K. E.
Lo, here a period of tumultuous broils.—
Away with Oxford to Hammes' castle straight:
For Somerset, off with his guilty head.
Go, bear them hence; I will not hear them speak.

Oxf.
For my part, I'll not trouble thee with words.

Som.
Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune. [Exeunt Oxf. and Som. guarded.

Q. M.
So part we sadly in this troublous world,
To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem.

K. E.
Is proclamation made,—that, who finds Edward
Shall have a high reward, and he his life.

Glo.
It is; and, lo, where youthful Edward comes. Enter Soldiers, with the Prince.

K. E.
Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak:
What, can so young a thorn begin to prick?—
Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make,
For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects,
And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to?

Pri.
Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York:
Suppose, that I am now my father's mouth;
Resign thy chair, and, where I stand, kneel thou,
Whilst I propose the self-same words to thee,
Which, traitor, thou would'st have me answer to* ^note.

Q. M.
Ah, that thy father had been so resolv'd!

Glo.
That you might still have worn the petticoat,
And ne'er have stoln the breech from Lancaster.

Pri.
Let Æsop fable in a winter's night;
His currish riddles sort not with this place.

Glo.
By heaven, brat, I'll plague you for that word.

Q. M.
Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men.

Glo.
For Heav'n's sake, take away this captive scold.

Pri.
Nay, take away this scolding crook-back rather.

K. E.
Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue.

Cla.
Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert.

Pri.
I know my duty, you are all undutiful:
Lascivious Edward,—and thou perjur'd George,—
And thou mis-shapen Dick,—I tell you all,
I am your better, traitors as ye are;—
And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine.

K. E.
Take that [stabbing him.] thou likeness of this railer here.

Glo.
Sprawl'st thou? take that, to end thy agony.

Cla.
And there's for twitting me with perjury† ^note.

Q. M.
O, kill me too!

Glo.
Mary, and shall. [lifting up his Dagger.

K. E.
Hold, Richard, hold [staying him.] for we have done too much.

Glo.
Why should she live, to fill the world with words?

K. E.
What, does she swoon? use means for her recovery.

Glo.
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 more news.

Cla.
What? what?

Glo.
The Tower, the Tower. [Exit Gloster.

Q. M.
O Ned, sweet Ned, speak to thy mother, boy!
Canst thou not speak?—O traitors! murtherers!—
They, that stabb'd Cæsar, shed no blood at all,
Did not offend, nor were not worthy blame,
If this foul deed were by, to equal it:
He was a man; this, in respect, a child;
And men ne'er spend their fury on a child.
What's worse than murtherer, that I may name it?
No, no; my heart will burst, an if I speak:—

And I will speak, that so my heart may burst.—
Butchers and villains, bloody canibals!
How sweet a plant have you untimely cropt!
You have no children, butchers; if you had,
The thought of them would have stirr'd up remorse:
But, if you ever chance to have a child,
Look in his youth to have him so cut off,
As, deathsmen, you have rid this sweet young prince.

K. E.
Away with her; go, bear her hence perforce.

Q. M.
Nay, never bear me hence, dispatch me here;
Here sheath thy sword, I'll pardon thee my death:
What, wilt thou not?—then, Clarence, do it thou.

Cla.
By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease.

Q. M.
Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it.

Cla.
Didst thou not hear me swear, I would not do it?

Q. M.
Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyself;
'Twas sin before, but now 'tis charity.
What, wilt thou not?—Where is that butcher, Richard?
Hard-favour'd Richard? Richard, where art thou?
Thou art not here: Murther is thy alms-deed;
Petitioner for blood thou ne'er put'st back.

K. E.
Away, I say; I charge ye, bear her hence.

Q. M.
So come to you, and yours, as to this prince! [Exit, led out forcibly† ^note.

K. E.
Where's Richard gone?

Cla.
To London, all in post; and, as I guess,
To make a bloody supper in the Tower.

K. E.
He's sudden, if a thing comes in his head.
Now march we hence: discharge the common sort
With pay and thanks, and let's away to London,
And see our gentle queen how well she fares;
By this, I hope, she hath a son for me. [Exeunt.

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