Oft have I heard his praifes in pursuit, War. Nor now my fcandal, Richard, doft thou hear, For thou shalt know, this ftrong right hand of mine Can pluck the Diadem from faint Henry's head, And wring the awful fcepter from his fift, Were he as famous and as bold in war, As he is fam'd for mildness, peace and prayer. Rich. I know it well, Lord Warwick, blame me tot, 'Tis love, I bear thy glories, makes me fpeak. But in this troublous time what's to be done? Shall we go throw away our coats of steel, And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns, Numb'ring our Ave Maries with our beads? Or fhall we on the helmets of our foes Tell our devotion with revengeful arms? If for the laft, fay, ay; and to it, Lords. War. Why, therefore Warwick came to feek you out; Their power, I think, is thirty thousand strong; With all the friends that thou, brave Earl of March, And once again cry, Charge upon our foes! But never once again turn back, and fly. Rich. Ay, now, methinks, I hear great Warwick speak: Ne'er may he live to fee a fun fhine day, That cries, retire,--if Warwick bid him stay. I come to pierce it, or to give thee mine. Edw. Then ftrike up, drums; God and St. George for us! Enter a Meflenger. War. How now? what news? Mef. The Duke of Norfolk fends you word by me, The Queen is coming with a puiffant hoft; And craves your company for speedy counsel. 8 War. Why then it forts; brave warriors, let's [Excunt omnes. away. * Why then it forts.] Why then things are as they fhould be. SCENE Enter King Henry, the Queen, Clifford, Northumber land, and the Prince of Wales, with Drums and Trumpets. Queen. W Elcome, my Lord, to this brave town of Yonder's the head of that arch-enemy, That fought to be encompast with your crown. To fee this fight, it irks my very foul. -With-hold revenge, dear God; 'tis not my fault, Clif. My gracious Liege, this too much lenity Whe Who hath not feen them (even with thofe wings, Ah, what a shame was this! look on the boy, To hold thine own, and leave thine own with him. But, Clifford, tell me, didft thou never hear, *Whofe father for his hoarding went to hell? As brings a thoufand-fold more care to keep, Ah, Coulin York; 'would, thy best friends did know;. Queen. My Lord, cheer up your fpirits, our foes are nigh; And this foft courage makes your followers faint; K. Henry. Edward Plantagenet, arife a Knight; And learn this leffon, draw thy fword in right. Prince. My gracious father, by your kingly leave, I'll draw it as Apparent to the crown, Alluding to a common Proverb. And And in that quarrel ufe it to the death. Clif. Why, that is spoken like a toward Prince. Mef. Royal commanders, be in readiness; Clif. I would your highness would depart the field, The Queen hath beft fuccefs, when you are abfent. Queen. Ay, good my Lord, and leave us to our fortune. K. Henry. Why, that's my fortune too; therefore I'll stay. North. Be it with refolution then to fight. Prince. My royal father, cheer thefe noble Lords, And hearten thofe that fight in your defence. Unfheath your fword, good father; cry, St. George ! SCENE IV. March. Enter Edward, Warwick, Richard, Clarence, Norfolk, Montague, and Soldiers. Edw. Now, perjur'd Henry, wilt thou kneel for grace, And fet thy Diadem upon my head; Or 'bide the mortal fortune of the field? Queen. Go rate thy minions, proud infulting boy. Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms Before thy fovereign and thy lawful King? Edw. I am his King, and he should bow his knee; I was adopted heir by his confent; Since when, his oath is broke, for, as I hear, Darraign] That is, range your host, put your hofts in order. |