A deadly groan, like life and death's departing. See who it is. Edw. And now the battle's ended, If friend or foe, let him be gently used. Rich. Revoke that doom of mercy, for 'tis Clifford; Who not contented that he lopp'd the branch, In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth; But fet his murd'ring knife unto the root From whence that tender fpray did sweetly spring; I mean, our princely father, Duke of York. War. From off the gates of York fetch down the head, Your father's head, which Clifford placed there: Inftead whereof, let his fupply the room. Measure for measure muft be answered. Edw. Bring forth that fatal fcreech-owl to our house, That nothing fung but death to us and ours: Now death fhall ftop his difmal threatning found, And his ill-boading tongue no more shall speak. War. I think, his understanding is bereft : Speak, Clifford, doft thou know who speaks to thee? Dark cloudy death o'er-shades his beams of life, And he nor fees, nor hears us what we fay. Rich. O, would he did! and fo, perhaps, he doth. 'Tis but his policy to counterfeit ; Because he would avoid fuch bitter taunts, As in the time of death he gave our father. Cla. If fo thou think'it, vex him with eager words. Rich. Clifford, afk mercy, and obtain no grace. Edw. Clifford, repent in bootlefs penitence. War. Clifford, devile excuses for thy faults. Cla. While we devife fell tortures for thy faults. Rich. Thou didst love York, and I am fon to York. Edw. Thou pitied'ft Rutland, I will pity thee. Cla. Where's Captain Margaret to fence you now? War. They mock thee, Clifford; fwear, as thou waft wont. Rich. What, not an oath! nay, then the world goes hard, When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath : I know by that, he's dead; and, by my foul, If this right hand would buy but two hours life, That I in all defpight might rail at him, This hand fhould chop it off; and with the iffuing blood Stifle the villain, whofe unftanched thirst York and young Rutland could not fatisfy. War. Ay, but he's dead. Off with the traitor's head, So fhalt thou finew both these lands together. And then to Britany I'll cross the sea, T'effect this marriage, fo it please my Lord. Edw. Ev'n as thou wilt, fweet Warwick, let it be For on thy fhoulder do I build my feat: And never will I undertake the thing, Wherein thy counfel, and confent, is wanting. Rich. Let me be Duke of Clarence; George, of Glo'fters For Glo'fter's dukedom is too ominous. (14) (14) For Glo'fter's dukedom is too ominous.] This paffage feems fneer'd at by B. Fonfon in his Devil's an Afs: where a foolish fellow is duped into the opinion of being created a Duke. Meer-cr. I think, we ha' found a place to fit you now, Sir: Glowcefter. Fitz-det. O, no; I'll none. Meer-cr. Why, Sir? Fitz-dot. 'Tis fatal. Meer-cr. That you fay right in. Spencer, I think, the younger, had his laft honour thence, But he was but an Earl. Fitz-dot. I know not that, Sir: But Thomas of Woodstock, I'm fure, was Duke; and he was made away at Calice, as Duke Humphry was at Bury: And Richard the Third, you know, what end he came to. Meer-cr. By my faith, you're cunning in the chronicle, Sir. Fitz-dot. No, I confefs, I ha't from the play-books; and think, they're more authentick. War. War. Tut, that's a foolish obfervation: Richard, be Duke of Glo'fter: now to London, [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE, a Wood in Lancashire. Enter Sinklo and Humphry, with cross-bows in their bands. SINKLO. UN Nder this thick-grown brake we'll fhroud ourselves, For through this land anon the deer will come; And in this covert will we make our ftand, Culling the principal of all the deer. Hum. I'll ftay above the hill, fo both may shoot. In this felf-place where now we mean to ftand. K. Henry. From Scotland am I ftol'n ev'n of pure love, Thy place is fill'd, thy fcepter wrung from thee, Sink. Ay, here's a deer, whofe fkin's a keeper's fee: This is the quondam King, let's feize upon him. K. Henry K. Henry. Let me embrace thefe four adversities; Hum. Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him. K. Henry. My Queen and fon are gone to France for aid: And Lewis, a Prince foon won with moving words. And in conclufion wins the King from her; To ftrengthen, and support, King Edward's place. Hum.Say, what art thouthat talk'st of Kingsand Queens? Hum. Ay, but thou talk'ft, as if thou wert a King. Not Not to be feen: my crown is call'd content; Hum. Well, if you be a King crown'd with content, You are the King, King Edward hath depos'd: K. Henry. But did you never swear, and break an oath? Hum. Here, in this country, where we now remain. Sink. We are true fubjects to the King, King Edward. K. Henry. So would you be again to Henry, If he were feated as King Edward is. Sink. We charge you in God's name, and in the King's, To go with us unto the officers. K. Henry. In God's name lead, your King's name be obey'd; And what God will, that let your King perform; [Exeunt. SCENE |