The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9] · William Shakespeare
SCENE XXI.
Enter the _Queene_, _Prince Edward_, _Oxford_, and _Summerset_, with drum and souldiers. _Quee._ Welcome to _England_, my louing friends of _Frāce_, [eau001] And welcome _Summerset_, and _Oxford_ too. Once more haue we spread our sailes abroad, And though our tackling be almost consumde, And _Warwike_ as our maine mast ouerthrowne, [eau005] Yet warlike Lords raise you that sturdie post, That beares the sailes to bring vs vnto rest, And _Ned_ and _I_ as willing Pilots should For once with carefull mindes guide on the sterne, To beare vs through that dangerous gulfe ·eau010· That heretofore hath swallowed vp our friends. _Prince._ And if there be, as God forbid there should, Amongst vs a timorous or fearefull man, Let him depart before the battels ioine, [eau014] Least he in time of need intise another, [eau015] And so withdraw the souldiers harts from vs. _I_ will not stand aloofe and bid you fight, But with my sword presse in the thickest thronges, [eau018] And single _Edward_ from his strongest guard, And hand to hand enforce him for to yeeld, ·eau020· Or leaue my bodie as witnesse of my thoughts. _Oxf._ Women and children of so high resolue, And Warriors faint, why twere perpetuall [eau023] Shame? Oh braue yong Prince, thy [eau024] Noble grandfather doth liue againe in thee, ·eau025· Long maiest thou liue to beare his image, And to renew his glories.
_Sum._ And he that turnes and flies when such do fight, Let him to bed, and like the Owle by daie Be hist, and wondered at if he arise. [eau030] Enter a Messenger. _Mes._ My Lords, Duke _Edward_ with a mighty power, Is marching hitherwards to fight with you. _Oxf._ I thought it was his pollicie, to take vs vnprouided, But here will we stand and fight it to the death. [eau034] Enter king _Edward_, _Cla._ _Glo._ _Hast._ and Souldiers. _Edw._ See brothers, yonder stands the thornie wood, ·eau035· Which by Gods assistance and your prowesse, Shall with our swords yer night be cleane cut downe. [eau037] _Queen._ Lords, Knights & gentlemen, what _I_ should say, My teares gainesaie, for as you see, _I_ drinke The water of mine eies. Then no more [eau040] But this. _Henry_ your king is prisoner [eau041] In the tower, his land and all our friends Are quite distrest, and yonder standes The Wolfe that makes all this, Then on Gods name Lords togither cry saint _George_. ·eau045· _All._ Saint _George_ for _Lancaster_. [eau046] Alarmes to the battell, _Yorke_ flies, then the chambers be discharged. Then enter the king, _Cla._ & _Glo._ and the rest, & make a great shout, and crie, for _Yorke_, for _Yorke_, and then the _Queene_ is taken, & the prince, & _Oxf._ & _Sum._ and then sound and enter all againe.
_Cla._ By Heauen I would not doe thee so much ease. _Queen._ Good _Clarence_ doe, sweet Clarence kill me too. ·eau105· _Cla._ Didst thou not heare me sweare _I_ would not do it? _Queen._ I, but thou vsest to forsweare thy selfe, Twas sinne before, but now tis charitie. Whears the Diuels butcher, hardfauored _Richard_, [eau109] Richard where art thou? He is not heere, [eau110] Murder is his almes deed, petitioners For bloud he nere put backe. [eau112] _Edw._ Awaie I saie, and take her hence perforce. _Queen._ So come to you and yours, as to this prince. [eau114] _Ex._ _Edw._ _Clarence_, whithers _Gloster_ gone? [eau115] _Cla_ Marrie my Lord to London, and as I gesse, to [eau116] Make a bloudie supper in the Tower. _Edw._ He is sudden if a thing come in his head. Well, discharge the common souldiers with paie And thankes, and now let vs towards London, [eau120] To see our gentle Queene how shee doth fare, [eau121] For by this I hope shee hath a sonne for vs. _Exeunt Omnes._
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