Which I will bear in triumph to the king, Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon. [Exeunt, Iden dragging out the body, and Servants. ACT V. SCENE I. Fields between Dartford and Blackheath. The King's camp on one side. On the other, enter YORK attended, with drum and colours; his forces at some distance. York. From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right, And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: To entertain great England's lawful king. Ah, sancta majestas! who would not buy thee dear? A sceptre shall it have,-have I a soul,— On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France. Enter BUCKINGHAM. Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me? [Aside. Buck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well. Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure? Buck. A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, York. Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great: I am so angry at these abject terms; On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts: [Aside. That I have given no answer all this while; My mind was troubled with deep melancholy. The cause why I have brought this army hither Buck. That is too much presumption on thy part: But if thy arms be to no other end, The king hath yielded unto thy demand; The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower. York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? Buck. Upon mine honour, he is prisoner. York. Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers.- Command my eldest son, nay, all As pledges of my fealty and love; my sons, I'll send them all as willing as I live: Lands, goods, horse, armour, any thing I have, Is his to use, so Somerset may die. Buck. York, I commend this kind submission: We twain will go into his highness' tent. Enter King HENRY, attended. K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us, That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm? York. In all submission and humility, York doth present himself unto your highness. K. Hen. Then what intend these forces thou dost bring? And fight against that monstrous rebel Cade, Enter IDEN, with CADE's head. Iden. If one so rude and of so mean condition May pass into the presence of a king, Lo, I present your grace a traitor's head, The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew. K. Hen. The head of Cade!-Great God, how just art thou! O, let me view his visage, being dead, That living wrought me such exceeding trouble.— K. Hen. How art thou call'd? and what is thy degree? A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king. Buck. So please it you, my lord, 'twere not amiss He were created knight for his good service. K. Hen. Iden, kneel down. [He kneels.] Rise up a knight. We give thee for reward a thousand marks; Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty, And never live but true unto his liege! K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes with the queen: Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. Enter Queen MARGARET and SOMERSET. Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head, But boldly stand, and front him to his face. York. How now! is Somerset at liberty? Then, York, unloose thy long-imprison'd thoughts, Shall I endure the sight of Somerset ?— False king! why hast thou broken faith with me, Not fit to govern and rule multitudes, Which dar'st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor. Som. O monstrous traitor !-I arrest thee, York, [Exit an Attendant. York. Wouldst have me kneel? first let me ask of these,(88) If they can brook I bow a knee to man.Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail: I know, ere they will have me go to ward, They'll pawn their swords for (89) my enfranchisement. Q. Mar. Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain, To say if that the bastard boys of York Shall be the surety for their traitor father. [Exit an Attendant. Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge! That for my surety will refuse the boys! See where they come: I'll warrant they'll make it good. Enter, on one side, EDWARD and RICHARD PLANTAGENET, with forces; [Kneels. York. I thank thee, Clifford: say, what news with thee? Nay, do not fright us with an angry look: We are thy sovereign, Clifford, kneel again; Clif. This is my king, York, I do not mistake; But thou mistak'st me much to think I do: To Bedlam with him! is the man grown mad? K. Hen. Ay, Clifford; a bedlam and ambitious humour Makes him oppose himself against his king. Clif. He is a traitor; let him to the Tower, And chop away that factious pate of his. Q. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey; Edw. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve. Drums. Enter WARWICK and SALISBURY, with forces. Clif. Are these thy bears? we'll bait thy bears to death, Rich. Oft have I seen a hot o'erweening cur Clif. Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump, York. Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon. Clif. Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves. Old Salisbury,-shame to thy silver hair, Thou mad misleader of thy brain-sick son! What, wilt thou on thy death-bed play the ruffian, And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?— |