Whereat the great lord of Northumberland, Edw. Lord Stafford's father, duke of Buckingham, [Showing his bloody sword. Mont. And, brother, here's the earl of Wiltshire's blood, [To YORK, showing his. Whom I encounter'd as the battles join'd. [Throwing down the Duke of SOMERSET'S head. York. Richard hath best deserved of all my sons.-What, is your grace dead, my lord of Somerset ? Norf. Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt? And this the regal seat: possess it, York: York. Assist me then, sweet Warwick, and I will; For hither we have broken in by force. Norf. We'll all assist you; he, that flies, shall die. War. And when the king comes, offer him no violence, [They retire. York. The queen, this day, here holds her parliament, But little thinks we shall be of her council: By words, or blows, here let us win our right. Rich. Arm'd as we are, let's stay within this house. Unless Plantagenet, duke of York, be king; York. Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute; I mean to take possession of my right. War. Neither the king, nor he that loves him best, The proudest he that holds up Lancaster, Dares stir a wing, if Warwick shake his bells.* I'll plant Plantagenet, root hin up who dares : Resolve thee, Richard; claim the English crown. [WARWICK leads YORK to the Throne, who seats himself. * Hawks had sometimes little bells hung on them, perhaps to dare the birds. Flourish. Enter KING HENRY, CLifford, NorthUMBERLAND, WESTMORELAND, EXETER, and others, with red Roses in their hats. K. Hen. My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, And thine, lord Clifford; and you both have vow'd revenge K. Hen. Be patient, gentle earl of Westmoreland. North. Well hast thou spoken, cousin; be it so. Exe. But when the duke is slain, they'll quickly fly. [They advance to the Duke. Thou factious duke of York, descend my throne, I am thy sovereign. York. Thou art deceived, I am thine. Exe. For shame, come down; he made thee duke of York. Exe. Thy father was a traitor to the crown. War. Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown, In following this usurping Henry. Clif. Whom should he follow, but his natural king? North. Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief; Clif. Urge it no more; lest that, instead of words, I send thee, Warwick, such a messenger, As shall revenge his death, before I stir. War. Poor Clifford! how I scorn his worthless threats! If not, our swords shall plead it in the field. K. Hen. What title hast thou, traitor to the crown? Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, earl of March: Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop, War. Talk not of France, sith* thou hast lost it all. K. Hen. The lord protector lost it, and not I; When I was crown'd I was but nine months old. Rich. You are old enough now, and yet, methinks you lose:Father, tear the crown from the usurper's head. Edw. Sweet father, do so; set it on your head. Mont. Good brother, [To YORK.] as thou lov'st and honour'st arms, Let's fight it out, and not stand cavilling thus. Rich. Sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly. K. Hen. Peace thou! and give king Henry leave to speak. For he, that interrupts him, shall not live. K. Hen. Think'st thou that I will leave my kingly throne, And now in England, to our heart's great sorrow,- War. But prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king. K. Hen. I know not what to say; my title 's weak York. What then? K. Hen. An if he may, then am I lawful king: York. He rose against him, being his sovereign, Exe. No; for he could not so resign his crown, * Since. [Aside. Exe. He is the right, and therefore pardon me. K. Hen. All will revolt from me, and turn to him. War. Deposed he shall be, in despite of all. North. Thou art deceived: 'tis not thy southern power, Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud,— Clif King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence: K. Hen. O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart! And, o'er the chair of state where now he sits, [He stamps, and the Soldiers show themselves. K. Hen. My lord of Warwick, hear me but one word; Let me, for this my lifetime, reign as king. York. Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs, Clif. What wrong is this unto the prince your son? Clif. Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these news. North. Be thou a prey unto the house of York, And die in bands for this unmanly deed! Clif. In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome! Or live in peace, abandon'd and despised! [Exeunt NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and WESTMORELAND. War. Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not. Exe. They seek revenge, and therefore will not yield. K. Hen. Ah, Exeter. War. Why should you sigh, my lord? K. Hen. Not for myself, lord Warwick, but my son, Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. But, be it as it may :-I here entail The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever; To honour me as thy king and sovereign; Coming from the Throne. War. Long live king Henry !-Plantagenet, embrace him. K. Hen. And long live thou, and these thy forward sons! York. Now York and Lancaster are reconciled. Exe. Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes! [Senet. The Lords come forward. York. Farewell, my gracious lord; I'll to my castle. War. And I'll keep London with my soldiers. Norf. And I to Norfolk, with my followers. Mont. And I unto the sea, from whence I came. [Exeunt YORK, and his Sons, WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, Soldiers, and Attendants. K. Hen. And I, with grief and sorrow, to the court. Enter QUEEN MARGARET and the Prince of WALES. Exe. Here comes the queen, whose looks bewray* her anger: I'll steal away. K. Hen. Exeter, so will I. Q. Mar. Nay, go not from me, I will follow thee. Prince. Father, you cannot disinherit me: If you be king, why should not I succeed? [Going. K. Hen. Pardon me, Margaret;-pardon me, sweet son;-- The earl of Warwick, and the duke, enforced me. Q. Mar. Enforced thee! art thou king, and wilt be forced ? I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch! Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me; And given unto the house of York such head, * Disclose. |