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Speeches (Lines) for King Edward IV (Plantagenet)
in "Henry VI, Part III"

Total: 132

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# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

I,1,12

Lord Stafford's father, Duke of Buckingham,
Is either slain or wounded dangerously;
I cleft his beaver with a downright blow:
That this is true, father, behold his blood.

2

I,1,122

Sweet father, do so; set it on your head.

3

I,2,295

No, I can better play the orator.

4

I,2,300

No quarrel, but a slight contention.

5

I,2,306

Now you are heir, therefore enjoy it now:
By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe,
It will outrun you, father, in the end.

6

I,2,310

But for a kingdom any oath may be broken:
I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year.

7

I,2,367

I hear their drums: let's set our men in order,
And issue forth and bid them battle straight.

8

II,1,627

I wonder how our princely father 'scaped,
Or whether he be 'scaped away or no
From Clifford's and Northumberland's pursuit:
Had he been ta'en, we should have heard the news;
Had he been slain, we should have heard the news;
Or had he 'scaped, methinks we should have heard
The happy tidings of his good escape.
How fares my brother? why is he so sad?

9

II,1,651

Dazzle mine eyes, or do I see three suns?

10

II,1,659

'Tis wondrous strange, the like yet never heard of.
I think it cites us, brother, to the field,
That we, the sons of brave Plantagenet,
Each one already blazing by our meeds,
Should notwithstanding join our lights together
And over-shine the earth as this the world.
Whate'er it bodes, henceforward will I bear
Upon my target three fair-shining suns.

11

II,1,675

O, speak no more, for I have heard too much.

12

II,1,695

Sweet Duke of York, our prop to lean upon,
Now thou art gone, we have no staff, no stay.
O Clifford, boisterous Clifford! thou hast slain
The flower of Europe for his chivalry;
And treacherously hast thou vanquish'd him,
For hand to hand he would have vanquish'd thee.
Now my soul's palace is become a prison:
Ah, would she break from hence, that this my body
Might in the ground be closed up in rest!
For never henceforth shall I joy again,
Never, O never shall I see more joy!

13

II,1,716

His name that valiant duke hath left with thee;
His dukedom and his chair with me is left.

14

II,1,729

O Warwick, Warwick! that Plantagenet,
Which held three dearly as his soul's redemption,
Is by the stern Lord Clifford done to death.

15

II,1,770

Where is the Duke of Norfolk, gentle Warwick?
And when came George from Burgundy to England?

16

II,1,817

Lord Warwick, on thy shoulder will I lean;
And when thou fail'st—as God forbid the hour!—
Must Edward fall, which peril heaven forfend!

17

II,1,832

Then strike up drums: God and Saint George for us!

18

II,2,926

Now, perjured Henry! wilt thou kneel for grace,
And set thy diadem upon my head;
Or bide the mortal fortune of the field?

19

II,2,932

I am his king, and he should bow his knee;
I was adopted heir by his consent:
Since when, his oath is broke; for, as I hear,
You, that are king, though he do wear the crown,
Have caused him, by new act of parliament,
To blot out me, and put his own son in.

20

II,2,971

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

21

II,2,989

A wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns,
To make this shameless callet know herself.
Helen of Greece was fairer far than thou,
Although thy husband may be Menelaus;
And ne'er was Agamemnon's brother wrong'd
By that false woman, as this king by thee.
His father revell'd in the heart of France,
And tamed the king, and made the dauphin stoop;
And had he match'd according to his state,
He might have kept that glory to this day;
But when he took a beggar to his bed,
And graced thy poor sire with his bridal-day,
Even then that sunshine brew'd a shower for him,
That wash'd his father's fortunes forth of France,
And heap'd sedition on his crown at home.
For what hath broach'd this tumult but thy pride?
Hadst thou been meek, our title still had slept;
And we, in pity of the gentle king,
Had slipp'd our claim until another age.

22

II,2,1015

And, in this resolution, I defy thee;
Not willing any longer conference,
Since thou deniest the gentle king to speak.
Sound trumpets! let our bloody colours wave!
And either victory, or else a grave.

23

II,2,1021

No, wrangling woman, we'll no longer stay:
These words will cost ten thousand lives this day.

24

II,3,1032

Smile, gentle heaven! or strike, ungentle death!
For this world frowns, and Edward's sun is clouded.

25

II,3,1039

Bootless is flight, they follow us with wings;
And weak we are and cannot shun pursuit.

26

II,3,1061

O Warwick, I do bend my knee with thine;
And in this vow do chain my soul to thine!
And, ere my knee rise from the earth's cold face,
I throw my hands, mine eyes, my heart to thee,
Thou setter up and plucker down of kings,
Beseeching thee, if with they will it stands
That to my foes this body must be prey,
Yet that thy brazen gates of heaven may ope,
And give sweet passage to my sinful soul!
Now, lords, take leave until we meet again,
Where'er it be, in heaven or in earth.

27

II,6,1284

Now breathe we, lords: good fortune bids us pause,
And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks.
Some troops pursue the bloody-minded queen,
That led calm Henry, though he were a king,
As doth a sail, fill'd with a fretting gust,
Command an argosy to stem the waves.
But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them?

28

II,6,1297

See who it is: and, now the battle's ended,
If friend or foe, let him be gently used.

29

II,6,1309

Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house,
That nothing sung but death to us and ours:
Now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound,
And his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak.

30

II,6,1323

Clifford, repent in bootless penitence.

31

II,6,1327

Thou pitied'st Rutland; I will pity thee.

32

II,6,1353

Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be;
For in thy shoulder do I build my seat,
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.

33

III,2,1471

Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Alban's field
This lady's husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,
His lands then seized on by the conqueror:
Her suit is now to repossess those lands;
Which we in justice cannot well deny,
Because in quarrel of the house of York
The worthy gentleman did lose his life.

34

III,2,1480

It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause.

35

III,2,1487

Widow, we will consider of your suit;
And come some other time to know our mind.

36

III,2,1500

How many children hast thou, widow? tell me.

37

III,2,1508

'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands.

38

III,2,1510

Lords, give us leave: I'll try this widow's wit.

39

III,2,1515

Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?

40

III,2,1517

And would you not do much to do them good?

41

III,2,1519

Then get your husband's lands, to do them good.

42

III,2,1521

I'll tell you how these lands are to be got.

43

III,2,1523

What service wilt thou do me, if I give them?

44

III,2,1525

But you will take exceptions to my boon.

45

III,2,1527

Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.

46

III,2,1534

An easy task; 'tis but to love a king.

47

III,2,1536

Why, then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee.

48

III,2,1540

But stay thee, 'tis the fruits of love I mean.

49

III,2,1542

Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.
What love, think'st thou, I sue so much to get?

50

III,2,1546

No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.

51

III,2,1548

But now you partly may perceive my mind.

52

III,2,1551

To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.

53

III,2,1553

Why, then thou shalt not have thy husband's lands.

54

III,2,1556

Therein thou wrong'st thy children mightily.

55

III,2,1561

Ay, if thou wilt say 'ay' to my request;
No if thou dost say 'no' to my demand.

56

III,2,1568

[Aside] Her looks do argue her replete with modesty;
Her words do show her wit incomparable;
All her perfections challenge sovereignty:
One way or other, she is for a king;
And she shall be my love, or else my queen.—
Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?

57

III,2,1577

Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee
I speak no more than what my soul intends;
And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.

58

III,2,1583

You cavil, widow: I did mean, my queen.

59

III,2,1585

No more than when my daughters call thee mother.
Thou art a widow, and thou hast some children;
And, by God's mother, I, being but a bachelor,
Have other some: why, 'tis a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons.
Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.

60

III,2,1595

Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had.

61

III,2,1597

You'll think it strange if I should marry her.

62

III,2,1599

Why, Clarence, to myself.

63

III,2,1603

Well, jest on, brothers: I can tell you both
Her suit is granted for her husband's lands.

64

III,2,1608

See that he be convey'd unto the Tower:
And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,
To question of his apprehension.
Widow, go you along. Lords, use her honourably.

65

IV,1,1984

Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice,
That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?

66

IV,1,1989

Suppose they take offence without a cause,
They are but Lewis and Warwick: I am Edward,
Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will.

67

IV,1,1994

Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?

68

IV,1,1999

Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,
Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey
Should not become my wife and England's queen.
And you too, Somerset and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.

69

IV,1,2009

What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased
By such invention as I can devise?

70

IV,1,2024

Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant;
And for this once my will shall stand for law.

71

IV,1,2034

Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife
That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

72

IV,1,2040

Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king,
And not be tied unto his brother's will.

73

IV,1,2050

My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns:
What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,
So long as Edward is thy constant friend,
And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?
Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
Unless they seek for hatred at my hands;
Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,
And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

74

IV,1,2060

Now, messenger, what letters or what news
From France?

75

IV,1,2065

Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief,
Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them.
What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?

76

IV,1,2072

Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry.
But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?

77

IV,1,2077

I blame not her, she could say little less;
She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen?
For I have heard that she was there in place.

78

IV,1,2082

Belike she minds to play the Amazon.
But what said Warwick to these injuries?

79

IV,1,2088

Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?
Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:
They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.
But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

80

IV,1,2105

Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!
Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;
And haste is needful in this desperate case.
Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
They are already, or quickly will be landed:
Myself in person will straight follow you.
[Exeunt PEMBROKE and STAFFORD]
But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,
Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,
Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance:
Tell me if you love Warwick more than me?
If it be so, then both depart to him;
I rather wish you foes than hollow friends:
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.

81

IV,1,2124

Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

82

IV,1,2126

Why, so! then am I sure of victory.
Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour,
Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.

83

IV,3,2202

The duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted,
Thou call'dst me king.

84

IV,3,2214

Yea, brother of Clarence, are thou here too?
Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down.
Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,
Of thee thyself and all thy complices,
Edward will always bear himself as king:
Though fortune's malice overthrow my state,
My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.

85

IV,3,2233

What fates impose, that men must needs abide;
It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

86

IV,5,2295

Nay, this way, man: see where the huntsmen stand.
Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer?

87

IV,5,2300

But whither shall we then?

88

IV,5,2304

Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness.

89

IV,5,2306

Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along?

90

IV,5,2309

Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown;
And pray that I may repossess the crown.

91

IV,7,2424

Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
And says that once more I shall interchange
My waned state for Henry's regal crown.
Well have we pass'd and now repass'd the seas
And brought desired help from Burgundy:
What then remains, we being thus arrived
From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York,
But that we enter, as into our dukedom?

92

IV,7,2436

Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us:
By fair or foul means we must enter in,
For hither will our friends repair to us.

93

IV,7,2444

But, master mayor, if Henry be your king,
Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York.

94

IV,7,2447

Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,
As being well content with that alone.

95

IV,7,2461

So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut
But in the night or in the time of war.
What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;
[Takes his keys]
For Edward will defend the town and thee,
And all those friends that deign to follow me.

96

IV,7,2470

Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?

97

IV,7,2473

Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget
Our title to the crown and only claim
Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.

98

IV,7,2480

Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we'll debate
By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.

99

IV,7,2488

When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim:
Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.

100

IV,7,2494

Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,
And Henry but usurps the diadem.

101

IV,7,2507

Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks unto you all:
If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.
Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York;
And when the morning sun shall raise his car
Above the border of this horizon,
We'll forward towards Warwick and his mates;
For well I wot that Henry is no soldier.
Ah, froward Clarence! how evil it beseems thee
To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother!
Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and Warwick.
Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day,
And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.

102

IV,8,2576

Seize on the shame-faced Henry, bear him hence;
And once again proclaim us King of England.
You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow:
Now stops thy spring; my sea shall suck them dry,
And swell so much the higher by their ebb.
Hence with him to the Tower; let him not speak.
[Exeunt some with KING HENRY VI]
And, lords, towards Coventry bend we our course
Where peremptory Warwick now remains:
The sun shines hot; and, if we use delay,
Cold biting winter mars our hoped-for hay.

103

V,1,2612

Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle.

104

V,1,2617

Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates,
Speak gentle words and humbly bend thy knee,
Call Edward king and at his hands beg mercy?
And he shall pardon thee these outrages.

105

V,1,2631

Why then 'tis mine, if but by Warwick's gift.

106

V,1,2635

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

107

V,1,2643

'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still.

108

V,1,2649

Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend,
This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair
Shall, whiles thy head is warm and new cut off,
Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood,
'Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more.'

109

V,1,2659

So other foes may set upon our backs.
Stand we in good array; for they no doubt
Will issue out again and bid us battle:
If not, the city being but of small defence,
We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same.

110

V,1,2670

The harder match'd, the greater victory:
My mind presageth happy gain and conquest.

111

V,1,2707

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

112

V,1,2711

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

113

V,1,2716

Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads the way.
Lords, to the field; Saint George and victory!
[Exeunt King Edward and his company. March. Warwick]
and his company follow]

114

V,2,2722

So, lie thou there: die thou, and die our fear;
For Warwick was a bug that fear'd us all.
Now, Montague, sit fast; I seek for thee,
That Warwick's bones may keep thine company.

115

V,3,2778

Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course,
And we are graced with wreaths of victory.
But, in the midst of this bright-shining day,
I spy a black, suspicious, threatening cloud,
That will encounter with our glorious sun,
Ere he attain his easeful western bed:
I mean, my lords, those powers that the queen
Hath raised in Gallia have arrived our coast
And, as we hear, march on to fight with us.

116

V,3,2795

We are advertised by our loving friends
That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury:
We, having now the best at Barnet field,
Will thither straight, for willingness rids way;
And, as we march, our strength will be augmented
In every county as we go along.
Strike up the drum; cry 'Courage!' and away.

117

V,4,2874

Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood,
Which, by the heavens' assistance and your strength,
Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night.
I need not add more fuel to your fire,
For well I wot ye blaze to burn them out
Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords!

118

V,5,2894

Now here a period of tumultuous broils.
Away with Oxford to Hames Castle straight:
For Somerset, off with his guilty head.
Go, bear them hence; I will not hear them speak.

119

V,5,2903

Is proclamation made, that who finds Edward
Shall have a high reward, and he his life?

120

V,5,2907

Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak.
What! can so young a thorn begin to prick?
Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make
For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects,
And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to?

121

V,5,2926

Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue.

122

V,5,2933

Take that, thou likeness of this railer here.

123

V,5,2942

Hold, Richard, hold; for we have done too much.

124

V,5,2944

What, doth she swoon? use means for her recovery.

125

V,5,2968

Away with her; go, bear her hence perforce.

126

V,5,2981

Away, I say; I charge ye, bear her hence.

127

V,5,2984

Where's Richard gone?

128

V,5,2987

He's sudden, if a thing comes in his head.
Now march we hence: discharge the common sort
With pay and thanks, and let's away to London
And see our gentle queen how well she fares:
By this, I hope, she hath a son for me.

129

V,7,3096

Once more we sit in England's royal throne,
Re-purchased with the blood of enemies.
What valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn,
Have we mow'd down, in tops of all their pride!
Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown'd
For hardy and undoubted champions;
Two Cliffords, as the father and the son,
And two Northumberlands; two braver men
Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's sound;
With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague,
That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion
And made the forest tremble when they roar'd.
Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat
And made our footstool of security.
Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.
Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself
Have in our armours watch'd the winter's night,
Went all afoot in summer's scalding heat,
That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace;
And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain.

130

V,7,3121

Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen;
And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both.

131

V,7,3130

Now am I seated as my soul delights,
Having my country's peace and brothers' loves.

132

V,7,3136

Away with her, and waft her hence to France.
And now what rests but that we spend the time
With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows,
Such as befits the pleasure of the court?
Sound drums and trumpets! farewell sour annoy!
For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.

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