We'll run as hot in resolution, gladly, Jane. Madam, madam, Enter OXFORD, with his followers. Dal. Keep back, or he who dares Rudely to violate the law of honour, Runs on my sword. Kath. Most noble sir, forbear! What reason draws you hither, gentlemen? Orf. All stand off. With favour, lady, From Henry, England's king, I would present, Unto the beauteous princess, Katherine Gordon, The tender of a gracious entertainment. Kath. We are that princess, whom your master king Pursues with reaching arms, to draw into His power: let him use his tyranny, We shall not be his subjects. Orf. My commission Extends no further, excellentest lady, Than to a service; 'tis king Henry's pleasure, Your high condition. Kath. By what title, sir, May I acknowledge you? Orf. Your servant, lady, Descended from the line of Oxford's earls, Were owners of. Kath. Your king is herein royal, That by a peer so ancient in desert, As well as blood, commands us to his presence. Oxf. Invites you, princess, not commands. Kath. Pray use Your own phrase as you list; to your protection, Both I and mine submit. A nobleman, whom fame hath bravely spoken. Oxf. 'Tis a name hath won Both thanks and wonder, from report, my lord; Dal. I must wait on The princess in her fortunes. Orf. Will you please, Great lady, to set forward? Kath. Being driven By fate, it were in vain to strive with heaven. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Salisbury. Enter King HENRY, SURREY, URSWICK, and a Guard of Soldiers. K. Hen. The counterfeit king Perkin is escaped: Escape! so let him; he is hedged too fast To steal out of our ports, or leap the walls wider Than his weak arms can tug with. Surrey, henceforth Your king may reign in quiet; turmoils past, And urged, my lord; to which the king replied, But, Surrey, why, &c.] Henry seems to have taken an odd time to question Surrey on this point. Perhaps the poet here, as in a former scene, intended to characterise the eager cupidity of the king, always alive to his pecuniary interests. The passage stands thus in Bacon. "The bishop (Fox) demanded restitution of the spoils taken by the Scotish, as damages for the same. But the Scotish commissioners answered, that that was but as water spilt upon the ground, which could not be gotten up again; and that the king's people were better able to bear the loss, than their master to repair it." In modest merriment, but smiling earnest, K. Hen. The young man, I believe, spake honest truth; He studies to be wise betimes. Has, Urswick, Sir Rice ap Thomas, and lord Brook, our steward, Return'd the Western gentlemen full thanks, From us, for their tried loyalties? Urs. They have; Which, as if life and health had reign'd amongst them, With open hearts they joyfully received. K. Hen. Young Buckingham is a fair-natured prince, Lovely in hopes, and worthy of his father; Though slight, shall find sound cure in our respect. Enter DAWBENEY, with a Guard, leading in WARBECK, HERON, JOHN A-WATER, ASTLEY, and SKETON, chained. Daw. Life to the king, and safety fix his throne! I here present you, royal sir, a shadow Of majesty, but, in effect, a substance Of pity, a young man, in nothing grown To ripeness, but the ambition of your mercy : Perkin, the Christian world's strange wonder. K. Hen. Dawbeney, We observe no wonder; I behold, 'tis true, A handsome youth indeed, but not admire him. How came he to thy hands? Daw. From sanctuary At Bewley, near Southampton; register'd To infringe the liberty of houses sacred: Daw. Gracious lord, They voluntarily resign'd themselves, K. Hen. So? 'twas very well; 'Twas very, very well!-turn now thine eyes, Young man, upon thyself, and thy past actions. What revels in combustion through our kingdom, A frenzy of aspiring youth hath danced, Till, wanting breath, thy feet of pride have slipt To break thy neck! War. But not my heart; my heart Will mount, till every drop of blood be frozen Of life be hid from me, in an eclipse Lasting and universal! Sir, remember There was a shooting in of light, when Richmond, Not aiming at a crown, retired, and gladly, For comfort to the duke of Bretaine's court. |