Let hell make crook'd my mind to answer it. I have no brother, I am like no brother; And this word "love," which greybeards call divine, And not in me. I am myself alone. Clarence, beware; thou keep'st me from the light: Flourish. 80 90 [Exit with the body. SCENE VII. London. The palace. Enter KING EDWARD, QUEEN ELIZABETH, CLARENCE, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, a Nurse with the young Prince, and Attendants. K. Edw. Once more we sit in England's royal throne, Re-purchased with the blood of enemies. What valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn, Have we mow'd down in tops of all their pride! 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, 10 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. That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace; And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain. 20 Glou. [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: K. Edw. Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen; And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. Clar. The duty that I owe unto your majesty I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. Q. Eliz. Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks. 30 Glou. 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. K. Edw. Now am I seated as my soul delights, Having my country's peace and brothers' loves. Clar. What will your grace have done with Margaret? Reignier, her father, to the king of France Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem, And hither have they sent it for her ransom. 40 K. Edw. Away with her, and waft her hence to France. Sound drums and trumpets! farewell sour annoy! [Exeunt. SCENE I. London. A street. Enter RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, solus. Glou. Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up, Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be. Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here Clarence comes. Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY, Brother, good day: what means this armed guard Clar. His majesty, Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed Glou. Upon what cause? 40 Clar. Because my name is George. Glou. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours; He should, for that, commit your godfathers: O, belike his majesty hath some intent That you shall be new-christen'd in the Tower. But what's the matter, Clarence? may I know? Clar. Yea, Richard, when I know; for I protest He hearkens after prophecies and dreams; And, for my name of George begins with G, 50 These, as I learn, and such like toys as these 60 Have moved his highness to commit me now. Glou. Why, this it is, when men are ruled by women: "Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower; My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, 'tis she That tempers him to this extremity. Was it not she and that good man of worship, That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower, Clar. By heaven, I think there's no man is secure Glou. Humbly complaining to her deity Since that our brother dubb'd them gentlewomen, Are mighty gossips in this monarchy. Brak. I beseech your graces both to pardon me; His majesty hath straitly given in charge That no man shall have private conference, Of what degree soever, with his brother. Glou. Even so; an't please your worship, Brakenbury, You may partake of any thing we say: We speak no treason, man: we say the king Is wise and virtuous, and his noble queen Well struck in years, fair, and not jealous; 70 80 90 |