SCENE IV.
Enter a Post.
Post.
Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain,
To signifie that Rebels there are up,
And put the Englishmen unto the sword:
Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime,
Before the wound do grow incurable;
For being green, there is great hope of help.
Car.
A breach, that craves a quick expedient Stop!
What counsel give you in this weighty cause?
York.
That Somerset be sent a Regent thither:
'Tis meet, that lucky ruler be employ'd:
Witness the fortune he hath had in France—
Som.
If York, with all his far-fetch'd policy,
Had been the Regent there instead of me,
He never would have staid in France so long.
York.
No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done:
I rather would have lost my life betimes,
Than bring a burthen of dishonour home,
By staying there so long, till all were lost.
Shew me one scar, character'd on thy skin:
Men's flesh preserv'd so whole, do seldom win.
Q. Mar.
Nay then, this spark will prove a raging fire,
If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with:
No more, good York; sweet Somerset, be still.
Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been Regent there,
Might happily have prov'd far worse than his.
York.
What, worse than nought? nay, then a shame take all!
Som.
And, in the number, thee that wishest shame!
Car.
My lord of York, try what your fortune is;
Th' uncivil Kerns of Ireland are in arms,
And temper clay with blood of Englishmen.
To Ireland will you lead a band of men,
-- 53 --
Collected choicely from each county some,
And try your hap against the Irishmen?
York.
I will, my lord, so please his Majesty.
Suf.
Why, our Authority is his consent;
And what we do establish, he confirms;
Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand.
York.
I am content: provide me soldiers, lords,
Whilst I take order for mine own affairs.
Suf.
A charge, lord York, that I will see perform'd:
But now return we to the false Duke Humphry.
Car.
No more of him; for I will deal with him,
That henceforth he shall trouble us no more:
And so break off: the day is almost spent:
Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event.
York.
My lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days
At Bristol I expect my soldiers;
For there I'll ship them all for Ireland.
Suf.
I'll see it truly done, my lord of York.
[Exeunt.
Alexander Pope [1747], The works of Shakespear in eight volumes. The Genuine Text (collated with all the former Editions, and then corrected and emended) is here settled: Being restored from the Blunders of the first Editors, and the Interpolations of the two Last: with A Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton (Printed for J. and P. Knapton, [and] S. Birt [etc.], London) [word count] [S11301].