Page:Henry VI Part 3 (1923) Yale.djvu/44

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And let his manly face, which promiseth

Successful fortune, steel thy melting heart

To hold thine own and leave thine own with him.

King. Full well hath Clifford play'd the orator,

Inferring arguments of mighty force.

But, Clifford, tell me, didst thou never hear

That things ill got had ever bad success?

And happy always was it for that son

Whose father for his hoarding went to hell?

I'll leave my son my virtuous deeds behind;

And would my father had left me no more!

For all the rest is held at such a rate

As brings a thousand-fold more care to keep

Than in possession any jot of pleasure.

Ah! cousin York, would thy best friends did know

How it doth grieve me that thy head is here!

Queen. My lord, cheer up your spirits: our foes are nigh,

And this soft courage makes your followers faint.

You promis'd knighthood to our forward son:

Unsheathe your sword, and dub him presently.

Edward, kneel down.

King. Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight;

And learn this lesson, draw thy sword in right.

Prince. My gracious father, by your kingly leave,

I'll draw it as apparent to the crown,

And in that quarrel use it to the death.

Clif. Why, that is spoken like a toward prince.

Mess. Royal commanders, be in readiness:

For with a band of thirty thousand men

 44 Inferring: alleging

47 happy it: did things always turn out well

58 forward: ardent

64 apparent: heir-apparent

66 toward: hopeful 