William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Third Part

ACT V. 7. SCENE VII. London. The Palace.

[KING EDWARD is discovered sitting on his throne; QUEEN ELIZABETH
with the infant Prince, CLARENCE, Gloster, HASTINGS, and
others, near him.]

KING EDWARD.
Once more we sit in England's royal throne,
Re-purchas'd 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.

Gloster.
[Aside.] I'll blast his harvest if your head were laid;
For yet I am not look'd on in the world.
This shoulder was ordain'd so thick to heave;
And heave it shall some weight or break my back.--
Work thou the way,--and that shall execute.

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

CLARENCE.
The duty that I owe unto your Majesty
I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe.

QUEEN ELIZABETH.
Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks.

Gloster.
And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st,
Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.--
[Aside.] To say the truth, so Judas kiss'd his Master,
And cried, all hail! when as he meant all harm.

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