Speeches (Lines) for George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence)
in "Henry VI, Part III"
Total: 39

1

II,2,1008

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). A wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns,
To make this shameless callet know herself.
Helen of Greece was fairer far than thou,
Although thy husband may be Menelaus;
And ne'er was Agamemnon's brother wrong'd
By that false woman, as this king by thee.
His father revell'd in the heart of France,
And tamed the king, and made the dauphin stoop;
And had he match'd according to his state,
He might have kept that glory to this day;
But when he took a beggar to his bed,
And graced thy poor sire with his bridal-day,
Even then that sunshine brew'd a shower for him,
That wash'd his father's fortunes forth of France,
And heap'd sedition on his crown at home.
For what hath broach'd this tumult but thy pride?
Hadst thou been meek, our title still had slept;
And we, in pity of the gentle king,
Had slipp'd our claim until another age.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). But when we saw our sunshine made thy spring,
And that thy summer bred us no increase,
We set the axe to thy usurping root;
And though the edge hath something hit ourselves,
Yet, know thou, since we have begun to strike,
We'll never leave till we have hewn thee down,
Or bathed thy growing with our heated bloods.

2

II,3,1036

(stage directions). [Enter GEORGE]

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Our hap is loss, our hope but sad despair;
Our ranks are broke, and ruin follows us:
What counsel give you? whither shall we fly?

3

II,3,1077

Earl of Warwick. Away, away! Once more, sweet lords farewell.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Yet let us all together to our troops,
And give them leave to fly that will not stay;
And call them pillars that will stand to us;
And, if we thrive, promise them such rewards
As victors wear at the Olympian games:
This may plant courage in their quailing breasts;
For yet is hope of life and victory.
Forslow no longer, make we hence amain.

4

II,6,1321

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). 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.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). If so thou think'st, vex him with eager words.

5

II,6,1325

Earl of Warwick. Clifford, devise excuses for thy faults.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). While we devise fell tortures for thy faults.

6

II,6,1328

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Thou pitied'st Rutland; I will pity thee.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Where's Captain Margaret, to fence you now?

7

III,2,1484

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside to CLARENCE] Yea, is it so?
I see the lady hath a thing to grant,
Before the king will grant her humble suit.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). [Aside to GLOUCESTER] He knows the game: how true
he keeps the wind!

8

III,2,1496

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside to CLARENCE] Ay, widow? then I'll warrant
you all your lands,
An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.
Fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). [Aside to GLOUCESTER] I fear her not, unless she
chance to fall.

9

III,2,1501

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). How many children hast thou, widow? tell me.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). [Aside to GLOUCESTER] I think he means to beg a
child of her.

10

III,2,1531

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside to CLARENCE] He plies her hard; and much rain
wears the marble.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). [Aside to GLOUCESTER] As red as fire! nay, then
her wax must melt.

11

III,2,1566

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside to CLARENCE] The widow likes him not, she
knits her brows.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). [Aside to GLOUCESTER] He is the bluntest wooer in
Christendom.

12

III,2,1593

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside to CLARENCE] The ghostly father now hath done
his shrift.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). [Aside to GLOUCESTER] When he was made a shriver,
'twas for shift.

13

III,2,1598

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). You'll think it strange if I should marry her.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). To whom, my lord?

14

III,2,1601

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). That would be ten days' wonder at the least.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). That's a day longer than a wonder lasts.

15

IV,1,1977

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you
Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey?
Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France;
How could he stay till Warwick made return?

16

IV,1,1981

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And his well-chosen bride.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). I mind to tell him plainly what I think.
[Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, attended; QUEEN]
ELIZABETH, PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and others]

17

IV,1,1986

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice,
That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). As well as Lewis of France, or the Earl of Warwick,
Which are so weak of courage and in judgment
That they'll take no offence at our abuse.

18

IV,1,2004

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,
Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey
Should not become my wife and England's queen.
And you too, Somerset and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis
Becomes your enemy, for mocking him
About the marriage of the Lady Bona.

19

IV,1,2022

Lord Hastings. 'Tis better using France than trusting France:
Let us be back'd with God and with the seas
Which He hath given for fence impregnable,
And with their helps only defend ourselves;
In them and in ourselves our safety lies.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves
To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.

20

IV,1,2031

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And yet methinks your grace hath not done well,
To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales
Unto the brother of your loving bride;
She better would have fitted me or Clarence:
But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir
Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife's son,
And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

21

IV,1,2036

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife
That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). In choosing for yourself, you show'd your judgment,
Which being shallow, you give me leave
To play the broker in mine own behalf;
And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.

22

IV,1,2095

Post. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in
friendship
That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger.
Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,
For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter;
That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
I may not prove inferior to yourself.
You that love me and Warwick, follow me.

23

IV,2,2136

Earl of Warwick. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;
The common people by numbers swarm to us.
[Enter CLARENCE and SOMERSET]
But see where Somerset and Clarence come!
Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Fear not that, my lord.

24

IV,6,2346

Earl of Warwick. Your grace hath still been famed for virtuous;
And now may seem as wise as virtuous,
By spying and avoiding fortune's malice,
For few men rightly temper with the stars:
Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,
For choosing me when Clarence is in place.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,
To whom the heavens in thy nativity
Adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown,
As likely to be blest in peace and war;
And therefore I yield thee my free consent.

25

IV,6,2360

Earl of Warwick. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will?

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). That he consents, if Warwick yield consent;
For on thy fortune I repose myself.

26

IV,6,2370

Earl of Warwick. Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content:
We'll yoke together, like a double shadow
To Henry's body, and supply his place;
I mean, in bearing weight of government,
While he enjoys the honour and his ease.
And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful
Forthwith that Edward be pronounced a traitor,
And all his lands and goods be confiscate.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). What else? and that succession be determined.

27

IV,6,2378

Henry VI. But, with the first of all your chief affairs,
Let me entreat, for I command no more,
That Margaret your queen and my son Edward
Be sent for, to return from France with speed;
For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear
My joy of liberty is half eclipsed.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed.

28

IV,8,2528

Henry VI. Let's levy men, and beat him back again.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). A little fire is quickly trodden out;
Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench.

29

IV,8,2547

Henry VI. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand.

30

V,1,2684

Earl of Warwick. And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps along,
Of force enough to bid his brother battle;
With whom an upright zeal to right prevails
More than the nature of a brother's love!
Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick call.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Father of Warwick, know you what this means?
[Taking his red rose out of his hat]
Look here, I throw my infamy at thee
I will not ruinate my father's house,
Who gave his blood to lime the stones together,
And set up Lancaster. Why, trow'st thou, Warwick,
That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural,
To bend the fatal instruments of war
Against his brother and his lawful king?
Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath:
To keep that oath were more impiety
Than Jephthah's, when he sacrificed his daughter.
I am so sorry for my trespass made
That, to deserve well at my brother's hands,
I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe,
With resolution, wheresoe'er I meet thee—
As I will meet thee, if thou stir abroad—
To plague thee for thy foul misleading me.
And so, proud-hearted Warwick, I defy thee,
And to my brother turn my blushing cheeks.
Pardon me, Edward, I will make amends:
And, Richard, do not frown upon my faults,
For I will henceforth be no more unconstant.

31

V,3,2787

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course,
And we are graced with wreaths of victory.
But, in the midst of this bright-shining day,
I spy a black, suspicious, threatening cloud,
That will encounter with our glorious sun,
Ere he attain his easeful western bed:
I mean, my lords, those powers that the queen
Hath raised in Gallia have arrived our coast
And, as we hear, march on to fight with us.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). A little gale will soon disperse that cloud
And blow it to the source from whence it came:
The very beams will dry those vapours up,
For every cloud engenders not a storm.

32

V,5,2927

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert.

33

V,5,2937

(stage directions). [Stabs him]

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). And there's for twitting me with perjury.

34

V,5,2948

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Clarence, excuse me to the king my brother;
I'll hence to London on a serious matter:
Ere ye come there, be sure to hear some news.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). What? what?

35

V,5,2972

Queen Margaret. 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.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease.

36

V,5,2974

Queen Margaret. Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Didst thou not hear me swear I would not do it?

37

V,5,2985

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Where's Richard gone?

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). To London, all in post; and, as I guess,
To make a bloody supper in the Tower.

38

V,7,3123

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen;
And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). The duty that I owe unto your majesty
I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe.

39

V,7,3132

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Now am I seated as my soul delights,
Having my country's peace and brothers' loves.

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). What will your grace have done with Margaret?
Reignier, her father, to the king of France
Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem,
And hither have they sent it for her ransom.