John Herman Merivale [1817], Richard, Duke of York; or, the contention of York and Lancaster. (As altered from Shakspeare's Three Parts of Henry VI.) In five acts. As it is performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane (Published by Richard White [etc.], London) [word count] [S41100].
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SCENE III.
Sandal Castle.—A Guard on the walls.
Enter York.
It is enough—I must be king, or die.
They drive me to the stake, despite of oaths—
They think they have me in the toils—it may be.
But with my fall falls not the House of York.
Edward and Richard, true Plantagents,
May live to grasp the golden spoil I lose,
And valiant Warwick will support them still.
Yet all's not lost; and, a fair cause of arms,
Why that's an army, all invincible.
He that hath that, hath a batallion royal.
Armour of proof, huge troops of barbed steeds,
Main squares of pikes, millions of harquebusses.
Oh! a fair cause stands firm and will abide;
Legions of angels fight up on her side* note.
Enter a messenger.
Why, what's the news? Why com'st thou in such haste?
Mess.
The queen, with all the northern earls and lords,
Approaches to besiege you in your castle.
She is hard by, with twenty thousand men;
And thereby fortify your hold, my Lord.
York.
Aye, with my sword. What think'st thou that we fear?
Only let Warwick, Cobham, and the rest,
Whom we have left protectors of the king,
-- 73 --
With powerful policy strengthen themselves,
And trust not simple Henry nor his oaths.
Enter Sasisbury and Vernon.
My good Lord Vernon! Reverend Salisbury!
Ye're come to Sandal in a happy hour.
The army of the Queen means to besiege us;
But there's no need—We'll meet her in the field.
Sal.
What, with five thousand men?
York.
Aye—with five hundred, Father, for a need,
A woman's general—What should we fear?
[Drums, &c. as of an army marching, heard at a distance.
Fern.
I hear their drums—let's set our men in order,
And issue forth to give them battle strait.
York.
Five men to twenty!—though the odds be great,
I doubt not we shall reap the victory.
Many a battle I have won in France,
When as the enemy hath been ten to one.
Why should we now not have the same success?
Come, my good lords—my sons Edward and Richard
Attend my summons in the Castle Hall.
Let's thither too, to meet them, and appoint
Their several posts in this their maiden fight.
Should it go ill with me, oh! bid them save
Their lives and fortunes for a happier day!
Bring in my dear boy Rutlant.
[Enter Messenger.]
My darling! let me kiss thee ere I go—
I know not if I ere shall see thee more.
-- 74 --
If I should fall, I leave thee to thy brothers,
All valiant men; and I will charge them all,
On my last blessing, to take care of thee,
As of their souls.
Rutl.
Why do you talk thus, father?
If you must die, I hope I shall die with you—
I'd rather die with you than live a king.
York.
Sweet boy!—Farewell, my soul!—Here, take the child,
And guard him safely in the Donjon Tower.
should things go ill, bear him away betimes,
And give his brothers notice of your flight.
Now, lords, I'll follow you.
[Exeunt.
John Herman Merivale [1817], Richard, Duke of York; or, the contention of York and Lancaster. (As altered from Shakspeare's Three Parts of Henry VI.) In five acts. As it is performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane (Published by Richard White [etc.], London) [word count] [S41100].
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