Or as thy father, and his father, did, Giving no ground unto the house of York, [He faints. Alarum and Retreat. Enter EDWARD, GEORGE, RICHARD, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Soldiers. Edw. Now breathe we, lords; good fortune bids us pause, And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks.— 4 And, wheresoe'er he is, he's surely dead. [CLIFFORD groans, and dies. Edw. Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave? Rich. A deadly groan, like life and death's departing. Edw. See who it is: and, now the battle's ended, If friend, or foe, let him be gently used. Rich. Revoke that doom of mercy, for 'tis Clifford ; Who not contented that he lopp'd the branch In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth, But set his murdering knife unto the root From whence that tender spray did sweetly spring, I mean, our princely father, duke of York. War. From off the gates of York fetch down the head, Your father's head, which Clifford placed there : Instead whereof, let this supply the room; Measure for measure must be answered. Edw. Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house, That nothing sung but death to us and ours: : [Attendants bring the Body forward. War. I think his understanding is bereft :Speak, Clifford, dost thou know who speaks to thee?Dark cloudy death o'ershades his beams of life, And he nor sees, nor hears us what we say. Rich. O, 'would he did! and so, perhaps he doth; 'Tis but his policy to counterfeit, Because he would avoid such bitter taunts Which in the time of death he gave our father. Geo. If so thou think'st, vex him with eager words. Rich. Clifford, ask mercy, and obtain no grace. Edw. Clifford, repent in bootless penitence. War. Clifford, devise excuses for thy faults. wont. Rich. What, not an oath? nay, then the world goes hard, When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath :- That I in all despite might rail at him, This hand should chop it off; and with the issuing blood Stifle the villain, whose unstaunched thirst York and young Rutland could not satisfy. War. Ay, but he's dead: Off with the traitor's head, So shalt thou sinew both these lands together; For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt, Yet look to have them buz, to offend thine ears. First, will I see the coronation; And then to Britany 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 on thy shoulder do I build my seat: And never will I undertake the thing, Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting.- 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, [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-A Chace in the North of England. Enter Two Keepers, with Cross-bows in their hands. For through this laund anon the deer will come; Culling the principal of all the deer. 2 Keep. I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot, 1 Keep. That cannot be; the noise of thy cross-bow 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 seem tedious, I'll tell thee what befell me on a day, In this self-same place, where now we mean to stand. 2 Keep. Here comes a man, let's stay till he be past. Enter King HENRY, disguised, with a Prayer-book. Thy place is fill'd, thy sceptre wrung from thee, No bending knee will call thee Cæsar now, No humble suitors press to speak for right, |