Flourish. Enter King Edward, Queen Elizabeth,
Clarence, Richard of Gloucester, Hastings, Nurse,
carrying infant Prince Edward, and Attendants. KING EDWARD
Once more we sit in England’s royal throne,
Repurchased with the blood of enemies.
What valiant foemen, like to autumn’s corn,
Have we mowed down in tops of all their pride!
Three dukes of Somerset, threefold renowned 5
For hardy and undoubted champions;
Two Cliffords, as the father and the son;
And two Northumberlands; two braver men
Ne’er spurred their coursers at the trumpet’s sound.
With them the two brave bears, Warwick and 10
Montague,
That in their chains fettered the kingly lion
And made the forest tremble when they roared.
Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat
And made our footstool of security.— 15
Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.—
Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself
Have in our armors watched the winter’s night,
Went all afoot in summer’s scalding heat,
That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace, 20
And of our labors thou shalt reap the gain. | In the throne room, Edward and his family gather. He delivers a speech
about England's throne being theirs again before he turns his attention
to his infant son. |
RICHARD, aside
I’ll blast his harvest, if your head were laid;
For yet I am not looked on in the world.
This shoulder was ordained so thick to heave,
And heave it shall some weight or break my back. 25
Work thou the way and that shalt execute. KING EDWARD
Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen,
And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. CLARENCE
The duty that I owe unto your Majesty
I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. 30 He kisses the infant. KING EDWARD
Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks. | Richard mutters under his breath that he'll destroy this baby, too. Edward instructs Richard and George to kiss their new nephew and love Lady Grey. George does this right away, and gets thanked. |
RICHARD
And that I love the tree from whence thou sprang’st,
Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit. He kisses the infant. Aside. To say the truth, so Judas kissed his master
And cried “All hail!” whenas he meant all harm. 35 KING EDWARD
Now am I seated as my soul delights,
Having my country’s peace and brothers’ loves. | |
CLARENCE
What will your Grace have done with Margaret?
Reignier, her father, to the King of France
Hath pawned the Sicils and Jerusalem, 40
And hither have they sent it for her ransom. KING EDWARD
Away with her, and waft her hence to France.
And now what rests but that we spend the time
With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows,
Such as befits the pleasure of the court? 45
Sound drums and trumpets! Farewell, sour annoy,
For here I hope begins our lasting joy. Flourish. They all exit. | George asks what they should do with Margaret. Since France has sent over a ransom for Margaret, she should be sent there, Edward says. He only wants parties and good times in England from now on. |