Ere he attain his easeful western bed: I mean, my lords,-those powers, that the queen. Clar. A little gale will soon disperse that cloud, Glo. The queen is valu'd thirty thousand strong, If she have time to breathe, be well assur'd, K. Edw. We are advértis'd by our loving friends, Strike up the drum; cry-Courage! and away. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Plains near Tewksbury. March. Enter Queen MARGARET, Prince EDWARD, SOMERSET, OXFORD, and Soldiers. Q. Mar. Great lords, wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss, But cheerly seek how to redress their harms. What though the mast be now blown over-board, Yet lives our pilot still: Is't meet, that he Should leave the helm, and, like a fearful lad, And give more strength to that, which hath too much; The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings? But keep our course, though the rough wind say-no, That there's no hop'd-for mercy with the brothers, More than with ruthless waves, with sands, and rocks. Why, courage, then! what cannot be avoided, "Twere childish weakness to lament, or fear. Prince. Methinks, a woman of this valiant spirit And make him, naked, foil a man at arms. He should have leave to go away betimes; Oxf. Women and children of so high a courage! Som. And he, that will not fight for such a hope, Q. Mar. Thanks, gentle Somerset ;-sweet Oxford, thanks. Prince. And take his thanks, that yet hath nothing else. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand, Ready to fight; therefore be resolute. Oxf. I thought no less: it is his policy, To haste thus fast, to find us unprovided. Som. But he's deceiv'd, we are in readiness. Q. Mar. This cheers my heart, to see your forward ness. Orf. Here pitch our battle, hence we will not budge. VOL. VIII. March. Enter, at a distance, King EDWARD, CLARENCE, GLOSTER, and Forces. K. Edw. Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood, Which, by the heavens' assistance, and your strength, Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night. I need not add more fuel to your fire, For, well I wot, ye blaze to burn them out: Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords. Q. Mar. Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I should say, My tears gainsay; for every word I speak, Therefore, no more but this :-Henry, your sovereign, [Exeunt both Armies. SCENE V.-Another Part of the same. Alarums: Excursions: and afterwards a Retreat. Then enter King EDWARD, CLARENCE, GLOSTER, and Forces; with Queen MARGARET, OXFORD, and SoMERSET, Prisoners. K. Edw. Now, here a period of tumultuous broils. Away with Oxford to Hammes' castle straight: For Somerset, off with his guilty head. K. Edw. Is proclamation made, that, who finds Ed ward, Shall have a high reward, and he his life? Glo. It is: and, lo, where youthful Edward comes. Enter Soldiers, with Prince EDWARD. K. Edw. Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak: What! can so young a thorn begin to prick? Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make, For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects, And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to? Prince. Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York! Suppose, that I am now my father's mouth; Resign thy chair, and, where I stand, kneel thou, Whilst I propose the self-same words to thee, Which, traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to. Q. Mar. Ah, that thy father had been so resolv'd! Glo. That you might still have worn the petticoat, And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster. Prince. Let Æsop fable in a winter's night; His currish riddles sort not with this place. Glo. By heaven, brat, I'll plague you for that word. Q. Mar. Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men. Glo. For God's sake, take away this captive scold. |