Or why, thou-being a subject as I am,- York [aside]. Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great. And now, like Ajax Telamonius, On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! Buck. That is too much presumption on thy part: The king hath yielded unto thy demand; The duke of Somerset is in the Tower. York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? Buck. Upon mine honour, he is prisoner. York. Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers. I'll send them all as willing as I live; Lands, goods, horse, armour, anything I have Buck. York, I commend this kind submission: We twain will go into his highness' tent. Enter KING HENRY, attended. K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend to harm us, That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm? York. In all submission and humility, York doth present himself unto your highness. [Aside. K. Hen. Then what intend these forces thou dost bring? And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade, Who since I heard to be discomfited. Enter IDEN with CADE's head. Iden. If one so rude, and of so mean condition, May pass into the presence of a king, Lo, I present your grace a traitor's head, The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew. K. Hen. The head of Cade ?-Great God, how just art thou ! O, let me view his visage being dead, That living wrought me such exceeding trouble. Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him? Iden. I was, an't like your majesty. K. Hen. How art thou call'd? and what is thy degree? A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king. Buck. So please it you, my lord, 'twere not amiss He were created knight for his good service. K. Hen. Iden, kneel down; He kneels.] Rise up a knight. We give thee for reward a thousand marks; And will, that thou henceforth attend on us. Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty, And never live but true unto his liege! K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes with the queen; Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. Enter QUEEN MARGARET and SOMERSET. Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head, But boldly stand, and front him to his face. York. How now! is Somerset at liberty? Then, York, unloose thy long imprison'd thoughts, False king! why hast thou broken faith with me, Which dar'st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor. Of capital treason 'gainst the king and crown: Obey, audacious traitor; kneel for grace. York. Wouldst have me kneel? first let me ask of these, [Exit an ATTENDANT. I know, ere they will have me go to ward,* Shall be the surety for their traitor father. *Custody, confinement. York. O blood-bespotted Neapolitan, Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge ! Enter EDWARD and RICHARD PLANTAGENET, with Forces, at one side; at the other, with Forces also, old CLIFFORD and his Son. See, where they come; I'll warrant they'll make it good. Clif Health and all happiness to my lord the king! [Kneels. Clif. This is my king, York, I do not mistake; But thou mistak'st me much, to think I do :- K. Hen. Ay, Clifford; a bedlam and ambitious humour And chop away that factious pate of his. Q. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey; His sons, he says, shall give their words for him. Edw. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve. Drums. Enter WARWICK and SALISBURY, with Forces. If you oppose yourselves to match lord Warwick. As crooked in thy manners as thy shape! * The Nevils, earls of Warwick, had a bear and ragged staff for their crest. † Bear-keeper. VOL. III. 'York. Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon. Clif. Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves. K. Hen. Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow ?Old Salisbury,-shame to thy silver hair, Thou mad misleader of thy brain-sick son! What, wilt thou on thy death-bed play the ruffian, O, where is faith? O, where is loyalty? The rightful heir to England's royal seat. K. Hen. Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me? K. Hen. Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath? But greater sin, to keep a sinful oath. Q. Mar. A subtle traitor needs no sophister. K. Hen. Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himself. I am resolved for death, or dignity. Clif. The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove true. To keep thee from the tempest of the field. Clif. I am resolved to bear a greater storm, Than any thou canst conjure up to-day; Might I but know thee by thy household badge. War. Now, by my father's badge, old Nevil's crest, Clif. And from thy burgonet I'll rend thy bear, * Helmet. And tread it underfoot with all contempt, To quell the rebels, and their 'complices. Rich. Fie! charity, for shame! speak not in spite, Y. Clif. Foul stigmatic,* that's more than thou canst tell. SCENE II.-Saint Albans. [Exeunt severally. Alarums: Excursions. Enter WARWICK. War. Clifford of Cumberland, 'tis Warwick calls! Enter YORK. How now, my noble lord? what, all a-foot? Enter CLIFFORD. War. Of one or both of us the time is come. York. Hold, Warwick, seek thee out some other chace, For I myself must hunt this deer to death. War. Then, nobly, York; 'tis for a crown thou fight'st. As I intend, Clifford, to thrive to-day, It grieves my soul to leave thee unassail'd. [Exit WARWICK. Clif. What seest thou in me, York? why dost thou pause? York. With thy brave bearing should I be in love, But that thou art so fast mine enemy. Clif. Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem, But that 'tis shown ignobly and in treason. York. So let it help me now against thy sword, As I in justice and true right express it! Clif. My soul and body on the action both! York. A dreadful lay!+-address thee instantly. [They fight, and CLIFFORD falls. Clif. La fin couronne les œuvres. * Stigmatized by deformity. + Stake. [Dies. [Exit. |