms of rage! [Exeunt. Exe. And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all. SCENE IL-A Room in Sandal Castle, near Wake- Enter EDWARD, RICHARD, and MONTAGUE. York. Why, how now, sons and brother, at a What is your quarrel? how began it first? [and us; Rich. About that, which concerns your grace, 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. I'd break a thousand oaths, to reign one year. forsworn. York. I shall be, if I claim by open war. Rich. I'll prove the contrary, if you'll hear me speak. 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 dyed 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 Kentishmen 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. your But, stay; What news? Why com'st thou in such Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me;- Mont. Brother, I go; I'll win them, fear it not: And thus most humbly I do take my leave. [Exit. Enter Sir JOHN and Sir HUGH MORTIMER. York. Sir John, and Sir Hugh Mortimer, mine You are come to Sandal in a happy hour; [uncles! 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. Tutor. Rut. Ah, whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands? Ah, tutor! look, where bloody Clifford comes! Enter CLIFFORD and Soldiers. Clif. Chaplain, away! thy priesthood saves thy As for the brat of this accursed duke, [life. Whose father slew my father, he shall die. Tut. And I, my lord, will bear him company. Clif. Soldiers, away with him. Tut. Ab, Clifford! murder not this innocent 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.Ah, gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword, And not with such a cruel threat'ning look. Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die; I am too mean a subject for thy wrath, Be thou reveng'd on men, and let me live. Chf. In vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood [enter. Hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should Rut. Then let my father's blood open it again; He is a man, and, Clifford, cope with him. Cly. Had thy brethren here, their lives, and Were not revenge sufficient for me! No, if I digg'd up thy forefathers' graves, And hung their rotten coffins up in chains, It could not slake mine ire, nor ease my heart. The sight of any of the house of York Is as a fury to torment my soul; And till I root out their accursed line, And leave not one alive, I live in hell. Therefore Rut. [thine, (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 Clif. Thy father hath. [slay me? But 'twas ere I was born. Thou hast one son, for his sake pity me; Lest in revenge thereof,-sith God is just,— He be as miserably slain as I. Ab, let me live in prison all my days; And when I give occasion of offence, Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause. Clif. No cause? Thy father slew my father; therefore die. (Clifford stabs him.) Rut. Dii faciant, laudis summa sit ista tuæ! (Dies.) 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 faulchion, 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! A sceptre, or an earthly sepulchre! And cried,-A crown, or else a glorious tomb! 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, NORTHUM | Hold you his hands, whilst I do set it on.- Come, bloody Clifford,-rough Northumberland, North. Yield to our mercy, proud Plantagenet. So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons; York. O, Clifford, but bethink thee once again, (Draws.) Q. Mar. Hold, valiant Clifford! for a thousand causes, I would prolong awhile the traitor's life:- (They lay hands on York, who struggles.) So true men yield, with robbers so o'er-match'd. 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.) Is crown'd so soon, and broke his solemn oath? Thy father bears the type of king of Naples, For raging wind blows up incessant showers, woman. North. Beshrew me, but his passions move me so, But you are more inhuman, more inexorable,- (He gives back the handkerchief.) |