Then, father Salisbury, kneel we both together; And, in this private plot,' be we the first, "That shall salute our rightful sovereign 'With honour of his birthright to the crown. Both. Long live our sovereign Richard, England's king! 'York. We thank you, lords. But I am not your king, *Should be to be protected like a child.-- Glo. My staff?-here, noble Henry, is my staff. Till I be crown'd; and that my sword be "With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster: And that's not suddenly to be perform'd; But with advice, and silent secrecy. *Do you, as I do, in these dangerous days, *Wink at the duke of Suffolk's insolence, * At Beaufort's pride, at Somerset's ambition, At Buckingham, and all the crew of them, Till they have snar'd the shepherd of the flock, That virtuous prince, the good duke Humphrey : "Tis that they seek; and they, in seeking that, Shall find their deaths, if York can prophesy. Sal. My lord, break we off; we know your mind at full. 'War. My heart assures me, that the earl of Warwick *And Humphrey, duke of Gloster, scarce himself, *Suff. Thus droops this lofty pine, and hangs *Thus Eleanor's pride dies in her youngest days. "York. Lords, let him go.-Please it your ma jesty, 'This is the day appointed for the combat; Q. Mar. Ay, good my lord; for purposely *Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried. 本 'Shall one day make the duke of York a king. 'York. And, Nevil, this do I assure myself,Richard shall live to make the earl of Warwick 'The greatest man in England but the king. [Exe. SCENE III.-The same. A hall of justice. Trumpets sounded. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Gloster, York, Suffolk, and Salisbury; 'Here let them end it, and God defend the right! the Duchess of Gloster, Margery Jourdain, York. I never saw a fellow worse bested,+ Southwell, Hume, and Bolingbroke, under* Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant, guard. The servant of this armourer, my lords. Enter on one side, Horner, and his Neighbours, drinking to him so much that he is drunk; and he enters bearing his staff with a sand-bag fastened to it; a drum before him; at the other side, Peter, with a drum and a similar staff; accompanied by Prentices drinking to him. K. Hen. Stand forth, dame Eleanor Cobham, Gloster's wife: "In sight of God, and us, your guilt is great; Despoiled of your honour in your life, * Glo. Eleanor, the law, thou seest, hath judged I cannot justify whom the law condemns.- 'Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief. 1 Neigh. Here, neighbour Horner, I drink to you in a cup of sack; And fear not, neighbour, 2 Neigh. And here, neighbour, here's a cup of charneco. 3 Neigh. And here's a pot of good double beer, neighbour: drink, and fear not your man. Hor. Let it come, i'faith, and I'll pledge you all ; And a fig for Peter! 1 Pren. Here, Peter, I drink to thee; and be not afraid. 2 Pren. Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy master; fight for credit of the prentices. Peter. I thank you all: drink, and pray for me, I pray you; for, I think, I have taken my last *draught in this world.*-Here, Robin, an if I die, I give thee my apron; and, Will, thou shalt have Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground!-my hammer and here, Tom, take all the money 'I beseech your majesty, give me leave to go; thou go, 'Give up thy staff; Henry will to himself 'Protector be: and God shall be my hope, My stay, my guide, and lantern to my feet; And go in peace, Humphrey; no less belov'd, "Than when thou wert protector to thy king. * Q. Mar. I see no reason, why a king of years that I have.-O Lord, bless me, I pray God! for I am never able to deal with my master, he hath learnt so much fence already. Sal. Come, leave your drinking, and fall to blows. -Sirrah, what's thy name? and myself an honest man: * and touching the duke of York,-will take my death, I never meant him any ill, nor the king, nor the queen: And, therefore, Peter, have at thee with a downright blow, as Bevis of Southampton fell upon Ascapart. * York. Despatch:-this knave's tongue begins to double. Sound trumpets, alarum to the combatants. [Alarum. They fight, and Peter strikes down his master. Hor. Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess treason. [Dies. *York. Take away his weapon :-Fellow, * thank God, and the good wine in thy master's 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; For, by his death, we do perceive his guilt: And God, in justice, hath reveal'd to us The truth and innocence of this poor fellow, Which he had thought to have murder'd wrongfully.Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-The same. A street. Enter Gloster and Servants, in mourning cloaks. * And follow'd with a rabble, that rejoice Glo. Ah, Nell, forbear; thou aimest all awry; I must offend, before I be attainted: *And had I twenty times so many foes, * Glo. Thus, sometimes, hath the brightest day* * And, after summer, evermore succeeds Serv. Ten, my lord. 'Glo. Ten is the hour that was appointed me, To watch the coming of my punish'd duchess: Uneath3 may she endure the flinty streets, "To tread them with her tender-feeling feet. Sweet Nell, ill ean thy noble mind abrook With envious looks, still laughing at thy shame; The abject people, gazing on thy face, 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 white 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! 'See, how the giddy multitude do point, And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee! Ah, Gloster, hide thee from their hateful looks; And, in thy closet pent up, rue my shame, And ban' thine enemies, both mine and thine. Glo. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief. Duch. Ah, Gloster, teach me to forget myself: For, whilst I think I am thy married wife, And thou a prince, protector of this land, Methinks, I should not thus be led along, Mail'd up in shame, with papers on my back; 6 (1) The death of the vanquished person was always regarded as certain evidence of his guilt. (2) Change. (3) Not easily. (4) Malicious. (5) Curse. And each of them had twenty times their power, * All these could not procure me any scathe, So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless. 'Would'st have me rescue thee from this reproach? Why, yet thy scandal were not wip'd away, 'But I in danger for the breach of law. Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell: I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience; 'These few days' wonder will be quickly worn. Enter a Herald. Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's parThis is close dealing.-Well, I will be there. liament, holden at Bury the first of this next month. Glo. And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before! [Exit Herald. My Nell, I take my leave :-and, master sheriff, Let not her penance exceed the king's commission. 'Sher. An't please your grace, here my commission stays: And sir John Stanley is appointed now To take her with him to the Isle of Man. 'Glo. Must you, sir John, protect my lady here? 'Stan. So am I given in charge, may't please your grace. Glo. Entreat her not the worse, in that I pray Duch. What gone, my lord; and bid me not '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; '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. (9) i. e. The world may look again favourably on me. If it be fond, call it a woman's fear; 'I care not whither, for I beg no favour, 'Only convey me where thou art commanded. *Stan. Why, madain, that is to the Isle of Man; *There to be used according to your state. *Duch. That's bad enough, for I ain but proach: And shall I then be us'd reproachfully? 1 * 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, madam, pardon me. 'Duch. Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharg'd. 'Come, Stanley, shall we go? Or else conclude my words effectual. 'Suff. Well hath your highness seen into this duke; And, had I first been put to speak my mind, I think, I should have told your grace's tale. The duchess, by his subornation, * Upon my life, began her devilish practices: Stan. Madam, your penance, done throw off Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess, this sheet, 'And go we to attire you for our journey. Duch. My shame will not be shifted with my observe 'The strangeness of his alter'd countenance? How proud, peremptory, and unlike himself? 'We know the time, since he was mild and affable; 'And, if we did but glance a far-off look, 'Immediately he was upon his knee, 'That all the court admir'd him for submission: 'But meet him now, and, be it in the morn, 'When every one will give the time of day, 'He knits his brow, and shows an angry eye, And passeth by with stiff unbowed knee, Disdaining duty that to us belongs. Small curs are not regarded, when they grin: 'But great men tremble, when the lion roars; And Humphrey is no little man in England. First, note, that he is near you in descent; 'And should you fall, he is the next will mount. 'Me seemeth then, it is no policy,'Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears, And his advantage following your decease,"That he should come about your royal person, 'Or be admitted to your highness' council. By wicked means to frame our sovereign's fall. Smooth runs the water, where the brook is deep; And in his simple show he harbours treason. The fox barks not, when he would steal the lamb. No, no, my sovereign; Gloster is a man Unsounded yet, and full of deep deceit. * Car. Did he not, contrary to form of law, Devise strange deaths for small offences done? York. And did he not, in his protectorship, Levy great sums of money through the realm, *For soldiers' pay in France, and never sent it; By means whereof, the towns each day revolted? *Buck. Tut! these are petty faults to faults unknown, 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. Who cannot steal a shape, that means deceit ? Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all *Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man. Enter Somerset, *Som. All health unto my gracious sovereign! K. Hen. Welcome, lord Somerset. What news from France? 'Som. That all your interest in those territories 'Is utterly bereft you; all is lost. K. Hen. Cold news, lord Somerset: But God's will be done! York, Cold news for me; for I had hopes of By flattery hath he won the eommons' 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 collect' these dangers in the duke. [Aside, Enter Gloster. *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. (4) Foolish,(6) Gear was a general word for things or matters. (1) For conductor. (2) Wonder. (3) i. e. Assemble by observation, 'Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art : I do arrest thee of high treason here. 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. Why, 'tis well known, that whiles I was 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. 'Unless it were a bloody murderer, '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, K. Hen. My lord of Gloster, 'tis my special hope, Glo. Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous! * I know, their complot is to have my life; But mine is made the prologue to their play; "And Suffolk's cloudy brow his stormy hate; (1) For easily. (2) For accusation. (3) Dearest.* 'By false accuse? doth level at my life: *Car. My liege, his railing is intolerable: 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, [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 grief, *Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes My body round engirt with misery; * For what's more miserable than discontent ?→ * Ah, uncle Humphrey in thy face I see *The map of honour, truth, and loyalty; 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, That these great lords, and Margaret our queen, * Even so, remorseless, have they borne hiin hence. His fortunes I will weep; and, 'twixt each groan, 'Sav-Who's a traitor, Gloster he is none. [Erit. * 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; *Or as the snake, rolled in a flowering bank,' *With shining checker'd slough, doth sting a child, *That, for the beauty, thinks it excellent, *Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I * (And yet, herein, I judge mine own wit good,) "This Gloster should be quickly rid the world, "To rid us from the fear we have of him. *Car. That he should die, is worthy policy; But yet we want a colour for his death: 'Tis meet he be condemned by course of law. *Suff. But, in my mind, that were no policy: *The king will labour still to save his life, *The commons haply rise to save his life; And yet we have but trivial argument, * More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death. *York. So that, by this, you would not have him die. Suff. Ah, York, no man alive so fain as I. * York. 'Tis York that hath more reason for his death. But, my lord cardinal, and you, my lord of Suffolk, Say, as you think, and speak it from your souls,* Were't not all one, an empty eagle were set *To guard the chicken from a hungry kite, * As place duke Humphrey for the king's protector? Q. Mar. So the poor chicken should be sure of death. 'Suff. Madam, 'tis true: And were't not ness then, *Car. A breach, that craves a quick expedient 'What counsel give you in this weighty cause! Som. If York, with all his far-fet' policy, *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 ? 'To make the fox surveyor of the fold? So he be dead; for that is good deceit, *Suff. Not resolute, except so much were done: *And to preserve my sovereign from his foe.- Ere you can take due orders for a priest: Say, you consent, and censure well the deed, *And I'll provide his executioner, I tender so the safety of my liege. *York. And I and now we three have spoke it, *It skills not greatly' who impugns our doom. Enter a Messenger. *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. '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. thoughts, And change misdoubt 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. To send me packing with a host of men: '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, And put the Englishmen unto the sword: Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime, * Before the wound do grow incurable; * For, being green, there is great hope of help. i. e. In the flowers growing on a bank. Skin hearts. |