Page 543 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 543
To signify that rebels there are up
And put the Englishmen unto the sword.
Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime [285]
Before the wound do grow uncurable:
For, being green, there is great hope of help.
WINCHEST ER
A breach that craves a quick expedient stop! -
What counsel give you in this weighty cause?
Y ORK
That Somerset be sent as regent thither: [290]
’Tis meet that lucky ruler be employed -
Witness the fortune he hath had in France.
SOMERSET
If York, with all his far-fet policy,
Had been the regent there instead of me,
He never would have stayed in France so long. [295]
Y ORK
No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done:
I rather would have lost my life betimes
Than bring a burden of dishonour home
By staying there so long till all were lost.
Show me one scar charactered on thy skin: [300]
Men’s flesh preserved so whole do seldom win.
MARGARET
Nay, then, this spark will prove a raging fire
If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with.
No more, good York. - Sweet Somerset, be still. -
Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there, [305]
Might happily have proved far worse than his.
Y ORK
What, worse than nought? Nay then, a shame take all!
SOMERSET
And in the number thee that wishest shame!
