Page:Henry VI Part 3 (1923) Yale.djvu/31

King Henry the Sixth, I. iv

That raught at mountains with outstretched arms,

Yet parted but the shadow with his hand.

What! was it you that would be England's king?

Was 't you that revell'd in our parliament,

And made a preachment of your high descent?

Where are your mess of sons to back you now?

The wanton Edward, and the lusty George?

And where's that valiant crook-back prodigy,

Dicky your boy, that with his grumbling voice

Was wont to cheer his dad in mutinies?

Or, with the rest, where is your darling Rutland?

Look, York: I stain'd this napkin with the blood

That valiant Clifford with his rapier's point

Made issue from the bosom of the boy;

And if thine eyes can water for his death,

I give thee this to dry thy cheeks withal.

Alas, poor York! but that I hate thee deadly,

I should lament thy miserable state.

I prithee grieve, to make me merry, York.

What! hath thy fiery heart so parch'd thine entrails

That not a tear can fall for Rutland's death?

Why art thou patient, man? thou shouldst be mad;

And I, to make thee mad, do mock thee thus.

Stamp, rave, and fret, that I may sing and dance.

Thou wouldst be fee'd, I see, to make me sport:

York cannot speak unless he wear a crown.

A crown for York! and, lords, bow low to him:

Hold you his hands whilst I do set it on.

[Putting a paper crown on his head. ]

Ay, marry, sir, now looks he like a king!

Ay, this is he that took King Henry's chair;

And this is he was his adopted heir.

But how is it that great Plantagenet

 68 raught: reached

73 mess: squad of four

77 cheer: incite

83 withal: with

92 fee'd: paid 