Page 893 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift?

GLOUCEST ER

Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give;
I’ll do thee service of so good a gift.

WARWICK

’Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother.

KING EDWARD

Why then, ’tis mine, if but by Warwick’s gift. [35]

WARWICK

Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight,
And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again;
Henry is my king, Warwick his subject.

KING EDWARD

But Warwick’s king is Edward’s prisoner:
And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this: [40]
What is the body when the head is off?

GLOUCEST ER

Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast
But whiles he thought to steal the single ten,
The king was slyly fingered from the deck!
You left poor Henry at the bishop’s palace, [45]
And ten to one you’ll meet him in the Tower.

KING EDWARD

’Tis even so; [to Warwick] yet you are Warwick still.

GLOUCEST ER

Come, Warwick, take the time, kneel down, kneel down.
Nay, when? Strike now or else the iron cools.

WARWICK

I had rather chop this hand off at a blow [50]
And with the other fling it at thy face
Than bear so low a sail to strike to thee.