Henry VI, Part III by William Shakespeare

Act 2 - Scene 1

A plain near Mortimer’s Cross in Herefordshire.

Messenger : Ah, one that was a woful looker-on [p]When as the noble Duke of York
was slain, [p]Your princely father and my loving lord!

Messenger : Environed he was with many foes, [p]And stood against them, as the
hope of Troy [p]Against the Greeks that would have enter'd
Troy. [p]But Hercules himself must yield to odds; [p]And many strokes,
though with a little axe, [p]Hew down and fell the hardest-timber'd
oak. [p]By many hands your father was subdued; [p]But only slaughter'd
by the ireful arm [p]Of unrelenting Clifford and the queen, [p]Who
crown'd the gracious duke in high despite, [p]Laugh'd in his face; and
when with grief he wept, [p]The ruthless queen gave him to dry his
cheeks [p]A napkin steeped in the harmless blood [p]Of sweet young
Rutland, by rough Clifford slain: [p]And after many scorns, many foul
taunts, [p]They took his head, and on the gates of York [p]They set
the same; and there it doth remain, [p]The saddest spectacle that e'er
I view'd.

Messenger : The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me, [p]The queen is coming with
a puissant host; [p]And craves your company for speedy counsel.

Previous: Act 1 - Scene 4

Next: Act 2 - Scene 2