Page 2911 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

After your late tossing on the breaking seas?

RICHARD

Needs must I like it well. I weep for joy
To stand upon my kingdom once again. [5]
Dear earth, I do salute thee with my hand,
Though rebels wound thee with their horses’ hoofs.
As a long-parted mother with her child
Plays fondly with her tears and smiles in meeting,
So weeping, smiling, greet I thee, my earth, [10]
And do thee favours with my royal hands.
Feed not thy sovereign’s foe, my gentle earth,
Nor with thy sweets comfort his ravenous sense,
But let thy spiders that suck up thy venom,
And heavy-gaited toads, lie in their way, [15]
Doing annoyance to the treacherous feet
Which with usurping steps do trample thee.
Yield stinging nettles to mine enemies;
And when they from thy bosom pluck a flower
Guard it, I pray thee, with a lurking adder, [20]
Whose double tongue may with a mortal touch
Throw death upon thy sovereign’s enemies.
Mock not my senseless conjuration, lords:
This earth shall have a feeling, and these stones
Prove armèd soldiers ere her native king [25]
Shall falter under foul rebellion’s arms.

CARLISLE

Fear not, my lord. That Power that made you king
Hath power to keep you king in spite of all.
The means that heavens yield must be embrac’d
And not neglected; else heaven would, [30]
And we will not - heaven’s offer we refuse,
The proffered means of succour and redress.

AUMERLE

He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,
Whilst Bolingbroke through our security
Grows strong and great in substance and in power. [35]

RICHARD