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History of Henry VI, Part III

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Act V, Scene 7

London. The palace.

       
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[Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, QUEEN ELIZABETH,] [p]CLARENCE, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, a Nurse with the [p]young Prince, and Attendants]

  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Once more we sit in England's royal throne,
    Re-purchased with the blood of enemies.
    What valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn,
    Have we mow'd down, in tops of all their pride!
    Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown'd 3100
    For hardy and undoubted champions;
    Two Cliffords, as the father and the son,
    And two Northumberlands; two braver men
    Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's sound;
    With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague, 3105
    That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion
    And made the forest tremble when they roar'd.
    Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat
    And made our footstool of security.
    Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy. 3110
    Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself
    Have in our armours watch'd the winter's night,
    Went all afoot in summer's scalding heat,
    That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace;
    And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain. 3115
  • Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside] I'll blast his harvest, if your head were laid;
    For yet I am not look'd on in the world.
    This shoulder was ordain'd so thick to heave;
    And heave it shall some weight, or break my back:
    Work thou the way,—and thou shalt execute. 3120
  • Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st,
    Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.
    [Aside] To say the truth, so Judas kiss'd his master,]
    And cried 'all hail!' when as he meant all harm.
  • 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. 3135
  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Away with her, and waft her hence to France.
    And now what rests but that we spend the time
    With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows,
    Such as befits the pleasure of the court?
    Sound drums and trumpets! farewell sour annoy! 3140
    For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.

[Exeunt]