The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works

by William Shakespeare

  And he nor sees nor hears us what we say.

  RICHARD

  O, would he did—and so perhaps he doth.

  ’Tis but his policy to counterfeit,

  Because he would avoid such bitter taunts

  Which in the time of death he gave our father.

  GEORGE

  If so thou think’st, vex him with eager words.

  RICHARD

  Clifford, ask mercy and obtain no grace.

  EDWARD

  Clifford, repent in bootless penitence.

  WARWICK

  Clifford, devise excuses for thy faults.

  GEORGE

  While we devise fell tortures for thy faults.

  RICHARD

  Thou didst love York, and I am son to York.

  EDWARD

  Thou pitied’st Rutland—I will pity thee.

  GEORGE

  Where’s Captain Margaret to fence you now?

  WARWICK

  They mock thee, Clifford—swear as thou wast wont.

  RICHARD

  What, not an oath? Nay, then, the world goes hard

  When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath.

  I know by that he’s dead—and, by my soul,

  If this right hand would buy but two hours’ life

  That I, in all despite, might rail at him,

  This hand should chop it off, and with the issuing

  blood

  Stifle the villain whose unstanchèd thirst

  York and young Rutland could not satisfy.

  WARWICK

  Ay, but he’s dead. Off with the traitor’s head,

  And rear it in the place your father’s stands.

  And now to London with triumphant march,

  There to be crowned England’s royal king;

  From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France,

  And ask the Lady Bona for thy queen.

  So shalt thou sinew both these lands together.

  And, having France thy friend, thou shalt not dread

  The scattered foe that hopes to rise again,

  For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt,

  Yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears.

  First will I see the coronation,

  And then to Brittany I’ll cross the sea

  To effect this marriage, so it please my lord.

  EDWARD

  Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be.

  For in thy shoulder do I build my seat,

  And never will I undertake the thing

  Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting.

  Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester,

  And George, of Clarence; Warwick, as ourself,

  Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best.

  RICHARD

  Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloucester—

  For Gloucester’s dukedom is too ominous.

  WARWICK

  Tut, that’s a foolish observation—

  Richard, be Duke of Gloucester. Now to London

  To see these honours in possession.

  Exeunt. ⌈York’s head is removed⌉

  3.1 Enter two Gamekeepers, with crossbows in their hands

  FIRST GAMEKEEPER

  Under this thick-grown brake we’ll shroud ourselves,

  For through this laund anon the deer will come,

  And in this covert will we make our stand,

  Culling the principal of all the deer.

  SECOND GAMEKEEPER

  I’ll stay above the hill, so both may shoot.

  FIRST GAMEKEEPER

  That cannot be—the noise of thy crossbow

  Will scare the herd, and so my shoot is lost.

  Here stand we both, and aim we at the best.

  And, for the time shall not seem tedious,

  I’ll tell thee what befell me on a day

  In this self place where now we mean to stand.

  FIRST GAMEKEEPER

  Here comes a man—let’s stay till he be past.

  They stand apart. Enter King Henry, disguised, carrying a prayer-book

  KING HENRY

  From Scotland am I stolen, even of pure love,

  To greet mine own land with my wishful sight.

  No, Harry, Harry—’tis no land of thine.

  Thy place is filled, thy sceptre wrung from thee,

  Thy balm washed off wherewith thou wast anointed.

  No bending knee will call thee Caesar now,

  No humble suitors press to speak for right,

  No, not a man comes for redress of thee—

  For how can I help them and not myself?

  FIRST GAMEKEEPER (to the Second Gamekeeper)

  Ay, here’s a deer whose skin’s a keeper’s fee:

  This is the quondam king—let’s seize upon him.

  KING HENRY

  Let me embrace thee, sour adversity,

  For wise men say it is the wisest course.

  SECOND GAMEKEEPER (to the First Gamekeeper)

  Why linger we? Let us lay hands upon him.

  FIRST GAMEKEEPER (to the Second Gamekeeper)

  Forbear awhile—we’ll hear a little more.

  KING HENRY

  My queen and son are gone to France for aid,

  And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick

  Is thither gone to crave the French King’s sister

  To wife for Edward. If this news be true,

  Poor Queen and son, your labour is but lost—

  For Warwick is a subtle orator,

  And Louis a prince soon won with moving words.

  By this account, then, Margaret may win him—

  For she’s a woman to be pitied much.

  Her sighs will make a batt‘ry in his breast,

  Her tears will pierce into a marble heart,

  The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn,

  And Nero will be tainted with remorse

  To hear and see her plaints, her brinish tears.

  Ay, but she’s come to beg; Warwick to give.

  She on his left side, craving aid for Henry;

  He on his right, asking a wife for Edward.

  She weeps and says her Henry is deposed,

  He smiles and says his Edward is installed;

  That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more,

  Whiles Warwick tells his title, smooths the wrong,

  Inferreth arguments of mighty strength,

  And in conclusion wins the King from her

  With promise of his sister and what else

  To strengthen and support King Edward’s place.

  O, Margaret, thus ’twill be; and thou, poor soul,

  Art then forsaken, as thou went’st forlorn.

  SECOND GAMEKEEPER (coming orward)

  Say, what art thou that talk’st of kings and queens?

  KING HENRY

  More than I seem, and less than I was born to:

  A man at least, for less I should not be;

  And men may talk of kings, and why not I?

  SECOND GAMEKEEPER

  Ay, but thou talk’st as if thou wert a king.

  KING HENRY

  Why, so I am, in mind—and that’s enough.

  SECOND GAMEKEEPER

  But if thou be a king, where is thy crown?

  KING HENRY

  My crown is in my heart, not on my head;

  Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones,

  Nor to be seen. My crown is called content—

  A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

  SECOND GAMEKEEPER

  Well, if you be a king crowned with content,

  Your crown content and you must be contented

  To go along with us—for, as we think,

  You are the king King Edward hath deposed,

  And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance

  Will apprehend you as his enemy.

  KING HENRY

  But did you never swear and break an oath?

&n
bsp; SECOND GAMEKEEPER

  No—never such an oath, nor will not now.

  KING HENRY

  Where did you dwell when I was King of England?

  SECOND GAMEKEEPER

  Here in this country, where we now remain.

  KING HENRY

  I was anointed king at nine months old,

  My father and my grandfather were kings,

  And you were sworn true subjects unto me—

  And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths ?

  FIRST GAMEKEEPER

  No, for we were subjects but while you were king.

  KING HENRY

  Why, am I dead? Do I not breathe a man?

  Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear.

  Look as I blow this feather from my face,

  And as the air blows it to me again,

  Obeying with my wind when I do blow,

  And yielding to another when it blows,

  Commanded always by the greater gust—

  Such is the lightness of you common men.

  But do not break your oaths, for of that sin

  My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.

  Go where you will, the King shall be commanded;

  And be you kings, command, and I’ll obey.

  FIRST GAMEKEEPER

  We are true subjects to the King, King Edward.

  KING HENRY

  So would you be again to Henry,

  If he were seated as King Edward is.

  FIRST GAMEKEEPER

  We charge you, in God’s name and in the King’s,

  To go with us unto the officers.

  KING HENRY

  In God’s name, lead; your king’s name be obeyed;

  And what God will, that let your king perform;

  And what he will I humbly yield unto. Exeunt

  3.2 Enter King Edward, Richard Duke of Gloucester, George Duke of Clarence, and the Lady Gray

  KING EDWARD

  Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Albans field

  This lady’s husband, Sir Richard Gray, was slain,

  His lands then seized on by the conqueror.

  Her suit is now to repossess those lands,

  Which we in justice cannot well deny,

  Because in quarrel of the house of York

  The worthy gentleman did lose his life.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER

  Your highness shall do well to grant her suit—

  It were dishonour to deny it her.

  KING EDWARD

  It were no less; but yet I’ll make a pause.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER, (aside to George) Yea, is it so?

  I see the lady hath a thing to grant

  Before the King will grant her humble suit.

  GEORGE OF CLARENCE (aside to Richard)

  He knows the game; how true he keeps the wind!

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER (aside to George) Silence.

  KING EDWARD (to Lady Gray)

  Widow, we will consider of your suit;

  And come some other time to know our mind.

  LADY GRAY

  Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay.

  May it please your highness to resolve me now,

  And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER, (aside to George)

  Ay, widow ? Then I’ll warrant you all your lands

  An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.

  Fight closer, or, good faith, you’ll catch a blow.

  GEORGE OF CLARENCE (aside to Richard)

  I fear her not unless she chance to fall.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER (aside to George)

  God forbid that! For he’ll take vantages.

  KING EDWARD (to Lady Gray)

  How many children hast thou, widow ? Tell me.

  GEORGE OF CLARENCE (aside to Richard)

  I think he means to beg a child of her.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER (aside to George)

  Nay, whip me then—he’ll rather give her two.

  LADY GRAY (to King Edward) Three, my most gracious lord.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER (aside)

  You shall have four, an you’ll be ruled by him.

  KING EDWARD (to Lady Gray)

  ’Twere pity they should lose their father’s lands.

  LADY GRAY

  Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it them.

  KING EDWARD (to Richard and George)

  Lords, give us leave—I’ll try this widow’s wit.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER, ⌈aside to George⌉

  Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave,

  Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.

  Richard and George stand apart

  KING EDWARD (to Lady Gray)

  Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?

  LADY GRAY

  Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.

  KING EDWARD

  And would you not do much to do them good?

  LADY GRAY

  To do them good I would sustain some harm.

  KING EDWARD

  Then get your husband’s lands, to do them good.

  LADY GRAY

  Therefore I came unto your majesty.

  KING EDWARD

  I’ll tell you how these lands are to be got.

  LADY GRAY

  So shall you bind me to your highness’ service.

  KING EDWARD

  What service wilt thou do me, if I give them?

  LADY GRAY

  What you command, that rests in me to do.

  KING EDWARD

  But you will take exceptions to my boon.

  LADY GRAY

  No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.

  KING EDWARD

  Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.

  LADY GRAY

  Why, then, I will do what your grace commands.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER (to George)

  He plies her hard, and much rain wears the marble.

  GEORGE OF CLARENCE

  As red as fire! Nay, then her wax must melt.

  LADY GRAY (to King Edward)

  Why stops my lord? Shall I not hear my task?

  KING EDWARD

  An easy task—’tis but to love a king.

  LADY GRAY

  That’s soon performed, because I am a subject.

  KING EDWARD

  Why, then, thy husband’s lands I freely give thee. 55

  LADY GRAY (curtsies)

  I take my leave, with many thousand thanks.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER (to George)

  The match is made—she seals it with a curtsy.

  KING EDWARD (to Lady Gray)

  But stay thee—’tis the fruits of love I mean.

  LADY GRAY

  The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.

  KING EDWARD

  Ay, but I fear me in another sense.

  What love think’st thou I sue so much to get?

  LADY GRAY

  My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers—

  That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.

  KING EDWARD

  No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.

  LADY GRAY

  Why, then, you mean not as I thought you did.

  KING EDWARD

  But now you partly may perceive my mind.

  LADY GRAY

  My mind will never grant what I perceive

  Your highness aims at, if I aim aright.

  KING EDWARD

  To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.

  LADY GRAY

  To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison. 70

  KING EDWARD

  Why, then, thou shalt not have thy husband’s lands.

  LADY GRAY

  Why, then, mine honesty shall be my dower;

  For by that loss I will not purchase them.

  KING EDWARD

  Therein thou wrong’st thy children mightily.

  LADY GRAY


  Herein your highness wrongs both them and me.

  But, mighty lord, this merry inclination

  Accords not with the sadness of my suit.

  Please you dismiss me either with ay or no.

  KING EDWARD

  Ay, if thou wilt say ‘ay’ to my request;

  No, if thou dost say ‘no’ to my demand.

  LADY GRAY

  Then, no, my lord—my suit is at an end.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER (to George)

  The widow likes him not—she knits her brows.

  GEORGE OF CLARENCE

  He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom.

  KING EDWARD (aside)

  Her looks doth argue her replete with modesty;

  Her words doth show her wit incomparable;

  All her perfections challenge sovereignty.

  One way or other, she is for a king;

  And she shall be my love or else my queen.

  (To Lady Gray) Say that King Edward take thee for his

  queen?

  LADY GRAY

  ’Tis better said than done, my gracious lord.

  I am a subject fit to jest withal,

  But far unfit to be a sovereign.

  KING EDWARD

  Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee

  I speak no more than what my soul intends,

  And that is to enjoy thee for my love.

  LADY GRAY

  And that is more than I will yield unto.

  I know I am too mean to be your queen,

  And yet too good to be your concubine.

  KING EDWARD

  You cavil, widow-I did mean my queen.

  LADY GRAY

  ’Twill grieve your grace my sons should call you father.

  KING EDWARD

  No more than when my daughters call thee mother.

  Thou art a widow and thou hast some children;

  And, by God’s mother, I, being but a bachelor,

  Have other some. Why, ’tis a happy thing

  To be the father unto many sons.

  Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER (to George)

  The ghostly father now hath done his shrift.

  GEORGE OF CLARENCE

  When he was made a shriver, ’twas for shift.

  KING EDWARD (to Richard and George)

  Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had. Richard and George come forward

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER

  The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.

  KING EDWARD

  You’d think it strange if I should marry her.

  GEORGE OF CLARENCE

  To who, my lord ?

  KING EDWARD Why, Clarence, to myself.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER

  That would be ten days’ wonder at the least.

  GEORGE OF CLARENCE

  That’s a day longer than a wonder lasts.

  RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER

  By so much is the wonder in extremes.