Henry VI, Part III by William Shakespeare

Act 1 - Scene 3

Field of battle betwixt Sandal Castle and Wakefield.

Edmond, Earl of Rutland : Ah, whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands? [p]Ah, tutor, look
where bloody Clifford comes!

Tutor of Rutland : And I, my lord, will bear him company.

Tutor of Rutland : Ah, Clifford, murder not this innocent child, [p]Lest thou be hated
both of God and man!

Edmond, Earl of Rutland : So looks the pent-up lion o'er the wretch [p]That trembles under his
devouring paws; [p]And so he walks, insulting o'er his prey, [p]And so
he comes, to rend his limbs asunder. [p]Ah, gentle Clifford, kill me
with thy sword, [p]And not with such a cruel threatening
look. [p]Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die. [p]I am too mean
a subject for thy wrath: [p]Be thou revenged on men, and let me live.

Edmond, Earl of Rutland : Then let my father's blood open it again: [p]He is a man, and,
Clifford, cope with him.

Edmond, Earl of Rutland : O, let me pray before I take my death! [p]To thee I pray; sweet
Clifford, pity me!

Edmond, Earl of Rutland : I never did thee harm: why wilt thou slay me?

Edmond, Earl of Rutland : But 'twas ere I was born. [p]Thou hast one son; for his sake pity
me, [p]Lest in revenge thereof, sith God is just, [p]He be as
miserably slain as I. [p]Ah, let me live in prison all my days; [p]And
when I give occasion of offence, [p]Then let me die, for now thou hast
no cause.

Edmond, Earl of Rutland : Di faciant laudis summa sit ista tuae!

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