SCENE VII

London. The palace.

Flourish. Enter King Edward, Queen Elizabeth, Clarence, Gloucester, Hastings, a Nurse with the young Prince, and Attendants.

K. Edw. Once more we sit in England's royal throne,

Re-purchased with the blood of enemies.
What valiant foeman, like to autumn's corn,
Have we mow'd down in tops of all their pride!
Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown'd
For hardy and undoubted champions;
Two Cliffords, as the father and the son;
And two Northumberlands; two braver men
Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's

sound;

With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and

Montague,

10

That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion,
And made the forest tremble when they roar'd.
Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat,
And made our footstool of security.
Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.
Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself
Have in our armors watch'd the winter's night,
Went all afoot in summer's scalding heat,
That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace:
And of our labors thou shalt reap the gain. 20

Glou. [Aside] I'll blast his harvest, if your head

were laid;

For yet I am not look'd on in the world.
This shoulder was ordain'd so thick to heave;

And heave it shall some weight, or break my

back:

Work thou the way, and thou shalt execute. K. Edre. Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely

queen;

And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. Clar. The duty that I owe unto your majesty I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. Q. Eliz. Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother,

thanks.

30

Glou. And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st,

Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.
[Aside] To say the truth, so Judas kiss'd his
master,

And cried, 'all hail!' when as he meant all harm. K. Edw. Now am I seated as my soul delights,

Having my country's peace and brothers' loves. Clar. What will your grace have done with Mar

garet?

Reignier, her father, to the King of France
Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem,

And hither have they sent it for her ransom. 40

K. Edw. Away with her, and waft her hence to

France.

And now what rests but that we spend the time
With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows,
Such as befits the pleasure of the court?
Sound drums and trumpets! farewell sour an-
noy!

For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.

[Exeunt.