An arm resolved can guard its master's life.
[They fight J. Sh. Oh my distracting fears! hold, fo sweet Heaven. [Runs off distractedly. [They fight, Dumont disarms Lord Hastings. Hast. Confusion! baffled by a base-born hind!
Dum. Now, haughty sir, where is our difference now?
Your life is in my hand, and did not honour, The gentleness of blood, and inborn virtue, (Howe'er unworthy I may seem to you) Plead in my bosom, I should take the forfeit. But wear your sword again; and know, a lord Opposed against a man, is but a man.
Hast. Curse on my failing arm! Your better fortune
Has given you vantage o'er me; but perhaps Your triumph may be bought with dear repent[Exit Hastings.
In which Heaven's guards shall wait you. O pursue,
Pursue the sacred counsels of your soul, Which urge you on to virtue; let not danger, Nor the incumbering world, make faint your pur- pose.
Assisting angels shall conduct your steps, Bring you to bliss, and crown your days with peace.
J. Sh. Oh, that my head were laid, my sad eyes closed,
And my cold corse wound in my shroud to rest! My painful heart will never cease to beat, Will never know a moment's peace till then.
Dum. Would you be happy, leave this fatal place;
Fly from the court's pernicious neighbourhood; Where innocence is shamed, and blushing modesty
Is made the scorner's jest; where hate, deceit, And deadly ruin, wear the masques of beauty, And draw deluded fools with shews of pleasure.
SCENE I.-The court. Enter ALICIA, with a paper.
J. Sh. Where should I fly, thus helpless and forlorn,
Of friends, and all the means of life bereft? Dum. Belinour, whose friendly care still wakes to serve you,
Has found you out a little peaceful refuge, Far from the court and the tumultuous city. Within an ancient forest's ample verge, There stands a lonely but a healthful dwelling, Built for convenience and the use of life: Around it fallows, meads, and pastures fair, A little garden, and a limpid brook, By nature's own contrivance seems disposed; No neighbours, but a few poor simple clowns, Honest and true, with a well meaning priest: No faction, or domestic fury's rage, Did e'er disturb the quiet of that place, When the contending nobles shook the land With York and Lancaster's disputed sway. Your virtue there may find a safe retreat From the insulting powers of wicked greatness. J. Sh. Can there be so much happiness in store!
A cell like that is all my hopes aspire to. Haste, then, and thither let us take our flight, Ere the clouds gather, and the wintery sky Descends in storms to intercept our passage. Dum. Will you then go! You glad my very
Banish your fears, cast all your cares on me; Plenty and ease, and peace of mind shall wait
And make your latter days of life most happy. Oh, lady! but I must not, cannot tell you, How anxious I have been for all your dangers, And how my heart rejoices at your safety. So when the spring renews the flowery field, And warns the pregnant nightingale to build, She seeks the safest shelter of the wood, Where she may trust her little tuneful brood; Where no rude swains her shady cell may know, No serpents climb, nor blasting winds may blow;
Fond of the chosen place, she views it o'er, sits there, and wanders through the grove no
Warbling she charms it each returning night, And loves it with a mother's dear delight.
Alic. This paper to the great protector's hand, With care and secrecy, must be conveyed; His bold ambition now avows its aim, To pluck the crown from Edward's infant brow, And fix it on his own. I know he holds
My faithless Hastings adverse to his hopes, And much devoted to the orphan king; On that I build: this paper meets his doubts, And marks my hated rival as the cause Of Hastings' zeal for his dead master's sons. Oh, jealousy! thou bane of pleasing friendship, Thou worst invader of our tender bosoms, How does thy rancour poison all our softness, And turn our gentle natures into bitterness?,
See where she comes! once my heart's dearest | To feed her wants, and save her life from per
Has drawn the vengeance of Lord Hastings on him.
Alic, Lord Hastings! Ha!
J. Sh. Some fitter time must tell thee
The tale of my hard hap. Upon the present Hang all my poor, my last remaining hopes. Within this paper is my suit contained; Here, as the princely Gloster passes forth, I wait to give it on my humble knees, And move him for redress.
[She gives the paper to Alicia, who opens and seems to read it.
Alic. [Aside.] Now for a wile, To sting my thoughtless rival to the heart; To blast her fatal beauties, and divide her For ever from my perjured Hastings' eyes! The wanderer may then look back to me, And turn to his forsaken home again. Their fashions are the same, it cannot fail.
[Pulling out the other paper.
J. Sh. But see, the great protector comes this
Attended by a train of waiting courtiers. Give me the paper, friend.
Alic. [Aside.] For love and vengeance! [She gives her the other paper.
Enter the Duke of GLOSTER, Sir RICHARD BATCLIFFE, CATESBY, Courtiers, and other Attendants.
Glost. Arise, fair dame, and dry your watery
[Receiving the paper, and raising her. Beshrew me, but 'twere pity of his heart That could refuse a boon to such a suitress. You have got a noble friend to be your advocate; A worthy and right gentle lord he is, And to his trust most true. This present now, Some matters of the state detain our leisure; Those once dispatched, we'll call for you anon, And give your griefs redress. Go to! be comforted.
J. Sh. Good Heavens repay your highness for this pity,
And shower down blessings on your princely head, Come, my Alicia, reach thy friendly arm, And help me to support this feeble frame, That nodding totters with oppressive woe, And sinks beneath its load.
[Exeunt J. Sh. and Alic, Glost. Now, by my holidame! Heavy of heart she seems, and sore afflicted. But thus it is when rude calamity Lays its strong gripe upon these mincing minions The dainty gew-gaw forms dissolve at once, And shiver at the shock. What says her par per? [Seeming to read.
Ha! what is this? Come nearer, Ratcliffe ! Catesby!
Mark the contents, and then divine the meaning, [He reads. Wonder not, princely Gloster, at the notice This paper brings you from a friend unknown; 'Lord Hastings is inclined to call you master, And kneel to Richard, as to England's king; But Shore's bewitching wife misleads his heart, And draws his service to king Edward's sons: Drive her away, you break the charm that holds him,
And he, and all his powers, attend you.' Rat. 'Tis wonderful!
Cat. The means by which it came Yet stranger too!
Glost. You saw it given, but now.
Rat. She could not know the purport. Glost. No, 'tis plain——
She knows it not, it levels at her life; Should she presume to prate of such high mat-
The meddling harlot! dear she should abide it. Cat. What hand soe'er it comes from, be assurced,
It means your highness well
Glosc. Upon the instant,
Lord Hastings will be here; this morn I mean
J. Sh. [Kneeling.] Oh, noble Gloster, turn thy To prove him to the quick; then if he flinch,
Incline thy pitying ear to my complaint!
A poor, undone, forsaken, helpless woman, Intreats a little bread for charity,
No more but this-away with him at once! He must be mine or nothing- -But he comes! Draw nearer this way, and observe me well.
Glost. The council (much I'm bound to thank them for't!)
Hast. This foolish woman hangs about my Have placed a pageant sceptre in my hand,
Lingers and wanders in my fancy still; This coyness is put on; 'tis art and cunning; And worn to urge desire I must possess her. The groom, who lift his saucy hand against me, Ere this, is humbled, and repents his daring. Perhaps, even she may profit by the example, And teach her beauty not to scorn my power. Glost. This do, and wait me e'er the council sits. [Exeunt Rat. and Cat. My lord, you are well encountered; here has been
A fair petitioner this morning with us; Believe me, she has won me much to pity her: Alas! her gentle nature was not made To buffet with adversity. I told her How worthily her cause you had befriended; How much for your good sake we mean to do, That you had spoke, and all things should be well.
Hast. Your highness binds me ever to your
Glost. You know your friendship is most po- tent with us,
And shares our power. But of this enough, For we have other matters for your ear. The state is out of tune: distracting fears, And jealous doubts, jar in our public counsels; Amidst the wealthy city, murmurs rise, Lewd railings, and reproach on those that rule, With open scorn of government; hence credit, And public trust 'twixt man and man, are broke. The golden streams of commerce are withheld, Which fed the wants of needy hinds and artizans, Who therefore curse the great, and threat re- bellion.
Hast. The resty knaves are over-run with ease, As plenty ever is the nurse of faction; If, in good days, like these, the headstrong herd Grow madly wanton and repine; it is Because the reins of power are held too slack, And reverend authority, of late,
Has worn a face of mercy more than justice. Glost. Beshrew my heart! but you have well divined
The source of these disorders. Who can wonder, If riot and misrule o'erturn the realm, When the crown sits upon a baby brow? Plainly to speak; hence comes the general cry, And sum of all complaint; 'twill ne'er be well With England (thus they talk) while children go-
Hast. 'Tis true, the king is young; but what of that?
We feel no want of Edward's riper years, While Gloster's valour, and most princely wis- dom,
So well supply our infant sovereign's place, His youth's support, and guardian to his throne.
Barren of power, and subject to controul; Scorned by my foes, and useless to my friends. Oh, worthy lord! were mine the rule indeed, I think I should not suffer rank offence, At large, to lord it in the common-weal; Nor would the realm be rent by discord thus, Thus fear and doubt, betwixt disputed titles.
Hast. Of this I am to learn; as not supposing A doubt like this-
Glost. Ay marry, but there is———— And that of much concern. Have you not heard How, on a late occasion, doctor Shaw
Has moved the people much about the lawful
Such meddling priests, who kindle up confusion, And vex the quiet world with their vain scruples! By Heaven 'tis done in perfect spite to peace. Did not the king,
Our royal master, Edward, in concurrence With his estates assembled, well determine What course the sovereign rule should take henceforward?
When shall the deadly hate of faction cease, When shall our long-divided land have rest, If every peevish, moody malecontent Shall set the senseless rabble in an uproar, Fright them with dangers, and perplex their brain,
Each day with some fantastic giddy change? Glost. What if some patriot, for the public
Should vary from your scheme, new-mould the state?
Hast. Curse on the innovating hand attempts it!
Remember him, the villain, righteous Heaven, In thy great day of vengeance! Blast the traitor And his pernicious counsels, who, for wealth, For power, the pride of greatness, or revenge, Would plunge his native land in civil wars!
Glost. You go too far, my lord. Hast. Your highness' pardonHave we so soon forgot those days of ruin, When York and Lancaster drew forth the battles; When, like a matron butchered by her sons, And cast beside some common way, a spectacle Of horror and affright to passers by, Our groaning country bled at every vein ; When murders, rapes, and massacres prevailed When churches, palaces, and cities blazed;
When insolence and barbarism triumphed, And swept away distinctions; peasants trod Upon the necks of nobles: low were laid The reverend crosier, and the holy mitre, And desolation covered all the land; Who can remember this, and not, like me, Here vow to sheath a dagger in his heart, Whose damned ambition would renew those hor
To think me yours, and rank me with your friends. Hast. Accept what thanks a grateful heart should pay.
Oh, princely Gloster! judge me not ungentle, Of manners rude, and insolent of speech, If, when the public safety is in question, My zeal flows warm and eager from my tongue. Glost. Enough of this: to deal in wordy com- pliment
And set once more that scene of blood before us! Is much against the plainness of my nature: Glost. How now! so hot!
Hast. So brave, and so resolved.
Glost. Is then our friendship of so little mo- ment,
That you could arm your hand against my life? Hast. I hope your highness does not think I
No; Heaven forefend that e'er your princely per
Should come within the scope of my resentment. Glost. Oh, noble Hastings! Nay, I must em- brace you; [Embraces him.
By holy Paul, y'are a right honest man! The time is full of danger and distrust, And warns us to be wary. Hold me not Too apt for jealousy and light surmise, If, when I meant to lodge you near my heart, I put your truth to trial. Keep your loyalty, And live your king and country's best support: For me, I ask no more than hononr gives,
I judge you by myself, a clear true spirit, And, as such, once more join you to my bosom. Farewell, and be my friend. [Exit Glost.
Nor skilled and practised in the arts of great
To kindle thus, and give a scope to passion. The duke is surely noble; but he touched me Even on the tenderest point; the master-string, That makes most harmony or discord to me. I own the glorious subject fires my breast, And my soul's darling passion stands confessed. Beyond or love's or friendship's sacred band, Beyond myself, I prize my native land:
On this foundation would I build my fame, And emulate the Greek and Roman name; Think England's peace bought cheaply with my blood,
And die with pleasure for my country's good.
Enter Duke of GLOSTER, RATCLIFFE, and CATESBY.
This puling, whining harlot rules his reason, And prompts his zeal for Edward's bastard brood. Cat. If she have such dominion o'er his heart, And turn it at her will, you rule her fate;
Glost. THIS was the sum of all: that he would And should, by inference and apt deduction,
No alteration in the present state. Marry, at last, the testy gentleman Was almost moved to bid us bold defiance; But there I dropt the argument, and changing The first design and purport of my speech, I praised his good affection to young Edward, And left him to believe my thoughts like his. Proceed we then in this forementioned matter, As nothing bound, or trusting to his friendship. Rat. Il does it thus befail. I could have wished
This lord had stood with us. His friends are wealthy;
Thereto, his own possessions large and mighty; The vassals and dependants on his power Firm in adherence, ready, bold, and many; His name had been of vantage to your highness, And stood our present purpose much in stead. Glost. This wayward and perverse declining from us,
Has warranted at full the friendly notice, Which we this morn received. I hold it certain,
Be arbiter of his. Is not her bread, The very means immediate to her being, The bounty of your hand? Why does she live, If not to yield obedience to your pleasure, To speak, to act, to think as you command? Rat. Let her instruct her tongue to bear your
Teach every grace to smile in your behalf, And her deluding eyes to gloat for you; His ductile reason will be wound about, Be led and turned again, say and unsay, Receive the yoke, and yield exact obedience. Glost. Your counsel likes me well, it shall be followed.
She waits without, attending on her suit. Go, call her in, and leave us here alone.
[Exeunt Ratcliffe and Catesby. How poor a thing is he, how worthy scorn, Who leaves the guidance of imperial manhood To such a paltry piece of stuff as this is! A moppet made of prettiness and pride; That oftener does her giddy fancies change, Than glittering dew-drops in the sun do colours→
Now, shame upon it! was our reason given For such a use! To be thus puffed about Like a dry leaf, an idle straw, a feather, The sport of every whiffling blast that blows? Beshrew my heart, but it is wondrous strange; Sure there is something more than witchcraft in them,
That masters even the wisest of us all.
Oh! you are come most fitly. We have ponder
On this your grievance: and though some there
Nay, and those great ones too, who would enforce The rigour of our power to afflict you, And bear a heavy hand; yet fear not you: We've ta'en you to our favour; our protection Shall stand between, and shield you from mis- hap.
J. Sh. The blessings of a heart with anguish broken,
And rescued from despair, attend your highness. Alas! my gracious lord, what have I done To kindle such relentless wrath against me? If in the days of all my past offences, When most my heart was lifted with delight, If I withheld my morsel from the hungry, Forgot the widow's want, and orphan's cry; If I have known a good I have not shared, Nor called the poor to take his portion with me, Let my worst enemies stand forth, and now Deny the succour, which I gave not then.
Glost. Marry there are, though I believe them
What fits the order of the common-weal.
J. Sh. Oh, that the busy world, at least in this, Would take example from a wretch like me! None then would waste their hours in foreign thoughts,
Forget themselves, and what concerns their peace, To tread the mazes of fantastic falsehood, To haunt their idle sounds and flying tales, Through all the giddy, noisy courts of rumour; Malicious slander never would have leisure To search, with prving eyes, for faults abroad, If all, like me, considered their own hearts, And wept the sorrows which they found at home. Glost. Go to! I know your power; and though I trust not
To every breath of fame, I am not to learn That Hastings is professed your loving vassal. But fair befal your beauty: use it wisely, And it may stand your fortunes much in stead, Give back your forfeit land with large increase, And place you high in safety and in honour. Nay, I could point a way, the which pursuing, You shall not only bring yourself advantage,
The state, for many high and potent reasons, Deeming my brother Edward's sons unfit For the imperial weight of England's crown- J. Sh. Alas! for pity.
Glost. Therefore have resolved To set aside their unavailing infancy, And vest the sovereign rule in abler hands. This, though of great importance to the public, Hastings, for very peevishness and spleen, Does stubbornly oppose.
J. Sh. Does he? Does Hastings? Glost. Ay, Hastings.
J. Sh. Reward him for the noble deed, just Heavens!
For this one action, guard him, and distinguish him
With signal mercies, and with great deliverance! Save him from wrong, adversity, and shame! Let never-fading honours flourish round him, And consecrate his name, even to time's end! Let him know nothing else but good on earth, And everlasting blessedness hereafter!
J. Sh. The poor, forsaken, royal little ones! Shall they be left a prey to savage power? Can they lift up their harmless hands in vain, Or cry to Heaven for help, and not be heard? Impossible! Oh, gallant, generous Hastings, Go on, pursue! assert the sacred cause: Stand forth, thou proxy of all-ruling Providence, And save the friendless infants from oppression!, Saints shall assist thee with prevailing prayers, And warring angels combat on thy side.
Glost. You are passing rich in this same hea venly speech,
And spend it at your pleasure. Nay, but mark me!
My favour is not bought with words like these. Go to-you'll teach your tongue another tale.
J. Sh. No, though the royal Edward has un
He was my king, my gracious master still; He loved me too, though 'twas a guilty flame, And fatal to my peace, yet still he loved me; With fondness, and with tenderness he doated, Dwelt in my eyes, and lived but in my smiles: And can I-O my heart abhors the thought! Stand by, and see his children robbed of right? Glost. Dare not, even for thy soul, to thwart me further!
None of your arts, your feigning and your fool
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