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Richard, who sway'd the sceptre, was reputed
A tyrant then; yet then, a dawning glimmer'd
To some few wand'ring remnants, promising day
When first they ventur'd on a frightful shore,
At Milford Haven-

Daw. Whither speeds his boldness?
Check his rude tongue, great sir.

K. Hen. O, let him range:

The player's on the stage still, 'tis his part;
He does but act. What follow'd?

War. Bosworth Field;

Where, at an instant, to the world's amazement,
A morn to Richmond, and a night to Richard,
Appear'd at once: the tale is soon applied;
Fate which crown'd these attempts when least
assured,

Might have befriended others, like resolv'd.

K. Hen. A pretty gallant! thus, your aunt of
Burgundy,

Your dutchess aunt inform'd her nephew; so
The lesson prompted, and well conn'd, was moulded
Into familiar dialogue, oft rehearsed,

Till, learnt by heart, 'tis now received for truth.

War. Truth, in her pure simplicity, wants art To put a feigned blush on: scorn wears only Such fashion as commends to gazers' eyes Sad ulcerated novelty, far beneath The sphere of majesty: in such a court Wisdom and gravity are proper robes, By which the sovereign is best distinguish'd From zanies to his greatness.

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K. Hen. Sirrah, shift

Your antick pageantry, and now appear

In your own nature, or you'll taste the danger
Of fooling out of season.

War. I expect

No less, than what severity calls justice,

And politicians safety; let such beg

As feed on alms: but, if there can be mercy
In a protested enemy, then may it

Descend to these poor creatures, whose engagements,

To th' bettering of their fortunes, have incurr'd
A loss of all; to them, if any charity

Flow from some noble orator, in death,
I owe the fee of thankfulness.

K. Hen. So brave!

What a bold knave is this! Which of these rebels

Has been the mayor of Cork?

Daw. This wise formality: Kneel to the king, ye rascals! K. Hen. Canst thou hope

[They kneel.

A pardon, where thy guilt is so apparent?

J. a-Wat. Under your good favours, as men are men, they may err; for I confess, respectively, in taking great parts, the one side prevailing, the other side must go down: herein the point is clear, if the proverb hold, that hanging goes by destiny, that it is to little purpose to say, this thing, or that, shall be thus, or thus; for, as the fates will have it, so it must be; and who can help it? Daw. O blockhead! thou a privy-counsellor ?

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Beg life, and cry aloud,

Henry!"

"Heaven save king

J. a-Wat. Every man knows what is best, as it happens; for my own part, I believe it is true, if I be not deceived, that kings must be kings, and subjects subjects: but which is which, you shall pardon me for that;-whether we speak or hold our peace, all are mortal, no man knows his end. K. Hen. We trifle time with follies. All. Mercy, mercy!

K. Hen. Urswick, command the dukeling and these fellows

[They rise. To Digby, the lieutenant of the Tower: With safety let them be convey'd to London. It is our pleasure no uncivil outrage,

Taunts, or abuse be suffer'd to their persons;

They shall meet fairer law than they deserve.

Time may restore their wits, whom vain ambition Hath many years distracted.

War. Noble thoughts

Meet freedom in captivity: the Tower?

Our childhood's dreadful nursery.

K. Hen. No more!

Urs. Come, come, you shall have leisure to bethink you.

[Exit URS. with PERKIN and his followers, guarded.

K. Hen. Was ever so much impudence in forgery?

The custom sure of being stiled a king,

Hath fasten'd in his thought that he is such;

But we shall teach the lad another language: 'Tis good we have him fast.

Daw. The hangman's physic
Will purge this saucy humour.
K. Hen. Very likely:

Yet we could temper mercy with extremity,
Being not too far provoked.

Enter OXFORD, KATHERINE in her richest Attire, DALYELL, JANE, and Attendants.

Orf. Great sir, be pleased,

With your accustom'd grace, to entertain
The princess Katherine Gordon.

K. Hen. Oxford, herein

We must beshrew thy knowledge of our nature.
A lady of her birth and virtues could not
Have found us so unfurnish'd of good manners,
As not, on notice given, to have met her
Half way in point of love. Excuse, fair cousin,
The oversight! oh fie! you may not kneel;
'Tis most unfitting: first, vouchsafe this welcome,
A welcome to your own; for you shall find us
But guardian to your fortune and your honours.
Kath. My fortunes and mine honours are weak
champions,

As both are now befriended, sir; however,
Both bow before your clemency.

K. Hen. Our arms

Shall circle them from malice-a sweet lady!
Beauty incomparable !-here lives majesty
At league with love.

Kath. Oh, sir, I have a husband.

K. Hen. We'll prove your father, husband, friend, and servant,

Prove what you wish to grant us. Lords, be careful
A patent presently be drawn, for issuing

A thousand pounds from our exchequer yearly,
During our cousin's life; our queen shall be
Your chief companion, our own court your home,
Our subjects all your servants.

Kath. But my husband?

K. Hen. By all descriptions, you are noble Dal

yell,

Whose generous truth hath famed a rare obser

vance.

We thank you; 'tis a goodness gives addition
To every title boasted from your ancestry,
In all most worthy.

Dal. Worthier than your praises,

Right princely sir, I need not glory in.

K. Hen. Embrace him, lords. Whoever calls you mistress,

Is lifted in our charge:-a goodlier beauty
Mine eyes yet ne'er encounter'd.

Kath. Cruel misery

Of fate! what rests to hope for?

K. Hen. Forward, lords,

To London. Fair, ere long, I shall present you With a glad object, peace, and Huntley's blessing.

[Exeunt.

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