The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]

Chapter 180: SC. VII. eag

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About This Book

The volume presents a connected sequence of historical dramas that dramatize the disintegration of centralized power and the violent struggle among rival claimants for the crown. Through scenes of political intrigue, popular unrest, pitched battles, and calculated betrayals, it shows how shifting alliances and personal ambition accelerate dynastic collapse and reshape leadership. The plays interweave public spectacle with intimate moments of downfall and remorse, exploring themes of legitimacy, governance, and the human cost of civil war. Scholarly apparatus accompanies the texts, offering prefatory and editorial commentary, variant readings, and notes on publication history.

SC. VII. eag

Alarmes, and then enter Richard at one dore and Clifford at the other.

Rich. A Clifford a Clifford.

Clif. A Richard a Richard.

Rich. Now Clifford, for Yorke & young Rutlands death,

This thirsty sword that longs to drinke thy bloud,

5 Shall lop thy limmes, and slise thy cursed hart,

For to reuenge the murders thou hast made.

Clif. Now Richard, I am with thee here alone,

This is the hand that stabd thy father Yorke,

And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland,

10 And heres the heart that triumphs in their deathes,

And cheeres these hands that slew thy sire and brother,

To execute the like vpon thy selfe,

And so haue at thee.