I'll write unto them, and entreat them fair ;Come, cousin, you shall be the messenger. Exe. And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-A Room in Sandal Castle, near Wakefield, in Yorkshire. Enter EDWARD, RICHARD, and MONTAGUE. Rich. Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave. Edw. No, I can better play the orator. Mont. But I have reasons strong and forcible. Enter YORK. York. Why, how now, sons and brother, at a What is your quarrel? how began it first? Rich. About that which concerns your grace, and us; The crown of England, father, which is yours. York. Mine, boy? not till king Henry be dead. Rich. Your right depends not on his life, or death. Edw. Now you are heir, therefore enjoy it now: By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe, It will outrun you, father, in the end. York. I took an oath that he should quietly reign. Edw. But for a kingdom any oath may be broken: I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year. Rich. No; God forbid your grace should be forsworn. York. I shall be if I claim by open war. Rich. I'll prove the contrary, if you'll hear me speak. York. Thou canst not, son; it is impossible. Rich. An oath is of no moment, being not took Before a true and lawful magistrate, That hath authority over him that swears: You, Edward, shall unto my lord Cobham, While you are thus employ'd, what resteth more, Enter a Messenger. But, stay; what news? why com'st thou in such post? Mess. The queen, with all the northern earls and lords, Intend here to besiege you in your castle : York. Ay, with my sword. What! think'st Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me; not: And thus most humbly I do take my leave. [Exit. Enter Sir JOHN and Sir HUGH MORTIMER. York. Sir John, and sir Hugh Mortimer, mine uncles! You are come to Sandal in a happy hour; York. What, with five thousand men ? Edw. I hear their drums; let's set our men in order; And issue forth, and bid them battle straight. York. Five men to twenty !—though the odds be great, I doubt not, uncle, of our victory. Whenas the enemy hath been ten to one; Why should I not now have the like success? [Alarum. Exeunt. SCENE III.-Plains near Sandal Castle. Alarums; excursions. Enter RUTLAND, and his Tutor. Rut. Ah, whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands? Ah, tutor! look where bloody Clifford comes! Enter CLIFFORD and Soldiers. Clif. Chaplain, away! thy priesthood saves thy life. As for the brat of this accursed duke, Whose father slew my father, he shall die. Tut. And I, my lord, will bear him company. Clif. Soldiers, away with him. Tut. Ah, Clifford ! murder not this innocent child, Lest thou be hated both of God and man. [Exit, forced off by Soldiers. Clif. How now! is he dead already? Or is it fear That makes him close his eyes ?--I'll open them. Rut. So looks the pent-up lion o'er the wretch That trembles under his devouring paws: Clif. In vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood Hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should enter. Rut. Then let my father's blood open it again; He is a man, and, Clifford, cope with him. Clif. Had I thy brethren here, their lives and thine Were not revenge sufficient for me; No, if I digg'd up thy forefathers' graves, [Lifting his hand. Rut. O, let me pray before I take my death :To thee I pray sweet Clifford, pity me! Clif. Such pity as my rapier's point affords. Rut. I never did thee harm: why wilt thou slay me? Clif. Thy father hath. Rut. But 'twas ere I was born. Thou hast one son, for his sake pity me; Lest in revenge thereof,—sith God is just,— Ah, let me live in prison all my days; And when I give occasion of offence, Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause. Thy father slew my father; therefore, die. [CLIFFORD stabs him. Rut. Di faciant, laudis summa sit ista tuæ! Clif. Plantagenet! I come, Plantagenet! [Dies. |