Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles' spear, 100
Is able with the change to kill and cure.
Here is a hand to hold a sceptre up,
And with the same to act controlling laws.
Give place: by heaven, thou shalt rule no more 104
O'er him whom heaven created for thy ruler.
Som. O monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York,
Of capital treason 'gainst the king and crown.
Obey, audacious traitor; kneel for grace. 108
York. Wouldst have me kneel? first let me ask of these
If they can brook I bow a knee to man.
Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail:
I know ere they will have me go to ward, 112
They'll pawn their swords of my enfranchisement.
Queen. Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain,
To say if that the bastard boys of York
Shall be the surety for their traitor father. 116
York. O blood-bespotted Neapolitan,
Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge!
The sons of York, thy betters in their birth,
Shall be their father's bail; and bane to those 120
That for my surety will refuse the boys!
Enter Edward and Richard.
See where they come: I’ll warrant they'll make it good.
Enter Clifford [and his son].
Queen. And here comes Clifford, to deny their bail.
100 Achilles' spear; cf. n.
103 act: put into effect
109 these: his followers
112 ward: custody
113 of: in behalf of
enfranchisement: freedom
114 amain: with speed
117 Neapolitan; cf. n.
