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KING

Thc To be your comforter, when he is gone. You envy my advancement, and my friends ;

RE Q. Eliz. Ah, he is young, and his minority God grant, we never may have need of you ! Is put in to the trust of Richard Gloster,

Glo. Meantime, God grants, that we have need of you. A man, that loves not me, nor none of you.

Our brother is imprison'd by your means, Riv. Is it concluded, he shall be protector? Myself disgrac'd, and the nobility

G? Q. Eli-. It is determin'd, not concluded yet: Held in contempt; while great promotions

Far But so it must be, if the king miscarry. Are daily given, to ennoble those,

0. Enter BUCKINGHAM and Stanley. That scarce, some two days since, were worth a no

You Grey. Here come the lords of Buckingham and ble,

As ! Stanley.

Q. Eliz. By him, that rais'd me to this careful height Tha
Buck. Good time of day unto your royal grace! From that contented hap, which I enjoy'd,
Stan. God make your majesty joyful,as you have been! I never did incense his majesty
Q. Eliz. The countess Richmond, good my lord Against the duke of Clarence, but have been
of Stanley,

An earnest advocat to plead for him.
To your good prayer will scarcely say
My lord, you do me shameful injury,

los Yet, Stanley, notwithstanding she's your wife, Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects.

3 And loves not me, be you, good lord, assur'd, Glo. You may deny that you were not the cause I hate not you for her proud arrogance. Of my lord Hastings' late imprisonment.

Yet Stan. I do beseech you, either not believe Riv. She may, my lord; for

Ah, The envious slanders of her false accusers ;

Glo. She may,lord Rivers ?-why, who knows not so? G7 Or, if she be accus'd on ue report,

She may do more, sir, than denying that: Bear with her weakness, which, I think, proceeds She may help you to many fair preferments, From wayward sickness, and no grounded malice. And then deny her aiding hand therein,

THE Q. Eliz.Saw you the king to-day, my lord of Stanley? And lay those honours on your high desert.

G. Stan. But now, the duke of Buckingham, and I, Whats

t may

she not? She may,- ay, marry, may she, – Are come from visiting his majesty.

Riv. What, marry, may she? Q. Eliz. What likelihood of his amendment, lords ? Glo. What, marry, may she? marry with a king, AL Buck. Madam, good hope; his grace speaks cheer- A bachelor, a handsome stripling too: fully. I wish, your grandam had a worser match.

Th Q. Eliz. God grant him health! Did you confer 0. Eliz. My lord of Gloster, I have too long borne An with him?

Your blunt upbraidings, and your bitter scoffs : Buck. Ay, madam: he desires to make atonement By heaven, I will acquaint his majesty Between the duke of Gloster and your brothers, Of those gross taunts, I often have endur'd.

A And between them and my lord chamberlaiu, I had rather be a couptry servant-maid, And sent to warn them to his royal presence. Than a great queen, with this condition

S Q.Eliz.'Would all were well! But that will never be;— To be so baited, scorn’d, and stormed at:

U I fear, our happiness is at the height. Small joy have I in being England's queen,

D Enter GLOSTER, Hastings, and Dorset.

Enter Queen Margaret, behind.

A:
Glo. 'They do me wrong, and I will not endure it. Q. Mar. And lesseu'd be that small, God, I beseech
Who are they, that complain unto the king,

thce!
That I, forsooth, am stern, and love them not? | Thy honour, state, and seat, is due to me.
By holy Paul, they love his grace but lightly, Glo. What? threat you me with telling of the king?
That fill his ears with such dissentious rumours. Tell him, and spare not! look, what I have said
Because I cannot flatter, and speak fair,

I will avouch, in presence of the king.
Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive, and cog, I dare adventure to be sent to the Tower.
Duck with French nods and apish.courtesy, 'Tis time to speak, my pains are quite forgot

i I must be held a rancorous enemy.

Q. Mar. Out, devil! I remember them too well: Cannot a plain man live, and think no harm, Thou kill’dst my husband Henry in the Tower, But thus his simple truth must be abus'd

And Edward, my poor son, at Tewksbury. By silken, sly, insinuating Jacks?

Glo. Ere you were queen, ay, or yoаr husband king,
Grey. To whom in all this presence speaks your I was a pack-horse in his great affairs,

A weeder-out of his proud adversaries,
Clo. To thee, that hast nor honesty, nor grace. A liberal rewarder of his friends ;
When have linjur'd thee? when done thee wrong? - To royalize his blood, I spilt mine own.
Or thee?
or any of your faction ?

Q. Mar. Ay, and much better blood, than his orthine. A plague upon you all! His royal grace,

Glo. In all which time, you, and your husband Grey, Whom God preserve better, than you would wish! - Were factious for the house of Lancaster ; Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing – while, And, Rivers, so were you.

Was not your husband But you must trouble him with lewd complaints. In Margaret's battle ať Saint Albans slain?

Q. Eliz. Brother of Gloster, you mistake the matter : Let me put in your minds, if you forget,
The king, of his own royal disposition,

What you have been ere now, and what you are,
And not provok'd by any suitor else,

Withal, what I have been, and what I am!
Aiming, belike, at your interior hatred,

Q. Mar. A murd'rous villain, and so still thon art.
That in your outward action shows itself,

Glo. Poor Clarence did forsake his father Warwick;
Against my children, brothers, and myself, Ay, and forswore himself, - Which Jesu pardon!~
Makes him to send ; that thereby he may gather O. Mar. Which God revenge!
The ground of your ill-will, and so remove it. Glo. To fight on Edward's party, for the crown;
Glo: I cannot tell. – The world is grown so bad, And, for his meed, poor lord, he is mew'd up:
That wrens may prey, where eagles dare not perch. I would to God, my heart were flint, like Edward's,
Since every Jack became a gentleman,

Or Edward's soft and pitiful, like mine;
There's many a gentle person made a Jack.

I am too childish--foolish for this world.
Q. Eliz. Come, come, we know your meaning, Q. Mar. Hie thee to hell for shame, and leave this
brother Gloster!

world,

grace ?

or thee?

This sorrow,

Thou cacodaemor! there thy kingdom is.

Glo. Have done thy charm, thou hateful wither'd hag! Riv. My lord of Gloster, in those busy days, Q. Mar. And leave out thee? stay, dog! for thou Which here you nrge, to prove us enemies,

shalt hear me.
We follow'd then our lord, our lawful king; If heaven have any grievous plague in store,
So should we you, if you should be our king. Exceeding those, that I can wish upon thee,
Glo. If I should be? – I had rather be a pedlar : 0, let them keep it, till thy sins be ripe,
Far be it from my heart, the thought thereof! And then hurl down their indignation

Q. Eliz. As little joy, my lord, as you suppose On thee, the troubler of the poor world's peace!
You should enjoy, were you this country's king, The worm of conscience still begraw thy soul!
As little joy you may suppose in me,

Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou liv'st, That I enjoy, being the queen thereof.

And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends! l. Mar. A little joy enjoys the queen thereof; No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine, For I am she, and altogether joyless.

Unless it be, while some tormentiog dream
I can no longer hold me patient. [ Advancing. Atlrights thee with a hell of ugly devils!
Hear me, you wrangling pirates, that fall out Thou elvish-mark’d, abortive, rooting hog!
In sharing that, which you have pill'd from me: Thou, that wast seal'd in thy nativity
Which of you trembles not, that looks on me? The slave of nature, and the son of hell!
If not, that, I being queen, you bow like subjects : Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb !
Yet that, by you depos’d, you quake like rebels? — Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins!
Ah, gentle villain, do not turn away!

Thou rag of honour! thou detested-
Glo. Foul wrinkled witch, what mak'st thon in my Glo. Margaret.
sight?

e Mar. Richard !
Q. Mar. But repetition of what thou hast marr'd; Glo. Ha ?
That will I make, before I let thee go.

Q. Mar. I call thee not. Glo. Wert thou not banished on pain of death ? Glo. I cry thee mercy then; for I did think, Q. Mar. I was; but I do find more pain in banishment, That thou had’st call'd me all these bitter names. Than death can yield me here by my abode.

Q. Mur. Why, so I did, but look'd for no reply. A husband and a son thou ow'st to me,

0, let me make the period to my curse! And thou, a kingdom; all of you, allegiance. Glo. 'Tis done by me; and ends in -- Margaret. that I have, by right is yours,

Q. Eliz. Thus have you breath'd your curse against And all the pleasures, you usurp, are mine.

yourself Glo. The carse my noble father laid on thee, Q. Mar. Poor painted queen, vain flourish of my When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper,

fortune! And with thy scorns drew'st rivers from his eyes, Why strew'st thou sugar on that bottled spider, And then, to dry them gav'st the duke a clout, Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about? Steep'd in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland, Fool, fool! thou whet’st a knife to kill thyself. His curses, then from bitterness of soul

The day will come, that thou shalt wish for me Denounc'd against thee, are all fallen upon thee, To help thee curse this pois’nous bunch-back'd toad, And God, not we, hath plagu'd they bloody deed. Hast. False-boding woman, end thy frantic curse.

( Eliz. So just is God, to right the innocent. Lest, to thy harm, thou move our patience! Hast. 0, 'twas the foulest deed to slay that babe, Q. Mar. Foul shame upon you! you have all mov'd And the most merciless, that e'er was heard of.

mine. Riv. Tyrants themselves wept, when it was reported. Riv. Were you well serv'd, you would be taught Dors. No man but prophesied revenge for it.

your duty. Buck. Northumberland, then present, wept to see it. Q. Mar. To serve me well, you all should do me duty: Q. Mar. What! were you snarling all, before I came, Teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects! Ready to catch each other by the throat,

O, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty! And turn you all your hatred now on me?

Dor. Dispute not with her, she is lunatic. Did York's dread curse prevail so much with heaven, Ø. Mar. Peace, master marquis, you are malapert: That Henry's death, my lovely Edward's death, Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current: Their kingdom's loss, my woeful banishment, 0, that your young nobility could judge, Could all but answer for that peevish brat? What 'twere to lose it, and be miserable! Can carses pierce the clouds, and enter heaven? They, that stand high, have many blasts to shake them; Why, then give way, dull clouds, to my quick cur-And, if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces. ses!

Glo. Good counsel, marry; – learn it, learn it, marThough not by war, by surfeit die your king,

quis ! As ours by murder, to make him a king !

Dor. It touches yon, my lord, as much as me. Edward, thy son, that now is prince of Wales, Glo. Ay, and much more: but I was born so high, For Edward, my son, that was prince of Wales, Our aiery buildeth in the cedar's top, Die in his youth, by like untimely violence! And dallies with the wind, and scorns the sun. Thyself a queen, for me that was a queen,

P. Mar. And turns the sun to shade;-alas, alas !Outlive thy glory, like my wretched self! Witness my son, now in the shade of death; Long may'st thou live, to wail thy children's loss, Whose bright out-shining beams thy cloudy wrath And see another, as I see thee now,

Hath in eternal darkness folded up. Deck'd in thy rights, as thou art stallid in mine! Your aiery buildeth in our aiery's nest ? Long die thy happy days before thy death! O God, that see'st it, do not suffer it! And, after many lengthen'd hours of grief, As it was won with blood, lost be it so! Die neither mother, wife, por England's queen! Buck. Peace, peace, for shame, if not for charity ! Rivers, – and Dorset, - you were standers by, Q. Mar. Urge neither charity, nor shame to me! And so wast thou, lord Hastings, — when my son Uncharitably with me have you dealt, Was stabb’d with bloody daggers ; God, I pray him, And shamefully by you my hopes are butcher'd. That none of you may live your natural age, My charity is ontrage, life my shame, But by some unlook'd accident cut off!

And in my shame still live my sorrow's rage!

61

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BE lar (' Th Fo 0 Ba Ye 0, In

Buck. Have done, have done!

When you have done, repair to Crosby-place!
Q. Mar. O princely Buckingham, I kiss thy hand, But, sirs, be sudden in the execution,
In sign of league and amity with ther:

Withal obdurate, do not hear him plead!
Now fair befall thee, and thy noble house! For Clarence is well spoken, and, perhaps,
Thy garments are not spotted with our blood, May move your hearts to pity, if you mark him.
Nor thou within the compass of my curse.

1 Durd. Tut, tut, my lord, we will not stand to Buck. Nor no one here; for curses vever pass

prate.
The lips of those, that breathe them in the air. Talkers are no good doers; be assur'd,

Q. Mar. I'll not believe, but they ascend the sky, We go to use our hands, and not our tongues.
And there awake God's geutle-sleeping peace. Glu. Your eyes drop mill-stones, when fools' eyes
O Buckingham, beware of yonder dog!

drop tears:
Look, when he fawns, he bites; and, when he bites, I like you, lads ; -- about your business straight!
His venom tooth will rankle to the death.

Go, go, dispatch! Have not to do with him, beware of him!

1 Murd. We will, my noble lord. (Ereunt. Sin, death, and hell, have set their marks on him SCENE IV, – The same. A room in the Tower. And all their ministers attend on him,

Enter CLARENCE and BRAKENBURY.
Glo. What doth she say, my lord of Buckingham? Brak. Why looks your grace so heavily to day?
Buck. Nothing, that I respect, my gracious lord. Clar. O, I have pass'd a miserable night,
Q. Mar. What, dost thou scorn me for my gentle So full of fearful dreams, of ugly sights,
counsel?

That, as I am a christian faithful man,
And sooth the devil, that I warn thec from? I would not spend another such a night,
O, but remember this another day,

Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days;
When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow; So full of dismal terror was the time!
Aud say, poor Margaret was a prophetess

Brak. What was your dream, my lord? I pray
Live each of you the subjects to his hate,

you, tell me!
And he to yours, and all of you to God's! (Exit. Clar. Methought, that I had broken from the Tower,
Hast. My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses. And was embark'd to cross to Burgundy;
Riv.And so doth mine; I muse, why she's at liberty. And, in my company, my brother Gloster,
Glo. I cannot blame her, by God's holy mother; Who from my cabin tempted me to walk
She hath had too much wrong, and I repent Upon the hatches; thence we look'd toward England,
My part thereof, that I have done to her.

And cited up a thousand heavy times,
0. Eliz. I never did her any, to my knowledge. During the wars of York and Lancaster,
Glo. Yet you have all the vantage of her wrong.

That had befall'n is. As we pac'd along I was too hot to do somebody good,

Upon the giddy footing of the hatches, That is too cold in thinking of it now.

Meihought, that Gloster stumbled; and, in falling, Marry, as for Clarence, he is well repaid; Struck me, that thought to stay him, over-board, He is frauk’d up to fatting for his pains;

loto the tumbling billows of the maio.
God pardon them, that are the cause thereof! O Lord! methought, what pain it was to drown!

Riv. A virtuous and a christian-like conclusion! What dreadful noise of water in mine ears!
To pray for them that have done scath to us. What sights of ugly death within mine eyes!
Glo. So do I ever, being well advis'd; –

Methought, I saw a thousand fearful wrecks;
For had I curs’d now, I had curs'd myself. [ Aside. A thousand men, that fishes gnaw'd upon;
Enter CATESBY.

Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl, Cates. Madam, his majesty doth call for you, Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels, And for your grace, - and you, my noble lords. All scatter'd in the bottom of the sea : Q. Eliz. Catesby, I come. - Lords, will you so Some lay in dead men's skulls; and in those holes, with me?

Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept Riv. Madam, we will attend upon your grace.

(as 'twere in scoro of eyes) reflecting gems, (Exeunt ull but Gloster. That woo'd the slimy bottom of the deep, Glo. I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl. Aud mock'd the dead bones, that lay scatter'd by. The secret mischiefs, that I set abroach,

Brah. Had you such leisure in the time of death I lay unto the grievous charge of others,

To gaze upon these secrets of the deep?
Clarence, whom I, indeed, have laid in darkness, Clar. Methought, I had; and often did I strive
I do beweep to many simple gulls;

To yield the ghost: but still the envious flood
Namely, to Stanley, Ilastings, Buckingham; Kept in my soul, and would not let it forth
And tell them -- 'tis the queen and her allies, To seek the emply, vast, and wand'ring air,
That stir the king against the duke my brother, But smother'd it within my panting bulk,
Now they believe it, and withal whet me

Which almost burst to belch it in the sea.
To be reveng'd on Rivers, Vanglian, Grey: Bruk. A wak'd you not with this sore agony?
But then I sigh, and with a piece of scripture, Clur. O, no, my dream was lengthen’d after life.
Tell thein, that God bids us do good for evil : 0, then began the tempest to my soul!
And thus I clothe my naked villainy

I pass’d, methought, the melancholy flood
With old odd ends, stol'n forth of holy writ, With that grim ferryman, which poets write of,
And seem a saint, when most I play the devil. Unto the kingdom of perpetual night.
Enter two Murderers.

The first, that there did greet my stranger sou!
But soft, here come my executioners.

Was my great father-in-law, renowned Warwick; How now, my hardy, stout, resolved mates? Who cry'd aloud: What scourge for perjury Are you now going to dispatch this thing? Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence? 1 Murd. We are, my lord, and come to have the And so he vavishd. Then came waud'riug by warrant,

A shadow, like an angel, with bright hair
That we may be admitted, where he is.

Dabbled in blood, and he shriek'd out aloud:
Glo. Well thought apon, I have it here about me: Clarence is come.

(Gives the warrant. ence,

false, fleeting, perjur'd Clar

IE:

a

me.

That stabb'd me in the field by Tewksbury ;- 2 Murd. 'Faith, some certain dregs of conscience
Seize on him, furies, take him to your torments! - are yet withiu me.
With that, methought, a legion of foul fiends 1 Murd. Remember our reward, when the deed's
Environ'd me, and howled in mine ears

done!
Such hideous cries, that with the very noise 2 Murd. Come, he dies; I had forgot the reward.
I trembling wak’d, and, for a season after,

1 Murd. Where's thy conscience now? Could not believe, but that I was in hell;

2 Mard. In the duke of Gloster's purse. Such terrible impression made my dream!

1 Murd. So, when he opens his purse, to give us Brak. No marvel, Jord, though it attrighted yon; our reward, thy conscience flies out. I am afraid, methinks, to hear you tell it.

2 Murd. 'Tis no matter; let it go! there's few, or Clar. O, Brakenbury, I have done these things, none, will entertain it. That now give evidence against my soul,

1 Murd. What, if it come to thee again? For Edward's sake; and, see, how he requites me! 2 Murd. I'll not meddle with it, it is a dangerous 0 God! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee, thing, it makes a man a coward; a man cannot steal,but But thou wilt be aveng'd on my misdeeds,

it accuseth him; a man cannot swear, but it checks him; Yet execute thiy wrath on me alone!

a man cannot lie with his neighbour's wife, but it deO, spare my guiltless wife, and my poor children! - tects him. 'Tis a blushing shame-faced spirit, that I pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me!

mutinies in a man's bosom, it fills one fullof obstacles: My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep.

it made me once restore a purse of gold,that by chance Brak. I will, my lord; God give your grace good I found; it beggars any man that keeps it: it is turnrest!

ed out of all towns and cities for a dangerous thing; [Clarence reposes himself on a chair. and every man, that means to live well, endeavours to Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours,

trust to himself, and live without it. Makes the night morning, and the noon-tide night. 1 Murd. 'Zounds, it is even now at my elbow, perPrinces have but their titles for their glories,

suading me, not to kill the duke. An outward honour for an inward toil;

2 Murd. Take the devil in thy mind, and believe Alid, for unfelt imaginations,

him pot: he would insinuate with thee, but to make They often feel a world of restless cares:

thee sigh. So that, between their titles, and low name,

1 Murd. I am strong-fram’d, he cannot prevail with There's nothing dillers, but the outward fame. Enter the two Murderers.

2 Murd. Spoke like a tall fellow, that respects his 1 Murd. Ho! who's here?

reputation! Come, shall we fall to work ?

1 Murd. Take him over the costard with the hilt Brak. What would’st thou, fellow? and how cam’st of thy sword, and then throw him into the malmseythou hither?

butt, in the next room!
1 Murd. I would speak with Clarence, and I came
hither on my legs.

2 Murd. O excellent device! and make a sop of him. Bruk. What, so brief?

1 Murd. Soft! he wakes.
2 Murd. 0, sir, 'tis better to be brief, than tedi- i Murd. No, we'll reason with him.

2 Murd. Strike!
Let him see our commission; talk no more!

Clar. Where art thou, keeper? give me a cup of wine!

1 Murd. You shall have wine enough, my lord, anon. [A puper is delivered to Brakenbury, who

Clar, In God's name, what art thou ? reads it.

1 Murd. A man, as you are.
Brak, I am in this commanded to deliver

Clar. But not, as I am, royal.
The noble duke of Clarence to your hands.

1 Murd. Nor you, as we are, loyal.
I will not reason, what is meant hereby,

Clar. Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble. Because I will be guiltless of the meaning.

1 Burd. My voice is now the king's, my looks mine Here are the keys ; – there sits the duke asleep: I'll to the king and signify to him,

Clar. How darkly,and how deadly dost thou spcak! That thus I have resigu'd to you my charge. Your eyes do menace me. Why look you pale?

1 Murd. You may, sic ; 'tis a point of wisdom: Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come?
Fare you well!

(Exit Brakenbury. Both Murd. To, to, to, -
2 Murd. What, shall we stab him as he sleeps ? Cyar. To murder me?
1 Murd. No; he'll say, 'twas done cowardly, when Both Murd. Ay, ay:
he wakes.

Clur. You scarcely have the hearts, to tell me so,
2 Murd. When he wakes! why, fool, he shall ne-And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it.
ver wake until the great judgment day.

Wherein, my friends, have I offended you ? 1 Murd. Why, theo he'll say, we stabb’d him sleep-1 | Murd. offended us you have not, but the king. ing.

Clar. I shall be reconcil'd to him again. 2 Murd. The urging of that word, judgment, hath 2 Murd. Never, my lord; therefore prepare to die! bred a kind of remorse in me.

Clar. Are you calld forth from out a world of men, 1 Murd. What? art thou afraid?

To slay the innocent? What is my offence ?
2 Murd. Not to kill him, having a warrant for it; Where is the evidence, that doth accuse me?
but to be damn'd for killing him, from the which What lawful quest have given their verdict up
no warrant can defend me.

Unto the frowning judge? or who pronounc'd
1 Murd. I thought, thou had'st been resolute. The bitter sentence of poor Clarence' death?
2 Murd. So I am, to let him live.

Before I be convict by course of law,
1 Murd. I'll back to the duke of Gloster, and tell To threaten me with death, is most unlawful.

I charge you, as you hope for any goodness,
2 Murd. Nay, I pr’ythee, stay a little! I hope this By Christ's dear blood shed for our grievons sina,
holy humour of mine will change; it was wout to That you depart, and lay no hands on me;
hold me but while one would tell twenty.

The deed, you undertake, is damnable. 1 Murd. How dost thou feel thyself now?

I Murd. What we will do, we do

Ous.

own.

a

him so.

11.

2 Murd. And he, that hath commanded, is our king | Being pent from liberty, as I am now,
Clar. Erroneous vassal! the great King of kings If two such murderers, as yourselves, came to you, –
Hath in the table of his law commanded,

Would not entreat for life? --
That thou shalt do no murder; wilt thou then lly friend, I spy some pity in thy looks;
Spurn at his edict, and fulfil a man's ?

0, if thine eye be not a flatterer,
Take heed! for he holds vengeance in his hand, Come thou on my side, and entreat for me,
To hurl upon their heads, that break his law. As you would beg, were you in my distress.
2 Murd. And that same vengeance doth he hurlon A begging prince what beggar pities not?
thee,

2 Murd. Look behind you, my lord! For false forswearing, and for murder too:

1 Murd. Take that, and that; if all this will not Thou didst receive the sacrament, to fight

do,

(Stabs him. In quarrel of the house of Lancaster.

I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. 1 Murd. And, like a traitor to the name of God,

[Exit, with the body. Didst break that vow, and with thy treacherous blade 2 Murd. A bloody deed, and desperately dispatched! Unrip’dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son. How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands 2 Murd. Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and of this most grievous guilty murder done! defend.

Re-enter first Murderer, 1 Murd. How canst thou urgeGod's dreadfullaw to us, 1 Murd. How now, what mean’st thou, that thou When thou hast broke it in such dear degree?

help'st me not ? Clar. Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed ? By heaven, the duke shall know, how slack you

have For Edward, for my brother, for nis sake.

been. He sends you not to murder me for this;

2 Murd. I would he knew that I had sav'd his brother. For in that sin he is as deep, as I.

Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say! If God will be avenged for the deed,

For I repent me, that the duke is slain. (Exit. 0, know you, that he doth it publicly!

1 Murd. So do not I; go, coward, as thou art !Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm! Well, I'll go hide the body in some hole, lle needs no indirect, nor lawless course,

Till that the duke give order for his burial;
To cut oil those, that have offended him.

And when I have my meed, I will away;
1 Murd. Who made thce then a bloody minister, For this will out, and then I must not stay. (Exit.
When gallant-springing, brave Plantagenet,
That princely novice, was struck dead by thee ?
Clar. My brother's love, the devil, and my rage.

А ст
1 Murd. Thy brother's love, our duty, and thy fault CENE I. The same. A room in the palace

. Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee.

Enter King Edwann, (led in sick,) Queen ELIZABETH, Clar. If you do love my brother, hate not me! Dorset, Rivers, llastings, BuckinghAM, Grev, and I am his brother, and I love him well.

Others. If you are hir'd for meed, go back again,

K. Edw. Why, so: -- now have I done a good day's And I will send you to my brother Gloster,

work. Who shall reward you better for my life,

You peers, continne this united league! Than Edward will for tidings of my death. I every day expect an embassage 2 Murd. You are deceiv’d, your brother Gloster From my Redeemer to redeem me hence;

And more in peace my soul shall part to heaven, Clar. O, 10; he loves me, and he holds me dear. Since I have made my friends at peace on earth. Go you to himn from me!

Rivers, and Hastings, take each other's hand; Both Nurd. Ay, so we will.

Dissemble not your liatred, swear your love! Clur. Tell him, when that our princely father York Riv.By heaven, my soulis pnrg'u from grudging hate Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm, Aod with my haud 1 seal my true heart's love. And charg'd us from his soul, to love each other, Hast. So thrive I, as I truly swear the like! He little thought of this divided friendship. K. Edw. Take heed, you daily not before your king, Bid Gloster think on this, and he will weep. Lest he, that is the supreme King of kings, 1 Murd. Ay, mill-stones, as he lesson'd us to weep. Confound your hidden falsehood, and award Clar. O, do not slander him, for he is kind. Either of you to be the other's end! 1 Murd. Riglıt, as snow in harvest !-Come, you de- Ilast. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! ceive yourself;

Riv. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart! 'Tis he, that sends as to destroy you here.

K. Edw. Madam, yourself are not czempt in this,Clar. It cannot be; for he bewept my fortune, Nor your son Dorset, – Buckingham, nor you;And hugg’d me in his arms, and swore, with sobs, You have been factions one against the other. That he would labour my delivery.

Wife, love lord Hastings, let him kiss your

hand, 1 Murd. Why, so he doth, when he delivers you And what you do, do it unfeignedly! From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven. Q.Eliz. There, Hastings ;-I will never more remember 2 Murd. Make peace with God, for you must die, Our former hatred, so thrivel, and mine!

K. Edw. Dorset, embrace him !-- Hastings, love lord
Clar. llast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, marquis !
To counsel me, to make my peace with God, Dor. This interchange of love, I here protest,
And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind,

Upon my part shall be inviolable.
That thou wilt war with God, by murdering me? - İlast. And so swear I.
Ah, sirs, consider, he, that set you on

K. Edw. Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this To do this deed, will hate you for the deed.

league,
2 Murd. What shall we do?

With thy embracements to my wife's allies,
Clar. Pelent, and save your souls.

And make me happy in your unity!
1 Murd. Relent! 'tis cowardly, and womanish. Buck. Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate
Olar. Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish. - Upon your grace, [To the Queen.] but with all duteous
Which of you, if you were a prince's son,

hates you.

my lord!

[Embraces Dorset.