Page 896 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Who gave his blood to lime the stones together,
And set up Lancaster. Why trowest thou, Warwick,
That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural,
To bend the fatal instruments of war [90]
Against his brother and his lawful king?
Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath:
To keep that oath were more impiety
Than Jephthah’s when he sacrificed his daughter.
I am sorry for my trespass made [95]
That, to deserve well at my brother’s hands,
I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe
With resolution, wheresoe’er I meet thee -
As I will meet thee if thou stir abroad -
To plague thee for thy foul misleading me. [100]
And so, proud-hearted Warwick, I defy thee
And to my brothers turn my blushing cheeks. -
Pardon me, Edward, I will make amends. -
And, Richard, do not frown upon my faults,
For I will henceforth be no more unconstant. [105]

KING EDWARD

Now welcome more, and ten times more beloved
Than if thou never hadst deserved our hate!

GLOUCEST ER

Welcome, good Clarence, this is brother-like.

WARWICK

O passing traitor, perjured and unjust!

KING EDWARD

What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the town, and fight? [110]
Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears?

WARWICK

Alas, I am not cooped here for defence:
I will away towards Barnet presently
And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou dar’st.

KING EDWARD