Shakespeare Portal

Act 5, Scene 7

London. The Palace.

  1. [KING EDWARD is discovered sitting on his throne; QUEEN ELIZABETH with the infant Prince, CLARENCE, Gloster, HASTINGS, and others, near him.]
  2. Edward IV
  3. 2891 Once more we sit in England's royal throne,
  4. 2892 Re-purchas'd with the blood of enemies.
  5. 2893 What valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn,
  6. 2894 Have we mow'd down in tops of all their pride!
  7. 2895 Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown'd
  8. 2896 For hardy and undoubted champions;
  9. 2897 Two Cliffords, as the father and the son;
  10. 2898 And two Northumberlands,—two braver men
  11. 2899 Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's sound;
  12. 2900 With them the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague,
  13. 2901 That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion
  14. 2902 And made the forest tremble when they roar'd.
  15. 2903 Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat
  16. 2904 And made our footstool of security.—
  17. 2905 Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.—
  18. 2906 Young Ned, for thee thine uncles and myself
  19. 2907 Have in our armours watch'd the winter's night,
  20. 2908 Went all afoot in summer's scalding heat,
  21. 2909 That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace;
  22. 2910 And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain.
  23. [Aside.]
  24. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  25. 2911 I'll blast his harvest if your head were laid;
  26. 2912 For yet I am not look'd on in the world.
  27. 2913 This shoulder was ordain'd so thick to heave;
  28. 2914 And heave it shall some weight or break my back.—
  29. 2915 Work thou the way,—and that shall execute.
  30. Edward IV
  31. 2916 Clarence and Gloster, love my lovely queen;
  32. 2917 And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both.
  33. George, Duke of Clarence
  34. 2918 The duty that I owe unto your Majesty
  35. 2919 I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe.
  36. Lady Grey (Queen Elizabeth)
  37. 2920 Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks.
  38. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  39. 2921 And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st,
  40. 2922 Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.—
  41. [Aside.]
  42. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  43. 2923 To say the truth, so Judas kiss'd his Master,
  44. 2924 And cried, all hail! when as he meant all harm.
  45. Edward IV
  46. 2925 Now am I seated as my soul delights;
  47. 2926 Having my country's peace and brothers' loves.
  48. George, Duke of Clarence
  49. 2927 What will your Grace have done with Margaret?
  50. 2928 Reignier, her father, to the King of France
  51. 2929 Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem,
  52. 2930 And hither have they sent it for her ransom.
  53. Edward IV
  54. 2931 Away with her and waft her hence to France.—
  55. 2932 And now what rests but that we spend the time
  56. 2933 With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows,
  57. 2934 Such as befits the pleasure of the court?
  58. 2935 Sound drums and trumpets!—farewell sour annoy!
  59. 2936 For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.
  60. [Exeunt.]