Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Through Line Number
Help on texts
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • Title: Edward III (Quarto 1, 1596)
  • Editor: Sonia Massai

    • Copyright Sonia Massai. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Sonia Massai
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Edward III (Quarto 1, 1596)

    Edward the third.
    How gently had we thought to touch thy brest,
    And set our foot vpon thy tender mould,
    But that in froward and disdainfull pride
    Thou like a skittish and vntamed coult,
    1355Dost start aside and strike vs with thy heeles,
    But tel me Ned, in all thy warlike course,
    Hast thou not seene the vsurping King of Fraunce.
    Pri. Yes my good Lord, and not two owers ago,
    With full a hundred thousand fighting men,
    1360Vppon the one side with the riuers banke,
    And on the other both his multitudes,
    I feard he would haue cropt our smaller power,
    But happily perceiuing your approch,
    He hath with drawen himselfe to Cressey plaines,
    1365Where as it seemeth by his good araie.
    He meanes to byd vs battaile presently,
    Kin. Ed: He shall be welcome thats the thing we craue.
    Enter King Iohn, Dukes of Normanndy and Lorraine, King of
    Boheme, yong Phillip, and Souldiers.
    1370Iohn. Edward know that Iohn the true king of Fraunce,
    Musing thou shouldst incroach vppon his land,
    And in thy tyranous proceeding slay,
    His faithfull subiects, and subuert his Townes,
    Spits in thy face, and in this manner folowing,
    1375Obraids thee with thine arrogant intrusion,
    First I condeme thee for a fugitiue,
    A theeuish pyrate, and a needie mate,
    One that hath either no abyding place,
    Or else inhabiting some barraine soile,
    1380Where neither hearb or frutfull graine is had,
    Doest altogether liue by pilfering,
    Next, insomuch thou hast infringed thy faith,
    Broke leage and solemne couenant made with mee,
    I hould thee for a false pernitious wretch,
    1385And last of all, although I scorne to cope
    2 With
    About
    Contact us
    Content quality
    Site guide
    © Internet Shakespeare Editions
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    University of Victoria
    Friends of the ISE
    SSHRC