York, Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God! [Dies. 2. Mar. Off with his head, and fet it on York gates; So York may overlook the town of York, [Exeunt. ACT ACT II. SCENE I. A Plain near Mortimer's cross in Herefordshire. Drums. Enter EDWARD, and RICHARD, with their forces, marching. "Edw. I wonder, how our princely father 'fcap'd; "Or whether he be 'fcap'd away, or no, "From Clifford's and Northumberland's pursuit ; "Had he been ta'en, we should have heard the news; "Had he been flain, we should have heard the news; "Or, had he 'fcap'd, methinks, we should have heard "The happy tidings of his good escape.How fares my brother? why is he fo fad? Rich. I cannot joy, until I be refolv'd Where our right valiant father is become. • I saw him in the battle range about ; And watch'd him, how he fingled Clifford forth. 'Methought, he bore him in the thickest troop, As doth a lion in a herd of neat: "Or as a bear, encompass'd round with dogs; So fled his enemies my warlike father; Edw. Dazzle mine eyes, or do I fee three funs? Rich. Three glorious funs, each one a perfect sun ; Not feparated with the racking clouds, But fever'd in a pale clear-fhining fky. See, fee! they join, embrace, and seem to kifs, In this the heaven figures fome event. "Edw. 'Tis wondrous ftrange, the like yet never heard of. I think, it cites us, brother, to the field; • Each one already blazing by our meeds, "Rich. Nay, bear three daughters;—by your leave I fpeak it, "You love the breeder better than the male, Enter a Meffenger. 'But what art thou, whole heavy looks foretel • Edw. O, fpeak no more! for I have heard too much, Rich. Say how he died, for I will hear it all. • Mef. Environed he was with many foes; "And stood against them, as the hope of Troy 66 Against the Greeks, that would have enter'd Troy. "But Hercules himfelf muft yield to odds; "And “And many strokes, though with a little axe, • Of unrelenting Clifford, and the queen : Who crown'd the gracious duke, in high despight; A napkin steeped in the harmless blood ⚫ Of sweet young Rutland, by rough Clifford flain : And, after many fcorns, many foul taunts, They took his head, and on the gates of York • They set the same; and there it doth remain, The faddeft fpectacle that e'er I view'd. Edw. Sweet duke of York, our prop to lean upon; Now thou art gone, we have no staff, no stay !→→→.. "Q Clifford, boift'rous Clifford, thou haft flain "The flower of Europe for his chivalry; "And treacherously haft thou vanquish'd him, “For, hand to hand, he would have vanquish'd thee!Now my foul's palace is become a prison: Ah, would fhe break from hence! that this my body Might in the ground be closed up in reft: • For never henceforth fhall I joy again, Never, O never, fhall I fee more joy. • Rich. I cannot weep; for all my body's moisture Scarce ferves to quench my furnace-burning heart: "Nor can my tongue unload my heart's great burden; "For felf-fame wind, that I fhould fpeak withal, "Is kindling coals, that fire all my breast, "And burn me up with flames, that tears would quench. "To weep, is to make lefs the depth of grief: "Tears, then, for babes; blows, and revenge, for me!→ • Richard Richard, I bear thy name, I'll venge thy death, • Or die renowned by attempting it. Edw. His name that valiant duke hath left with thee; Rich. Nay, if thou be that princely eagle's bird, March. Enter WARWICK and MONTAGUE, with forces. War. How now, fair lords? What fare? what news abroad? Rich. Great lord of Warwick, if we should recount The words would add more anguish than the wounds. Edw. O Warwick! Warwick! that Plantagenet, War. Ten days ago I drown'd these news in tears: Mufter'd my foldiers, gather'd flocks of friends, March'd towards faint Alban's to intercept the queen, For |