Welcome to PhiloLogic  
   home |  the ARTFL project |  download |  documentation |  sample databases |   
J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.

Previous section

Next section

SCENE II. A Field of Battle near Barnet. Alarums, and Excursions. Enter King Edward, bringing in Warwick wounded.

K. Edw.
So, lie thou there: die thou, and die our fear,
For Warwick was a bug, that fear'd us all4 note.—
Now, Montague, sit fast: I seek for thee,
That Warwick's bones may keep thine company.
[Exit.

War.
Ah! who is nigh? come to me, friend or foe,
And tell me, who is victor, York, or Warwick?
Why ask I that? my mangled body shows,
My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart shows,
That I must yield my body to the earth,
And by my fall the conquest to my foe.
Thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge,
Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle,
Under whose shade the ramping lion slept;
Whose top-branch overpeer'd Jove's spreading tree,
And kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind.
These eyes, that now are dimm'd with death's black veil,
Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun,
To search the secret treasons of the world:
The wrinkles in my brows, now fill'd with blood,
Were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres;
For who liv'd king, but I could dig his grave?

-- 324 --


And who durst smile when Warwick bent his brow?
Lo, now my glory smear'd in dust and blood!
My parks, my walks, my manors that I had,
Even now forsake me; and, of all my lands,
Is nothing left me, but my body's length.
Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?
And, live we how we can, yet die we must. Enter Oxford and Somerset.

Som.
Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as we are,
We might recover all our loss again.
The queen from France hath brought a puissant power;
Even now we heard the news. Ah, could'st thou fly!

War.
Why, then I would not fly.—Ah, Montague!
If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand,
And with thy lips keep in my soul awhile.
Thou lov'st me not; for, brother, if thou didst,
Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood,
That glues my lips, and will not let me speak.
Come quickly, Montague, or I am dead.

Som.
Ah, Warwick! Montague hath breath'd his last;
And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick,
And said—“Commend me to my valiant brother.”
And more he would have said; and more he spoke5 note

,
Which sounded like a cannon in a vault,
That might not be distinguish'd: but, at last,
I well might hear, deliver'd with a groan,—
“O, farewell Warwick!”

War.
Sweet rest his soul!—Fly, lords, and save yourselves;

-- 325 --


For Warwick bids you all farewell, to meet in heaven6 note
. [Dies.

Oxf.
Away, away, to meet the queen's great power!
[Exeunt, bearing off Warwick's Body.
Previous section

Next section


J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
Powered by PhiloLogic