Is that he was the lord ambassador, Sent from a sort of tinkers to the king. Commons. [Within.] An answer from the king, or we'll all break in. K. Hen. Go, Salisbury, and tell them all from me, I thank them for their tender loving care: And had I not been 'cited so by them, But three days longer, on the pain of death. [Exit SALISBURY. If, after three days' space, thou here be'st found The world shall not be ransom for thy life.--- [Exeunt King HENRY, WARWICK, Lords, &c. Q. Mar. Mischance, and sorrow, go along with you! Heart's discontent, and sour affliction, Be playfellows to keep you company ! There's two of you; the devil make a third! And threefold vengeance tend upon your steps! Suf. Cease, gentle queen, these execrations, And let thy Suffolk take his heavy leave. Q. Mar. Fye, coward woman, and soft-hearted wretch! Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemies? Suf. A plague upon them! wherefore should I curse them? Would curses kill, as doth the mandrake's groan, As curst, as harsh, and horrible to hear, Q. Mar. Enough, sweet Suffolk; thou torment'st thy self; And these dread curses-like the sun 'gainst glass, Or like an overcharged gun,-recoil, And turn the force of them upon thyself. Suf. You bade me ban, and will you bid me leave? Now, by the ground that I am banish'd from, Well could I curse away a winter's night, Though standing naked on a mountain top, And think it but a minute spent in sport. Q. Mar. O, let me entreat thee, cease! Give me thy hand, That I may dew it with my mournful tears; [Kisses his hand. That thou might'st think upon these by the seal, And banished I am, if but from thee. Go, speak not to me; even now be gone. O, go not yet!-Even thus two friends, condemn'd, Suf. Thus is poor Suffolk ten times banished, I can no more:-Live thou to joy thy life; Enter VAUX. Q. Mar. Whither goes Vaux so fast? what news, I pr'ythee? Vaux. To signify unto his majesty, That cardinal Beaufort is at point of death: That makes him gasp, and stare, and catch the air, Q. Mar. Go, tell this heavy message to the king. And with the southern clouds contend in tears; Theirs for the earth's increase, mine for my sorrows? Now, get thee hence: The king, thou know'st, is coming? If thou be found by me, thou art but dead. Suf. If I depart from thee, I cannot live: And in thy sight to die, what were it else, But like a pleasant slumber in thy lap? Here could I breathe my soul into the air, As mild and gentle as the cradle-babe, 4 Dying with mother's dug between its lips: To die by thee, were but to die in jest; From thee to die, were torture more than death: O, let me stay, befall what may befall. Q. Mar. Away! though parting be a fretful corrosive, It is applied to a deathful wound. To France, sweet Suffolk: Let me hear from thee, For wheresoe'er thou art in this world's globe, I'll have an Iris that shall find thee out. Suf. I go. Q. Mar. And take my heart with thee. Q. Mar. This way for me. [Exeunt, severally. SCENE III.-London. Cardinal BEAUFORT'S BedChamber. Enter King HENRY, SALISBURY, WARWICK, and Others. The Cardinal in Bed; Attendants with him. K. Hen. How fares my lord? speak, Beaufort, to thy sovereign. |