Enter LIGHTBORN. Art thou so resolute as thou wast? Light. What else, my lord? and far more resolute. Y. Mor. What's that? Light. Nay, you shall pardon me; none shall know Deliver this to Gurney and Matrevis. At every ten mile end thou hast a horse. my tricks. [Gives letter. Take this; [Gives money] away! and never see me more. Y. Mor. No; Unless thou bring me news of Edward's death. Light. That will I quickly do. Farewell, my lord. Y. Mor. The prince I rule, the queen do I command, And with a lowly congé to the ground, The proudest lords salute me as I pass; I seal, I cancel, I do what I will. - let me be feared, And when I frown, make all the court look pale. I view the prince with Aristarchus' eyes, Saying it is "onus quam gravissimum"; I Contrived. [Exit. Suscepi that provinciam as they term it; Shall rule the realm, the king; and none rules us. [Trumpets within. It pleaseth me, and Isabel the queen. The scene changes to Westminster Enter KING EDWARD THE THIRD, QUEEN ISABELLA, the ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY, Champion and Nobles. A. of Cant. Long live King Edward, by the grace of God, King of England and Lord of Ireland! Cham. If any Christian, Heathen, Turk, or Jew, Dare but affirm that Edward's not true king, [Trumpets sound. I am the champion that will combat him. Enter Soldiers, with KENT prisoner. Y. Mor. What traitor have we there with blades and bills? K. Edw. Third. What hath he done? Sol. 'A would have taken the king away perforce, As we were bringing him to Killingworth. Y. Mor. Did you attempt his rescue, Edmund? speak. And thou compell'st this prince to wear the crown. Y. Mor. Strike off his head! he shall have martial law. K. Edw. Third. Sweet mother, if I can not pardon him, Q. Isab. Son, be content; I dare not speak a word. K. Edw. Third. Nor I, and yet methinks I should command; I I am higher than Fortune can reach. Ovid, Metam. vi. 195. But, seeing I cannot, I'll entreat for him I will requite it when I come to age. Y. Mor. 'Tis for your highness' good, and for the realm's. How often shall I bid you bear him hence? Kent. Art thou king? must I die at thy command? Y. Mor. At our command. Once more away with him. Either my brother or his son is king, And none of both them thirst for Edmund's blood: [Soldiers hale KENT away, to be beheaded. K. Edw. Third. What safety may I look for at his hands, If that my uncle shall be murdered thus? Q. Isab. Fear not, sweet boy, I'll guard thee from thy foes; Had Edmund lived, he would have sought thy death. Come, son, we'll ride a-hunting in the park. K. Edw. Third. And shall my uncle Edmund ride with us? Q. Isab. He is a traitor: think not on him: come. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-IN BERKELEY CASTLE Enter MATREVIS and GURNEY. Mat. Gurney, I wonder the king dies not, Gur. And so do I, Matrevis: yesternight Mat. He hath a body able to endure More than we can inflict: and therefore now Gur. Send for him out thence, and I will anger him. Enter LIGHTBORN. Light. My Lord Protector greets you. [Gives letter. Gur. What's here? I know not how to construe it. Mat. Gurney, it was left unpointed for the nonce; "Edwardum occidere nolite timere," That's his meaning. Light. Know ye this token? I must have the king. [Gives token. Mat. Ay, stay awhile, thou shalt have answer straight. This villain's sent to make away the king. [Aside. Gur. I thought as much. [Aside. [Aside. Mat. And when the murder's done, See how he must be handled for his labour. Gur. Need anything besides? Get you away. Light. What else? A table and a feather-bed. Light. Ay, ay; so, when I call you, bring it in. Gur. Here's a light, to go into the dungeon. [Gives a light, and then exit with MATREVIS. The scene now discloses the interior of the dungeon in which KING EDWARD is confined Light. So now Must I about this this gear '; ne'er was there any So finely handled as this king shall be. Foh, here's a place indeed, with all my heart! K. Edw. Who's there? what light is that? wherefore com'st thou? Light. To comfort you, and bring you joyful news. K. Edw. Small comfort finds poor Edward in thy looks. Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me. Light. To murder you, my most gracious lord! Far is it from my heart to do you harm. The queen sent me to see how you were used, For she relents at this your misery: And what eyes can refrain from shedding tears, To see a king in this most piteous state? K. Edw. Weep'st thou already? list awhile to me. I Business. This dungeon where they keep me is the sink Light. O villains! K. Edw. And there in mire and puddle have I stood They give me bread and water, being a king; And there unhorsed the Duke of Cleremont. Light. O speak no more, my lord! this breaks my heart. Lie on this bed,' and rest yourself awhile. K. Edw. These looks of thine can harbour nought but death: I see my tragedy written in thy brows. Yet stay; awhile forbear thy bloody hand, My mind may be more steadfast on my God. Light. What means your highness to mistrust me thus? K. Edw. What mean'st thou to dissemble with me thus? Light. These hands were never stained with innocent blood, Nor shall they now be tainted with a king's. K. Edw. Forgive my thought for having such a thought. One jewel have I left; receive thou this. Still fear I, and I know not what's the cause, But every joint shakes as I give it thee. O, if thou harbourest murder in thy heart, Let this gift change thy mind, and save thy soul. I feel a hell of grief! where is my crown? Gone, gone! and do I still remain alive? [Giving jewel. Light. You're overwatched, my lord; lie down and rest. For not these ten days have these eyelids closed. Now as I speak they fall, and yet with fear Light. If you mistrust me, I'll begone, my lord. I The feather-bed provided by Gurney and Matrevis. 2 Mr. Fleay proposes to read "fault." |