Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)
Not Peer Reviewed
¶
Alarum. Excursions. Enter Warwicke.
¶I lay me downe a little while to breath:
¶For strokes receiu'd, and many blowes repaid,
¶
Enter Edward running.
¶For this world frownes, and Edwards Sunne is clowded.
1065 War. How now my Lord, what happe? what hope of
¶good?
¶
Enter Clarence.
¶Our rankes are broke, and ruine followes vs.
¶
Enter Richard.
1075Thy Brothers blood the thirsty earth hath drunk,
¶Broach'd with the Steely point of Cliffords Launce:
¶And in the very pangs of death, he cryde,
¶Like to a dismall Clangor heard from farre,
¶Warwicke, reuenge; Brother, reuenge my death.
1080So vnderneath the belly of their Steeds,
¶The Noble Gentleman gaue vp the ghost.
¶War. Then let the earth be drunken with our blood:
¶And looke vpon, as if the Tragedie
¶Were plaid in iest, by counterfetting Actors.
¶Heere on my knee, I vow to God aboue,
¶Till either death hath clos'd these eyes of mine,
¶Or Fortune giuen me measure of Reuenge.
¶Ed. Oh Warwicke, I do bend my knee with thine,
¶And in this vow do chaine my soule to thine:
1095And ere my knee rise from the Earths cold face,
¶I throw my hands, mine eyes, my heart to thee,
¶Thou setter vp, and plucker downe of Kings:
¶That to my Foes this body must be prey,
1100Yet that thy brazen gates of heauen may ope,
¶Now Lords, take leaue vntill we meete againe,
¶Where ere it be, in heauen, or in earth.
¶Rich. Brother,
1105Giue me thy hand, and gentle Warwicke,
¶Let me imbrace thee in my weary armes:
¶I that did neuer weepe, now melt with wo,
¶War. Away, away:
1110Once more sweet Lords farwell.
¶Cla. Yet let vs altogether to our Troopes,
¶And giue them leaue to flye, that will not stay:
¶And call them Pillars that will stand to vs:
1115As Victors weare at the Olympian Games.
¶This may plant courage in their quailing breasts,
¶For yet is hope of Life and Victory:
¶Foreslow no longer, make we hence amaine.
Exeunt
