shall reign.

God wot;

haste.

Arch. Last night, I heard, they lay at Stony-
And at Northampton they do rest to-night:
To-morrow, or next day, they will be here.

Duch. I long with all my heart to see the
I hope, he is much grown since last I saw him.

Q. Eliz. But I hear, no; they say, my son of
Hath almost overta'en him in his growth.
York. Ay, mother, but I would not have it so.

1 Cit. No, no; by God's good grace, his son Duch. Why, my young cousin? it is good to

grow.
3 Cit. Woe to that land that's govern’d by a York. Grandam, one night, as we did sit at
child !

supper,
2 Cit. In him there is a hope of government; My uncle Rivers talk'd how I did grow
That

, in his nonage, council under him, More than my brother; Ay, quoth my uncle And, in his full and ripen'd years, himself,

Gloster,
No doubt, shall then, and till then, govern well. Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow
1 Cit. So stood the state, when Henry the sixth apace :
Was crown'd in Paris but at nine months old. And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast,

3 Cit. Stood the state so? no, no, good friends, Because sweet flowers are slow, and weeds make
For then this land was famously enrich'd Duch. 'Good faith, 'good faith, the saying did
With politic grave counsel ; then the king

not hold Had virtuous uncles to protect his grace.

In him, that did object the same to thee: 1 Cit. Why, so hath this, both by his father He was the wretched'st, thing, when he was and mother.

young, 3Cit. Better it were, they all came by his father; So long a growing, and so leisurely, Ot, by his father, there were none at all : That, if his rule were true, he should be gracious. For emulation now, who shall be nearest,

Arch. And so, no doubt, he is, my gracious Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not.

madam. babe 0, full of danger is the duke of Gloster;

Duch. I hope, he is; but yet let mothers And the queen's sons, and brothers, haught and doubt. proud :

York. Now, by my troth, if I had been reAnd were they to be ruld, and not to rule,

member'd, This sickly land might solace as before.

I could have given my uncle's grace a flout, 1 Cit. Come, come, we fear the worst; all To touch his growth nearer than he touch'd will be well.

mine. 3 Cit. When clouds are seen, wise men put

Duch. How, my young York ? I pr’ythee,

let me hear it.
When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand York. Marry, they say, my uncle grew so fast,
When the sun sets, who doth not look for night? That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old ;
Untimely storms inake men expect a dearth :

'Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth. All may be well ; but, if God sort it so,

Grandam, this would have been a biting jest. Tis more than we deserve, or I expect. 2 Cit. Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear:

Duch. I pr’ythee, pretty York, who told thee

this?
You cannot reason almost with a man

York. Grandam, his nurse.
That looks not heavily, and full of dread.

Duch. His nurse! why, she was dead ere
3 Cit
. Before the days of change still is it so:

thou wast born.
By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust
Ensuing danger; as, by proof, we see

York. If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who
The water swell before a boist'rous storm.
But leave it all to God. Whither away?

Q. Eliz. parlous boy : Go to, you are too

shrewd. Cit

. Marry, we were sent for to the justices. 3 Cit. And so was I ; I'll bear you company.

Arch. Good madam, be not angry with the

child.

[Ereunt. Q. Eliz. Pitchers have ears. SCENE IV.-The same. A room in the palace.

Enter a Messenger.

Arch. Here comes a messenger :
FYORK, Queen ELIZABETH, and the Ďuchess

young
Drike

What news?
of York.

Mess. Such news, my lord,
As grieves me to unfold.

Q. Eliz. How doth the prince ?
Mess. Well, madam, and in health.
Duch. What is thy news ?
Mess. Lord Rivers, and lord Grey, are sent

to Pomfret,
With them sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners.

Duch. Who hath committed them?

Mess. The mighty dukes,
Gloster and Buckingham.

Q. Eliz. For what offence?
Mess. The sum of all.I can, I have disclos'd;

on their cloaks;

told me.

Enter the Archbishop of York, the

Stratford ;

prince ;

York

Why, or for what, the nobles were committed, Blood to blood, self'gainst self:-0, preposterous
Is all unknown to me, my gracious lady. And frantic courage, end thy damned spleen;

Q. Eliz. Ah me, I see the ruin of my house! Or let me die, to look on death no more!
The tiger now hath seiz’d the gentle hind ; Q. Eliz. Come, come, my boy, we will to
Insulting tyranny begins to jut

sanctuary:
Upon the innocent and awless throne: - Madam, farewell.
Welcome, destruction, blood, and massacre ! Duch. Stay, I will go with you.
I see, as in a map, the end of all.

Q. Eliz. You have no cause.
Duch. Accursed and unquiet wrangling days! Arch. My gracious lady, go, [To the Queen.
How many of you have mine eyes beheld ! And thither bear your treasure and your goods.
My husband lost his life to get the crown; For my part, I'll resign unto your grace
And often up and down my sons were tost, The seal I keep: And so betide to me,
For me to joy, and weep, their gain and loss : As well I tender you, and all of yours !
And being
seated, and domestic

broils

Come, I'll conduct you to the sanctuary.
Clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors,
Make war upon themselves ; brother to brother,

ACT III.

course

SCENE I.-The same. A street.

Enter Hastings.

Buck. And in good time, here comes the The trumpets sound. Enter the Prince of

sweating lord. Wales, GLOSTER, BUCKINGHAM, Cardinal

Prince. Welcome, my lord: What, will our BOURCHIER, and Others.

mother come? Buck. Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to Hast. On what occasion, God he knows, not I, your chamber.

The queen your mother, and your brother York, Glo. Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' so Have taken sanctuary: The tender prince vereign :

Would fain have come with me to meet your The weary way hath made you melancholy.

grace, Prince. No, uncle ; but our crosses on the way But by his mother was perforce withheld. llave made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy: Buck. Fye! what an indirect and peevish I want more uncles here to welcome me. Glo. Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of Is this of hers ? —Lord cardinal, will your grace your years

Persuade the queen to send the duke of York Hath not yet div'd into the world's deceit: Unto his princely brother presently? No more can you distinguish of a man,

If she deny,-lord Hastings, go with him, Than of his outward show; which, God he And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce. knows,

Card. My lord of Buckingham, if my weak Seldom, or never, jumpeth with the heart.

oratory Those uncles, which you want, were dangerous ; Can from his mother win the duke of York, Your grace attended to the sugar'd words, Anon expect him here: But if she be obdurate But look'd not on the poison of their hearts : To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid God keep you from them, and from such false We should infringe the holy privilege friends!

Of blessed sanctuary ! not for all this land, Prince. God keep me from false friends! but Would I be guilty of so deep a sin. they were none.

Buck. You are too senseless obstinate, my lord, Glo. My lord, the mayor of London comes to Too ceremonious, and traditional : greet you.

Weigh it but with the grossness of this age,

You break not sanctuary in seizing him. Enter the Lord Mayor, and his Train. The benefit thereof is always granted May. God bless your grace with health and To those whose dealings have deserv'd the place, happy days!

And those who have the wit to claim the place : Prince. I thank you, good my lord; and This prince hath neither claim'dit, nor deserv'dit;

thank you all. [Exeunt Mayor, 8c. And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it : I thought my mother, and my brother York, Then, taking him from thence, that is not there, Would long ere this have met us on the way: You break no privilege nor charter there. Fye, what a slug is Hastings ! that he comes not Oft have I heard of sanctuary men ; To tell us, whether they will come, or no. But sanctuary children, ne'er till now.

place ;

talk;

long.

me:

Thus, like the formal wice

, one work: } Aside.

Card. My lord, you shall o'er-rule

my

mind Glo. O, my fair cousin, I must not say so. for once.

York. Then is he more beholden to you, than I. Come on, lord Hastings, will you go with me? Glo. He may command me, as my sovereign ; Hast. I go, my lord.

But you have power in me, as in a kinsman. Prince. Good lords, make all the speedy haste York. I pray you, uncle, then, give me this

you may. (Exeunt Card. and Hasting's. dagger. Say, uncle Gloster, if our brother come,

Glo. My dagger, little cousin! with all my Where shall we sojourn till our coronation ?

heart. Glo. Where it seems best unto your royal self. Prince.

beggar, brother?' If I may counsel you, some day, or two, York. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give; Your highness shall repose you at the Tower : And, being but a toy, which is no grief to give. Then where you please, and shall be thought Glo. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin. most fit

York. A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it? For your best health and recreation.

Glo. Ay, gentle

cousin, were it light enough. Prince

. I do not like the Tower, of any place : York. O then, I see, you'll part but with Did Julius Cæsar build that place, my lord ?

light gifts ; Glo. He did, my gracious lord, begin that In weightier things you'll say a beggar, nay.

Glo. It is too weighty for your grace to wear.
Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified. York. I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.

Prince. Is it upon record? or else reported Glo. What, would you have my weapon,
Successively from age to age he built it?

little lord ?
Buck. Upon record, my gracious lord. York. I would, that I might thank you as you
Prince. But say, my lord, it were not register’d;

call me.
Methinks, the truth'shall live from age to age,

Glo. How?
As 'twere retail'd to all posterity,

York. Little.
Even to the general all-ending day.

Prince. My lord of York will still be cross in
Glo. So wise so young, they say, do ne'er live

[Aside. Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him. · Prince. What say you, uncle?

York. You mean, to bear me, not to bear with
Glo. I say, without
characters, fame lives long.
Uncle, my brother mocks both

you

and me; I in word.

Because that I am little, like an ape,
Prince. That Julius Cæsar was a famous man; He thinks, that you should bear me on your
With what his valour did enrich his wit,

shoulders.
His wit set down to make his valour live: Buck. With what a sharp-provided wit he
Death makes no conquest of this conqueror;

reasons !
For now he lives in fame, though not in life.- To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle,

you what, my cousin Buckingham. He prettily and aptly taunts himself:
Buck. What, my gracious lord ?

So cunning, and so young, is wonderful.
Prince. An if I live until I be a man,

Glo. My gracious lord, will’t please you pass
Il win our ancient right in France again,

along? Or die a soldier, as I liv'd a king.

Myself, and my good cousin Buckingham, Glo. Short summers lightly have a forward Will to your mother ; to entreat of her, spring.

[Aside. To meet you at the Tower, and welcome you.

York. What, will you go unto the Tower, my

lord ? Enter York, Hastings, and the Cardinal.

Prince. My lord protector needs will have it so. Buck. Now, in good time, here comes the York. I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower. duke of York.

Glo. Why, sir, what should you fear? Prince. Richard of York! how fares our loving York. Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost ; brother?

My grandam told me, he was murder'd there. York. Well, my dread lord ; so must I call

Prince. I fear no uncles dead.
you now.

Glo. Nor none that live, I hope.
Prince. Ay, brother ; to our grief, as it is Prince. An if they live, I hope, I need not fear.

But come, my lord, and with a heavy heart,
Poo late he died, that might have kept that title, Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.
Which by his death hatń lost much majesty,

[Exeunt Prince, York, Hastings, Care Glo. How fares our cousin, noble lord of York?

dinul, and Attendants.
York
. I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord,

Buck. Think you, my lord, this little prating l'ou said, that idle weeds are fast in growth:

York
The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.

Was not incensed by his subtle mother,
Glo. He hath, my lord.

To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?
Pork. And therefore is he idle ?

Glo, No doubt, vodoubt: 0, 'tis a parlous boy;

Tar

yours:

Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable ; Hast. [Within.] Who knocks ?
He's all the mother's, from the top to toe. Mess. One from lord Stanley.
Buck. Well, let them rest.-

Hast. [Within.] What is't o'clock?
Come hither, gentle Catesby ; thou art sworn Mess. Upon the stroke of four.
As deeply to effect what we intend,
As closely to conceal what we impart:

Enter HASTINGS.
Thou know'st our reasons urg'd upon the way; Hast. Cannot thy master sleep the tedious
What think’st thou ? is it not an easy matter

nights? To make William lord Hastings of our mind, Mess. So it should seem by that I have to say. For the instalment of this noble duke

First, he commends him to your noble lordship. In the seat royal of this famous isle?

Hast. And then, Cate. He for his father's sake so loves the prince, Mess. And then he sends you word, he dreamt That he will not be won to aught against him. To-night the boar had rased off his helm : Buck. What think'st thou then of Stanley? Besides, he says, there are two councils held; will not he?

And that may be determin’d at the one, Cate. He will do all in all as Hastings doth. Which may make you and him to rue at th'other. Buck. Well then, no more but this: Go, Therefore he sends to know your lordship’s gentle Catesby,

pleasure, And, as it were far off, sound thou lord Hastings, If presently you will take horse with him, How he doth stand affected to our purpose ; And with all speed post with him toward the And summon him to-morrow to the Tower,

north, To sit about the coronation.

To shun the danger that his soul divines. If thou dost find him tractable to us,

Hast. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord; Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons : Bid him not fear the separated councils : If he be leaden, icy, cold, unwilling,

His honour, and myself, are at the one ; Be thou so too; and so break off the talk, And, at the other, is my good friend Catesby ; And give us notice of his inclination :

Where nothing can proceed, that toucheth us, For we to-morrow hold divided councils, Whereof I shall not have intelligence. Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ’d. Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance : Glo. Commend me to lord William : tell him, And for his dreams--I wonder, he's so fond Catesby,

To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers : His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries To fly the boar, before the boar pursues, To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle ; Were to incense the boar to follow us, And bid my friend, for joy of this good news, And make pursuit, where he did mean no chase. Give mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more. Go, bid thy master rise and come to me; Buck. Good Catesby, go, effect this business And we will both together to the Tower, soundly.

Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly. Cate. My good lords both, with all the heed I can.

Mess. I'll go, my lord, and tell him what you Glo. Sball we hear from you, Catesby, ere we say.

[Erit

. sleep? Cate. You shall, my lord.

Enter CATESBY. Glo. At Crosby-place, there shall you find us Cate. Many good morrows to my noble lord! both.

[Erit Catesby. Hast. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early Buck. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if stirring: we perceive

What news, what news, in thisour tottering state? Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots ? Cate. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord; Glo. Chop off his head, man ;--somewhat we And, I believe, will never stand upright, will do :

Till Richard wear the garland of the realm, And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me Hast. How? wear the garland ? dost thou The earldom of Hereford, and all the moveables mean the crown? Whereof the king my brother was possess'd. Cate. Ay, my good lord. Buck. I'll claim that promise at your grace's Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from hand.

my shoulders, Glo. And look to have it yielded with all kind- Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd.

But canst thou guess, that he doth aim at it? Come, let us sup betimes; that afterwards

Cate. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you We may digest our complots in some form.

forward
[Exeunt. Upon his party, for the gain thereof:

And, thereupon, he sends you this good news.com SCENE II.-Before Lord Hastings' house. That, this same very day, your enemies, Enter a Messenger.

The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.

Hast. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news, 11css. My lord, my lord, - [Knocking. Because they bave been still my adversaries :

ness.

it out

But

, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side, Than when thou met'st me last, where now we To bar my master's heirs in true descent,

meet :
God knows, I will not do it, to the death. Then was I going prisoner to the Tower,
Cute. God keep your lordship in that gracious By the suggestion of the queen’s allies;
mind!

But now, I tell thee, (keep it to thyself,)
Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelvemonth This day those enemies are put to death,
hence,

And I in better state than ere I was.
That they, who brought me in my master's hate, Purs. God hold it, to your honour's good
I live to look

upon
their
tragedy.

content !
Well

, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older, Hast. Gramercy, fellow : There, drink that 1911 send some packing, that yet think not on't.

for me.

[Throwing him his purse. Cate. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,

Purs. I thank

your

honour. When men are unprepar'd, and look not for it.

[Exit Pursuivant
Hast
. O monstrous, monstrous ! and so falls

Enter a Priest.
With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do Pr. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your
With some men else, who think themselves as safe honour.
As thou, and I ; who, as thou know'st, are ear Hast. I thank thee, good sir John, with all my
To princely Richard, and to Buckingham.

heart.
Cate. The princes both make high account of I am in your debt for your last exercise ;
you,

Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you.
For they account his head upon the bridge,

Enter BUCKINGHAM.

[ Aside. Hast. Iknow, they do; and I have well deserv'd Buck. What, talking with a priest, lord chama it.

berlain

Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest ; Enter STANLEY.

Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.
Comeon, come on, where is your boar-spear, man? Hast. 'Good faith, and when I met this holy
Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided ?

man,
Star. My lord, good morrow; and good mor- The men you talk of came into my mind.
row, Catesby :-

What, go you toward the Tower
You may jest on, but, by the holy rood, Buck. I do, my lord; but long I cannot stay
I do not like these several councils, I.

there :
Hast

. My lord, I hold my life as dear as yours; I shall return before your lordship thence. And never, in my life, I do protest,

Hast. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there. Was it more precious to me than 'tis now : Buck. And supper too, although thou know'st you, but that I know our state secure,

it not.

[ Aside. I would be so triumphant as I am?

Come, will you go?
Stan. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode Hust. I'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt.

from London,
Were jocund, and suppos’d their states were sure, SCENE III.-Pomfret. Before the Castle.
And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust;
But yet, you see, how soon the day o'er-cast.
This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt ;

Enter RatcliFF, with a Guard, conducting Ri.

VERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN, to execution.
Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward !
What, shall we toward the Tower ? the day is Rat. Come, bring forth the prisoners.
spent.

Riv. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this,-
Hast. Come, come, have with you. Wot you To-day, shalt thou behold a subject die,
what, my lord ?

For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.
Today, the lords you talk of are beheaded. Grey. God keep the prince from all the pack
Stan. They, for their truth, might better wear of you!

A knot you are of damned blood-suckers.
Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their Vaugh. You live, that shall cry woe for this

hereafter.
But come, my lord, let's away.

Rạt. Despatch ; the limit of your lives is out."

Riv. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison,
Enter a Pursuivant.

Fatal and ominous to noble peers !
Hast. Go on before, I'll talk with this good within the guilty closure of thy walls
fellow.

[Exeunt Stanley and Catesby, Richard the second here was hack'd to death : llow now, sirrah? how goes the world with

thee? And, for more slander to thy dismal seat, Purs . The better, that your lordship please to We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink.

Grey. Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon Hast. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now,

our heads,

Think

their heads,

hats.

ask.