ACT V. SCENE I.-The same. Fields between Dartford and Blackheath. The King's Camp on one side. On the other, enter YORK attended, with Drum and Colours: his Forces at some distance. York. From Ireland thus comes York, to claim his right, And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: Ah, sancta majestas! who would not buy thee dear? On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France. Enter BUCKINGHAM. Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me? Buck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well. York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting. Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure? Buck. A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint, On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! Aside. Buck. That is too much presumption on thy part: But if thy arms be to no other end, The king hath yielded unto thy demand; The duke of Somerset is in the Tower. York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? Buck. Upon mine honour, he is prisoner. York. Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers.— Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves; Meet me to-morrow in Saint George's field, 1 And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry I'll send them all as willing as I live; Lands, goods, horse, armour, any thing I have Buck. York, I commend this kind submission: Enter King HENRY, attended. K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us, That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm ? York. In all submission and humility, York doth present himself unto your highness. K. Hen. Then what intend these forces thou dost bring? York. To heave the traitor Somerset from hence; And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade, Who since I heard to be discomfited. Enter IDEN, with CADE's Head. Iden. If one so rude, and of so mean condition, May pass into the presence of a king, Lo, I present your grace a traitor's head, The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew. K. Hen. The head of Cade?-Great God, how just art thou! O, let me view his visage being dead, That living wrought me such exceeding trouble. K. Hen. How art thou call'd? and what is thy degree? Iden. Alexander Iden, that's my name; A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king. Buck. So please it you, my lord, 'twere not amiss He were created knight for his good service. K. Hen. Iden, kneel down; [He kneels.] Rise up a knight. We give thee for reward a thousand marks; Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty, K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes with the queen; Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. Enter Queen MARGARET and SOMERSET. Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head, But boldly stand, and front him to his face. York. How now! Is Somerset at liberty? False king! why hast thou broken faith with me, Which dar'st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor. Is able with the change to kill and cure. And with the same to act controlling laws. Som. O monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York, York. Would'st have me kneel? first let me ask of these, If they can brook I bow a knee to man. Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail; [Exit an Attendant. I know, ere they will have me go to ward, They'll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement. Q. Mar. Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain, To say, if that the bastard boys of York York. O blood-bespotted Neapolitan, Enter EDWARD and RICHARD PLANTAGENET, with Forces, at one side; at the other, with Forces also, old CLIFFORD and his Son. See, where they come : I'll warrant they'll make it good. Q. Mar. And here comes Clifford, to deny their bail. Clif. Health and all happiness to my lord the king! [Kneels. VOL. VIII. |