Stifle the villain, whose unstanched thirst War. Ay, but he's dead. Off with the traitor's head, And rear it in the place your father's stands. From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France, So shalt thou sinew both these lands together; For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt, Yet look to have them buzz, to offend thine cars. First will I see the coronation, And then to Brittany I'll cross the sea, To effect this marriage, so it please my lord. Edw. Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be; For in thy shoulder do I build my seat, And never will I undertake the thing, Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting. And George, of Clarence:- -Warwick, as ourself, Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best. Rich. Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloster, For Gloster's dukedom is too ominous. War. Tut! that's a foolish observation: Richard, be Duke of Gloster. Now to London, To see these honours in possession. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.- A Chase in the North of England. Enter two Keepers, with cross-bows in their hands. UNDER 1 Keeper. NDER this thick-grown brake we'll shroud our- For through this laund anon the deer will come; 2 Keep. I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot. 1 Keep. That cannot be; the noise of thy cross-how Will scare the herd, and so my shoot is lost. Here stand we both, and aim we at the best. And, for the time shall not scem tedious, I'll tell thee what befell me on a day In this self-place where now we mean to stand. Enter King HENRY, disguised, with a prayer-book. love, To grect mine own land with my wishful sight. Thy place is fill'd, thy sceptre wrung from thee, 1 1 Keep. Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keep- ] cr's fee. This is the quondam King: let's seize upon him. 2 Keep. Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him. for aid; And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick Is thither gone, to crave the French King's sister And Louis a prince soon won with moving words. He smiles, and says his Edward is install'd; That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more, And, in conclusion, wins the King from her, 2 Keep. Say, what art thou, [that] talk'st of kings and queens? K. Hen. More than I seem, and less than I was born to: A man at least; for less I could not be: And men may talk of kings, and why not I? 2 Keep. Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king. K. Hen. Why, so I am, in mind; and that's enough. 2 Keep. But, if thou be a king, where is thy K. Hen. My crown is in my heart, not on my head; Not deck'd with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: my crown is call'd content; 2 Keep. Well, if you be a king crown'd with content, Your crown content and you must be contented K. Hen. But did you never swear, and break an oath? 2 Keep. No, never such an oath; nor will not now. K. Hen. Where did you dwell when I was King of England? 2 Keep. main. Here in this country, where we now re K. Hen. I was anointed King at nine months' old, My father and my grandfather were kings, And you were sworn true subjects unto me; And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths? 1 Keep. No; For we were subjects but while you were King. K. Hen. Why, am I dead? do I not breathe, a man? Ah, simple men! you know not what you swear. Look, as I blow this feather from my face, And as the air blows it to me again, Obeying with my wind when I do blow, And yielding to another when it blows, Commanded always by the greater gust, Such is the lightness of you common men. But do not break your oaths; for of that sin My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty. Go where you will, the King shall be commanded: And be you kings; command, and I'll obey. 1 Keep. We are true subjects to the King, King Edward. K. Hen. So would you be again to Henry If he were seated as King Edward is. 1 Keep. We charge you, in God's name, and the King's, To go with us unto the officers. K. Hen. In God's name lead; your King's name, be obey'd: And what God will, that let your King perform; [Exeunt. SCENE II. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter King EDWARD, GLOSTER, CLARENCE, and Lady GREY. King Edward. Brother of Gloster, at Saint Al-, ban's field |