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? 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. 2. Mar. Ah, that thy father had been so resolved! Glo. That you might still have worn the petti coat, And ne'er have stolen the breech from Lancaster. 2. Mar. Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men. Glo. For God's sake, take away this captive scold. Prince. Nay, take away this scolding crookback rather. K. Edw. Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue. Clar. Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert. Prince. I know my duty; you are all un dutiful: Lascivious Edward, and thou perjured George, And thou mis-shapen Dick, I tell ye all, I am your better, traitors as ye are; railer here. Glo. Sprawl'st thou? take that, to end thy agony. Clar. And there's for twitting me with perjury 2. Mar. O, kill me too! [Stabs him. [Stabs him. [Stabs him. [Offers to kill her. Glo. Marry, and shall. K. Edw. Hold, Richard, hold, for we have done too much. Glo. Why should she live to fill the world with words? K. Edw. What! doth she swoon? use means for her recovery. Glo. Clarence, excuse brother; me to the king my I'll hence to London on a serious matter: Ere ye come there, be sure to hear some news. Glo. The Tower! the Tower! [Exit. 2. Mar. O, Ned, sweet Ned! speak to thy mother, boy! Canst thou not speak?-O traitors! murderers!— He was a man this, in respect, a child: The thought of them would have stirr'd up remorse; But, if you ever chance to have a child, Look in his youth to have him so cut off, As, deathsmen! you have rid this sweet young prince ! K. Edw. Away with her; go, bear her hence perforce.. 2. Mar. Nay, never bear me hence, dispatch me here; Here sheathe thy sword, I'll pardon thee my death: What! wilt thou not?-then, Clarence, do it thou. Clar. By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease. 2. Mar. Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it? Clar. Didst thou not hear me swear I would not do it? 2., Mar. Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyself: 'Twas sin before, but now 'tis charity. What! wilt thou not? Where is that devil's butcher, Richard, Hard-favour'd Richard? thou? Richard, where art Thou art not here: murder is thy alms-deed; 2. Mar. So come to you, and yours, as to this [Exit, led out forcibly. prince! K. Edw. Where's Richard gone? Clar. To London, all in post; and, as I guess, To make a bloody supper in the Tower. K. Edw. He's sudden, if a thing comes in his head. Now march we hence: discharge the common sort With pay and thanks, and let's away to London, SCENE VI.-London. A Room in the Tower. KING HENRY discovered reading; the Lieutenant attending. Enter GLOSTER. Glo. Good day, my lord! What, at your book so hard? K. Hen. Ay, my good lord: should say, rather: my lord, I 'Tis sin to flatter, good was little better : Good Gloster and good devil were alike, And both preposterous; therefore, not good lord. Glo. Sirrah, leave us to ourselves: confer. we must [Exit Lieutenant. K. Hen. So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf: So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece, And next his throat unto the butcher's knife. What scene of death has Roscius now to act? Glo. Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind; The thief doth fear each bush an officer. K. Hen. The bird that hath been limèd in a bush, With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush : And I, the hapless male to one sweet bird, Have now the fatal object in my eye, Where my poor young was limed, was caught, and kill'd. Glo. Why, what a peevish fool was that of Crete, That taught his son the office of a fowl; And yet, for all his wings, the fool was drown'd! But wherefore dost thou come? is't for my life? Glo. Thy son I kill'd for his presumption. Thou hadst not lived to kill a son of mine. And many an orphan's water-standing eye,— trees; The raven rook'd her on the chimney's top, |