And in this torment comfort find I none,

But that I feel the crown upon my head,

And therefore let me wear it yet awhile.

TRUSTY. My lord, the parliament must have

present news,

And therefore say, will you resign or no?

[The king rageth.

EDW. I'll not resign! but whilst I live, be king! Traitors be gone, and join with Mortimer. Elect, confirm, install, do what you will; Their blood and yours' shall seal these treacheries! WINCH. This answer we'll return, and so farewell. LEICES. Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair;

For if they go, the prince shall lose his right.

EDW. Call thou them back, I have no power to speak.

LEICES. My lord, the king is willing to resign.

WINCH. If he be not, let him choose.

EDW. O would I might! but heav'n and earth conspire

To make me miserable! here receive my crown;
Receive it! no, these innocent hands of mine
Shall not be guilty of so foul a crime.

He of you all that most desires my blood,
And will be call'd the murtherer of a king,
Take it. What, are you mov'd? pity you me?

The old editions read conspire. The allusion seems to be to the several forms observed in the creation of a bishop, in which confirmation comes between election and installation.

Then send for unrelenting Mortimer,

And Isabel, whose eyes, being turn'd to steel,
Will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear.
Yet stay, for rather than I will look on them,
Here, here! Now, sweet God of heav'n,

[He gives them the crown.

Make me despise this transitory pomp,

And sit for ever enthroniz'd in heav'n !

Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes,
Or if I live, let me forget myself.

WINCH. My lord.

EDW. Call me not lord;

Away, out of my sight! ah, pardon me,

Grief makes me lunatic!

Let not that Mortimer protect my son;
More safety is there in a tiger's jaws,

Than his embracements-bear this to the queen,
Wet with my tears, and dry'd again with sighs;
If with the sight thereof she be not mov'd,
Return it back and dip it in my blood.
Commend me to my son, and bid him rule
Better than I. Yet how have I transgrest,
Unless it be with too much clemency?

TRUSTY. And thus most humbly do we take out k [Exeunt Bishop and Attendants.

EDW. Farewell; I know the next news that they

leave.

bring

Will be my death; and welcome shall it be ;

To wretched men, death is felicity.

Enter BERKLEY.

LEICES. Another post! what news brings he? EDW. Such news as I expect-come, Berkley

come,

And tell thy message to my naked breast.

BERK. My lord, think not a thought so villanous Can harbour in a man of noble birth.

To do your highness service and devoir,

And save you from your foes, Berkley would die. LEICES. My lord, the counsel of the queen commands

That I resign my charge.

EDW. And who must keep me now? Must you, my lord?

BERK. Aye, my most gracious lord-so 'tis decreed.

EDW. By Mortimer, whose name is written here! Well may I rend his name that rends my heart! This poor revenge hath something eas'd my mind. So may his limbs be torn, as is this paper! Hear me, immortal Jove, and grant it too!

BERK. Your grace must hence with me to Berkley straight.

EDW. Whither you will, all places are alike,

And

every earth is fit for burial.

LEICES. Favour him, my lord, as much as lieth in

you.

BERK. Even so betide my soul as I use him.

EDW. Mine enemy hath pitied my estate,

And that's the cause that I am now remov'd.

BERK. And thinks your grace that Berkley will be cruel ?

EDW. I know not; but of this am I assur'd, That death ends all, and I can die but once. Leicester, farewell!

LEICES. Not yet, my lord; I'll bear you on your [Exeunt omnes.

way.

SCENE II.

Enter MORTIMER and QUEEN ISABEL.
Y. MOR. Fair Isabel, now have we our desire,
The proud corrupters of the light-brain'd king
Have done their homage to the lofty gallows,
And he himself lies in captivity.

Be rul'd by me, and we will rule the realm.
In any case take heed of childish fear,
For now we hold an old wolf by the ears,
That if he slip will seize upon us both,
And gripe the sorer, being gript himself.
Think therefore, madam, it imports us much
To erect your son with all the speed we may,
And that I be protector over him;
For our behoof, 'twill bear the greater sway
Whenas a king's name shall be under writ.
QUEEN. Sweet Mortimer, the life of Isabel,
Be thou persuaded that I love thee well,
And therefore so the prince my son be safe,
Whom I esteem as dear as these mine eyes,

Conclude against his father what thou wilt,

And I myself will willingly subscribe.

Y. MOR. First would I hear news he were de

pos'd,

And then let me alone to handle him.

Enter MESSENGER.

Y. MOR. Letters! from whence?
MESS. From Killingworth, my lord.
QUEEN. How fares my lord the king?

MESS. In health, madam, but full of pensiveness. QUEEN. Alas, poor soul, would I could ease his grief!

Enter WINCHESTER with the Crown. Thanks, gentle Winchester: [To the Messenger.] [Exit Messenger. WINCH. The king hath willingly resign'd his

Sirrah, be gone.

crown.

QUEEN. O happy news! send for the prince, my

son.

WINCH. Further, ere this letter was sealed, lord Berkley came,

So that he now is gone from Killingworth;

And we have heard that Edmund laid a plot
To set his brother free; no more but so.
The lord of Berkley is as pitiful

As Leicester that had charge of him before.

QUEEN. Then let some other be his guardian. Y. MOR. Let me alone, here is the privy seal. Who's there?-call hither Gurney and Matrevis.