THE HISTORY OF KING HENRY VI. PART III. THE third part of Henry VI. continues the series of events involved in the contentions of the houses of York and Lancaster, with consecutive exactness. It opens immediately after the first battle of St. Albans in 1455, and details the struggles of the York faction with Henry; the death of Richard, Duke of York; the subsequent usurpation of the crown by his eldest son, who assumed the throne with the title of Edward IV., and the action closes with the murder of Henry VI., 1471, embracing a history of sixteen years. Shakspeare has painted the leading characters in this part of Henry VI. with great power and fidelity. King Henry's meek and almost saint-like forbearance forms a beautiful contrast to the Amazonian courage and fiery qualities of his Queen. Warwick, the haughty, imperious king-maker," is also drawn with a strong master hand; but in the character of Richard, Duke of Gloster, the poet exhibits the full power of his genius. Intending to make Gloster the subject of a distinct Historical Drama, Shakspeare ingeniously develops the future Richard III. in all his moral and physical deformity, and prepares us for the tissue of crimes which form the principal incidents of the succeeding drama. 66 EDWARD, Earl of March, afterwards KING EDWARD IV., GEORGE, afterwards Duke of Clarence, MARQUESS OF MONTAGUE, EARL OF WARWICK, EARL OF PEMBROKE, LORD STAFFORD, Sir JOHN MORTIMER, Sir HUGH MORTIMER, of the Duke of York's party. Uncles to the Duke of York. HENRY, Earl of Richmond, a Youth. LORD RIVERS, Brother to Lady Grey. Sir JOHN MONTGOMERY. Sir JOHN SOMERVILLE. Lieutenant to the Tower. A Nobleman. Two Keepers. A Huntsman. A Son that has killed his Father. A Father that has killed his Son. QUEEN MARGARET. LADY GREY, afterwards Queen to EDWARD IV. his Sons. Soldiers, and other Attendants on King Henry and King Edward, Messen gers, Watchmen, &c. SCENE,-During part of the Third Act, in FRANCE; during the rest of the Play, in ENGLAND. ACT I. SCENE I.-London. The Parliament House. Drums. Some Soldiers of YORK's party break in. Then, enter the DUKE OF YORK, EDWARD, RICHARD, NORFOLK, MONTA- War. I wonder how the king escap'd our hands. He slily stole away, and left his men: Whereat the great lord of Northumberland, Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, Edw. Lord Stafford's father, duke of Buckingham, I cleft his beaver with a downright blow: [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 deserv'd of all my sons.But, 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; For this is thine, and not king Henry's heirs'. 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. York. Thanks, gentle Norfolk:-stay by me, my lords;— And, soldiers, stay, and lodge by me this night. War. And when the king comes, offer him no violence, Unless he seek to thrust you out by force. [The Soldiers 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, And bashful Henry depos'd, whose cowardice 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, Dare stir a wing, if Warwick shake his bells. I'll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dares :— Resolve thee, Richard; claim the English crown. [WARWICK leads YORK to the throne, who seats himself. 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, Even in the chair of state! belike he means (Back'd by the power of Warwick, that false peer) And thine, lord Clifford; and you both have vow'd revenge North. If I be not, heavens be reveng'd on me! My heart for anger burns; I cannot brook it. 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, And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet; I am thy sovereign. I am thine. Exe. For shame, come down: he made thee duke of York. 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; West. Plantagenet, of thee, and these thy sons, Thy kinsmen, and thy friends, I'll have more lives Than drops of blood were in my father's veins. 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. 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. [To YORK.] Good brother, as thou lov'st and honor'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, Wherein my grandsire and my father sat? No; first shall war unpeople this my realm; Ay, and their colors,-often borne in France, And now in England, to our heart's great sorrow,- My title's good, and better far than his. War. Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king. K. Hen. Henry the fourth by conquest got the crown. K. Hen. [Aside.] I know not what to say; my title's weak. [Aloud.] Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir? York. What then? K. Hen. An if he may, then am I lawful king; York. He rose against him, being his sovereing, |