Shall have a high reward, and he his life?
Rich. It is: and lo, where youthful Edward comes.
Enter the Prince [led in by Soldiers].
K. Edw. Bring forth the gallant: let us hear him speak.12
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?16
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,
Whilst I propose the self-same words to thee,20
Which, traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to.
Queen. Ah, that thy father had been so resolv'd!
Rich. That you might still have worn the petticoat,
And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster.24
Prince. Let Æsop fable in a winter's night;
His currish riddles sorts not with this place.
Rich. By heaven, brat, I'll plague ye for that word.
Queen. Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men.28
Rich. For God's sake, take away this captive scold.
Prince. Nay, take away this scolding crookback rather.
K. Edw. Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue.
Clar. Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert.32
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;36
18 mouth: representative
24 breech: breeches
25 Æsop; cf. n.
26 sorts: agree
31 charm: silence
32 malapert: impudent
