This page has been validated.
[38]
place or ties; they were forcibly torn from the asylum, and led to immediate execution. Prince Edward was reserved to be murdered in cold blood; Shakespeare, you know, with the truth of the historian, has handed down to us the high-spirited language which induced his assassination:
"K. Edw. | Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak. What? can so young a thorn begin to prick? Edward,what satisfaction canst thou make, For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects, And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to? |
Prince. | Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York. Suppose that I am now my father's mouth, Resign thy chair, and where I stand, kneel thou, |
Queen. | Ah, that thy father had been so resolv'd! |
Glo. | That you might still have worn the petticoat, And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster. |
Prince. | Let Æsop fable in a winter's night; His currish riddles sort not with this place. |
Glo. | By Heaven, brat, I'll plague ye for that word. |
Queen. | Aye, thou wast born to be a plague to men. |
Glo. | For God's sake take away this captive scold. |
Prince. | Nay, takeaway this scolding crook-back, rather. |
K. Ed. | Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue. |
Clar. | Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert. |
Prince. | I know my duty ; you are all undutiful: Lascivious Edward, and thou perjur'd George, And thou misshapen Dick, I tell ye all I am your better, traitors as ye are. And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine. |
K. Edw. | Take that, thou likeness of this railer here. [Edw. Stabs him. |