Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/120

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Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him?

Iden. I was, an 't like your majesty.

King. 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.

King. Iden, kneel down. [He kneels.] Rise up a knight.

We give thee for reward a thousand marks,

And will that thou henceforth attend on us.

Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty,

And never live but true unto his liege!

King. See! Buckingham! Somerset comes with the queen:

Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke.

Queen. 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?

Then, York, unloose thy long-imprison'd thoughts

And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart.

Shall I endure the sight of Somerset?

False king! why hast thou broken faith with me,

Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse?

King did I call thee? no, thou art not king;

Not fit to govern and rule multitudes,

Which dar'st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor.

That head of thine doth not become a crown;

Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff,

And not to grace an awful princely sceptre.

That gold must round engirt these brows of mine,

 80 will: command 