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 parliament, holden at Bury the first of this next month. Glo. And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before! This is close dealing.-Well, I will be there. [Exit Herald. My Nell, I take my leave:-and, master sheriff, 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 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? [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 afear'd, Because I wish'd this world's eternity.— I care not whither, for I beg no favour, Stan. Why, madam, that is to the isle of Man; Duch. That's bad enough, for I am but reproach: And shall I then be us'd reproachfully? 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 my shame! Sher. It is my office; and, madam, pardon me. Duch. Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharg'd.Come, Stanley, shall we go? Stan. Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet, And go we to attire you for our journey. Duch. My shame will not be shifted with my sheet: No, it will hang upon my richest robes, And show itself, attire me how I can. Go, lead the way; I long to see my prison. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-The Abbey at Bury. Enter to the Parliament, King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, Cardinal BEAUFORT, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, and Others. K. Hen. I muse, my lord of Gloster is not come : "Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man, Whate'er occasion keeps him from us now. Q. Mar. Can you not see? or will you not observe The strangeness of his alter'd countenance? With what a majesty he bears himself; How insolent of late he is become, How proud, perémptory, and unlike himself? We know the time, since he was mild and affable; Immediately he was upon his knee, That all the court admir'd him for submission: First, note, that he is near you in descent; Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears, Now 'tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; I will subscribe and say-I wrong'd the duke. Or else conclude my words effectual. Suf. Well hath your highness seen into this duke; Upon my life, began her devilish practices: Smooth runs the water, where the brook is deep; Car. Did he not, contrary to form of law, 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, |