KING HENRY VI | |
For what, lieutenant? for well using me? | |
| | Nay, be thou sure I'll well requite thy kindness, | 10 |
| | For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure; | |
| | Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds | |
| | Conceive when after many moody thoughts | |
| | At last by notes of household harmony | |
| | They quite forget their loss of liberty. | 15 |
| | But, Warwick, after God, thou set'st me free, | |
| | And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee; | |
| | He was the author, thou the instrument. | |
| | Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite | |
| | By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me, | 20 |
| | And that the people of this blessed land | |
| | May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars, | |
| | Warwick, although my head still wear the crown, | |
| | I here resign my government to thee, | |
| | For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds. | 25 |
KING HENRY VI | |
Warwick and Clarence give me both your hands: | |
| | Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts, | |
| | That no dissension hinder government: | 40 |
| | I make you both protectors of this land, | |
| | While I myself will lead a private life | |
| | And in devotion spend my latter days, | |
| | To sin's rebuke and my Creator's praise. | |
WARWICK | |
Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content: | |
| | We'll yoke together, like a double shadow | |
| | To Henry's body, and supply his place; | 50 |
| | I mean, in bearing weight of government, | |
| | While he enjoys the honour and his ease. | |
| | And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful | |
| | Forthwith that Edward be pronounced a traitor, | |
| | And all his lands and goods be confiscate. | 55 |
KING HENRY VI | |
But, with the first of all your chief affairs, | |
| | Let me entreat, for I command no more, | |
| | That Margaret your queen and my son Edward | 60 |
| | Be sent for, to return from France with speed; | |
| | For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear | |
| | My joy of liberty is half eclipsed. | |
KING HENRY VI | |
Come hither, England's hope. | |
| | [Lays his hand on his head] |
| | If secret powers | |
| | Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, | 70 |
| | This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss. | |
| | His looks are full of peaceful majesty, | |
| | His head by nature framed to wear a crown, | |
| | His hand to wield a sceptre, and himself | |
| | Likely in time to bless a regal throne. | 75 |
| | Make much of him, my lords, for this is he | |
| | Must help you more than you are hurt by me. | |
| | [Enter a Post] |
SOMERSET | |
My lord, I like not of this flight of Edward's; | 90 |
| | For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help, | |
| | And we shall have more wars before 't be long. | |
| | As Henry's late presaging prophecy | |
| | Did glad my heart with hope of this young Richmond, | |
| | So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts | 95 |
| | What may befall him, to his harm and ours: | |
| | Therefore, Lord Oxford, to prevent the worst, | |
| | Forthwith we'll send him hence to Brittany, | |
| | Till storms be past of civil enmity. | |
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