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Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed
170
The third Part of Henry the Sixt.
And Mountague our Top-Mast: what of him?
Our slaught'red friends, the Tackles: what of these?
Why is not Oxford here, another Anchor?
2900And Somerset, another goodly Mast?
The friends of France our Shrowds and Tacklings?
And though vnskilfull, why not Ned and I,
For once allow'd the skilfull Pilots Charge?
We will not from the Helme, to sit and weepe,
2905But keepe our Course (though the rough Winde say no)
From Shelues and Rocks, that threaten vs with Wrack.
As good to chide the Waues, as speake them faire.
And what is Edward, but a ruthlesse Sea?
What Clarence, but a Quick-sand of Deceit?
2910And Richard, but a raged fatall Rocke?
All these, the Enemies to our poore Barke.
Say you can swim, alas 'tis but a while:
Tread on the Sand, why there you quickly sinke,
Bestride the Rock, the Tyde will wash you off,
2915Or else you famish, that's a three-fold Death.
This speake I (Lords) to let you vnderstand,
If case some one of you would flye from vs,
That there's no hop'd-for Mercy with the Brothers,
More then with ruthlesse Waues, with Sands and Rocks.
2920Why courage then, what cannot be auoided,
'Twere childish weakenesse to lament, or feare.
Prince. Me thinkes a Woman of this valiant Spirit,
Should, if a Coward heard her speake these words,
Infuse his Breast with Magnanimitie,
2925And make him, naked, foyle a man at Armes.
I speake not this, as doubting any here:
For did I but suspect a fearefull man,
He should haue leaue to goe away betimes,
Least in our need he might infect another,
2930And make him of like spirit to himselfe.
If any such be here, as God forbid,
Let him depart, before we neede his helpe.
Oxf. Women and Children of so high a courage,
And Warriors faint, why 'twere perpetuall shame.
2935Oh braue young Prince: thy famous Grandfather
Doth liue againe in thee; long may'st thou liue,
To beare his Image, and renew his Glories.
Som. And he that will not fight for such a hope,
Goe home to Bed, and like the Owle by day,
2940If he arise, be mock'd and wondred at.
Qu. Thankes gentle Somerset, sweet Oxford thankes.
Prince. And take his thankes, that yet hath nothing
else.
Enter a Messenger.

2945Mess. Prepare you Lords, for Edward is at hand,
Readie to fight: therefore be resolute.
Oxf. I thought no lesse: it is his Policie,
To haste thus fast, to finde vs vnprouided.
Som. But hee's deceiu'd, we are in readinesse.
2950 Qu. This cheares my heart, to see your forwardnesse.
Oxf. Here pitch our Battaile, hence we will not budge.

Flourish, and march. Enter Edward, Richard,
Clarence, and Souldiers.

Edw. Braue followers, yonder stands the thornie Wood,
2955Which by the Heauens assistance, and your strength,
Must by the Roots be hew'ne vp yet ere Night.
I need not adde more fuell to your fire,
For well I wot, ye blaze, to burne them out:
Giue signall to the fight, and to it Lords.
2960 Qu. Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, what I should say,
My teares gaine-say: for euery word I speake,
Ye see I drinke the water of my eye.
Therefore no more but this: Henry your Soueraigne
Is Prisoner to the Foe, his State vsurp'd,
2965His Realme a slaughter-house, his Subiects slaine,
His Statutes cancell'd, and his Treasure spent:
And yonder is the Wolfe, that makes this spoyle.
You fight in Iustice: then in Gods Name, Lords,
Be valiant, and giue signall to the fight.
2970Alarum, Retreat, Excursions.
Exeunt.

Flourish. Enter Edward, Richard, Queene, Clarence,
Oxford, Somerset.

Edw. Now here a period of tumultuous Broyles.
Away with Oxford, to Hames Castle straight:
2975For Somerset, off with his guiltie Head.
Goe beare them hence, I will not heare them speake.
Oxf. For my part, Ile not trouble thee with words.
Som. Nor I, but stoupe with patience to my fortune.
Exeunt.
2980Qu. So part we sadly in this troublous World,
To meet with Ioy in sweet Ierusalem.
Edw. Is Proclamation made, That who finds Edward,
Shall haue a high Reward, and he his Life?
Rich. It is, and loe where youthfull Edward comes.

2985
Enter the Prince.

Edw. Bring forth the Gallant, let vs heare him speake.
What? can so young a Thorne begin to prick?
Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make,
For bearing Armes, for stirring vp my Subiects,
2990And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to?
Prince. Speake like a Subiect, prowd ambitious Yorke.
Suppose that I am now my Fathers Mouth,
Resigne thy Chayre, and where I stand, kneele thou,
Whil'st I propose the selfe-same words to thee,
2995Which (Traytor) thou would'st haue me answer to.
Qu. Ah, that thy Father had beene so resolu'd.
Rich. That you might still haue worne the Petticoat,
And ne're haue stolne the Breech from Lancaster.
Prince. Let Aesop fable in a Winters Night,
3000His Currish Riddles sorts not with this place.
Rich. By Heauen, Brat, Ile plague ye for that word.
Qu. I, thou wast borne to be a plague to men.
Rich. For Gods sake, take away this Captiue Scold.
Prince. Nay, take away this scolding Crooke-backe,
3005rather.
Edw. Peace wilfull Boy, or I will charme your tongue.
Clar. Vntutor'd Lad, thou art too malapert.
Prince. I know my dutie, you are all vndutifull:
Lasciuious Edward, and thou periur'd George,
3010And thou mis-shapen Dicke, I tell ye all,
I am your better, Traytors as ye are,
And thou vsurp'st my Fathers right and mine.
Edw. Take that, the likenesse of this Rayler here.
Stabs him.
3015Rich. Sprawl'st thou? take that, to end thy agonie.
Rich. stabs him.
Clar. And ther's for twitting me with periurie.
Clar. stabs him.
Qu. Oh, kill me too.
3020Rich. Marry, and shall.
Offers to kill her.
Edw. Hold, Richard, hold, for we haue done too much.
Rich. Why