CousinofExeter,frowns,wordsandthreatsShallbethewarthatHenrymeanstouse。
ThoufactiousDukeofYork,descendmythrone,andkneelforgraceandmercyatmyfeet;
Iamthysovereign。YORKIamthine。EXETERForshame,comedown:hemadetheeDukeofYork。YORK'Twasmyinheritance,astheearldomwas。EXETERThyfatherwasatraitortothecrown。WARWICKExeter,thouartatraitortothecrownInfollowingthisusurpingHenry。CLIFFORDWhomshouldhefollowbuthisnaturalking?WARWICKTrue,Clifford;andthat'sRichardDukeofYork。KINGHENRYVIAndshallIstand,andthousitinmythrone?YORKItmustandshallbeso:contentthyself。WARWICKBeDukeofLancaster;lethimbeking。WESTMORELANDHeisbothkingandDukeofLancaster;
AndthattheLordofWestmorelandshallmaintain。WARWICKAndWarwickshalldisproveit。YouforgetThatwearethosewhichchasedyoufromthefieldAndslewyourfathers,andwithcoloursspreadMarch'dthroughthecitytothepalacegates。NORTHUMBERLANDYes,Warwick,Irememberittomygrief;
And,byhissoul,thouandthyhouseshallrueit。WESTMORELANDPlantagenet,oftheeandthesethysons,Thykinsmanandthyfriends,I'llhavemorelivesThandropsofbloodwereinmyfather'sveins。CLIFFORDUrgeitnomore;lestthat,insteadofwords,Isendthee,Warwick,suchamessengerAsshallrevengehisdeathbeforeIstir。WARWICKPoorClifford!howIscornhisworthlessthreats!YORKWillyouweshowourtitletothecrown?
Ifnot,ourswordsshallpleaditinthefield。KINGHENRYVIWhattitlehastthou,traitor,tothecrown?
Thyfatherwas,asthouart,DukeofYork;
Thygrandfather,RogerMortimer,EarlofMarch:
IamthesonofHenrytheFifth,WhomadetheDauphinandtheFrenchtostoopAndseizedupontheirtownsandprovinces。WARWICKTalknotofFrance,siththouhastlostitall。KINGHENRYVIThelordprotectorlostit,andnotI:
WhenIwascrown'dIwasbutninemonthsold。RICHARDYouareoldenoughnow,andyet,methinks,youlose。
Father,tearthecrownfromtheusurper'shead。EDWARDSweetfather,doso;setitonyourhead。MONTAGUEGoodbrother,asthoulovestandhonourestarms,Let'sfightitoutandnotstandcavillingthus。RICHARDSounddrumsandtrumpets,andthekingwillfly。YORKSons,peace!KINGHENRYVIPeace,thou!andgiveKingHenryleavetospeak。WARWICKPlantagenetshallspeakfirst:hearhim,lords;
Andbeyousilentandattentivetoo,Forhethatinterruptshimshallnotlive。KINGHENRYVIThink'stthouthatIwillleavemykinglythrone,Whereinmygrandsireandmyfathersat?
No:firstshallwarunpeoplethismyrealm;
Ay,andtheircolours,oftenborneinFrance,AndnowinEnglandtoourheart'sgreatsorrow,Shallbemywinding-sheet。Whyfaintyou,lords?
Mytitle'sgood,andbetterfarthanhis。WARWICKProveit,Henry,andthoushaltbeking。KINGHENRYVIHenrytheFourthbyconquestgotthecrown。YORK'Twasbyrebellionagainsthisking。KINGHENRYVI[Aside]Iknownotwhattosay;mytitle'sweak——
Tellme,maynotakingadoptanheir?YORKWhatthen?KINGHENRYVIAnifhemay,thenamIlawfulking;
ForRichard,intheviewofmanylords,Resign'dthecrowntoHenrytheFourth,Whoseheirmyfatherwas,andIamhis。YORKHeroseagainsthim,beinghissovereign,Andmadehimtoresignhiscrownperforce。WARWICKSuppose,mylords,hediditunconstrain'd,Thinkyou'twereprejudicialtohiscrown?EXETERNo;forhecouldnotsoresignhiscrownButthatthenextheirshouldsucceedandreign。KINGHENRYVIArtthouagainstus,DukeofExeter?EXETERHisistheright,andthereforepardonme。YORKWhywhisperyou,mylords,andanswernot?EXETERMyconsciencetellsmeheislawfulking。KINGHENRYVI[Aside]Allwillrevoltfromme,andturntohim。NORTHUMBERLANDPlantagenet,foralltheclaimthoulay'st,ThinknotthatHenryshallbesodeposed。WARWICKDeposedheshallbe,indespiteofall。NORTHUMBERLANDThouartdeceived:'tisnotthysouthernpower,OfEssex,Norfolk,Suffolk,norofKent,Whichmakestheethuspresumptuousandproud,Cansetthedukeupindespiteofme。CLIFFORDKingHenry,bethytitlerightorwrong,LordCliffordvowstofightinthydefence:
Maythatgroundgapeandswallowmealive,WhereIshallkneeltohimthatslewmyfather!KINGHENRYVIOClifford,howthywordsrevivemyheart!YORKHenryofLancaster,resignthycrown。
Whatmutteryou,orwhatconspireyou,lords?WARWICKDorightuntothisprincelyDukeofYork,OrIwillfillthehousewitharmedmen,Andoverthechairofstate,wherenowhesits,Writeuphistitlewithusurpingblood。
HestampswithhisfootandthesoldiersshowthemselvesKINGHENRYVIMyLordofWarwick,hearmebutoneword:
Letmeforthismylife-timereignasking。YORKConfirmthecrowntomeandtomineheirs,Andthoushaltreigninquietwhilethoulivest。KINGHENRYVIIamcontent:RichardPlantagenet,Enjoythekingdomaftermydecease。CLIFFORDWhatwrongisthisuntotheprinceyourson!WARWICKWhatgoodisthistoEnglandandhimself!WESTMORELANDBase,fearfulanddespairingHenry!CLIFFORDHowhastthouinjuredboththyselfandus!WESTMORELANDIcannotstaytohearthesearticles。NORTHUMBERLANDNorI。CLIFFORDCome,cousin,letustellthequeenthesenews。WESTMORELANDFarewell,faint-heartedanddegenerateking,Inwhosecoldbloodnosparkofhonourbides。NORTHUMBERLANDBethouapreyuntothehouseofYork,Anddieinbandsforthisunmanlydeed!CLIFFORDIndreadfulwarmaystthoubeovercome,Orliveinpeaceabandon'danddespised!
ExeuntNORTHUMBERLAND,CLIFFORD,andWESTMORELANDWARWICKTurnthisway,Henry,andregardthemnot。EXETERTheyseekrevengeandthereforewillnotyield。KINGHENRYVIAh,Exeter!WARWICKWhyshouldyousigh,mylord?KINGHENRYVINotformyself,LordWarwick,butmyson,WhomIunnaturallyshalldisinherit。
Butbeitasitmay:IhereentailThecrowntotheeandtothineheirsforever;
Conditionally,thatherethoutakeanoathToceasethiscivilwar,and,whilstIlive,Tohonourmeasthykingandsovereign,AndneitherbytreasonnorhostilityToseektoputmedownandreignthyself。YORKThisoathIwillinglytakeandwillperform。WARWICKLongliveKingHenry!Plantagenetembracehim。KINGHENRYVIAndlonglivethouandthesethyforwardsons!YORKNowYorkandLancasterarereconciled。EXETERAccursedbehethatseekstomakethemfoes!
Sennet。HeretheycomedownYORKFarewell,mygraciouslord;I'lltomycastle。WARWICKAndI'llkeepLondonwithmysoldiers。NORFOLKAndItoNorfolkwithmyfollowers。MONTAGUEAndIuntotheseafromwhenceIcame。
ExeuntYORK,EDWARD,EDMUND,GEORGE,RICHARD,WARWICK,NORFOLK,MONTAGUE,theirSoldiers,andAttendantsKINGHENRYVIAndI,withgriefandsorrow,tothecourt。
EnterQUEENMARGARETandPRINCEEDWARDEXETERHerecomesthequeen,whoselooksbewrayheranger:
I'llstealaway。KINGHENRYVIExeter,sowillI。QUEENMARGARETNay,gonotfromme;Iwillfollowthee。KINGHENRYVIBepatient,gentlequeen,andIwillstay。QUEENMARGARETWhocanbepatientinsuchextremes?
Ah,wretchedman!wouldIhaddiedamaidAndneverseenthee,neverbornetheeson,SeeingthouhastprovedsounnaturalafatherHathhedeservedtolosehisbirthrightthus?
HadstthoubutlovedhimhalfsowellasI,OrfeltthatpainwhichIdidforhimonce,Ornourish'dhimasIdidwithmyblood,Thouwouldsthaveleftthydearestheart-bloodthere,RatherthanhavethatsavagedukethineheirAnddisinheritedthineonlyson。PRINCEEDWARDFather,youcannotdisinheritme:
Ifyoubeking,whyshouldnotIsucceed?KINGHENRYVIPardonme,Margaret;pardonme,sweetson:
TheEarlofWarwickandthedukeenforcedme。QUEENMARGARETEnforcedthee!artthouking,andwiltbeforced?
Ishametoheartheespeak。Ah,timorouswretch!
Thouhastundonethyself,thysonandme;
AndgivenuntothehouseofYorksuchheadAsthoushaltreignbutbytheirsufferance。
Toentailhimandhisheirsuntothecrown,Whatisit,buttomakethysepulchreAndcreepintoitfarbeforethytime?
WarwickischancellorandthelordofCalais;
SternFalconbridgecommandsthenarrowseas;
Thedukeismadeprotectoroftherealm;
Andyetshaltthoubesafe?suchsafetyfindsThetremblinglambenvironedwithwolves。
HadIbeenthere,whichamasillywoman,Thesoldiersshouldhavetoss'dmeontheirpikesBeforeIwouldhavegrantedtothatact。
Butthoupreferr'stthylifebeforethinehonour:
Andseeingthoudost,IheredivorcemyselfBothfromthytable,Henry,andthybed,Untilthatactofparliamentberepeal'dWherebymysonisdisinherited。
ThenorthernlordsthathaveforswornthycoloursWillfollowmine,ifoncetheyseethemspread;
Andspreadtheyshallbe,tothyfouldisgraceAndutterruinofthehouseofYork。
ThusdoIleavethee。Come,son,let'saway;
Ourarmyisready;come,we'llafterthem。KINGHENRYVIStay,gentleMargaret,andhearmespeak。QUEENMARGARETThouhastspoketoomuchalready:gettheegone。KINGHENRYVIGentlesonEdward,thouwiltstaywithme?QUEENMARGARETAy,tobemurder'dbyhisenemies。PRINCEEDWARDWhenIreturnwithvictoryfromthefieldI'llseeyourgrace:tillthenI'llfollowher。QUEENMARGARETCome,son,away;wemaynotlingerthus。
ExeuntQUEENMARGARETandPRINCEEDWARDKINGHENRYVIPoorqueen!howlovetomeandtohersonHathmadeherbreakoutintotermsofrage!
Revengedmayshebeonthathatefulduke,Whosehaughtyspirit,wingedwithdesire,Willcostmycrown,andlikeanemptyeagleTireonthefleshofmeandofmyson!
Thelossofthosethreelordstormentsmyheart:
I'llwriteuntothemandentreatthemfair。
Come,cousinyoushallbethemessenger。EXETERAndI,Ihope,shallreconcilethemall。
ExeuntSCENEII。SandalCastle。EnterRICHARD,EDWARD,andMONTAGUERICHARDBrother,thoughIbeyoungest,givemeleave。EDWARDNo,Icanbetterplaytheorator。MONTAGUEButIhavereasonsstrongandforcible。
EnterYORKYORKWhy,hownow,sonsandbrother!atastrife?
Whatisyourquarrel?howbeganitfirst?EDWARDNoquarrel,butaslightcontention。YORKAboutwhat?RICHARDAboutthatwhichconcernsyourgraceandus;
ThecrownofEngland,father,whichisyours。YORKMineboy?nottillKingHenrybedead。RICHARDYourrightdependsnotonhislifeordeath。EDWARDNowyouareheir,thereforeenjoyitnow:
BygivingthehouseofLancasterleavetobreathe,Itwilloutrunyou,father,intheend。YORKItookanoaththatheshouldquietlyreign。EDWARDButforakingdomanyoathmaybebroken:
Iwouldbreakathousandoathstoreignoneyear。RICHARDNo;Godforbidyourgraceshouldbeforsworn。YORKIshallbe,ifIclaimbyopenwar。RICHARDI'llprovethecontrary,ifyou'llhearmespeak。YORKThoucanstnot,son;itisimpossible。RICHARDAnoathisofnomoment,beingnottookBeforeatrueandlawfulmagistrate,Thathathauthorityoverhimthatswears:
Henryhadnone,butdidusurptheplace;
Then,seeing'twashethatmadeyoutodepose,Youroath,mylord,isvainandfrivolous。
Therefore,toarms!And,father,dobutthinkHowsweetathingitistowearacrown;
WithinwhosecircuitisElysiumAndallthatpoetsfeignofblissandjoy。
Whydowefingerthus?IcannotrestUntilthewhiterosethatIwearbedyedEveninthelukewarmbloodofHenry'sheart。YORKRichard,enough;Iwillbeking,ordie。
Brother,thoushalttoLondonpresently,AndwhetonWarwicktothisenterprise。
Thou,Richard,shalttotheDukeofNorfolk,Andtellhimprivilyofourintent。
YouEdward,shalluntomyLordCobham,WithwhomtheKentishmenwillwillinglyrise:
InthemItrust;fortheyaresoldiers,Witty,courteous,liberal,fullofspirit。
Whileyouarethusemploy'd,whatrestethmore,ButthatIseekoccasionhowtorise,Andyetthekingnotprivytomydrift,NoranyofthehouseofLancaster?
EnteraMessengerBut,stay:whatnews?Whycomestthouinsuchpost?MessengerThequeenwithallthenorthernearlsandlordsIntendheretobesiegeyouinyourcastle:
Sheishardbywithtwentythousandmen;
Andthereforefortifyyourhold,mylord。YORKAy,withmysword。What!think'stthouthatwefearthem?
EdwardandRichard,youshallstaywithme;
MybrotherMontagueshallposttoLondon:
LetnobleWarwick,Cobham,andtherest,Whomwehaveleftprotectorsoftheking,Withpowerfulpolicystrengthenthemselves,AndtrustnotsimpleHenrynorhisoaths。MONTAGUEBrother,Igo;I'llwinthem,fearitnot:
AndthusmosthumblyIdotakemyleave。
ExitEnterJOHNMORTIMERandHUGHMORTIMER
SirJohnandSirHughMortimer,mineuncles,YouarecometoSandalinahappyhour;
Thearmyofthequeenmeantobesiegeus。JOHNMORTIMERSheshallnotneed;we'llmeetherinthefield。YORKWhat,withfivethousandmen?RICHARDAy,withfivehundred,father,foraneed:
Awoman'sgeneral;whatshouldwefear?
AmarchafaroffEDWARDIheartheirdrums:let'ssetourmeninorder,Andissueforthandbidthembattlestraight。YORKFivementotwenty!thoughtheoddsbegreat,Idoubtnot,uncle,ofourvictory。
ManyabattlehaveIwoninFrance,Whenastheenemyhathbeententoone:
WhyshouldInotnowhavethelikesuccess?
Alarum。ExeuntSCENEIII。FieldofbattlebetwixtSandalCastleandWakefield。Alarums。EnterRUTLANDandhisTutorRUTLANDAh,whithershallIflyto'scapetheirhands?
Ah,tutor,lookwherebloodyCliffordcomes!
EnterCLIFFORDandSoldiersCLIFFORDChaplain,away!thypriesthoodsavesthylife。
Asforthebratofthisaccursedduke,Whosefatherslewmyfather,heshalldie。TutorAndI,mylord,willbearhimcompany。CLIFFORDSoldiers,awaywithhim!TutorAh,Clifford,murdernotthisinnocentchild,LestthoubehatedbothofGodandman!
Exit,draggedoffbySoldiersCLIFFORDHownow!ishedeadalready?orisitfearThatmakeshimclosehiseyes?I'llopenthem。RUTLANDSolooksthepent-upliono'erthewretchThattremblesunderhisdevouringpaws;
Andsohewalks,insultingo'erhisprey,Andsohecomes,torendhislimbsasunder。
Ah,gentleClifford,killmewiththysword,Andnotwithsuchacruelthreateninglook。
SweetClifford,hearmespeakbeforeIdie。
Iamtoomeanasubjectforthywrath:
Bethourevengedonmen,andletmelive。CLIFFORDInvainthouspeak'st,poorboy;myfather'sbloodHathstopp'dthepassagewherethywordsshouldenter。RUTLANDThenletmyfather'sbloodopenitagain:
Heisaman,and,Clifford,copewithhim。CLIFFORDHadthybrethrenhere,theirlivesandthineWerenotrevengesufficientforme;
No,ifIdigg'dupthyforefathers'gravesAndhungtheirrottencoffinsupinchains,Itcouldnotslakemineire,noreasemyheart。
ThesightofanyofthehouseofYorkIsasafurytotormentmysoul;
AndtillIrootouttheiraccursedlineAndleavenotonealive,Iliveinhell。
Therefore——
LiftinghishandRUTLANDO,letmepraybeforeItakemydeath!
TotheeIpray;sweetClifford,pityme!CLIFFORDSuchpityasmyrapier'spointaffords。RUTLANDIneverdidtheeharm:whywiltthouslayme?CLIFFORDThyfatherhath。RUTLANDBut'twasereIwasborn。
Thouhastoneson;forhissakepityme,Lestinrevengethereof,sithGodisjust,HebeasmiserablyslainasI。
Ah,letmeliveinprisonallmydays;
AndwhenIgiveoccasionofoffence,Thenletmedie,fornowthouhastnocause。CLIFFORDNocause!
Thyfatherslewmyfather;therefore,die。
StabshimRUTLANDDifaciantlaudissummasitistatuae!
DiesCLIFFORDPlantagenet!Icome,Plantagenet!
Andthisthyson'sbloodcleavingtomybladeShallrustuponmyweapon,tillthyblood,Congeal'dwiththis,domakemewipeoffboth。
ExitSCENEIV。Anotherpartofthefield。Alarum。EnterYORKYORKThearmyofthequeenhathgotthefield:
Myunclesbothareslaininrescuingme;
AndallmyfollowerstotheeagerfoeTurnbackandfly,likeshipsbeforethewindOrlambspursuedbyhunger-starvedwolves。
Mysons,Godknowswhathathbechancedthem:
ButthisIknow,theyhavedemean'dthemselvesLikemenborntorenownbylifeordeath。
ThreetimesdidRichardmakealanetome。
Andthricecried'Courage,father!fightitout!'
AndfullasoftcameEdwardtomyside,Withpurplefalchion,paintedtothehiltInbloodofthosethathadencounter'dhim:
Andwhenthehardiestwarriorsdidretire,Richardcried'Charge!andgivenofootofground!'
Andcried'Acrown,orelseaglorioustomb!
Asceptre,oranearthlysepulchre!'
Withthis,wechargedagain:but,out,alas!
Webodgedagain;asIhaveseenaswanWithbootlesslabourswimagainstthetideAndspendherstrengthwithover-matchingwaves。
AshortalarumwithinAh,hark!thefatalfollowersdopursue;
AndIamfaintandcannotflytheirfury:
AndwereIstrong,Iwouldnotshuntheirfury:
Thesandsarenumber'dthatmakeupmylife;
HeremustIstay,andheremylifemustend。
EnterQUEENMARGARET,CLIFFORD,NORTHUMBERLAND,PRINCEEDWARD,andSoldiersCome,bloodyClifford,roughNorthumberland,Idareyourquenchlessfurytomorerage:
Iamyourbutt,andIabideyourshot。NORTHUMBERLANDYieldtoourmercy,proudPlantagenet。CLIFFORDAy,tosuchmercyashisruthlessarm,Withdownrightpayment,show'duntomyfather。
NowPhaethonhathtumbledfromhiscar,Andmadeaneveningatthenoontideprick。YORKMyashes,asthephoenix,maybringforthAbirdthatwillrevengeuponyouall:
AndinthathopeIthrowmineeyestoheaven,Scorningwhate'eryoucanafflictmewith。
Whycomeyounot?what!multitudes,andfear?CLIFFORDSocowardsfightwhentheycanflynofurther;
Sodovesdopeckthefalcon'spiercingtalons;
Sodesperatethieves,allhopelessoftheirlives,Breatheoutinvectives'gainsttheofficers。YORKOClifford,butbethinktheeonceagain,Andinthythoughto'er-runmyformertime;
And,ifthoughcanstforblushing,viewthisface,Andbitethytongue,thatslandershimwithcowardiceWhosefrownhathmadetheefaintandflyerethis!CLIFFORDIwillnotbandywiththeewordforword,Butbucklewiththeeblows,twicetwoforone。QUEENMARGARETHold,valiantClifford!forathousandcausesIwouldprolongawhilethetraitor'slife。
Wrathmakeshimdeaf:speakthou,Northumberland。NORTHUMBERLANDHold,Clifford!donothonourhimsomuchToprickthyfinger,thoughtowoundhisheart:
Whatvalourwereit,whenacurdothgrin,Foronetothrusthishandbetweenhisteeth,Whenhemightspurnhimwithhisfootaway?
Itiswar'sprizetotakeallvantages;
Andtentooneisnoimpeachofvalour。
TheylayhandsonYORK,whostrugglesCLIFFORDAy,ay,sostrivesthewoodcockwiththegin。NORTHUMBERLANDSodoththeconystruggleinthenet。YORKSotriumphthievesupontheirconquer'dbooty;
Sotruemenyield,withrobberssoo'ermatch'd。NORTHUMBERLANDWhatwouldyourgracehavedoneuntohimnow?QUEENMARGARETBravewarriors,CliffordandNorthumberland,Come,makehimstanduponthismolehillhere,Thatraughtatmountainswithoutstretchedarms,Yetpartedbuttheshadowwithhishand。
What!wasityouthatwouldbeEngland'sking?
Was'tyouthatrevell'dinourparliament,Andmadeapreachmentofyourhighdescent?
Whereareyourmessofsonstobackyounow?
ThewantonEdward,andthelustyGeorge?
Andwhere'sthatvaliantcrook-backprodigy,Dickyyourboy,thatwithhisgrumblingvoiceWaswonttocheerhisdadinmutinies?
Or,withtherest,whereisyourdarlingRutland?
Look,York:Istain'dthisnapkinwiththebloodThatvaliantClifford,withhisrapier'spoint,Madeissuefromthebosomoftheboy;
Andifthineeyescanwaterforhisdeath,Igivetheethistodrythycheekswithal。
AlaspoorYork!butthatIhatetheedeadly,Ishouldlamentthymiserablestate。
Iprithee,grieve,tomakememerry,York。
What,haththyfieryheartsoparch'dthineentrailsThatnotatearcanfallforRutland'sdeath?
Whyartthoupatient,man?thoushouldstbemad;
AndI,tomaketheemad,domocktheethus。
Stamp,rave,andfret,thatImaysinganddance。
Thouwouldstbefee'd,Isee,tomakemesport:
Yorkcannotspeak,unlesshewearacrown。
AcrownforYork!and,lords,bowlowtohim:
Holdyouhishands,whilstIdosetiton。
PuttingapapercrownonhisheadAy,marry,sir,nowlookshelikeaking!
Ay,thisishethattookKingHenry'schair,Andthisishewashisadoptedheir。
ButhowisitthatgreatPlantagenetIscrown'dsosoon,andbrokehissolemnoath?
AsIbethinkme,youshouldnotbekingTillourKingHenryhadshookhandswithdeath。
AndwillyoupaleyourheadinHenry'sglory,Androbhistemplesofthediadem,Nowinhislife,againstyourholyoath?
O,'tisafaulttootoounpardonable!
Offwiththecrown,andwiththecrownhishead;
And,whilstwebreathe,taketimetodohimdead。CLIFFORDThatismyoffice,formyfather'ssake。QUEENMARGARETNay,stay;letsheartheorisonshemakes。YORKShe-wolfofFrance,butworsethanwolvesofFrance,Whosetonguemorepoisonsthantheadder'stooth!
Howill-beseemingisitinthysexTotriumph,likeanAmazoniantrull,Upontheirwoeswhomfortunecaptivates!
Butthatthyfaceis,vizard-like,unchanging,Madeimpudentwithuseofevildeeds,Iwouldassay,proudqueen,tomaketheeblush。
Totelltheewhencethoucamest,ofwhomderived,Wereshameenoughtoshamethee,wertthounotshameless。
ThyfatherbearsthetypeofKingofNaples,OfboththeSicilsandJerusalem,YetnotsowealthyasanEnglishyeoman。
Haththatpoormonarchtaughttheetoinsult?
Itneedsnot,noritbootstheenot,proudqueen,Unlesstheadagemustbeverified,Thatbeggarsmountedruntheirhorsetodeath。
'Tisbeautythatdothoftmakewomenproud;
But,Godheknows,thysharethereofissmall:
'Tisvirtuethatdothmakethemmostadmired;
Thecontrarydothmaketheewonder'dat:
'Tisgovernmentthatmakesthemseemdivine;
Thewantthereofmakestheeabominable:
ThouartasoppositetoeverygoodAstheAntipodesareuntous,Orasthesouthtotheseptentrion。
Otiger'sheartwraptinawoman'shide!
Howcouldstthoudrainthelife-bloodofthechild,Tobidthefatherwipehiseyeswithal,Andyetbeseentobearawoman'sface?
Womenaresoft,mild,pitifulandflexible;
Thoustern,obdurate,flinty,rough,remorseless。
Bids'tthoumerage?why,nowthouhastthywish:
Wouldsthavemeweep?why,nowthouhastthywill:
Forragingwindblowsupincessantshowers,Andwhentherageallays,therainbegins。
ThesetearsaremysweetRutland'sobsequies:
Andeverydropcriesvengeanceforhisdeath,'Gainstthee,fellClifford,andthee,falseFrenchwoman。NORTHUMBERLANDBeshrewme,buthispassionmovesmesoThathardlycanIchequemyeyesfromtears。YORKThatfaceofhisthehungrycannibalsWouldnothavetouch'd,wouldnothavestain'dwithblood:
Butyouaremoreinhuman,moreinexorable,O,tentimesmore,thantigersofHyrcania。
See,ruthlessqueen,ahaplessfather'stears:
Thiscloththoudip'dstinbloodofmysweetboy,AndIwithtearsdowashthebloodaway。
Keepthouthenapkin,andgoboastofthis:
Andifthoutell'sttheheavystoryright,Uponmysoul,thehearerswillshedtears;
Yeaevenmyfoeswillshedfast-fallingtears,Andsay'Alas,itwasapiteousdeed!'
There,takethecrown,and,withthecrown,mycurse;
AndinthyneedsuchcomfortcometotheeAsnowIreapatthytoocruelhand!
Hard-heartedClifford,takemefromtheworld:
Mysoultoheaven,myblooduponyourheads!NORTHUMBERLANDHadhebeenslaughter-mantoallmykin,Ishouldnotformylifebutweepwithhim。
Toseehowinlysorrowgripeshissoul。QUEENMARGARETWhat,weeping-ripe,myLordNorthumberland?
Thinkbutuponthewronghedidusall,Andthatwillquicklydrythymeltingtears。CLIFFORDHere'sformyoath,here'sformyfather'sdeath。
StabbinghimQUEENMARGARETAndhere'storightourgentle-heartedking。
StabbinghimYORKOpenThygateofmercy,graciousGod!
MysoulfliesthroughthesewoundstoseekoutThee。
DiesQUEENMARGARETOffwithhishead,andsetitonYorkgates;
SoYorkmayoverlookthetownofYork。
Flourish。ExeuntACTIISCENEI。AplainnearMortimer'sCrossinHerefordshire。Amarch。EnterEDWARD,RICHARD,andtheirpowerEDWARDIwonderhowourprincelyfather'scaped,Orwhetherhebe'scapedawayornoFromClifford'sandNorthumberland'spursuit:
Hadhebeenta'en,weshouldhaveheardthenews;
Hadhebeenslain,weshouldhaveheardthenews;
Orhadhe'scaped,methinksweshouldhaveheardThehappytidingsofhisgoodescape。
Howfaresmybrother?whyishesosad?RICHARDIcannotjoy,untilIberesolvedWhereourrightvaliantfatherisbecome。
Isawhiminthebattlerangeabout;
Andwatch'dhimhowhesingledCliffordforth。
MethoughtheborehiminthethickesttroopAsdothalioninaherdofneat;
Orasabear,encompass'droundwithdogs,Whohavingpinch'dafewandmadethemcry,Thereststandallaloof,andbarkathim。
Sofaredourfatherwithhisenemies;
Sofledhisenemiesmywarlikefather:
Methinks,'tisprizeenoughtobehisson。
Seehowthemorningopeshergoldengates,Andtakesherfarewelloftheglorioussun!
Howwellresemblesittheprimeofyouth,Trimm'dlikeayounkerprancingtohislove!EDWARDDazzlemineeyes,ordoIseethreesuns?RICHARDThreeglorioussuns,eachoneaperfectsun;
Notseparatedwiththerackingclouds,Butsever'dinapaleclear-shiningsky。
See,see!theyjoin,embrace,andseemtokiss,Asiftheyvow'dsomeleagueinviolable:
Nowaretheybutonelamp,onelight,onesun。
Inthistheheavenfiguressomeevent。EDWARD'Tiswondrousstrange,thelikeyetneverheardof。
Ithinkitcitesus,brother,tothefield,Thatwe,thesonsofbravePlantagenet,Eachonealreadyblazingbyourmeeds,ShouldnotwithstandingjoinourlightstogetherAndover-shinetheearthasthistheworld。
Whate'eritbodes,henceforwardwillIbearUponmytargetthreefair-shiningsuns。RICHARDNay,bearthreedaughters:byyourleaveIspeakit,Youlovethebreederbetterthanthemale。
EnteraMessengerButwhatartthou,whoseheavylooksforetellSomedreadfulstoryhangingonthytongue?MessengerAh,onethatwasawofullooker-onWhenasthenobleDukeofYorkwasslain,Yourprincelyfatherandmylovinglord!EDWARDO,speaknomore,forIhaveheardtoomuch。RICHARDSayhowhedied,forIwillhearitall。MessengerEnvironedhewaswithmanyfoes,Andstoodagainstthem,asthehopeofTroyAgainsttheGreeksthatwouldhaveenter'dTroy。
ButHerculeshimselfmustyieldtoodds;
Andmanystrokes,thoughwithalittleaxe,Hewdownandfellthehardest-timber'doak。
Bymanyhandsyourfatherwassubdued;
Butonlyslaughter'dbytheirefularmOfunrelentingCliffordandthequeen,Whocrown'dthegraciousdukeinhighdespite,Laugh'dinhisface;andwhenwithgriefhewept,TheruthlessqueengavehimtodryhischeeksAnapkinsteepedintheharmlessbloodOfsweetyoungRutland,byroughCliffordslain:
Andaftermanyscorns,manyfoultaunts,Theytookhishead,andonthegatesofYorkTheysetthesame;andthereitdothremain,Thesaddestspectaclethate'erIview'd。EDWARDSweetDukeofYork,ourproptoleanupon,Nowthouartgone,wehavenostaff,nostay。
OClifford,boisterousClifford!thouhastslainTheflowerofEuropeforhischivalry;
Andtreacherouslyhastthouvanquish'dhim,Forhandtohandhewouldhavevanquish'dthee。
Nowmysoul'spalaceisbecomeaprison:
Ah,wouldshebreakfromhence,thatthismybodyMightinthegroundbeclosedupinrest!
ForneverhenceforthshallIjoyagain,Never,OnevershallIseemorejoy!RICHARDIcannotweep;forallmybody'smoistureScarceservestoquenchmyfurnace-burningheart:
Norcanmytongueunloadmyheart'sgreatburthen;
ForselfsamewindthatIshouldspeakwithalIskindlingcoalsthatfiresallmybreast,Andburnsmeupwithflamesthattearswouldquench。
Toweepistomakelessthedepthofgrief:
Tearsthenforbabes;blowsandrevengeformeRichard,Ibearthyname;I'llvengethydeath,Ordierenownedbyattemptingit。EDWARDHisnamethatvaliantdukehathleftwiththee;
Hisdukedomandhischairwithmeisleft。RICHARDNay,ifthoubethatprincelyeagle'sbird,Showthydescentbygazing'gainstthesun:
Forchairanddukedom,throneandkingdomsay;
Eitherthatisthine,orelsethouwertnothis。
March。EnterWARWICK,MONTAGUE,andtheirarmyWARWICKHownow,fairlords!Whatfare?whatnewsabroad?RICHARDGreatLordofWarwick,ifweshouldrecountOurbalefulnews,andateachword'sdeliveranceStabponiardsinourfleshtillallweretold,Thewordswouldaddmoreanguishthanthewounds。
Ovaliantlord,theDukeofYorkisslain!EDWARDOWarwick,Warwick!thatPlantagenet,Whichheldthreedearlyashissoul'sredemption,IsbythesternLordClifforddonetodeath。WARWICKTendaysagoIdrown'dthesenewsintears;
Andnow,toaddmoremeasuretoyourwoes,Icometotellyouthingssiththenbefall'n。
AfterthebloodyfrayatWakefieldfought,Whereyourbravefatherbreathedhislatestgasp,Tidings,asswiftlyasthepostscouldrun,Werebroughtmeofyourlossandhisdepart。
I,theninLondonkeeperoftheking,Muster'dmysoldiers,gather'dflocksoffriends,Andverywellappointed,asIthought,March'dtowardSaintAlban'stointerceptthequeen,Bearingthekinginmybehalfalong;
ForbymyscoutsIwasadvertisedThatshewascomingwithafullintentTodashourlatedecreeinparliamentTouchingKingHenry'soathandyoursuccession。
Shorttaletomake,weatSaintAlban'smetOurbattlesjoin'd,andbothsidesfiercelyfought:
Butwhether'twasthecoldnessoftheking,Wholook'dfullgentlyonhiswarlikequeen,Thatrobb'dmysoldiersoftheirheatedspleen;
Orwhether'twasreportofhersuccess;
OrmorethancommonfearofClifford'srigour,Whothunderstohiscaptivesbloodanddeath,Icannotjudge:buttoconcludewithtruth,Theirweaponsliketolightningcameandwent;
Oursoldiers',likethenight-owl'slazyflight,Orlikeanidlethresherwithaflail,Fellgentlydown,asiftheystrucktheirfriends。
Icheer'dthemupwithjusticeofourcause,Withpromiseofhighpayandgreatrewards:
Butallinvain;theyhadnohearttofight,Andweinthemnohopetowintheday;
Sothatwefled;thekinguntothequeen;
LordGeorgeyourbrother,Norfolkandmyself,Inhaste,post-haste,arecometojoinwithyou:
Forinthemarcheshereweheardyouwere,Makinganotherheadtofightagain。EDWARDWhereistheDukeofNorfolk,gentleWarwick?
AndwhencameGeorgefromBurgundytoEngland?WARWICKSomesixmilesoffthedukeiswiththesoldiers;
Andforyourbrother,hewaslatelysentFromyourkindaunt,DuchessofBurgundy,Withaidofsoldierstothisneedfulwar。RICHARD'Twasodds,belike,whenvaliantWarwickfled:
OfthaveIheardhispraisesinpursuit,Butne'ertillnowhisscandalofretire。WARWICKNornowmyscandal,Richard,dostthouhear;
ForthoushaltknowthisstrongrighthandofmineCanpluckthediademfromfaintHenry'shead,Andwringtheawfulsceptrefromhisfist,WereheasfamousandasboldinwarAsheisfamedformildness,peace,andprayer。RICHARDIknowitwell,LordWarwick;blamemenot:
'TisloveIbearthygloriesmakesmespeak。
Butinthistroubloustimewhat'stobedone?
Shallwegothrowawayourcoatsofsteel,Andwrapourbodiesinblackmourninggowns,NumberingourAve-Marieswithourbeads?
OrshallweonthehelmetsofourfoesTellourdevotionwithrevengefularms?
Ifforthelast,sayay,andtoit,lords。WARWICKWhy,thereforeWarwickcametoseekyouout;
AndthereforecomesmybrotherMontague。
Attendme,lords。Theproudinsultingqueen,WithCliffordandthehaughtNorthumberland,Andoftheirfeathermanymoreproudbirds,Havewroughttheeasy-meltingkinglikewax。
Hesworeconsenttoyoursuccession,Hisoathenrolledintheparliament;
AndnowtoLondonallthecrewaregone,TofrustratebothhisoathandwhatbesideMaymakeagainstthehouseofLancaster。
Theirpower,Ithink,isthirtythousandstrong:
Now,ifthehelpofNorfolkandmyself,Withallthefriendsthatthou,braveEarlofMarch,AmongstthelovingWelshmencanstprocure,Willbutamounttofiveandtwentythousand,Why,Via!toLondonwillwemarchamain,Andonceagainbestrideourfoamingsteeds,Andonceagaincry'Chargeuponourfoes!'
Butneveronceagainturnbackandfly。RICHARDAy,nowmethinksIheargreatWarwickspeak:
Ne'ermayhelivetoseeasunshineday,Thatcries'Retire,'ifWarwickbidhimstay。EDWARDLordWarwick,onthyshoulderwillI
lean;
Andwhenthoufail'st——asGodforbidthehour!——
MustEdwardfall,whichperilheavenforfend!WARWICKNolongerEarlofMarch,butDukeofYork:
ThenextdegreeisEngland'sroyalthrone;
ForKingofEnglandshaltthoubeproclaim'dIneveryboroughaswepassalong;
AndhethatthrowsnotuphiscapforjoyShallforthefaultmakeforfeitofhishead。
KingEdward,valiantRichard,Montague,Staywenolonger,dreamingofrenown,Butsoundthetrumpets,andaboutourtask。RICHARDThen,Clifford,werethyheartashardassteel,Asthouhastshownitflintybythydeeds,Icometopierceit,ortogivetheemine。EDWARDThenstrikeupdrums:GodandSaintGeorgeforus!
EnteraMessengerWARWICKHownow!whatnews?MessengerTheDukeofNorfolksendsyouwordbyme,Thequeeniscomingwithapuissanthost;
Andcravesyourcompanyforspeedycounsel。WARWICKWhythenitsorts,bravewarriors,let'saway。
ExeuntSCENEII。BeforeYork。Flourish。EnterKINGHENRYVI,QUEENMARGARET,PRINCEEDWARD,CLIFFORD,andNORTHUMBERLAND,withdrumandtrumpetsQUEENMARGARETWelcome,mylord,tothisbravetownofYork。
Yonder'stheheadofthatarch-enemyThatsoughttobeencompass'dwithyourcrown:
Dothnottheobjectcheeryourheart,mylord?KINGHENRYVIAy,astherockscheerthemthatfeartheirwreck:
Toseethissight,itirksmyverysoul。
Withholdrevenge,dearGod!'tisnotmyfault,NorwittinglyhaveIinfringedmyvow。CLIFFORDMygraciousliege,thistoomuchlenityAndharmfulpitymustbelaidaside。
Towhomdolionscasttheirgentlelooks?
Nottothebeastthatwouldusurptheirden。
Whosehandisthattheforestbeardothlick?
Nothisthatspoilsheryoungbeforeherface。
Who'scapesthelurkingserpent'smortalsting?
Nothethatsetshisfootuponherback。
Thesmallestwormwillturnbeingtroddenon,Anddoveswillpeckinsafeguardoftheirbrood。
AmbitiousYorkdothlevelatthycrown,Thousmilingwhileheknithisangrybrows:
He,butaduke,wouldhavehissonaking,Andraisehisissue,likealovingsire;
Thou,beingaking,blestwithagoodlyson,Didstyieldconsenttodisinherithim,Whicharguedtheeamostunlovingfather。
Unreasonablecreaturesfeedtheiryoung;
Andthoughman'sfacebefearfultotheireyes,Yet,inprotectionoftheirtenderones,Whohathnotseenthem,evenwiththosewingsWhichsometimetheyhaveusedwithfearfulflight,Makewarwithhimthatclimb'duntotheirnest,Offertheirownlivesintheiryoung'sdefence?
Forshame,myliege,makethemyourprecedent!
WereitnotpitythatthisgoodlyboyShouldlosehisbirthrightbyhisfather'sfault,Andlonghereaftersayuntohischild,'Whatmygreat-grandfatherandhisgrandsiregotMycarelessfatherfondlygaveaway'?
Ah,whatashamewerethis!Lookontheboy;
Andlethismanlyface,whichpromisethSuccessfulfortune,steelthymeltingheartToholdthineownandleavethineownwithhim。KINGHENRYVIFullwellhathCliffordplay'dtheorator,Inferringargumentsofmightyforce。
But,Clifford,tellme,didstthouneverhearThatthingsill-gothadeverbadsuccess?
AndhappyalwayswasitforthatsonWhosefatherforhishoardingwenttohell?
I'llleavemysonmyvirtuousdeedsbehind;
Andwouldmyfatherhadleftmenomore!
ForalltherestisheldatsucharateAsbringsathousand-foldmorecaretokeepThaninpossessionandjotofpleasure。
Ah,cousinYork!wouldthybestfriendsdidknowHowitdothgrievemethatthyheadishere!QUEENMARGARETMylord,cheerupyourspirits:ourfoesarenigh,Andthissoftcouragemakesyourfollowersfaint。
Youpromisedknighthoodtoourforwardson:
Unsheatheyoursword,anddubhimpresently。
Edward,kneeldown。KINGHENRYVIEdwardPlantagenet,ariseaknight;
Andlearnthislesson,drawthyswordinright。PRINCEMygraciousfather,byyourkinglyleave,I'lldrawitasapparenttothecrown,Andinthatquarreluseittothedeath。CLIFFORDWhy,thatisspokenlikeatowardprince。
EnteraMessengerMessengerRoyalcommanders,beinreadiness:
ForwithabandofthirtythousandmenComesWarwick,backingoftheDukeofYork;
Andinthetowns,astheydomarchalong,Proclaimshimking,andmanyflytohim:
Darraignyourbattle,fortheyareathand。CLIFFORDIwouldyourhighnesswoulddepartthefield:
Thequeenhathbestsuccesswhenyouareabsent。QUEENMARGARETAy,goodmylord,andleaveustoourfortune。KINGHENRYVIWhy,that'smyfortunetoo;thereforeI'llstay。NORTHUMBERLANDBeitwithresolutionthentofight。PRINCEEDWARDMyroyalfather,cheerthesenoblelordsAndheartenthosethatfightinyourdefence:
Unsheatheyoursword,goodfather;cry'SaintGeorge!'
March。EnterEDWARD,GEORGE,RICHARD,WARWICK,NORFOLK,MONTAGUE,andSoldiersEDWARDNow,perjuredHenry!wiltthoukneelforgrace,Andsetthydiademuponmyhead;
Orbidethemortalfortuneofthefield?QUEENMARGARETGo,ratethyminions,proudinsultingboy!
BecomesittheetobethusboldintermsBeforethysovereignandthylawfulking?EDWARDIamhisking,andheshouldbowhisknee;
Iwasadoptedheirbyhisconsent:
Sincewhen,hisoathisbroke;for,asIhear,You,thatareking,thoughhedowearthecrown,Havecausedhim,bynewactofparliament,Toblotoutme,andputhisownsonin。CLIFFORDAndreasontoo:
Whoshouldsucceedthefatherbuttheson?RICHARDAreyouthere,butcher?O,Icannotspeak!CLIFFORDAy,crook-back,hereIstandtoanswerthee,Oranyhetheproudestofthysort。RICHARD'Twasyouthatkill'dyoungRutland,wasitnot?CLIFFORDAy,andoldYork,andyetnotsatisfied。RICHARDForGod'ssake,lords,givesignaltothefight。WARWICKWhatsay'stthou,Henry,wiltthouyieldthecrown?QUEENMARGARETWhy,hownow,long-tonguedWarwick!dareyouspeak?
WhenyouandImetatSaintAlban'slast,Yourlegsdidbetterservicethanyourhands。WARWICKThen'twasmyturntofly,andnow'tisthine。CLIFFORDYousaidsomuchbefore,andyetyoufled。WARWICK'Twasnotyourvalour,Clifford,drovemethence。NORTHUMBERLANDNo,noryourmanhoodthatdurstmakeyoustay。RICHARDNorthumberland,Iholdtheereverently。
Breakofftheparley;forscarceIcanrefrainTheexecutionofmybig-swolnheartUponthatClifford,thatcruelchild-killer。CLIFFORDIslewthyfather,call'stthouhimachild?RICHARDAy,likeadastardandatreacherouscoward,AsthoudidstkillourtenderbrotherRutland;
ButeresunsetI'llmaketheecursethedeed。KINGHENRYVIHavedonewithwords,mylords,andhearmespeak。QUEENMARGARETDefythemthen,orelseholdclosethylips。KINGHENRYVIIprithee,givenolimitstomytongue:
Iamaking,andprivilegedtospeak。CLIFFORDMyliege,thewoundthatbredthismeetinghereCannotbecuredbywords;thereforebestill。RICHARDThen,executioner,unsheathethysword:
Byhimthatmadeusall,IamresolvedthatClifford'smanhoodliesuponhistongue。EDWARDSay,Henry,shallIhavemyright,orno?
Athousandmenhavebroketheirfaststo-day,Thatne'ershalldineunlessthouyieldthecrown。WARWICKIfthoudeny,theirblooduponthyhead;
ForYorkinjusticeputshisarmouron。PRINCEEDWARDIfthatberightwhichWarwicksaysisright,Thereisnowrong,buteverythingisright。RICHARDWhoevergotthee,therethymotherstands;
For,wellIwot,thouhastthymother'stongue。QUEENMARGARETButthouartneitherlikethysirenordam;
Butlikeafoulmis-shapenstigmatic,Mark'dbythedestiniestobeavoided,Asvenomtoads,orlizards'dreadfulstings。RICHARDIronofNapleshidwithEnglishgilt,Whosefatherbearsthetitleofaking,——
Asifachannelshouldbecall'dthesea,——
Shamestthounot,knowingwhencethouartextraught,Toletthytonguedetectthybase-bornheart?EDWARDAwispofstrawwereworthathousandcrowns,Tomakethisshamelesscalletknowherself。
HelenofGreecewasfairerfarthanthou,AlthoughthyhusbandmaybeMenelaus;
Andne'erwasAgamemnon'sbrotherwrong'dBythatfalsewoman,asthiskingbythee。
Hisfatherrevell'dintheheartofFrance,Andtamedtheking,andmadethedauphinstoop;
Andhadhematch'daccordingtohisstate,Hemighthavekeptthatglorytothisday;
Butwhenhetookabeggartohisbed,Andgracedthypoorsirewithhisbridal-day,Eventhenthatsunshinebrew'dashowerforhim,Thatwash'dhisfather'sfortunesforthofFrance,Andheap'dseditiononhiscrownathome。
Forwhathathbroach'dthistumultbutthypride?
Hadstthoubeenmeek,ourtitlestillhadslept;
Andwe,inpityofthegentleking,Hadslipp'dourclaimuntilanotherage。GEORGEButwhenwesawoursunshinemadethyspring,Andthatthysummerbredusnoincrease,Wesettheaxetothyusurpingroot;
Andthoughtheedgehathsomethinghitourselves,Yet,knowthou,sincewehavebeguntostrike,We'llneverleavetillwehavehewntheedown,Orbathedthygrowingwithourheatedbloods。EDWARDAnd,inthisresolution,Idefythee;
Notwillinganylongerconference,Sincethoudeniestthegentlekingtospeak。
Soundtrumpets!letourbloodycolourswave!
Andeithervictory,orelseagrave。QUEENMARGARETStay,Edward。EDWARDNo,wranglingwoman,we'llnolongerstay:
Thesewordswillcosttenthousandlivesthisday。
ExeuntSCENEIII。AfieldofbattlebetweenTowtonandSaxton,inYorkshire。
Alarum。Excursions。EnterWARWICKWARWICKForspentwithtoil,asrunnerswitharace,Ilaymedownalittlewhiletobreathe;
Forstrokesreceived,andmanyblowsrepaid,Haverobb'dmystrong-knitsinewsoftheirstrength,AndspiteofspiteneedsmustIrestawhile。
EnterEDWARD,runningEDWARDSmile,gentleheaven!orstrike,ungentledeath!
Forthisworldfrowns,andEdward'ssunisclouded。WARWICKHownow,mylord!whathap?whathopeofgood?
EnterGEORGEGEORGEOurhapisloss,ourhopebutsaddespair;
Ourranksarebroke,andruinfollowsus:
Whatcounselgiveyou?whithershallwefly?EDWARDBootlessisflight,theyfollowuswithwings;
Andweakweareandcannotshunpursuit。
EnterRICHARDRICHARDAh,Warwick,whyhastthouwithdrawnthyself?
Thybrother'sbloodthethirstyearthhathdrunk,Broach'dwiththesteelypointofClifford'slance;
Andintheverypangsofdeathhecried,Liketoadismalclangourheardfromfar,'Warwick,revenge!brother,revengemydeath!'
So,underneaththebellyoftheirsteeds,Thatstain'dtheirfetlocksinhissmokingblood,Thenoblegentlemangaveuptheghost。WARWICKThenlettheearthbedrunkenwithourblood:
I'llkillmyhorse,becauseIwillnotfly。
Whystandwelikesoft-heartedwomenhere,Wailingourlosses,whilesthefoedothrage;
Andlookupon,asifthetragedyWereplay'dinjestbycounterfeitingactors?
HereonmykneeIvowtoGodabove,I'llneverpauseagain,neverstandstill,TilleitherdeathhathclosedtheseeyesofmineOrfortunegivenmemeasureofrevenge。EDWARDOWarwick,Idobendmykneewiththine;
Andinthisvowdochainmysoultothine!
And,eremykneerisefromtheearth'scoldface,Ithrowmyhands,mineeyes,myhearttothee,Thousetterupandpluckerdownofkings,Beseechingthee,ifwiththeywillitstandsThattomyfoesthisbodymustbeprey,Yetthatthybrazengatesofheavenmayope,Andgivesweetpassagetomysinfulsoul!
Now,lords,takeleaveuntilwemeetagain,Where'eritbe,inheavenorinearth。RICHARDBrother,givemethyhand;and,gentleWarwick,Letmeembracetheeinmywearyarms:
I,thatdidneverweep,nowmeltwithwoeThatwintershouldcutoffourspring-timeso。WARWICKAway,away!Oncemore,sweetlordsfarewell。GEORGEYetletusalltogethertoourtroops,Andgivethemleavetoflythatwillnotstay;
Andcallthempillarsthatwillstandtous;
And,ifwethrive,promisethemsuchrewardsAsvictorswearattheOlympiangames:
Thismayplantcourageintheirquailingbreasts;
Foryetishopeoflifeandvictory。
Forslownolonger,makewehenceamain。
ExeuntSCENEIV。Anotherpartofthefield。Excursions。EnterRICHARDandCLIFFORDRICHARDNow,Clifford,Ihavesingledtheealone:
SupposethisarmisfortheDukeofYork,AndthisforRutland;bothboundtorevenge,Wertthouenviron'dwithabrazenwall。CLIFFORDNow,Richard,Iamwiththeeherealone:
Thisisthehandthatstabb'dthyfatherYork;
AndthisthehandthatslewthybrotherRutland;
Andhere'stheheartthattriumphsintheirdeathAndcheersthesehandsthatslewthysireandbrotherToexecutethelikeuponthyself;
Andso,haveatthee!
Theyfight。WARWICKcomes;CLIFFORDfliesRICHARDNayWarwick,singleoutsomeotherchase;
ForImyselfwillhuntthiswolftodeath。
ExeuntSCENEV。Anotherpartofthefield。Alarum。EnterKINGHENRYVIaloneKINGHENRYVIThisbattlefaresliketothemorning'swar,Whendyingcloudscontendwithgrowinglight,Whattimetheshepherd,blowingofhisnails,Canneithercallitperfectdaynornight。
Nowswaysitthisway,likeamightyseaForcedbythetidetocombatwiththewind;
Nowswaysitthatway,liketheselfsameseaForcedtoretirebyfuryofthewind:
Sometimethefloodprevails,andthenthewind;
Nowonethebetter,thenanotherbest;
Bothtuggingtobevictors,breasttobreast,Yetneitherconquerornorconquered:
Soistheequalofthisfellwar。
HereonthismolehillwillIsitmedown。
TowhomGodwill,therebethevictory!
ForMargaretmyqueen,andCliffordtoo,Havechidmefromthebattle;swearingbothTheyprosperbestofallwhenIamthence。
WouldIweredead!ifGod'sgoodwillwereso;
Forwhatisinthisworldbutgriefandwoe?
OGod!methinksitwereahappylife,Tobenobetterthanahomelyswain;
Tosituponahill,asIdonow,Tocarveoutdialsquaintly,pointbypoint,Therebytoseetheminuteshowtheyrun,Howmanymakethehourfullcomplete;
Howmanyhoursbringabouttheday;
Howmanydayswillfinishuptheyear;
Howmanyyearsamortalmanmaylive。
Whenthisisknown,thentodividethetimes:
SomanyhoursmustItendmyflock;
SomanyhoursmustItakemyrest;
SomanyhoursmustIcontemplate;
SomanyhoursmustIsportmyself;
Somanydaysmyeweshavebeenwithyoung;
Somanyweekserethepoorfoolswillean:
SomanyyearsereIshallshearthefleece:
Sominutes,hours,days,months,andyears,Pass'dovertotheendtheywerecreated,Wouldbringwhitehairsuntoaquietgrave。
Ah,whatalifewerethis!howsweet!howlovely!
Givesnotthehawthorn-bushasweetershadeToshepherdslookingontheirsillysheep,Thandotharichembroider'dcanopyTokingsthatfeartheirsubjects'treachery?
O,yes,itdoth;athousand-folditdoth。
Andtoconclude,theshepherd'shomelycurds,Hiscoldthindrinkoutofhisleatherbottle。
Hiswontedsleepunderafreshtree'sshade,Allwhichsecureandsweetlyheenjoys,Isfarbeyondaprince'sdelicates,Hisviandssparklinginagoldencup,Hisbodycouchedinacuriousbed,Whencare,mistrust,andtreasonwaitsonhim。
Alarum。EnteraSonthathaskilledhisfather,dragginginthedeadbodySonIllblowsthewindthatprofitsnobody。
Thisman,whomhandtohandIslewinfight,Maybepossessedwithsomestoreofcrowns;
AndI,thathaplytakethemfromhimnow,MayyeterenightyieldbothmylifeandthemTosomemanelse,asthisdeadmandothme。
Who'sthis?OGod!itismyfather'sface,WhominthisconflictIunwareshavekill'd。
Oheavytimes,begettingsuchevents!
FromLondonbythekingwasIpress'dforth;
Myfather,beingtheEarlofWarwick'sman,CameonthepartofYork,press'dbyhismaster;
AndI,whoathishandsreceivedmylife,himHavebymyhandsoflifebereavedhim。
Pardonme,God,IknewnotwhatIdid!
Andpardon,father,forIknewnotthee!
Mytearsshallwipeawaythesebloodymarks;
Andnomorewordstilltheyhaveflow'dtheirfill。KINGHENRYVIOpiteousspectacle!Obloodytimes!
Whileslionswarandbattlefortheirdens,Poorharmlesslambsabidetheirenmity。
Weep,wretchedman,I'llaidtheetearfortear;
Andletourheartsandeyes,likecivilwar,Beblindwithtears,andbreako'erchargedwithgrief。
EnteraFatherthathaskilledhisson,bringinginthebodyFatherThouthatsostoutlyhastresistedme,Givemethygold,ifthouhastanygold:
ForIhaveboughtitwithanhundredblows。
Butletmesee:isthisourfoeman'sface?
Ah,no,no,no,itismineonlyson!
Ah,boy,ifanylifebeleftinthee,Throwupthineeye!see,seewhatshowersarise,Blownwiththewindytempestofmyheart,Uponthywords,thatkillmineeyeandheart!
O,pity,God,thismiserableage!
Whatstratagems,howfell,howbutcherly,Erroneous,mutinousandunnatural,Thisdeadlyquarreldailydothbeget!
Oboy,thyfathergavetheelifetoosoon,Andhathberefttheeofthylifetoolate!KINGHENRYVIWoeabovewoe!griefmorethancommongrief!
Othatmydeathwouldstaytheseruthfuldeeds!
Opity,pity,gentleheaven,pity!
Theredroseandthewhiteareonhisface,Thefatalcoloursofourstrivinghouses:
Theonehispurplebloodrightwellresembles;
Theotherhispalecheeks,methinks,presenteth:
Witheronerose,andlettheotherflourish;
Ifyoucontend,athousandlivesmustwither。SonHowwillmymotherforafather'sdeathTakeonwithmeandne'erbesatisfied!FatherHowwillmywifeforslaughterofmysonShedseasoftearsandne'erbesatisfied!KINGHENRYVIHowwillthecountryforthesewofulchancesMisthinkthekingandnotbesatisfied!SonWaseversonsoruedafather'sdeath?FatherWaseverfathersobemoan'dhisson?KINGHENRYVIWaseverkingsogrievedforsubjects'
woe?
Muchisyoursorrow;minetentimessomuch。SonI'llbeartheehence,whereImayweepmyfill。
ExitwiththebodyFatherThesearmsofmineshallbethywinding-sheet;
Myheart,sweetboy,shallbethysepulchre,Forfrommyheartthineimagene'ershallgo;
Mysighingbreastshallbethyfuneralbell;
Andsoobsequiouswillthyfatherbe,Evenforthelossofthee,havingnomore,AsPriamwasforallhisvaliantsons。
I'llbeartheehence;andletthemfightthatwill,ForIhavemurderedwhereIshouldnotkill。
ExitwiththebodyKINGHENRYVISad-heartedmen,muchovergonewithcare,Heresitsakingmorewofulthanyouare。
Alarums:excursions。EnterQUEENMARGARET,PRINCEEDWARD,andEXETERPRINCEEDWARDFly,father,fly!forallyourfriendsarefled,AndWarwickrageslikeachafedbull:
Away!fordeathdothholdusinpursuit。QUEENMARGARETMountyou,mylord;towardsBerwickpostamain:
EdwardandRichard,likeabraceofgreyhoundsHavingthefearfulflyinghareinsight,Withfieryeyessparklingforverywrath,Andbloodysteelgrasp'dintheirirefulhands,Areatourbacks;andthereforehenceamain。EXETERAway!forvengeancecomesalongwiththem:
Nay,staynottoexpostulate,makespeed;
Orelsecomeafter:I'llawaybefore。KINGHENRYVINay,takemewiththee,goodsweetExeter:
NotthatIfeartostay,butlovetogoWhitherthequeenintends。Forward;away!
ExeuntSCENEVI。Anotherpartofthefield。Aloudalarum。EnterCLIFFORD,woundedCLIFFORDHereburnsmycandleout;ay,hereitdies,Which,whilesitlasted,gaveKingHenrylight。
OLancaster,IfearthyoverthrowMorethanmybody'spartingwithmysoul!
Myloveandfeargluedmanyfriendstothee;
And,nowIfall,thytoughcommixturemelts。
ImpairingHenry,strengtheningmisproudYork,Thecommonpeopleswarmlikesummerflies;
Andwhitherflythegnatsbuttothesun?
AndwhoshinesnowbutHenry'senemies?
OPhoebus,hadstthounevergivenconsentThatPhaethonshouldchequethyfierysteeds,Thyburningcarneverhadscorch'dtheearth!
And,Henry,hadstthousway'daskingsshoulddo,Orasthyfatherandhisfatherdid,GivingnogrounduntothehouseofYork,Theyneverthenhadsprunglikesummerflies;
IandtenthousandinthislucklessrealmHadleftnomourningwidowsforourdeath;
Andthouthisdayhadstkeptthychairinpeace。
Forwhatdothcherishweedsbutgentleair?
Andwhatmakesrobbersboldbuttoomuchlenity?
Bootlessareplaints,andcurelessaremywounds;
Nowaytofly,norstrengthtoholdoutflight:
Thefoeismerciless,andwillnotpity;
ForattheirhandsIhavedeservednopity。
Theairhathgotintomydeadlywounds,Andmucheffuseofblooddothmakemefaint。
Come,YorkandRichard,Warwickandtherest;
Istabb'dyourfathers'bosoms,splitmybreast。
HefaintsAlarumandretreat。EnterEDWARD,GEORGE,RICHARD,MONTAGUE,WARWICK,andSoldiersEDWARDNowbreathewe,lords:goodfortunebidsuspause,Andsmooththefrownsofwarwithpeacefullooks。
Sometroopspursuethebloody-mindedqueen,ThatledcalmHenry,thoughhewereaking,Asdothasail,fill'dwithafrettinggust,Commandanargosytostemthewaves。
Butthinkyou,lords,thatCliffordfledwiththem?WARWICKNo,'tisimpossibleheshouldescape,For,thoughbeforehisfaceIspeakthewordsYourbrotherRichardmark'dhimforthegrave:
Andwheresoe'erheis,he'ssurelydead。
CLIFFORDgroans,anddiesEDWARDWhosesoulisthatwhichtakesherheavyleave?RICHARDAdeadlygroan,likelifeanddeath'sdeparting。EDWARDSeewhoitis:and,nowthebattle'sended,Iffriendorfoe,lethimbegentlyused。RICHARDRevokethatdoomofmercy,for'tisClifford;
Whonotcontentedthathelopp'dthebranchInhewingRutlandwhenhisleavesputforth,ButsethismurderingknifeuntotherootFromwhencethattenderspraydidsweetlyspring,Imeanourprincelyfather,DukeofYork。WARWICKFromoffthegatesofYorkfetchdownthehead,Yourfather'shead,whichCliffordplacedthere;
Insteadwhereofletthissupplytheroom:
Measureformeasuremustbeanswered。EDWARDBringforththatfatalscreech-owltoourhouse,Thatnothingsungbutdeathtousandours:
Nowdeathshallstophisdismalthreateningsound,Andhisill-bodingtonguenomoreshallspeak。WARWICKIthinkhisunderstandingisbereft。
Speak,Clifford,dostthouknowwhospeakstothee?
Darkcloudydeatho'ershadeshisbeamsoflife,Andhenorseesnorhearsuswhatwesay。RICHARDO,wouldhedid!andsoperhapshedoth:
'Tisbuthispolicytocounterfeit,BecausehewouldavoidsuchbittertauntsWhichinthetimeofdeathhegaveourfather。GEORGEIfsothouthink'st,vexhimwitheagerwords。RICHARDClifford,askmercyandobtainnograce。EDWARDClifford,repentinbootlesspenitence。WARWICKClifford,deviseexcusesforthyfaults。GEORGEWhilewedevisefelltorturesforthyfaults。RICHARDThoudidstloveYork,andIamsontoYork。EDWARDThoupitied'stRutland;Iwillpitythee。GEORGEWhere'sCaptainMargaret,tofenceyounow?WARWICKTheymockthee,Clifford:swearasthouwastwont。RICHARDWhat,notanoath?nay,thentheworldgoeshardWhenCliffordcannotsparehisfriendsanoath。
Iknowbythathe'sdead;and,bymysoul,Ifthisrighthandwouldbuytwohour'slife,ThatIinalldespitemightrailathim,Thishandshouldchopitoff,andwiththeissuingbloodStiflethevillainwhoseunstanchedthirstYorkandyoungRutlandcouldnotsatisfy。WARWICKAy,buthe'sdead:offwiththetraitor'shead,Andrearitintheplaceyourfather'sstands。
第6章