Page 492 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

And therefore I will take the Nevilles’ parts
And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey,
And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown - [240]
For that’s the golden mark I seek to hit.
Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right,
Nor hold the sceptre in his childish fist,
Nor wear the diadem upon his head,
Whose church-like humours fits not for a crown. [245]
Then, York, be still awhile till time do serve:
Watch thou and wake, when others be asleep,
To pry into the secrets of the state,
Till Henry surfeit in the joys of love
With his new bride and England’s dear-bought queen, [250]
And Humphrey with the peers be fall’n at jars.
Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose
With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed,
And in my standard bear the arms of York
To grapple with the house of Lancaster; [255]
And force perforce I’ll make him yield the crown,
Whose bookish rule hath pulled fair England down.

Exit.

Scene II IT

Enter Duke Humphrey [of Gloucester] and his wife Eleanor.

ELEANOR

Why droops my lord like over-ripened corn
Hanging the head at Ceres’ plenteous load?
Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows,
As frowning at the favours of the world?
Why are thine eyes fixed to the sullen earth, [5]
Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight?
What seest thou there? King Henry’s diadem
Enchased with all the honours of the world?
If so, gaze on, and grovel on thy face
Until thy head be circled with the same. [10]
Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold.
What, is’t too short? I’ll lengthen it with mine
And, having both together heaved it up,