Rich. An oath is of no moment," being not took Before a true and lawful magiftrate; That hath authority o'er him that fwears. And all that Poets feign of blifs and joy. And whet on Warwick to this enterprize. You, Edward, fhall unto my Lord Cobham, 7 An oath is of no moment,-] The obligation of an oath is here eluded by very defpicable fophiftry. A lawful magiftrate alone has the power to exact an oath, but the oath derives no part of its force from the magiftrate. The plea against the obligation of an oath obliging to maintain an ufurper, taken from the unlawfulness of the oath itfelf in the foregoing play, was rational and just. 8 In former Editions: of Spirit.] What a bleffed harmonious Line have the Editors given us, and what a promiting Epithet, in 7ork's behalf, from the Kentifhmen being fo witty; I can't be fo partial, however, to my own County, as to let this Compliment pafs. I make no Doubt to read, for they are Soldiers. Wealthy and courteous, liberal, full of Spirit. Now thefe five Characteristicks anfwer to Lord Say's Defcription of them in the preceding Play. Kent in the commentaries Cæfar writ, Is term'd the civil'ft Place in all this ifle; The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy. THEOBALD. This is a conjecture of very little import. While you are thus employ'd, what resteth more And yet the king not privy to my drift, Enter Messenger. But ftay, what news? why com'ft thou in fuch post? The Queen, with all the northern Earls and Gab. Lords, Intend here to befiege you in your castle. Edward and Richard you fhall ftay with me; [Exit Montague. Enter Sir John Mortimer and Sir Hugh Mortimer. York. Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer, mine uncles, You are come to Sandal in a happy hour. The army of the Queen means to befiege us. Sir John. She fhall not need, we'll meet her in the field. York. What with five thousand men ? Rich. Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need. The Queen, with all, &c.] I know not whether the authour intended any moral inftruction, but he that reads this has a ftriking admonition against that presipitancy by which men often ufe unlawful means to do that which a little delay would put honeftly in their power. Had York ftaid but a few moments he had faved his caufe from the flain of perjury. A woman's General; what should we fear? [A march afar off. Edw. I hear their drums: let's fet our men in order, And iffue forth, and bid them battle strait, York. Five men to twenty! Though the odds be 1 doubt not, Uncle, of our victory. Many a battle have I won in France, When as the enemy hath been ten to one; SCENE V. great, [Alarm. Exeunt. A Field of Battle between Sandal-Castle and Wakefield. Enter Rutland and his Tutor. Rut. A H, whither shall I fly to 'fcape their hands? comes. Enter Clifford and Soldiers. Clif. Chaplain, away! thy priesthood faves thy life; As for the Brat of this accurfed Duke, Whofe father flew my father, he fhall die. Tutor. And I, my Lord, will bear him company. Clif. Soldiers, away, and drag him hence perforce. Tutor. Ah! Clifford, murder not this innocent child, Left thou be hated both of God and man. [Exit, dragg'd off. Clif. How now? is he dead already? or, is't fear That makes him clofe his eyes? I'll open them. Rut. So looks the pent-up Lion o'er the wretch So looks the pent-up lion. That is, the lion that hath been long confined without food, and is let out to devour a man condemned. Sweet Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die; Clif. In vain thou speak'ft, poor boy; my father's Hath ftopt the paffage where thy words fhould enter. Clif. Had I thy brethren here, their lives and thine Were not Revenge fufficient for me. No, if I digg'd up thy forefathers' graves, [Lifting his band. Rut. I never did thee harm; why wilt thou flay me? Rut. But 'twas, ere I was born. Thou haft one fon, for his fake pity me; Left in revenge thereof, fith God is juft, He be as miferably flain as I. Ah, let me live in prifon all my days, And when I give occafion of offence, Then let me die, for now thou haft no cause. Thy father flew my father, therefore die. [Clif. ftabs him. Rut. Dii faciant, laudis fumma fit ifta tue! [Dies. Congeal'd with this, do make me wipe off both. [Exit. K 3 SCENE Alarm. SCENE VI. Enter Richard Duke of York. Tork. The army of the Queen hath got the field; My Uncies both are flain in refcuing me, And all my Followers to the eager foe Turn Back, and fly like fhips before the wind, With this we charg'd again; but out! alas, Ah! hark, the fatal followers do purfue, We bodg'd again.-] Of place. I fuppofe it is only the this word the meaning is plain, word budged, perhaps misprintbut I never faw it in any other ed. Enter |