Page 838 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

They mock thee, Clifford: swear as thou wast wont.

RICHARD

What, not an oath? Nay then, the world goes hard
When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath.
I know by that he’s dead; and, by my soul,
If this right hand would buy but two hours’ life, [80]
That I in all despite might rail at him,
This hand should chop it off and, with the issuing blood,
Stifle the villain whose unstanchèd thirst
York and young Rutland could not satisfy.

WARWICK

Ay but he’s dead. Off with the traitor’s head, [85]
And rear it in the place your father’s stands.
And now to London with triumphant march,
There to be crownèd England’s royal king:
From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France
And ask the Lady Bona for thy queen: [90]
So shalt thou sinew both these lands together
And, having France thy friend, thou shalt not dread
The scattered foe that hopes to rise again;
For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt,
Yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears. [95]
First will I see the coronation
And then to Brittany I’ll cross the sea
To effect this marriage, so it please my lord.

EDWARD

Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be.
For in thy shoulder do I build my seat [100]
And never will I undertake the thing
Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting.
Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester;
And, George, of Clarence; Warwick, as ourself,
Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best. [105]

RICHARD

Let me be Duke of Clarence, George, of Gloucester;
For Gloucester’s dukedom is too ominous.