Page:Henry VI Part 3 (1923) Yale.djvu/36

24

Edw. Dazzle mine eyes, or do I see three suns?

Rich. Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun;

Not separated with the racking clouds,

But sever'd in a pale clear-shining sky.

See, see! they join, embrace, and seem to kiss,

As if they vow'd some league inviolable:

Now are they but one lamp, one light, one sun.

In this the heaven figures some event.

Edw. 'Tis wondrous strange, the like yet never heard of.

I think it cites us, brother, to the field;

That we, the sons of brave Plantagenet,

Each one already blazing by our meeds,

Should notwithstanding join our lights together,

And over-shine the earth, as this the world.

Whate'er it bodes, henceforward will I bear

Upon my target three fair-shining suns.

Rich. Nay, bear three daughters: by your leave I speak it,

You love the breeder better than the male.

But what art thou, whose heavy looks foretell

Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue?

Mess. Ah! one that was a woeful looker-on,

When as the noble Duke of York was slain,

Your princely father, and my loving lord.

Edw. O! speak no more, for I have heard too much.

Rich. Say how he died, for I will hear it all.

Mess. Environed he was with many foes,

 25 Cf. n.

27 racking: driving in soft masses

32 figures: foreshadows

event: future happening

34 cites: calls

36 meeds: mertis

38 this: this light, the sun

41 by your leave: without meaning offense 