War. Depos'd he fhall be, in defpight of thee. North. Thou art deceiv'd: 'tis not thy fouthern Power Of Effex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent, Which makes thee thus prefumptuous and proud, Clif King Henry, be thy Title right or wrong, York. Henry of Lancaster, refign thy Crown: And, o'er the Chair of State, where now he fits, [He ftamps with his foot, and the foldiers fhew themselves! K. Henry. My lord of Warwick, hear me but one word; Let me but reign in Quiet, while I live. York. Confirm the Crown to me and to mine heirs, And thou fhalt reign in quiet while thou liv'ft. K. Henry. I am content: Richard Plantagenet, Clif. What wrong is this unto the Prince your fon North. Nor I. Clif. Come, Coufin, Tet us tell the Queen thefe news. Weft. Farewel, faint hearted and degen'rate King, In whofe cold blood no fpark of honour bides. North. Be thou a prey unto the Houfe of York; And die in bands for this unmanly deed! Clif. In dreadful war may't thou be overcome, Or live in peace abandon'd and despis'd !--- [Exeunt Nor. Clif. Westm. War. Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not. Exe. They feek revenge, and therefore will not yield. War. Why should you figh, my lord? K. Henry. Not for myfelf, lord Warwick, but my fon; Whom I unnaturally thall difinherit. But be it, as it may; I here entaile The Crown to thee, and to thine heirs for ever; To feek to put me down, and reign thyfelf. York. This oath I willingly take,. and will perform. War. Long live King Henry! Plantagenet, embrace him. K. Henry. And long live thou, and these thy forward York. Now York and Lancafer are reconcil'd. [Exeunt York, Warwick, Norfolk and Montague.. K. Henry. And I with grief and forrow to the Court. Enter the Queen, and the Prince of Wales. Exe. Here comes the Queen, whofe looks bewray her anger: I'll fteal away. K. Henry. So, Exeter, will I. [Going Queen. Nay, go not from me; I will follow thee K. Henry. Be patient, gentle Queen, and I will stay.. Ah, wretched man! would I had dy'd a maid,, Or Or felt that pain which I did for him once, If Prince. Father, you cannot difinherit me : you be King, why should not I fucceed? K. Henry. Pardon me, Margʻret; pardon me, sweet fon; The Earl of Warwick and the Duke enforc'd me. Queen. Enforc'd thee? art thou King, and wilt be forc'd? Ifhame to hear thee speak; ah, tim'rous wretch! The northern lords, that have forfworn thy Colours,, Thus I do leave thee; come, Son, let's away;. K. Henry. Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak, gone. K. Henry. Gentle fon Edward, thou wilt stay with me? Queen. Ay, to be murther'd by his enemies.- The lofs of those three lords torments my heart; Exe. And, as I hope, fhall reconcile them all. [Exeunt: SCENE changes to Sandal-Cafile, near Wakefield, in Yorkshire. Enter Richard, Edward, and Montague.. Rich. DROTHER, though I be youngest, give me LOT B' leave. Edw. No, I can better play the orator. Mont. But I have reasons strong and forcible. York. Why how now, fons and brother, at a ftrife? What is your quarrel? how began it first ? Edw No quarrel, but a fweet contention. (2) Fork. About what? Rich. About that, which concerns your Grace and us ; (2) No. Quarrel, but a flight Contention.] Thus the Players, firft, in their Edition; who did not understand, I prefume, the force of the Epithet in the old Quarto, which I have reftor'd; -fweet Contention. i. e. the Argument of their difpute was upon a grateful Topick; the Question of their Father's immediate Right to the Crown. The The Crown of England, father; which is yours. York I took an oath that he fhould quietly reign. Edw. But for a Kingdom any oath may be broken: I'd break a thousand oaths to reign one year. Rich. No; God forbid, your Grace fhould be forfworn. York. I fhall be, if I claim by open war. Rich. I'll prove the contrary, if you'll hear me speak. York. Thou can't not, fon; it is impoffible. Rich. An oath is of no moment, being not took Before a true and lawful magistrate ; That bath authority o'er him, that swears. And all that Poets feign of blifs and joy. Until the white Rofe, that I wear be dy'd Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart. York. Richard, enough: I will be King, or die.. Brother, thou shalt to London prefently, And whet on Warwick to this enterprize, Thou, Richard, fhalt to th' Duke of Norfolk go, And tell him privily of our intent. You, Edward, fhall unto my lord Cobham, Wealthy and courteous, liberal, full of fpirit. (3) While (3) Witty, courteous, liberal, full of spirit.] What a blessed harmonious Line have the Editors given us, and what a pro |