A subject of the rarest kind of pity Hath made it too apparent: Europe knows, Of all men's tongues; whose true relation draws Compassion, melted into weeping eyes, And bleeding souls: but our misfortunes since, Have rang❜d a larger progress thro' strange lands, Protected in our innocence by Heaven. Edward the Fifth, our brother, in his tragedy, Quench'd their hot thirst of blood, whose hire to murther Paid them their wages of despair and horror; The roughness of their task, and robb'd them farther Of hearts to dare, or hands to execute. always with the original in view. The speech before us opens thus in Bacon: "High and mighty king! your grace, and then your nobles here present, may be pleased to hear the tragedy of a young man— tossed from misery to misery. You see before you the spectacle of a Plantagenet, who hath been carried from the nursery to the sanctuary, from the sanctuary to the dismal prison; from the prison to the hands of the cruel tormentor, &c. Great king, they spared my life, the butchers, spared it! Return'd the tyrant, my unnatural uncle, Of fear and of disdain; fear of the tyrant Of living so unknown, in such a servile My bondage, and made haste to let my aunt K. Ja. My lord, it stands not with your counsel now To fly upon invectives; if you can Make this apparent what you have discours'd, An answer, but are ready in your cause. War. You are a wise and just king, by the powers Above reserv'd, beyond all other aids, Of my conveyance next, of my life since, The means, and persons who were instruments, Great sir, 'tis fit I over-pass in silence; Reserving the relation to the secrecy Of your own princely ear, since it concerns Royal magnificence to him that seeks it, We vow hereafter to demean ourself, As if we were your own and natural brother; To express a gratitude beyond example. K. Ja. He must be more than subject who can utter The language of a king, and such is thine. Come, we will taste a while our court-delights, Lead on you. [Exeunt all but the ladies. Countess. I have not seen a gentleman Of a more brave aspéct, or goodlier carriage; His fortunes move not him-Madam, you are passionate.* Kath. Beshrew me, but his words have touch'd me home, As if his cause concern'd me; I should pity him, If he should prove another than he seems. Enter CRAWFORD. Craw. Ladies, the king commands your presence instantly, For entertainment of the duke. Kath. "The duke" Must then be entertain'd, the king obey'd; It is our duty. Countess. We will all wait on him. SCENE II. London.-The Tower. [Exeunt. A Flourish.-Enter King HENRY, OXFORD, DUR HAM, SURREY. K. Hen. Have ye condemn'd my Dur. His treasons chamberlain? Condemn'd him, sir; which were as clear and manifest, As foul and dangerous: besides, the guilt Of his conspiracy prest him so nearly, That it drew from him free confession, Without an importunity. Madam, you are passionate.] i. e. distressed, deeply affected: the Countess had observed Katherine weeping. K. Hen. Oh, lord bishop, This argued shame and sorrow for his folly, Is sometimes too too bitter; but we carry I hope we may reprieve him from the sentence Dur. You may, you may; And so persuade your subjects that the title Orf. By Vere's old honours, I'll cut his throat dares speak it. To engage a soul in. K. Hen. What a coil is here To keep my gratitude sincere and perfect! Stanley was once my friend,' and came in time 5 Stanley was once my friend, &c.] Much of this is from the noble historian. The king certainly holds a very different language from that which we had in a former page; but it is characteristic of his close, cold, and selfish nature. "As a little leaven (Bacon |