Their weapons like to lightning came and went; · Edw.1 Where is the duke of Norfolk, gentle Warwick? And when came George from Burgundy to England? • War. Some six miles off the duke is with the soldiers; And for your brother, he was lately sent From your kind aunt, duchess of Burgundy, 'With aid of soldiers to this needful war.2 Rich. 'Twas odds, belike, when valiant Warwick fled. Oft have I heard his praises in pursuit, But ne'er, till now, his scandal of retire. War. Nor now my scandal, Richard, dost thou hear; For thou shalt know this strong right hand of mine Can pluck the diadem from faint Henry's head, And wring the awful sceptre from his fist; Were he as famous and as bold in war, As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer. Rich. I know it well, lord Warwick: blame me not; 1 The ages of the duke of York's children will show how far historic truth is departed from in the present play. The battle of Wakefield was fought on the 29th of December, 1460, when Edward was in his nineteenth year, Rutland in his eighteenth, George of York, afterwards duke of Clarence, in his twelfth, and Richard only in his ninth year. 2 This circumstance is not warranted by history. Clarence and Gloster (as they were afterwards created) were sent into Flanders immediately after the battle of Wakefield, and did not return until their brother Edward had got possession of the crown. The duchess of Burgundy was not their aunt, but a third cousin. 'Tis love, I bear thy glories, makes me speak. War. Why, therefore Warwick came to seek you out; And therefore comes my brother Montague. Their power, I think, is thirty thousand strong. With all the friends that thou, brave earl of March, Rich. Ay, now, methinks I hear great Warwick speak. Ne'er may he live to see a sunshine day, That cries-Retire, if Warwick bid him stay. Edw. Lord Warwick, on thy shoulder will I lean; 'And when thou fall'st, (as God forbid the hour!) Must Edward fall, which peril Heaven forefend! War. No longer earl of March, but duke of York. The next degree is, England's royal throne; For king of England shalt thou be proclaimed In every borough as we pass along; And he that throws not up his cap for joy, Shall for the fault make forfeit of his head. King Edward,—valiant Richard,—Montague,Stay we no longer dreaming of renown, 'But sound the trumpets, and about our task. * * Rich. Then, Clifford, were thy heart as hard as steel, (As thou hast shown it flinty by thy deeds,) * I come to pierce it, or to give thee mine. * Edw. Then strike up, drums;-God, and saint George, for us! Enter a Messenger. War. How now? what news? Mess. The duke of Norfolk sends you word by me, The queen is coming with a puissant host; And craves your company for speedy counsel. War. Why then it sorts,' brave warriors. Let's [Exeunt. away. SCENE II. Before York. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, the PRINCE of WALES, CLIFFORD and NORTHUMBERLAND, with Forces. Q. Mar. Welcome, my lord, to this brave town of York. Yonder's the head of that arch enemy, That sought to be encompassed with your crown. 'Doth not the object cheer your heart, my lord? K. Hen. Ay, as the rocks cheer them that fear To see this sight, it irks my very soul.- Clif. My gracious liege, this too much lenity, 1 Why, then, things are as they should be; it falls out right. And harmful pity, must be laid aside. The smallest worm will turn, being trodden on ; Thou smiling, while he knit his angry brows; Which argued thee a most unloving father. Should lose his birthright by his father's fault; Ah, what a shame were this! Look on the boy; To hold thine own, and leave thine own with him. Inferring arguments of mighty force. 'But, Clifford, tell me, didst thou never hear, That things ill got had ever bad success? And happy always was it for that son, 1 Foolishly. Whose father for his hoarding went to hell?1 As brings a thousand-fold more care to keep, Ah, cousin York! 'would thy best friends did know, 'How it doth grieve me that thy head is here! Q. Mar. My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes are nigh, And this soft courage makes your followers faint. You promised knighthood to our forward son; Unsheath your sword, and dub him presently.Edward, kneel down. K. Hen. Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight; And learn this lesson,-Draw thy sword in right. Prince. My gracious father, by your kingly leave, I'll draw it as apparent to the crown, And in that quarrel use it to the death. Clif. Why, that is spoken like a toward prince. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Royal commanders, be in readiness; For, with a band of thirty thousand men, Comes Warwick, backing of the duke of York; Clif. I would your highness would depart the field; stay. 1 The king quotes two proverbs; the one-"Ill-gotten goods never prosper;" the other-"Happy the child whose father went to the devil." 2 i. e. arrange your host. Darraign is used by Chaucer, Skelton, and Spenser. 3 "Happy was the queene in her two battayls, but unfortunate was the king in all his enterprises; for where his person was present the victorie fledde ever from him to the other parte."-Hall's Chronicle. Henry VI. fol. c. Drayton has enlarged upon this superstitious belief, in his Miseries of Queen Margaret. |