with me. ter, Murd. Remember our reward, when the 1 Murd. What we will do, we do upon comdeed's done. mand. 2 Murd. Come, he dies; I had forgot the re- 2 Murd. And he, that hath commanded is our ward. king 1 Murd. Where's thy conscience now? Clar. Erroneous vassal! the great King of 2 Murd. In the duke of Gloster's purse. kings i Murd. So, when he opens his purse to give Hath in the table of his law commanded, us our reward, thy conscience flies out. That thou shalt do no murder ; Wilt thou then 2 Murd. 'Tis no matter; let it go : there's few, Spurn at his edict, and fulfil a man's ? or none, will entertain il. Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hand, I Murd. What, if it come to thee again? To hurl upon their heads that break his law. 2 Murd. I'll not meddle with it, it is a danger- 2 Murd. And that same vengeance doch he ous thing, it makes a man a coward; a man hurl on thee, cannot sleal, but it accuseth him; a man cannot For false forswearing, and for murder too: swear, but it checks him; a man cannot lie with! Thou didst receive the sacrament, to fight his neighbour's wife, but it detects him: "Tis a In quarrel of the house of Lancaster. blushing shame-faced spirit, that mutinies in 2 i Murd. And, like a traitor to the name of God man's bosom ; it fills one full of obstacles : it Didst break that vow; and, with thy treacherou made me once restore a purse of gold, that by blade, chance I found : it beggars any man that keeps Unrip'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son. it : it is turned out of all towns and cities for a 2 Murd. Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and dangerous thing; and every man that means to defend. live well, endeavours to trust to himself, and 1 Murd. How canst thoa urge God's dreadful live without it. law to us, 1 Murd. 'Zounds, it is even now at my elbow, When thou hast broke it in such dear degree? persuading me not to kill the duke. Clar. Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed I 2 Murd. Take the devil in thy mind, and be- For Edward, for my brother, for his sake : lieve him not : he would insinuate with thee, He sends you not to murder me for this; but to make thee sigh. For in that sin he is as deep as I. 1 Murd. I am strong-fram'd, he cannot prevail if God will be avenged for the deed, 0, know you, that he doth it publickly; 2 Murd. Spoke like a tall fellow, that respects Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm; his reputation. Come, shall we fall to work ? He needs no indirect nor lawless course, 1 Murd. Take him over the costard with the To cut off those that have offended him hilts of thy sword, and then throw him into the 1 Murd. Who made thee then a bloody minis malmsey butt, in the next room. 2 Murd. O excellent device! and make a sop When gallant springing, brave Plantagenet, of him. That princely povice, was struck dead by thee? 1 Murd. Soft I he wakes. Clar. My brother's love, the devil, and my 2 Murd. Strike. rage. 1 Murd. No, we'll reason with him. 1 Murd. Thy brother's love, our duty, and thy Clar. Where art thou, keeper 7 give me a cup fault, of wine. Provoke us hither now to slanghter thee. 1 Murd. You shall have wine enough, my lord, Clar. If you do love my brother, hate not me; I am his brother, and I love him well. Clar. In God's name, what art thou ? If you are hired for meed, go back again, 1 Murd. A man, as you are. And I will send you to my brother Gloster, Clar. But not as I am, royal. Who shall reward you better for my life, 1 Murd. Nor you, as we are, loyal. Than Edward will for tidings of my death. Clar. Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are 2 Murd. You are deceiv'd, your brother Gloe humble. ter hates you. 1 Murd. My voice is now the king's, my looks Clar. O, no ; he loves me, and he holds me mine own. dear : Clar. How darkly, and how deadly dost thou Go you to him from me. speak! Both Murd. Ay, so we will. Your eyes do menace me :-Why look you Clar. Tell him, when that our princely father pale? York Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come? Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm, Both Murd. To, to, to, And charg'd us from his soul to love each other, Clar. To murder me? He little thought of this divided friendship : Both Murd. Ay, ay. Bid Gloster think on this, and he will weep. Clar. You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so, 1 Murd. Ay, millstones; as he lesson'd us to And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it. weep Wherein, my friends, have I offended you? Clar. O, do not slander him, for he is kind. 1 Murd. Offended us you have not, but the 1 Murd. Righi, as snow in harvest.-Come, king: you deceive yourself'; Clar. I shall be reconciled to him again. 'Tis he that sends us to destroy you here. 2 Murd. Never, my lord; therefore prepare to Clar. It cannot be ; for he bewept my fortune, die. And hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs, Clar. Are you call'd forth from out a world That he would labour my delivery. 1 Murd. Why, so he doth, when he delivers you To slay the innocent ? What is my offence ? From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven. Where is the evidence that doth accuse me? 2 Murd. Make peace with God, for you musi What lawful quest have given their verdict up die, my lord. Clar. Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, The bitter sentence of poor Clarence' death ? To counsel me to make my peace with God, Before I be convict by course of law, And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind, me? 2 Murd. What shall we do ? anon. of men, Clar. Relent, and save your souls. K. Edw. Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou And make me happy in your unity: hate duteous love Would not entreat for life 2 Doth cherish you, and yours, God punish me My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks ; With hute in those where I expect inost love! o, if thine eye be not a flatterer, When I have most need to employ a friend, When I am cold in love, to you, or yours. (Embracing Rivers, &c. do, [Stabs him. K. Edw. A pleasing cordial, princely Bucking. I'll drown you in the malmsey butt within. ham, [Erit, with the body. Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart. 2 Murd. A bloody deed, and 'desperately de- There wanteth now our brother Gloster here, spatch'd! To make the blessed period of this peace. How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands Buck. And, in good time, here comes the noble of this most grievous guilty murder done! duke. Re-enter first Murderer. Enter Gloster. queen ; K. Edw. Happy, indeed, as we have spent the Brother, we have done deeds of charity; Glo. A blessed labour my most sovereigo liege - Hold me a foe; if I unwittingly, or in my rage, By any in this presence, I desire To reconcile me to his friendly peace: "Tis death to me, to be at enmity; I hate it, and desire all good men's love. service;beth, Dorset, Rivers, Hastings, Buckingham, If ever any grudge were lodg’d between us :Grey, and others. of you, Lord Rivers, -and Lord Grey, of you,K. Edw. Why, 60 ;-now have I done a good That all without desert have frown'd on me ; day's work ; Dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen: indeed, of all. You peers, continue this united league : I do not know that Englishman alive. I every day expect an embassage With whom my soul is any jot at odds, From my Redeemer to redeem me hence; More than the infant that is born to night: And now in peace my soul shall part to heaven, I thank my God for my humility: Since I have made my friends at peace on earth Q. Eliz. A holy-day shall this be kept here Rivers, and Hastings, take each other's hand; after :Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love. I would to God, all strifes were well compoundRiv. By heaven, my soul is purg'd from grudg ed. ing hate ; My sovereign lord, I do beseech your highness And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. To take our brother Clarence to your grace. Hast. So thrive I, as I truly swear the like ! Glo. Why, madam, have I offered love for this, K. Edw. Take heed, you dally not before your To be so flouted in this royal presence ? king; Who knows not that the gentle duke is dead? Lest be, that is the supreme King of kings, [They all start. Confound your hidden falsehood, and award You do him injury to scorn his corse. Either of you to be the other's end. K. Edw. Who knows not he is dead? who Hast. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! knows he is? Riv. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart! Q. Eliz. All-seeing heaven, what a world is this ! K. Edw. Madam, yourself are not exempt in Buck. Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest ? this, Nor your son Dorset,-Buckingham, nor you. But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks. Dor. Ay, my good lord; and no man in the Wife, love Lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand; K. Edw. Is Clarence dead ? the order was reAnd what you do, do it unfeignedly. vers'd. Q Eliz There, Hastings; - I will never more Glo. But he, poor man, by your first order died, remember And that a winged Mercury did bear; Our former hatred, so thrive I, and mine! Some tardy cripple bore the countermand, K. Edw. Dorset, embrace him, -Hastings, love That came too lag to see him buried :lord marquis. God grant, that some, less noble, and less loyal Dor. This interchange of love, I here protest, Nearer in bloody thoughts, and not in blood, Upop my part shall be inviolable. Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did, Hast. And so swear I. (Embraces Dorset. And yet go current from suspicion. 42 weep ? Enter Stanley. Duch. Peace, children, peacel the king doth Stan. A boon, my sovereign, for my service love you well: done! Incapable and shallow innocents, K. Edw. I pr'ythee, peace; my soul is full of You cannot guess who caus'd your father's death. sorrow. Son. Grandam, we can : for my good uncle Stan. I will not rise, unless your highness hear Gloster me. Told me, the king, provok'd to't by the queen, K. Edw. Then say at once, what is it thou re- Devis'd impeachments to imprison him : quest'st. And when my uncle told me so, he wept, Stan. The forfeit, sovereign, of my servants And pitied me, and kindly kiss'd my cheek; life; Bade me rely on him, as ou my father, Who slew to-day a riotous gentleman, And he would love me dearly as his child. Lately attendant on the duke of Norfolk. Duch. Ah, that deceit should steal such gentle K. Edw. Have I a tongue to doom my brother's shapes, death, And with a virtuous visor hide deep vice! And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave ? He is my son, ay, and therein my shame, My brother kill'd no man, his fault was thought, Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit. And yet his punishment was bitter death. Son. Think you, my uncle did dissemble, Who sued to me for him ? who, in my wrath, Kneeld at my feet, and bade me be advis'd ? Duch. Ay, boy. Who spoke of brotherhood ? who spoke of love? Son. I cannot think it. Hark! what noise is Who told me how the poor soul did forsake this? The mighty Warwick, and did fight for me? Enter Queen Elizabeth, distractedly; Rivers, Who told me, in the field at Tewksbury, and Dorset, following her. When Oxford had me down, he rescued me, Q. Eliz. Ah! who shall binder me to wail and And said, Dear brother, live, and be a king? Who told me, when we both lay in the field, To chide my fortune, and torment myself ? Frozen almost to death, how he did lap me I'll join with black despair against my soul, Even in his garments; and did give himself, And to myself become an enemy. All thin and naked, to the numb-cold night? Duch. What means this scene of rude impa. All this from my remembrance brutish wrath tience ? Sinfully pluck'd, and not a man of you Q. Eliz. To make an act of tragick violence Had so much grace to put it in my mind. Edward, iny lord, thy son, our king, is dead. But when your carters, or your waiting-vassals, Why grow the branches, when the root is gone? Have done a drunken slaughter, and defac'd Why wither not the leaves, that want their sap'?-The precious image of our dear Redeemer, If you will live, lament; if die, be brief; You straight are on your knees for pardon, That our swift-winged souls may catch the king's pardon ; Or, like obedient subjects, follow him And I, unjustly too, must grant it you : To his new kingdom of perpetual rest. But for my brother, not a man would speak, Duch. Ah, so much interest bavel in thy sorrow, Nor 1 (ungracious) speak unto myself As I had title in thy noble husband ! For him, poor soul. The proudest of you all I have bewept a worthy husband's death, Have been beholden to him in his life; And liv'd by looking on his images : Yet none of you would once plead for his life. But now two mirrors of his princely semblance God! I fear, thy justice will take hold Are crack'd in pieces by malignant death; On me, and you, and mine, and yours for this.-- And I for comfort have but one false glass, Come, Hastings, help me to my closet. O, That grieves me when I see my shame in him. Poor Clarence ! Thou art a widow; yet thou art a mother, (Eseunt King, Queen, Hastings, Rivers, And hast the comfort of thy children left thee : Dorset, and Grey. But death hath snatch'd my husband from my Glo. This is the fruit of rashness I-Mark'd you arms, not, And pluck'd two crutches from my feeble hands, How that the guilty kindred of the queen Clarence, and Edward. 0, what cause have I Look'd pale, when they did hear of Clarence' (Thine being but a moiety of my grief,) death To overgo thy plaints, and drown thy cries! O! they did urge it still unto the king: Son. Ah, aunt ! you'wept not for our father's God will revenge it. Come, lords; will you go, death; To comfort Edward with our company, How can we aid you with our kindred tears? Buck. We wait upon your grace. [Exeunt. Daugh. Our fatherless distress was left unSCENE II. The same. moan'd, Your widow dolour likewise be upwept ! Enter the Duchess of York, with a Son and Q. Eliz. Give me no help in lamentation, Daughter of Clarence. I am not barren to bring forth laments: Son. Good grandam, tell us, is our father dead? All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes, Duch. No, boy. That I, being govern'd by the wat'ry moon, Daugh. Why do you weep so oft ? and beat May send forth plenteous tears to drown the your breast; world ; And cry- Clarence, my unhappy son! Ah, for my husband, for my dear Lord Edward! Son. Why do you look on us and shake your chil. Ah, for our father, for our dear Lord Clarence ! And call us orphans, wretches, cast-aways, Duch. Alas, for both, both mine, Edward and If that our noble father be alive? Clarence ! Duch. My pretty cousins, you mistake me both; Q. Eliz. What stay had I, but Edward ? and I do lament the sickness of the king, As loath to lose him, not your father's death : Chil. What stay had we, but Clarence ? and It were lost sorrow, to wail one that's lost. Son. Then, grandam, you conclude that he is Duch. What stays had I, but they ? and they are gone. The king my uncle is to blame for this : Q. 'Eliz. Was never widow, had so dear a loss. God will revenge it; whom I will importune Chil. Were never orphans, had so dear a loss. With earnest prayers all to that effect. Duch. Was never mother, had so dear a los Daugh. And so will I. Alas, I am the mother of these griefs; head, he's gone. he's gone. dead. Their woes are parcell'd, mine are general. For, by the way, I'll sort occasion; As index to the story we late talk'd of, prince. Glo. 'My other self, my counsel's consistory, Exeunt. pleas'd, SCENE III. The same. A Street. Enter two Citizens, meeting. Yes; the king's dead. ther, 2 Cit. Ill news, by'r lady ; seldom comes the I fear, I fear, 'twill prove a giddy world. Enter another Citizen. 1 Cit. 'Give you good morrow, sir. Enter Gloster, Buckingham, Stanley, Hastings, 3 Cit. Doth the news hold of good King EdRatcliff, and others. ward's death ? 2 Cit. Ay, sir, it is too true; God help, the 3 Cit. Then, masters, look to see a troublous world. 3 Cit. Wo to that land, that's govern'd by a 2 Cit. In him there is a hope of government; Love, charity, obedience, and true duty ! Glo! Amen; and make me die a good old And, 'in his full and ripen'd years, himself, That, in his nonage, council under him, man ! No doubt, shall then, and till then, govern well. That is the butt-end of a mother's blessing; 1 Cit. So stood the state, when Henry the Sixth (Aside. Was crown'd at Paris but at nine months old. God wot; For then this land was famously enrich'd With politick grave counsel ; then the king Had virtuous uncles to protect his grace. i Cit. Why, so hath this, both by his father We are to reap the harvest of his son. and mother. 3 Cit. Better it were they all came by his father; Must gently be preserv'd, cherish'd, and kept: For emulation now, who shall be nearest, Or, by his father there were none at all: Will touch us all too near, if Goul prevent it not. fetch'd And the queen's sons, and brothers, haught and proud: This sickly land might solace as before. be well. 3 Cit. When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks ; By how much the estate is green and yet un. When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand ; govern'd: Where every horse bears his commanding rein, Untimely storms make men expect a dearth : When the san sets, who doth not look for night i All may be well ; but, if God sort it so, 'Tis more than we deserve, or I expect. 2 Cit. Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear: That looks not heavily, and full of dread. 3 Cit. Before the days of change, still is it so: By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust The water swell before a boist'rous storm. But leave it all to God. Whither away? 2 Cit. Marry, we were sent for to the justices. 3 Cit. And so was I ; I'll bear you company. G!o. Then be it so; and go we to determine [Ereunt. Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow. SCENE IV. The same. A Room in the Palace. Madam, and you my mother,—will you go Enter the Archbishop of York, the young Duke of To give your censures in this weighty business? York, Queen Elizabeth, and the Duchess of [Ereunt all but Buckingham and Gloster. York: Buck. My lord, whoever journeys to the prince, Arch. Last night, I heard, they lay at Stony. For God's sake, let not us two stay at home : Stratford ; not hold And at Northampton they do rest to-night : For me to joy, and weep, their gain and loss; And frantic courage, end thy damned spleen ; Hath almost overta'en him in his growth. Or let me die to look on death no more ! York. Ay, mother, but I would not have it so. Q. Eliz. Comne, come, my boy, we will to Duch. Why, my young cousin ? it is good to sanctuary grow Madam, farewell. York. Grandam, one night, as we did sit at Duch. Stay, I will go with you. supper, Q. Eliz. You have no cause. My uncle Rivers talk'd how I did grow Arch. My gracious lady, go. More than my brother; Ay, quoth my uncle [ To the Lueen. Gloster, And thither, bear your treasure and your goods Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow For my part, I'll resign nnto your grace apace : The seal I keep; And so betide to me, And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast, As well I tender you, and all of yours! Because sweet flowers are slow, and weeds make Come, l'll conduct you the sanctuary. haste. (Ereun. Duche 'Good faith, 'good faith, the saying did ACT III. In him that did object the same to thee: SCENE I. London. A Street He was the wretched’sl thing, when he was The Trumpets sound. Enter the Prince of young : So long a growing, and so leisurely, Wales, Gloster, Buckingham, Cardinal BouThat, if his rule were true, he should be gracions. chier, and others. Arch. And so, no doubt, he is, my gracious Buck. Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to madam. your chamber. Duch. I hope he is; but yet let mothers doubt. Glo. Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' soYork. Now, by my troth, if I had been re vereign : member'd, The weary way hath made you melancholy. I could have given my uncle's grace a flout, Prince. No, uncle; but our crosses on the way To touch his growth, nearer than he touch'd Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy; mine. I want more uncles here to welcome me. Duch. How, my yonng York ? I pr’ythee, let Glo. Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your me hear it. years York. Marry, they say, my uncle grew so fast, Hath not yet div'd into the world's deceit: That he could gnaw a crust at iwo hours old; No more can you distinguish of a man, "T'was full two years ere I could get a tooth. Than of his outward show; which, God he Grandam, this would have been a biting jest. knows, Duch. I pr'y thee, pretty York, who told thee Seldom, or never, jumpeth with the beart. this? Those uncles, which you want, were dangerous; York. Grandam, his nurse. Your grace attended to their sugar'd words, Duch. His nurse? why, she was dead ere thou But look'd not on the poison of their hearts: wast born. God keep you from them, and from such false York. If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told friends! me. Prince. God keep me from false friends! but Q. Eliz. A parlous boy : Go to, you are too they were none. shrewd. Glo. My lord, the mayor of London comes to Arch. Good madam, be not angry with the greet you. child. Enter the Lord Mayor, and his train. d. Eliz. Pitchers have ears. May. God bless your grace with health and Enter a Messenger. happy days! Arch. Here comes a messenger: Prince. I thank you, good my lord ;-and What news ? thank yon all. - (Ereunt Mayor, &c. Mess. Such news, my lord, I thought, my mother, and my brother York, As grieves me to unfold. Would long ere this have met us on the way; Q. Eliz. How doth the prince? Fie, what a slug is Hastings ! that he comes not Mess. Well, madam, and in health. To tell us whether they would come, or no. Duch. What is thy news ? Enter Hastings. Buck. And in good time, here comes the sweat. With them Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners. ing lord. Duch. Who hath committed them ? Prince. Welcome, my lord : What, will our Mess. The mighty dukes, mother come? Gloster and Buckingham. Hast. On what occasion, God he knows, not I, Q. Eliz. For what offence? The queen your mother, and your brother York, Mess. The sum of all I can, I have disclos'd; Have taken sanctuary: The tender prince Why, or for what, the nobles were committed, Would fain have come with me to meet your Is all unknown to me, my gracions lady. grace, Unto his princely brother presently? And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce. And often up and down my sons were tost, Card. My lord of Buckingham, if my would oratory conrse |