York. I shall be, if I claim by open war. Rich. I'll prove the contrary, if you'll hear me speak. York. Thou canst not, son; it is impossible. Rich. An oath is of no moment, being not took Before a true and lawful magistrate, That hath authority over him that swears: Then, seeing 'twas he that made you to depose, And all that poets feign of bliss and joy. 300 Until the white rose, that I wear, be dy'd Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart. 310 York. Richard, enough; I will be king, or die. Brother, thou shalt to London presently, And whet on Warwick to this enterprize.- You, Edward, shall unto my lord Cobham, And yet the king not privy to my drift, 321 Enter Enter a Messenger. But, stay; What news? Why com'st thou in such post ? Gab. The queen with all the northern earls and lords, Intend here to besiege you in your castle: that we fear them ?—、 What! think'st thou, Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me;- 330 Mont. Brother, I go; I'll win them, fear it not: And thus most humbly I do take my leave. [Exit MONTAGUE. Enter Sir JOHN and Sir HUGH Mortimer. York. Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer, mine uncles! You are come to Sandal in a happy hour; The army of the queen means to besiege us. 340 Sir John. She shall not need, we'll meet her in the field. York, What, with five thousand men ? Rich. Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need. C A woman's A woman's general; What should we fear! [A March afar off. Edw. I hear their drums; Let's set' our men in order; And issue forth, and bid them battle straight. York. Five men to twenty!-though the odds be great, I doubt not, uncle, of our victory. Many a battle have I won in France, When as the enemy hath been ten to one; Why should I not now have the like success? 350 [Alarum. Exeunt. SCENE III. A Field of Battle, betwixt Sandal-Castle and Wakefield. Enter RUTLAND, and his Tutor. Rut. Ah, whither shall I fly, to 'scape their hands! Ah, tutor look, where bloody Clifford comes ! Enter CLIFFORD, and Soldiers. Clif. Chaplain, away 1 thy priesthood saves thy life. As for the brat of this accursed duke Whose father slew my father, he shall die. Tutor. And I, my lord, will bear him company. Clif. Soldiers, away, and drag him hence per force. Tutor. Ah, Clifford ! murder not this innocent child, Lest Lest thou be hated both of God and man. 360 [Exit, dragged off. Clif. How now! is he dead already? Or, is it fear, That makes him close his eyes ?-I'll open them. Rut. So looks the pent-up lion o'er the wretch That trembles under his devouring paws: And so he walks, insulting o'er his prey; And so he comes, to rend his limbs asunder.Ah, gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword, And not with such a cruel threat'ning look. Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die;I am too mean a subject for thy wrath, Be thou reveng'd on men, and let me live. Clif. In vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood 370 Hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should enter. Rut. Then let my father's blood open it again; He is a man, and, Clifford, cope with him. Clif. Had I thy brethren here, their lives, and thine, Were not revenge sufficient for me : No, if I digg'd up thy forefathers' graves, It could not slake mine ire, nor ease my heart. Is as a fury to torment my soul; Cij 380 [Lifting his Hand. Rut. Rut. O, let me pray before I take my death :To thee I pray; Sweet Clifford, pity me! Clif. Such pity as my rapier's point affords. Rut. I never did thee harm; Why wilt thou slay me ? Clif. Thy father hath. Rut. But 'twas ere I was born. Thou hast one son, for his sake pity me; Lest, in revenge thereof-sith God is just→ Ah, let me live in prison all my days; Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause. Thy father slew my father; therefore, die. 390 [Dies. 401 [CLIFFORD stabs him. Rut. Dii faciant, laudis summa sit ista tuæ ! Clif. Plantagenet! I come, Plantagenet! And this thy son's blood, cleaving to my blade, Shall rust upon my weapon, 'till thy blood, Congeal'd with this, do make me wipe off both. [Exit. SCENE IV. Alarum. Enter RICHARD Duke of York. York. The army of the queen hath got the field: My uncles both are slain in rescuing me; And all my followers to the eager foe Turn |