No more, good York ;-sweet Somerset, be still:- York. What, worse than naught? nay, then, a shame Som. And, in the number, thee that wishest shame! York. I am content: provide me soldiers, lords, Suf. A charge, Lord York, that I will see perform'd. For there I'll ship them all for Ireland. Suf. I'll see it truly done, my Lord of York. [Exeunt all except YORK. York. Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts, And change misdoubt to resolution : Be that thou hopest to be; or what thou art Faster than spring-time showers comes thought on 310 320 330 And not a thought but thinks on dignity. My brain, more busy than the labouring spider, To send me packing with an host of men: I fear me you but warm the starved snake, Who, cherisht in your breasts, will sting your hearts. You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands. I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman, To make commotion, as full well he can, In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade Oppose himself against a troop of kerns, And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts 340 350 360 370 How they affect the house and claim of York. I know no pain they can inflict upon him [Exit. SCENE II. Bury St. Edmund's. A room of state. Enter two or three running over the stage, from the murder of DUKE HUMPHREY. First Mur. Run to my Lord of Suffolk; let him know We have dispatcht the duke, as he commanded. Sec. Mur. O, that it were to do!-What have we done? Didst ever hear a man so penitent? First Mur. Here comes my lord. Enter SUFFOLK. Suf. Now, sirs, have you dispatcht this thing? Suf. Why, that's well said. Go, get you to my house; I will reward you for this venturous deed. First Mur. 'Tis, my good lord. [Exeunt Murderers. Sound trumpets. Enter the KING, the QUEEN, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, SOMERSET, Lords, and others. K. Hen. Go, call our uncle to our presence straight; Say we intend to try his Grace to-day, If he be guilty, as 'tis published. Suf. I'll call him presently, my noble lord. [Exit. K. Hen. Lords, take your places; and, I pray you all, Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloster Than from true evidence of good esteem He be approved in practice culpable. Q. Mar. God forbid any malice should prevail, That faultless may condemn a nobleman! Pray God he may acquit him of suspicion! K. Hen. I thank thee, Meg; these words content me much. Enter SUFFOLK. How now! why look'st thou pale? why tremblest thou? Car. God's secret judgement:-I did dream to-night The duke was dumb, and could not speak a word. [The KING swoons. Q. Mar. How fares my lord ?—Help, lords! the king is dead. Som. Rear up his body; wring him by the nose. Q. Mar. Run, go, help, help!-O Henry, ope thine eyes! Suf. He doth revive again :-madam, be patient. Q. Mar. How fares my gracious lord? Suf. Comfort, my sovereign! gracious Henry, com fort! K. Hen. What, doth my Lord of Suffolk comfort me? Came he right now to sing a raven's note, Whose dismal tune bereft my vital powers; And thinks he that the chirping of a wren, By crying comfort from a hollow breast, Can chase away the first-conceived sound? 20 30 40 Hide not thy poison with such sugar'd words: - Look not upon me, for thine eyes are wounding :- And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight; In life but double death, now Gloster's dead. Q. Mar. Why do you rate my Lord of Suffolk thus? Although the duke was enemy to him, Yet he, most Christian-like, laments his death: I would be blind with weeping, sick with groans, What know I how the world may deem of me? It may be judged I made the duke away; So shall my name with slander's tongue be wounded, To be a queen, and crown'd with infamy! K. Hen. Ah, woe is me for Gloster, wretched man! Q. Mar. Be woe for me, more wretched than he is. What, dost thou turn away, and hide thy face? I am no loathsome leper,-look on me. What, art thou, like the adder, waxen deaf? Be poisonous too, and kill thy forlorn queen. Is all thy comfort shut in Gloster's tomb? Why, then, Dame Margaret was ne'er thy joy: Erect his statua, and worship it, And make my image but an alehouse sign. 50 60 70 80 |