I know their complot is to have my life, And if my death might make this island happy I would expend it with all willingness: But mine is made the prologue to their play; And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, Ay, all of you have laid your heads together- I shall not want false witness to condemn me, CAR. My liege, his railing is intolerable: "Twill make them cool in zeal unto your grace. SUF. Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here With ignominious words, though clerkly couch'd, As if she had suborned some to swear False allegations to o'erthrow his state? QUEEN. But I can give the loser leave to chide. GLOU. Far truer spoke than meant: I lose, indeed; Beshrew the winners, for they play'd me false! And well such losers may have leave to speak. BUCK. He'll wrest the sense and hold us here all day: Lord cardinal, he is your prisoner. CAR. Sirs, take away the duke, and guard him sure. And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. [Exit, guarded. KING. My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best, Do or undo, as if ourself were here. QUEEN. What, will your highness leave the parliament ? KING. Ay, Margaret; my heart is drown'd with grief, Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes, For what's more miserable than discontent? The map of honour, truth and loyalty: And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong; And binds the wretch and beats it when it strays, His fortunes I will weep and 'twixt each groan [Exeunt all but QUEEN, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, SUFFOLK, and YORK; SOMERSET remains apart. QUEEN. Free lords, cold snow melts with the sun's hot beams. Henry my lord is cold in great affairs, Too full of foolish pity, and Gloucester's show Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I— CAR. That he should die is worthy policy; More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death. YORK. So that, by this, you would not have him die. SUF. Ah, York, no man alive so fain as I! YORK. 'Tis York that hath more reason for his death. But, my lord cardinal, and you, my Lord of Suffolk, SUF. Madam, 'tis true; and were 't not madness, then, To make the fox surveyor of the fold? No; let him die, in that he is a fox, By nature proved an enemy to the flock, Which mates him first that first intends deceit. QUEEN. Thrice-noble Suffolk, 'tis resolutely spoke. Sur. Not resolute, except so much were done; For things are often spoke and seldom meant: But that my heart accordeth with my tongue, Seeing the deed is meritorious, And to preserve my sovereign from his foe, Say but the word, and I will be his priest. CAR. But I would have him dead, my Lord of Suffolk, Ere you can take due orders for a priest: Say you consent and censure well the deed, And I'll provide his executioner, I tender so the safety of my liege. SUF. Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing. QUEEN. And so say I. YORK. And I and now we three have spoke it, It skills not greatly who impugns our doom. Enter a Post. POST. Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain, To signify that rebels there are up |