and myself an honest man: * and touching the|* And follow'd with a rabble, that rejoice * duke of York,-will take my death, I never To see my tears, and hear my deep-fet' groans. meant him any ill, nor the king, nor the queen: The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet; And, therefore, Peter, have at thee with a down- And, when I start, the envious people laugh, right blow, as Bevis of Southampton fell upon And bid me be advised how I tread. Ascapart. York. Despatch:-this knave's tongue begins * Sound trumpets, alarum to the combatants. Hor. Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess way. Peter. O God! have I overcome mine enemies in this presence? O Peter, thou hast prevailed in 'right! K. Hen. Go, take hence that traitor from our sight; Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke? Which he had thought to have murder'd wrong-And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee. fully. Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward. [Exeunt. But fear not thou, until thy foot be snar'd, Nor never seek prevention of thy foes. *Glo. Ah, Nell, forbear; thou aimest all awry; I must offend, before I be attainted: *And had I twenty times so many foes, SCENE IV.-The same. A street. Enter * And, after summer, evermore succeeds * Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold; *So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet. Sirs, what's o'clock ? Serv. Ten, my lord. 'Glo. Ten is the hour that was appointed me, To watch the coming of my punish'd duchess: 'Uneath' may she endure the flinty streets, 'To tread them with her tender-feeling feet. Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble mind abrook The abject people, gazing on thy face, With envious looks, still laughing at thy shame; That erst did follow thy proud chariot-wheels, When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets. But, soft! I think, she comes; and I'll prepare My tear-stain'd eyes to see her miseries. Enter the Duchess of Gloster, in a while sheet, with papers pinned upon her back, her feet bare, and a taper burning in her hand; Sir John Stanley, a Sheriff, and Officers. Serv. So please your grace, we'll take her from the sheriff. Glo. No, stir not, for your lives; let her pass by. Duch. Come you, my lord, to see my open shame? Now thou dost penance too. Look, how they gaze! Glo. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief. (1) The death of the vanquished person was And each of them had twenty times their power, Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's par- [Exit Herald. My Nell, I take my leave :-and, master sheriff, 'Glo. Must you, sir John, protect my lady here? your grace. Glo. Entreat her not the worse, in that I pray You use her well: the world may laugh again;" And I may live to do you kindness, if You do it her. And so, sir John, farewell. Duch. What gone, my lord; and bid me not farewell? 'Glo. Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak. [Exeunt Gloster and Servants. 'Duch. Art thou gone too? *All comfort go with thee! *For none abides with me: my joy is-death; Death, at whose name I oft have been afeard, *Because I wish'd this world's eternity.Stanley, I pr'ythee, go, and take me hence; (6) Wrapped up in disgrace; alluding to the sheet of penance. (7) Deep-fetched. (8) Harm, mischief. on me. I care not whauet, for I beg no favour And shall I then be us'd reproachfully? 6 If it be fond, call it a woman's fear; I will subscribe and say-I wrong'd the duke. My lord of Suffolk,-Buckingham,—and York,— re-Reprove my allegation, if you can; * Stan. Like to a duchess and duke Humphrey's lady, *According to that state you shall be used. 'Duch. Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare: Although thou hast been conduct of thy shame! Sher. It is my office; and, madan, pardon me. 'Duch. Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharg'd. 'Come, Stanley, shall we go? 'Stan. Madam, your penance, done throw this sheet, And go we to attire you for our journey. 'Or else conclude iny words effectual. Suff. Well hath your highness seen into this And, had I first been put to speak my mind, off* Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess, 'Duch. My shame will not be shifted with my And in his simple show he harbours treason. sheet: "The strangeness of his alter'd countenance? How proud, peremptory, and unlike himself? 'That all the court admir'd him for submission: Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears, By flattery hath he won the commons' hearts; And when he please to make commotion, "Tis to be fear'd, they all will follow him. "Now 'tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; 'Suffer them now, and they'll o'ergrow the garden, And choke the herbs for want of husbandry. The reverent care, I bear unto my lord, 'Made me collect3 these dangers in the duke. (1) For conductor. (2) Wonder. The fox barks not, when he would steal the lamb. * Car. Did he not, contrary to form of law, *Which time will bring to light in smooth duke Humphrey. *K. Hen. My lords, at once: The care you have of us, To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot, * Is worthy praise: But shall I speak my conscience? *Our kinsman Gloster is as innocent From meaning treason to our royal person, *As is the sucking lamb, or harmless dove:" The duke is virtuous, mild; and too well given, To dream on evil, or to work my downfall. *Q. Mar. Ah, what's more dangerous than this fond affiance? * Seems he a dove? his feathers are but borrow'd, *For he's disposed as the hateful raven. Is he a lamb? his skin is surely lent him, * For he's inclin'd as are the ravenous wolves. *Som. All health unto my gracious sovereign! from France? * Glo. All happiness unto my lord the king! Pardon, my liege, that I have staid so long. (5) i. e. Valuing himself on his high descent. ie. Assemble by observation. (4) Foolish,|(6) Gear was a general word for things or matters, Suff. Nay, Gloster, know, that thou art come]'By false accuse2 doth level at my life: too soon, 'Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art ; I do arrest thee of high treason here. And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, 'Causeless have laid disgraces on my head *Ard, with your best endeavour, have stirr'd up Glo. Well, Suffolk, yet thou shalt not see me My liefest liege to be mine enemy: blush, Nor change my countenance for this arrest; * A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. The purest spring is not so free from mud, And, being protector, stayed the soldiers' pay; 'I never robb'd the soldiers of their pay, Be brought against me at my trial day! * Car. It serves you well, my lord, to say so much. * Glo. I say no more than truth, so help me God! York. In your protectorship, you did devise Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of, That England was defam'd by tyranny. Glo. Why, 'tis well known, that whiles I was protector, Pity was all the fault that was in me; For I should melt at an offender's tears, * And lowly words were ransom for their fault. 'Or foul felonious thief that fleec'd poor passengers, Suff. My lord, these faults are easy,' quickly 'But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge, Ay, all of you have laid your heads together, *Myself had notice of your conventicles. 'I shall not want false witness to condemn me, 'Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt: The ancient proverb will be well effected,A staff is quickly found to beat a dog. *Car. My liege, his railing is intolerable: *If those that care to keep your royal person * From treason's secret knife, and traitor's rage, Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at, And the offender granted scope of speech, *Twill make them cool in zeal unto your grace. Suff. 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? Q. Mar. But I can give the loser leave to chide. Glo. 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. Glo. Ah, thus king Henry throws away his crutch, Before his legs be firm to bear his body: Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, 'And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. Ah, that my fear were false! ah, that it were! 'For, good king Henry, thy decay I fear. [Exeunt Attendants, with Gloster, K. Hen. My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best Do, or undo, as if ourself were here. Q. Mar. What, will your highness leave the par liament ? K. Hen. Ay, Margaret; my heart is drown'd with *Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes; And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come, That e'er I prov'd thee false, or fear'd thy faith. *What low'ring star now envies thy estate, 'K. Hen. My lord of Gloster, 'tis my special hope,* 'That you will clear yourself from all suspects; My conscience tells me, you are innocent. Glo. Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous! * Virtue is choak'd with foul ambition, And charity chas'd hence by rancour's hand; * Foul subornation is predominant, * And equity exíl'd your highness' land. 'And Suffolk's cloudy brow his stormy hate; (1) For easily. (2) For accusation. (3) Dearest. That these great lords, and Margaret our queen, * Do seek subversion of thy harmless life? *Thou never didst them wrong, nor noman wrong; *And as the butcher takes away the calf, And binds the wretch, and beats it when it strays, *Bearing it to the bloody slaughter-house; *Even so, remorseless, have they borne him hence. *And as the dam runs lowing up and down, Looking the way her harmless young one went, *And can do nought but wail her darling's loss; *Even so myself bewails good Gloster's case, *With sad unhelpful tears; and with dimm'd eyes Look after him, and cannot do him good; *So mighty are his vowed enemies. "His fortunes I will weep; and, 'twixt each groan, 'Say-Who's a traitor, Gloster he is none. Exit. *Q. Mar. Free lords, cold snow melts with the sun's hot beams. *Henry my lord is cold in great affairs, *With sorrow snares relenting passengers; *Car. That he should die, is worthy policy; Suff. But, in my mind, that were no policy: More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death. *Suff. Ah, York, no man alive so fain as I. *But, my lord cardinal, and you, my lord of Suf- *Say, as you think, and speak it from your souls,— 'Suff. Madam, 'tis true: And were't not ness then, *Car. A breach, that craves a quick expedients 'What counsel give you in this weighty cause! Som. If York, with all his far-fet' policy, By staying there so long, till all were lost. *If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with: Som. And, in the number, thee, that wishest 'Car. My lord of York, try what your fortune is. The uncivil kernes of Ireland are in arms, And temper clay with blood of Englishmen : "To Ireland will you lead a band of men, mad-Collected choicely, from each county some, And try your hap against the Irishmen? *York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty." *Suff, Why, our authority is his consent; And what we do establish, he confirms: *Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand. 'York. I am content: Provide me soldiers, lords, Whiles I take order for mine own affairs. To make the fox surveyor of the fold? "Who being accus'd a crafty murderer, His guilt should be but idly posted over, Because his purpose is not executed. No; let him die, in that he is a fox, By nature prov'd an enemy to the flock, 'Before his chaps be stain'd with crimson blood; As Humphrey, prov'd by reasons, to my liege. 'And do not stand on quillets, how to slay him: Be it by gins, by snares, by subtilty, 'Sleeping or waking, 'tis no matter how, So he be dead; for that is good deceit, 'Which mates4 him first, that first intends deceit. *Q. Mar. Thrice-noble Suffolk, 'tis resolutely spoke. Suff. 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 * Ere you can take due orders for a priest: I tender so the safety of my liege. *Suff. Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing. *Q. Mar. And so say I. *York. And I: and now we three have spoke it, *It skills not greatly' who impugns our doom. Enter a Messenger. Suff. A charge, lord York, that I will see per form'd. 'But now return we to the false duke Humphrey. For there I'll ship them all for Ireland. And change inisdoubt to resolution : Be that thou hop'st to be; or what thou art *Resign to death, it is not worth the enjoying Let pale-fac'd fear keep with the mean-born man, *And find no harbour in a royal heart. *Faster than spring-time showers, comes thought on thought; And not a thought, but thinks on dignity. *My brain more busy than the labouring spider, *Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies. *Well, nobles, well, 'tis politicly done, *To send me packing with a host of men: *I fear me, you but warm the starved snake, 'Mess. Great lords, from Ireland am I come Who, cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your amain, "To signify-that rebels there are up, (1) i. e. In the flowers growing on a bank. hearts. 'Twas men I lack'd, and you will give them me : (5) It is of no importance. (6) Expeditious * Shall blev ten thousand souls to heaven, or hell: [ * Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams, 'I have seduc'd a headstrong Kentishman, 'To make commotion, as full well he can, * In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade Shaking the bloody darts, as he his bells. 1 Mur. Run to my lord of Suffolk; let him know, * We have despatch'd the duke, as he commanded. * 2 Mur. O, that it were to do!-What have we done! * Didst ever hear a man so penitent? Enter Suffolk. '1 Mur. Here comes my lord. Suff. 'Despatch'd this thing? 1 Mur. Now, sirs, have you Ay, my good lord, he's dead. 'Suff. Why, that's well said. Go, get you to my house; 'I will reward you for this venturous deed. 'Have you laid fair the bed? are all things well, 'According as I gave directions? 1 Mur. 'Tis, my good lord. 'Suff. Away, be gone! [Exeunt Murderers. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, 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. Suff. "I'll call him presently, my noble lord. 'How now? why look'st thou pale? why tremblest thou? Where is our uncle? what is the matter, Suffolk? Suff. Dead in his bed, my lord; Gloster is dead. *Q. Mar. Marry, God forefend! *Car. God's secret judgment:-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!-0, Henry, ope thine eyes! *Suff. He doth revive again;-Madam, be *K. Hen. O heavenly God! How fares my gracious lord? Suff. Comfort, my sovereign! gracious Henry, comfort! K. Hen. What, doth my lord of Suffolk comfort Came he right now to sing a raven's note, And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight: * Yet he, most Christian-like, laments his death: And for myself,-foe as he was to me, *Might liquid tears, or heart-offending groans, *Or blood-consuming sighs, recall his life, 津 I would be blind with weeping, sick with groans, *Look pale as primrose, with blood-drinking sighs, *And all to have the noble duke alive. 'What know I how the world may deem of me? For it is known we were but hollow friends; So shall my name with slander's tongue be 'It may be judg'd, I made the duke away: wounded, And princes' courts be fill'd with my reproach. *This get I by his death: Ah me, unhappy! *To be a queen, and crown'd with infamy! K. Hen. Ah, wo is me for Gloster, wretched man! Q. Mar. Be wo for me,' more wretched than he is. What, dost thou turn away, and hide thy face? 'K. Hen. Lords, take your places;-And, II am no loathsome leper, look on me. pray you all, 'Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloster, Than from true evidence, of good esteem, He be approv'd in practice culpable. (1) A violent gust of wind. (2) Irish foot-soldiers, light-armed. (3) A Moor in a morris dance. [Exit. What, art thou, like the adder, waxen deaf? |