Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/121

King Henry the Sixth, V. i

Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles' spear,

Is able with the change to kill and cure.

Here is a hand to hold a sceptre up,

And with the same to act controlling laws.

Give place: by heaven, thou shalt rule no more

O'er him whom heaven created for thy ruler.

Som. O monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York,

Of capital treason 'gainst the king and crown.

Obey, audacious traitor; kneel for grace.

York. Wouldst 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 of my enfranchisement.

Queen. Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain,

To say if that the bastard boys of York

Shall be the surety for their traitor father.

[Exit Buckingham.]

York. O blood-bespotted Neapolitan,

Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge!

The sons of York, thy betters in their birth,

Shall be their father's bail; and bane to those

That for my surety will refuse the boys!

See where they come: I’ll warrant they'll make it good.

Queen. And here comes Clifford, to deny their bail.

 100 Achilles' spear; cf. n.

103 act: put into effect

109 these: his followers

112 ward: custody

113 of: in behalf of

enfranchisement: freedom

114 amain: with speed

117 Neapolitan; cf. n. 