The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [2078]
let him revoke the proclamations,
clear us of all supposed crimes of treason,
reveal where our good brother Gloucester keeps,
and grant that these pernicious flatterers
may by the law be tried, to quit themselves
of all such heinous crimes alleged against them,
and we will lay down our weapons at thy feet.
King's Men
presumptuous traitors!
Lord's Men traitors!
King
again we double it: rebellious traitors!
traitors to heaven and us. draw all your swords
and fling defiance to those traitorous lords.
King's Men
let our drums thunder and begin the fight.
Lord's Men
just heaven protect us and defend the right.
Exeunt [severally]
Act V, Scene 4: Open Country]
Alarum. Enter Green. Cheyney meets [him] armed.
Cheyney
stand, traitor! for thou canst not escape my sword.
Green
what villain fronts me with the name of traitor?
was it thou, false Cheyney? now by King Richard's love
I will tilt thy soul out for that base reproach.
I would thy master and the late protector
with both his treacherous brothers, Gaunt and York,
were all opposed, with thee, to try these arms:
I would seal it on all your hearts. Alarum
Cheyney
this shall suffice
to free the Kingdom from thy villainies.
They fight. [then] enter Arundel Arundel
thou huntest a noble game, right warlike Cheyney:
cut but this ulcer off, thou healest the Kingdom.
yield thee, false traitor, most detested man
that settest King Richard against his reverent uncles
to shed the royal blood and make the realm
weep for their timeless desolation.
cast down thy weapons, for by this my sword
we will bear thee from this place, alive or dead.
Green
come both then. I will stand firm and dare your
worst. he that flies from it, be his soul accursed!
[They fight and Greene is slain]
Arundel
so may the foes of England fall in blood.
most desolate traitor! up with his body, Cheyney,
and hale it to the tent of Lancaster.
[Enter Kin]g, Bagot, Bushy, Scroope and Soldiers Cheyney
stand firm, my lord. here is rescue.
Arundel
courage, then!
we will bear his body hence in spite of them.
They fight. To them enter Lancaster, York, and Surrey, and beat themn away.
[Exeunt fighting, all but the King]
King
oh, princely youth, King Richard's dearest friend!
what heavy star this day had dominance
to cut off all thy flowering youthful hopes?
prosper, proud rebels! as you dealt by him
hard-hearted uncles, unrelenting churls,
that here have murdered all my earthly joys!
oh my dear Greene, wert thou alive to see
how I will revenge thy timeless tragedy
on all their heads that did but lift a hand
to hurt this body, that I held so dear
even by this kiss and by my crown I swear--
Alarum. Enter Bagot, Bushy, and Scroope to the King.
Bagot
away, my lord! stand not to wail his death.
the field is lost; our soldiers shrink and fly:
Lapoole is taken prisoner by the lords.
hie to the tower. there is no help in swords.
Scroope
still to continue war were childishness.
their odds a mountain, ours a molehill is.
Bushy
let us fly to London, and make strong the tower.
loud proclamations post throughout the camp
with promise of reward to all that take us.
get safety for our lives, my princely lord.
if here we stay, we shall be all betrayed.
King
oh, my dear friends, the fearful wrath of heaven
sits heavy on our heads for Woodstock's death.
blood cries for blood; and that almighty hand
permits not murder unrevenged to stand.
come, come, we yet may hide ourselves from worldly
strength,
but heaven will find us out, and strike at length.
each lend a hand to bear this load of woe
that erst King Richard loved and tendered so.
Exeunt [bearing the body of Greene]
Act V, Scene 5: Open Country]
Enter Tresilian disguised, and Nimble Tresilian
where art thou, Nimble?
Nimble
as light as a feather, my lord. I have put off my
shoes, that I might run lustily. the battle is lost
and they are all prisoners. what shall we do, my lord?
yonder is a ditch. we may run along that and never be
seen, I warrant ye.