Page 825 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

MARGARET

Defy them then, or else hold close thy lips.

KING HENRY

I prithee give no limits to my tongue:
I am a king and privileged to speak. [120]

CLIFFORD

My liege, the wound that bred this meeting here
Cannot be cured by words; therefore be still.

RICHARD

Then, executioner, unsheathe thy sword.
By Him that made us all, I am resolved
That Clifford’s manhood lies upon his tongue. [125]

EDWARD

Say, Henry, shall I have my right or no?
A thousand men have broke their fasts today
That ne’er shall dine unless thou yield the crown.

WARWICK

If thou deny, their blood upon thy head,
For York in justice puts his armour on. [130]

PRINCE EDWARD

If that be right which Warwick says is right,
There is no wrong but every thing is right.

RICHARD

Whoever got thee, there thy mother stands,
For well I wot thou hast thy mother’s tongue.

MARGARET

But thou art neither like thy sire nor dam, [135]
But like a foul misshapen stigmatic
Marked by the Destinies to be avoided,
As venom toads or lizard’s dreadful stings.

RICHARD