Glocester The FIRST PART ACT. I. Enter Humphry Duke of Glocester Duke of York Cardinal Beauford Duke of Somerset Duke of Buckingham Earl of Salisbury Earl of Warwick Glo. MY Lords you cannot but have seen of late Much discontent sit always on my Brow All Men that know me well must know no private Petty concernment can unfix my mind No some will think perhaps I speak too proudly I care not what they think I 'le speak my Mind Nothing has weight enough to press my spirits Less than the great Misfortunes of the Kingdom Card. So how my Lord Protector gracefully aside Ushers himself into these Lords esteem What bosom here now will not bid him wellcome I hate him but I will not let him know it Till I can let him know it to his ruine Glo. Ah! my Lords Did my valiant glorious Brother Henry the Fifth erect the Law of England Above the Roman or the Macedonian Do things that made the Continent all tremble When e're the favourable Winds unlockt The floating Gates of this our little World To let out that our brave Warriors to invade it That France not only did confess it self A Vassal to his Royal English Blood But the whole Empire of the World did seem To own it self the Birth right of his Valour Yo. Eternity shall ne'r wear out the Characters Of his Renown which his keen Sword engrav'd Glo. Ay yes his fame shall last but not his Empire He 's dead and with him his great Empire dies All that hiâ— Valour got all that the vigilance And wisdom of my Brother Bedford kept All that your selves and I have early and late Study'd to keep and kept some years with glory Crowning our King in Paris in his Infancy Making Proud France bow to an English Child All all these Labours Victories and Glories Are melting down in a soft beautious bosom Given away to purchase a Fair Face A fatal Marriage in one fatal minute Has spoyld the Work of many glorious years Card. Nephew you are more passionate than needs Erance is not gone nor shall it go so easily Glo. No 't is not gone indeed but all the sluces Are pulling up and it is going fast 'T is pouring out apace in Provinces The new made Duke of Suffolk gives whole Provinces To buy the King a Wife Anjou and Maine Are frankly given to the Queen 's poor Father King â—eignier whose high and flowing style Dwells far above the Banks of his low Purse But he must have these Provinces to fill it Of such low value in this Duke's esteem Is all the purchase of our Blood that he Wil give it all away for Blushing Cheeks Sal. Those Dukedoms were the Keys of Normandy My Lord of Warwick Weeps Why weeps my Son War Who wou'd not weep to see his own Blood cheapned And sold before his Face at a low rate I won those Provinces and what got With Wounds is given away with peaceful words Glo. Yes and to make it even ridiculous The Duke of Suffolk Asks a whole Fifteenth For Charges to Transport the Queen to England What Was there ne'r a Beauty in the World Besides the Queen yes sure there was in England Had the King so much doted upon Beauty He might have Married one of His fair Subjects And had more Beauty at a cheaper rate Card. My Lord of Glocester this is hot discourse And as I think to very little purpose Since what is done now cannot be recall'd And what is done was done to please the King Glo. My Lord of Winchester I understand you 'T is not my hot Discourse but Presence warms you You have a Fester'd Mind and 't will break out I saw it in your Face if I stay longer We shall begin our antient Bickerings But such small matters shall not trouble me I will be gone but e're I go I 'le Prophesy France will be lost but I desire to prove As False a Prophet as you are a Priest Exeunt Card. Affronted thus ' Pox o' these fumbling Robes aside How came my Warlike Spirit wrapt in these Formalities that hold my hands from Blood I 'm fitter for a Sword and I will use one Did you not hear the good Protector Lords Expect what usage you will have when I His Unckle and a Priest am thus abus'd You see how well his Enmity is heal'd And he has much the same kiâ—dness for you And indeed for the King He makes great shew Of Zeal for England and he has great zeal for it That is t' enjoy it he is heir apparent And the King cannot please him by a Marriage Unless he 'd Wed an Altar or a Cell Be not my Lords cheated with his smooth words What though the foolish common people dote on him Clapping their hands and shouting when they see him Crying Heaven save your Roâ—al Excellence And call him always the good Duke of Glocester They are Fools and know not Men nor what they love Uncheat e'm but however save the King Protect him from his dangerous Protector Buck. Why shou'd the King my Lords have a Protector He is of age I think to rule himself My Lord of Somerset joyn you with me We with the Duke of Suffolks ayd will hoyse Duke Humphry from his Seat Card. This weighty business Brooks no delay I 'le to the Duke of Suffolk Exit Som. Though the Protector 's Pride and Greatness vex us The Cardinal's Insâ—lence is more intolerable If Gloster be displac'd he 'l be Protector Buck. If Gloster falls or you or I 'le succeed Ex. Buck. and Sal. Sal. So so the Kingdom will thrive well no doubt When all will rend her for their private ends I never saw but the good Duke of Glocester Bore himself like a Noble Gentleman But I have seen the Cardinal demean himself More like a Soldier than a Priest he 'l often Swear like a Ruffian quarrel like a Hector Trample on all as he were Lord of all My worthy Son and you my Lord of York My valâ—aâ—t Brother let us joyn together And shâ—w the Kingdom has some good Men in it Who faithfully will serve their King and Country And ayd all others who promote that work And among those I reckon the Protector War So heaven help me as I love my Country Ex. Sal. War Yo. And so say I for I have greatest cause Anjou and Main are given to the French Two Dukedoms given for a Dukes fair Daughter Henry I blame thee not What is it to thee Thou dost not give away thine own but mine Pirates may make cheap penny-worths of their Pillage Whilst the poor injur'd owner stands aloofe And shakes his head and weeps and wrings his hands And sees his Goods all borne away and dares Not touch his own or scarcely call it his England and France and Ireland are my Kingdoms One day I may both claim and seize my own And from weak Henry's Head may pull the Crown These high fierce Tempests methinks make it shake What opportunity
shame And ruine and her Duke shall quickly follow He must have share of it in spite of him Qu. Oh! my La Poole that I were now in private aside To Kiss thee for this Plot Oh! 't is a rare one Humes carry on this Plot here 's Gold for thee Thou shalt have more Humes So the Gold tumbles in On every side of me but 't is no wonder aside I serve the Master of the Mines of the Devil And how in Hell he uses Slaves I know not He is an excellent Master in this World Exit Qu. Oh! Suffolk thou didst never look so lovely In all thy Life as now nor did I ever Feel such transporting pleasure in my Soul Now I shall be a Queen Suff. A glorious one I 'm sure the fairest England ever saw Qu. Oh! Suffolk bravest loveliest of Men I 'm trebly blest by thee thou dost delight My Love and my Revenge and my Ambition Now all the Ladies that in scorn of me Flatter'd and waited on proud Gloster's Wife Shall suddenly repent their sawcy follies Suff. The Duke 's of Somerset and Buckingham With the Insolent Cardinal shall all fall too As for the Duke of York this late Complaint Will make but little for his benefit So one by one we 'l tumble e'm all down Qu. And on the Ruines of 'em all we 'l revel Suff. And England at the Queen's command shall be Qu. I 'le Govern that and thou shalt govern me ACT II. The King and Queen sat in State Duke Humphry Cardinal Buckingham York Salisbury Warwick and the Duchess attending King FOr my own part my Lords I care not whether Rules France the Duke of Somerset or York All 's one to me they are both fitting Men. York Sir if I ill demean'd my self in France Then let me be deny'd the Regentship Som. Sir if I be unworthy of the place Then give the Duke of York the Regentship War Whether your Grace my Lord be worthy or not Dispute not that the Duke of York is worthier Car. Ambitious Warwick let your betters speak War The Cardinal 's not my betters in the Field Buck. My Lord all in this Presence are your betters War In Title not in Fortune or in Courage Sal. Peace Son King Oh! peace my Lords Do not you know What little pleasure I have in my Crown And Do you strive to make me wearier of it You take it ill if I refuse you Governments Yet you deny to let me Rule in quiet I wonder what you see in this vile World Worth the contending for Heaven has entrusted me With Three Great Kingdoms England France and Ireland And I must give Account of 'em to Heaven And not throw up my Charge for my own ease Else I wou'd gladly give e'm all to buy The holy Peace any of you may have Yet you disturb your selves and me for Rule Which I account a Pennance for my sins Qu. Is this a King that speaks or some poor Pilgrim That having lost his way seates himself ignorantly Down in a Throne and does not know 't is one And falls a Preaching to the gaping Multitude Oh! What a Prince is this to sway three Kingdoms Aside And what a Husband 's this for a young Queen Yo. Most Gratious Soveraign our chief contention Is to give you that ease which you delight in To lay the burden of your Government On Men whose Loyalty and great Abilities May bear e'm up both to your ease and glory Sal. And for the Government of France my Lord Of York no Man so fitting as your self And pray my Lord of Buckingham shew reason Why you prefer the Duke of Somerset Qu. Because 't is the King's Will to have it so Glou. Madam the King is old enough himself To speak his Mind these are no Womens matters Qu. If he be old enough What needs your Grace To be Protector of His Majesty Glou. Madam I am Protector of the Kingdom And at His pleasure will resign my Place Suff. Resign it then and leave your Insolence Since you were King As who is King but you The Common-wealth has daily run to ruine The Dauphin seiz'd our Provinces in France And you our Liberties and Honors here Car. The Commons you have Rack't the Clergies Bags Are lank and lean with your Extortions Som. You spend the Publick Treasure most profusely On Sumptuous Buildings for your Luxury And costly Attire for your Wive's Vanity Elia. So so my Dress becomes a Crime of State Shortly I do believe you will Arraign My Necklaces and Bodkins of High Treason You cannot do it by the Law of England ' Cause they have not their Equals here to try 'em by Buck. We may extort the Law as oft your Husband Has done to punish beyond bounds of Law Qu. And not content to waste the Publick Treasure Both on his own and his Wive's foolish Pride He has as the Suspition's very strong Made Sale of Offices and Towns in France Which if 't were prov'd shou'd make him lose his Head Glo. How am I baited beyond Human sufferance I will go out and coole lest I be tempted To act or speak any thing Unworthy of my self and of this Presence Exit King My Lords my Lords I see and grieve to see Too much Ill-mindedness in all this Fury We oft by Lightning read in darkest Night And by your Passions I read all your Natures Though you at other times can keep e'm dark But I have Read e'm when you thought it not And I my self scarce minded what I did I like the musing Hermit in the Desert Feel the cold nipping blasts of the rough Wind And hear the Howles of Wolves and Yelpes of Foxes Though I regard e'm not nor mind at all To shun e'm or to fortifie against e'm Card. I hope the King rankes not among the Wolves One of the Shepherds of the Sacred Flock King I shou'd be glad I had no cause at all Suff. I hope there 's none of us has spoken any thing But from deep sence of Loyalty and Honor Against a Traytor to the King and Kingdom King I 'le Judge so honourably of you all To think you only eccho Publick Rumor And Ecchoes that miscall the Passenger Injure him not but they that set e'm talking Publick Report then wrongs the Duke not you For if you know him false Why don't you prove it Then you do ill to do no more then Talke Qu. Sir subtle Men don't use to act their Wickedness In Roades in Markets or on Steeple tops But closely hid so hid that oft the Devil Who did employ e'm scarce knows what they mean Elia. Come Sir all this is spoken out of envy Low crawling envy envy that is chok'd With the great Dust the Train of my Robes make Whence came this beggarly Spirit into England It never can be of the English growth The late great Conquerors of Towns and Provinces Fallen to envy a Lady's Cloaths Oh! beggarly Some poor French Pedler brought this Spirit hither
Elia. Welcome my Banishment for I am sure My doleful days will not be many there Glo. Oh Wife What hast thou brought upon thy self Did not I timely warn thee of Ambition And say one day 't wou'd do some dismal deed The King has past a righteous Sentence on thee And none have reason to complain but I Who innocently suffer in thy shame My honor shares in all thy sad reproach And my love suffers in thy Banishment That I am punish'd equally with thee Though I am innocent and yet the King Does me no wrong at all no Elianor I 've reason to complain of none but thee Who woud'st not take the Counsels that I gave thee Out of dear Love to thee Elia. I see my folly Glo. Now hast thou brought dishonor on my age And shame and grief will sink me to my Grave Qu. My Lord my Lord you can be sensible Of your Wive's shame but not of the dishonor The King and I both suffer'd by her Insolence You weep ' cause she must suffer an houâ—s Pennance But she has made me suffer horrid Pennance E'er since I was her Queen both to my own And the King's shame and grief that you ne'r wept for She must walk barefoot now upon the stones Time was she trod on me I was her way Which I endur'd to the King's shame and mine And you for that had very small regret Gl. Madam if for her Crimes her too great Crimes The punishment the King has doom'd her â—o Be not enough pray Sentence her to more But let her know an end of punishment But if the Scale be full enough already As the just King who poiz'd it well conceives Do not be heaping till it grows injustice Qu. My Lord she deserves more then she shall suffer Only for the intolerable rudeness Wherewith she treated me her Queen to day To call me to my Face a Beggars Daughter Suppose I were that miserable Beggar Is it well done to tread on Poverty But when by Birth heaven made me a great Princess And the King's Love made me a great Queen her Queen For her to treat me so Was that well done Suff. Yes Madam 't was well done for his Designs Of making her your Queen your Majesty her subject That they had such Designs her present Crimes Are a sufficient proofe and they did well To bring you to subjection by degrees Car. All the reflection I shall make is this He who was Govern'd by so ill a Woman Is very unfit to be the Kingdoms Governor She was his Counsellor the Devil hers Conjecture then what his Designs must be Glo. Lord Cardinal I am sure of your good Word I see what all of you thirst for my ruine I had long since remov'd out of your way If duty to my King had not detain'd me I was afraid to trust him in your hands But I perceive my stay occasions him Perpetual trouble and the heavenly power Has an especial eye to Sacred Kings To his Protection then I 'le leave the King If the King will permit me and retire To bear the heavy burden of my griefs Qu. Pray do my Lord we 'l take you at your word I see no reason why a King of years Shou'd be Protected like a little Child Resign your Staffe and give the King his Kingdom The King by heaven's help may Govern it King Do do my Lord since they 'l all have it so I shall not want a Counsel or Protection For heaven is my hope my stay my guide And go in peace less powerful less great No less belov'd by me and all good Men. Enter York Glo. Then here most Sacred Sovereign is my Staffe As willingly do I resign it to you As e're your glorious Father made it mine As willingly I lay it at your feet As others wou'd ambitiously receive it Farewell good King may you when I am dead Never have cause to shed one tear for me When is your Royal Pleasure that my Wife Shall do her Pennance King Now immediately Glo. Come Elianor let us support our Sorrows Sorrow is natural to this Vale of Tears My fall will rather pleasure to me bring If it shall cause no sorrow to the King Exit Glocester Elianor with a Guard King Oh Lords you have made me part with a good Man I wish I may never have need of him York How Has the Duke resign'd the Government Qu. Yes Henry now is King and I am Queen And Humphry Duke of Glocester scarce himself Two of his stately Branches are lopt from him His Wife is Banish'd and his Staffe resign'd And he will shortly wither with the Mayme Yo. As I wou'd wish How have these haughty Lords asidâ— Most subtilly wrought their own destruction For now the King lies open to my Sword But they shall perish with him for their Villanies A Shout Enter Buckingham King Now What 's the News Buck. May it please your Majesty The Combate 'tween the Armourer and his Man The Appellant and Defendant has been fought According as your Majesty appointed Truth has prevail'd the Guilty Armourer Worsted by his Servant has confest the Treason King Where is the Fellow Buc. They are both without Come in Enter Armorer and his Man with a Guard King What Fellow did you speak the words Arm. Yes please your Majesty King Yet you deny'd ' em Ar. I was unwilling to be hang'd an 't please you King But not unwilling to destroy thy Soul By spilling of an innocent Fellows blood As thou hast done if right had not prevail'd Buck. Sir it was right indeed that did prevail I never saw poor Fellow so afraid As the Armorer's Servant was in all my life And yet he beate his Master by his Innocence Arm. It was my Conscience beate me and not he If my own Conscience had not fought against me I cou'd have beaten twenty such as he Pet. I do not know that for though I was afraid E're I came to it now I know what it is I do not care if I have t'other bout King There 's mischief in this Business I discern it Aside The Common People have been tamper'd with To try how they will like a change of Princes And to make way for it my right is question'd And my good Lord Protector sent away from me Oh! heaven if I be useful to my People Preserve me for their sakes from wicked Men If I be not extend thy Providence To them and let what will become of me Go lead that Traytor to the Death he merits Thou honest man whose truth and innocence Heaven has reveal'd by me shall be rewarded Exit Omnes prae Suffolk and the Queen Qu. Now it goes excellently well indeed This haughty Woman tumbled in the dirt So far beneath my feet I cannot tread upon her Duke Humphrey's charming Rod broken in pieces Wherewith he kept as in a Conjurers Circle The King and Kingdom both out of our reach Suff. Did not I promise you there shou'd be nothing
words were Ransom oft for Faults I never gave condign Punishment Unless the Offender were a bloody Murtherer Or ravenous Thief that fleaec'd poor Passengers Suff. My Lord these Faults are easie quickly answer'd But mightier Crimes shall be laid to your Charge From which you cannot easily purge your self I then Arrest you in his Majestie 's Name And here Commit you to my Lord Cardinal To keep you safely till your time of Trial. King So they scarce know what to accuse him of Aside And yet Arrest him now I find e'm out My Lord of Glocester 't is my special hope That you will clear your self from all Suspition My Conscience tells me you are Innocent Gl. Ah! Gracious Prince these Days are dangerous Vertue ne're saw good Times but one wou'd think If ever it shou'd find e'm 't wou'd be now Under the Reign of such a Saintlike King But now the Devil rages more than ever ' Cause from the Angel-vertues of the King He almost fears the downfal of his Kingdom Under the Reigns of wicked Kings he sleeps Because he knows they do his Business for him But now he let 's out all his fiercest Fiends And bids them do his worst or all is lost Rancour Ambition and foul Subornation Are all at work to take away my Life The Devil will not be content without it If I by Death cou'd serve my King and Country I 'de freelier give my Life than these Lords take it King My Lord my Lord I do believe you Gl. Sir I humbly thank you for your Royal Charity All these Lords know what you believe my innocence Sad were my case if there were proofs as strong Of their foul Charge as their foul Hate and rancour Their very looks are witnesses against e'm Beauford's red sparkling eyes tell his hearts malice And Sufollk's cloudy brow his stormy hate Sharp Buckingham unburden's with his Tongue The envious load that lies upon his heart And dogged York that reaches at the Moon Because I have pluck'd back his roaming Arm Endeavours to pull Vengeance on my Head Nay my Queen has with the rest conspir'd And with her best endeavour has stirr'd up My Gracious King to be my Enemy Ay all of you have laid your Heads together I had notice of your Plots and Conventicles And all to take away my guiltless Life I shall not want false Witness to condemn me Nor store of Treason to augment my Guilt Card. His railing Sir is most intolerable If those that watch to keep your Royal Person From Treason's secret Knife and Traytor 's rage Be thus upbraided chid and rated at And the Offender granted scope of speech 'T will cool Men's zeal to serve your Majesty Suff. Has he not twit our Sovereign Lady here With ignominious words though subtilly coucht As if she had suborned Villains to swear False Allegations to destroy his Life Qu. But I can give the looser leave to rail Beshrew the Winners for they play me false And well such Loosers may have leave to speak Buck. He 'l wrest the sence and hold us here all day Pray my Lord Cardinal look to your Prisoner Card. Sirs take away the Duke and guard him sure Gl. Ah! thus King Henry throws away his Crutch Before his Legs be firm to bear his Body Farewel most gracious Sovereign Heaven protect you You ne're stood more in need of his Protection For I 'me afraid if Heaven does not save you Man will not Oh! that all my fears were groundless King Stay Uncle let me embrace you e're I go I wish I speak it here before their faces I wish my Enemies had but thy innocence I in thy face behold what I ne're saw Or in their looks or any of their actions A map of Honour Truth and Loyalty Card. Oh! Sir and do you thus King Nay Sirs permit me You from my Bosom tear my best of Friends My wisest Councellor my faithful'st Servant And the great torment forces me to speak Ah! yet good Uncle is the hour yet to come That e're I found you false or fear'd your Faith But there are louring Stars envy your state For these great Lords and Margaret your Queen Do seek subversion of your harmless life And I your King want power to save you from e'm Gl. Ah gracious Sovereign send me quickly hence What ever innocence I had before I 'me growing a great Criminal my stay Does make me guilty of your Royal Sorrows King Thou need'st not beg to be sent hence thy Enemies Will quickly send thee hence in spite of me Gl. Oh! what a World is this when such a King Has little Power because he has too much Goodness Card. The Duke sure bears about him some Enchantment Wherewith he does bewitch the King Away with him Gl. I will away and from the World and you Cou'd part with greater joy than e're man left A howling Desert full of Savage Beasts Did I not leave my Sovereign behind But Oh! the joy of my escape is dash'd When I remember I have left him there Bewildred and no one to be his guid Begirt by Wolves and none to be his guard Card. What are we Wolves He does improve in railing Gl. Prove your selves otherwise I shall be glad Let all your wickedness end at my death And I 'le forgive you that with all my heart I will thank Heaven for my destiny If as the Roman Curtius stop'd the Plague By leaping down into the gaping Earth So I by being thrown into the Grave Cou'd stop the plague of your Ambition But I 'me afraid I shall do no such miracle Suff. This is intolerable My Lord Cardinal Why do you stand so tamely and permit him To wound both yours and all our Honours thus Card. I will endure no more away with him King Farewel good Man Gl. Farewel oh best of Kings Exit with a Guard King So the inhumane Souldier from the panting Breass of his trembling Mother tears an Infant And carries it away before her face Upon his bloody Spear whilst she looks on And swoons and falls and dares not call for help Even so remorseless ha' they born him hence Whilst I with as unhelpless tears bewail The good Man's injuries and with dim'd eyes Look after him and cannot do him good So mighty are his vowed Enemies Whom he I 'me sure ne're wrong'd he ne're wrong'd any Man Exit Qu. Do you see my Lords in what a case we are The King will hear nothing against the Duke The King is cold full of foolish pity And Glocester's shew beguiles his easie mind Just as a Snake roul'd in a flowry Bank Which shining checker'd slough does sting a Child That for the beauty thinks it excellent Believe me Lords were none more wise than I And I believe my self not dull in this This Glocester shou'd be quickly rid of the World To free the King from danger us from fear Card. That he shou'd die is worthy Policy But yet we want some Colour for his death And
shou'd I think that they love cutting Throats They cou'd not find it such a pleasant business 1. Mur. They love to cut the throat of a vile Heretick 3. Mur. How do I know Duke Humphry is a Heretick 2. Mur. The Cardinal says he is one 3. Mur. How if the Cardinal Shou'd be mistaken 1. Mur. He will answer for it 3. Mur. And so he shall for I 'me an honest Fellow And if to kill Duke Humphry be a sin I 'le either lay it at the Cardinal's door Or put it on the high dutch Lady's score Ex. Mur. Enter Cardinal and three Murderers Card. So you have all sworn at the holy Altars Now have a care don't let your Consciences Fool you to flinch with fear e're it is done Or to repent and tell it when 't is done If so you are trebly Damn'd 1. Mur. I warrant your Grace Card. Believe your Priests and not your Consciences For Priests are to direct your Consciences Your Consciences are silly false corrupt 2 Mur. Oh! hang my Conscience Sir I ne're regarded it 3 Mur. May I be bold to ask your Grace one question Card. Ay prethee do 3 Mur. Suppose a Priest an 't please you Mistake and I shou'd sin by his command Will he be damn'd for me and shall I escape Card. A Priest mistake Sirrah were you ne're catechis'd That you are ignorant of First Principles 1 Mur. Why look you now you will be asking questions Card. The Church cannot mistake the Church is infallible 3 Mur. Pray Sir an 't please you how shall I know that Card. How shall you know it Sirrah The Church tells you so 2 Mur. Prethee give over don't stand asking questions 3 Mur. How shall I know the Church tells true an 't please you Card. The Church I say Sirrah is Infallible 3 Mur. How shall I know the Church is so Infallible Card. Why I say Sirrah the Church tells you so 3 Mur. But how shall I be certain it tells true 1 Mur. What a strange man is this we must dismiss him Car. Be certain this is a damn'd Rogue a Heretick Sirrah don't you believe the Church I 'le burn you 2 Mur. So so you have brought your self into a fine pickle 3 Mur. Oh! yes Sir I believe 1 Mur. Oh! do you so 2 Mur. 'T is time you shou'd 3 Mur. I only did make bold to ask some questions To know some things that I was ignorant of Card. Why there was your mistake you are not to Know You are only to do what a Priest bids you Priests only are to know you are to know nothing Except your duty and the reward that follows it Your duty now is to destroy a Traytor Yes and a Heretick 3 Mur. I 'le do 't an 't please you 1 Mur. Your Grace may trust him he is an honest Fellow Only a little troublesome with scruples 2 Mur. Which way Sir had we best to kill the Duke Card. Which way it shall please Heaven to inspire you Stay let me see Strangling I think were best Ay strangling strangling 't will give least suspition And make the World believe Grief broke his heart For so we will give out 1 Mur. We 'l do 't an 't please you I have a Handkerchief fit for the purpose Card. Open the door go to him go go quickly The Scene is drawn the Duke of Glocester sitting and reading in his Night-Gown Card. Ha! he 's awake and up you two go hold him Softly to the Mur. And get him down whilst the other strangles him Gl. Ha! Who is that opens the door 2 Mur. The Cardinal's Servants an 't please your Grace Gl. And what 's your business 1 Mur. The Cardinal saw your Light burning so late And was afraid your Grace was indispos'd And sent to know if your Grace wanted any thing And gave us strict command to wait upon you Gl. He is grown wondrous kind I am afraid He 's ill for this is not his natural temper He guesses right of me I 'm ill indeed A heaviness like Death oppresses me I cannot get my thoughts out of a Grave I fear not Death it self why shou'd a dream And empty shadow of it then oppress me Card. So get behind him now whilst he is musing Aside Gl. If wicked men be digging now my Grave And these cold Terrors be fore-running damps Oh! Heaven prepare me for it 3 Mur. How he prays Aside 2 Mur. What if he does What are a Hereticks prayers Aside Gl. Let all my sins drop from me in these Tears 3 Mur. How penitent he is my Soul relents The Devil take this cursed want of Money Aside Gl. If e're my Person Greatness or Authority Did injure any one forgive the fault And in the bosome of the injur'd person Pour down a thousand blessings Above all things Preserve the King from all his Enemies If I by Wickedness and Falshood perish Oh! give my bloody Enemies repentance And let my Death be an occasion Of good to them but ruine to their wickedness 3 Mur. Heark how he prays for us that are his murderers Aside 1 Mur. What if he does he is a Heretick His Prayers are Curses we are the worse for e'm Aside Card. Why don't you do your work Aside 3 Mur. We will we will Aside Gl. So shall I do more good in Death than Life And by my innocent Death procure a Blessing To my good King my Country all my Enemies They lay hold on the Duke and strangle him Card. So Is he dead yet 2 Mur. Yes he does not stir Enter the Duke of Suffolk Suff. Ho! What 's the News Card. The deed is done my Lord. Suff. Have you dispatch'd the thing 1 Mur. We have done his business Suff. Thou art a gallant Rogue there 's Gold for thee And for you all Card. A Rogue my Lord you wrong him He is a Saint and so are they all 3 Mur. A Saint Aside Devil take such Saints I wou'd this deed were to be done again My Family shou'd starve e're I wou'd do it Card. I hear a noise without 3 Mur. A noise without I 'me sure I hear a cursed noise within me A bawling Conscience Card. Place the Body some way As may give least suspition and be gone And come another time for your rewards They place the Body in a Chair shut the Scene and Ex. Enter the King and Queen Attendants Qu. What brings your Majesty abroad so early You â—o not use to finish your Devotion So soon as this King Oh! Love I am not well My Uncle is always walking in my mind And shakes the melancholy Room with fear Methinks he tells me I have not done well To give him up to his too cruel Enemies To men who are not such as they shou'd be Qu. Why Sir have you so great mistrust of e'm King I wish I had no cause I 've sent Commands to e'm To bring my Uncle to me presently Enter the Cardinal Had you my message my Lord Cardinal Card. Yes
save your self From Whipping leap o'r this Stool and run away Simp. Alass Master I am not able to stand alone You go about to Torture me in vain Glo. Well Sirrah I must have you find your Legs Whip him till he leap o'r that same Stool Simp. Master What shall I do I cannot stand Glo. Leap Sirrah Leap Simp. Oh! oh Beadle Whips him he leaps over the Stool and runs away and they cry a Miracle follow King Do'st thou behold thir Heaven and bear thus long Glo. Bring back the Rogue and take this Drabbe away Wife Alass we did it for pure need forsooth Glo. Let e'm be Whipt through every Market Town Till they come to Berwick from whence they came Car. Heark you Are not you a Company of Damn'd Fools To employ such a Silly Rogue as this Softly to a Fryer That has shewn all your Cheats to the whole World Fry My Lord they were known to all Wise Men before And such a Fool will serve to Couzen Fools And Fools are those that we must hope to stand by Exit Enter Buckingham King What Tidings brings my Lord of Buckingham Buc. Such as my heart does temble to relate My Lord Protector 's Wife has practis'd horridly And dangerously against your Majesties Life H 'as dealt with Hellish Conjurers and Witches To raise up wicked Spirits from under Ground To acquaint her with your destiny and Councel her How she may ayd your Fate and hasten it She 's enquir'd too of the Infernal Oracle The Fates of several of your Majesties Council We apprehended e'm all in the Fact Car. Ha! Is she fallen into our Trap that 's well Aside And she shall soon pluck her Duke Humphrey after My Lord Protector your good Lady finding She governs you thinks she can rule the Devil And have th' infernal Powers at her Command Heaven be Prais'd England's Protected well Your Grace is Lord Protector of the Kingdom Your Wife rules you the Devil is her Protector And so the Devil is England's Lord Protector I hope we shall displace his Devilship Glo. And put a worse Devil in if you succeed But these good Churchmen are the heavenly comforts You give your Kinsman in affliction You may insult for sorrow has so vanquisht me The basest Groom may trample on me now King What horrid things are practis'd in this World How vile ones heap confusion on their heads Qu My Lord my Lord you see your nest is tainted Look that your self be faultless you had best Glo. Madam I will not answer for a Woman For my own self to heaven I appeal Who knowes how I have lov'd my King and Country And for my Wife I know not how it stands Sorry I am to hear what I have heard Noble she is but if she have forgot Honor and Vertue I will forget her And banish her my Bed and my Acquaintance And give her up to the just punishment Which â—he deserves for so much wickedness And so dishonouring my honest Name King I will to London with what haste I can To look into this business thoroughly And call these foul offenders to their Answers Ex. Om. prae Suff. and the Qu. Qu. My dear dear Suffolk how thou every moment Heap'st new delights on me when thou didst get for me The English Crown thou didst not please me more Then now in getting me revenge on Elianor Treading on her methinks I walk in Triumph To a second and more pleasing Coronation Suff. I told you Madam I had snares for her You were impatient and cou'd not stay Till things cou'd ripen Qu. Oh! thou art my Sun My joyes and glories ripen grow and flourish Under thy beautiful and glorious beams Come le ts go see Dame Elianor in her shame The pleasing'st sight in the whole World next thee Suff. Next sight I 'le shew you shall be Gloster's fall The good fond Husband will be loth to stay Behind his Wife though she goes to destruction Qu. Sure thou wert made o' purpose for my Love Had heaven bid me ask for some great Merit A Gift that might have shewed bounty divine I wou'd have said Let Suffolk heaven be mine Ex. ACT III. Enter York Salisbury and Warwick The SCENE the Duke of York's House long Scrowles lying on a Table York NOw my good Lords of Salisbury and Warwick You have perus'd my Title to the Crown I pray deliver me both your opinions War My Lord 't is very plain the Right is yours King Henry claimes the Crown from John of Gaunt Fourth Son of Edward the Third Your Grace claims it From Lyonell Duke of Clarence the Third Son Till Lyonell's Issue fails his shou'd not Reign It failes not yet but flourishes in you â—nd in your Sons fair Branches of your Stock My Lord of Salisbury kneel we together And in this private Room be we the first That shall Salute our Lawful Soveraign With the honor of his Birth-right to the Crown Both. Long live our Sovereign Richard King of England York My Lords I give you both my hearty thanks But I am not your King till I be Crown'd And my Sword slayn'd in the heart blood of all The House of Lancaster and that 's not suddenly Nor very easily to be perform'd We must use Counsel Secresy and Courage Do you as I do in these dangerous days Wink at the Duke of Suffolk's Insolence At Beauford's Pride at Somerset's Ambition At Buckingham and all the Crew of e'm Till they have snar'd the good and wise Duke Humphry Whose Vertues are so many Guardian Angels Both to the King and Kingdom his destruction These ill Men seek and they in seeking that Shall find their own if I can Prophesie Sal. My Lord let us break off we know your Mind War There 's something great within my breast that tells me The Day is coming when the Earl of Warwick Shall make the Duke of York the King of England Yo. And I shall live to make the Earl of Warwick The greatest Man in England but the King Exit The SCENE the Court. Enter King and Queen Duke of Suffolk Duke of Glocester Cardinal Elianor a Prisoner King Madam stand forth and hear your Sentence from me In sight of heaven and me your guilt is great A Crime to which heavens Book adjudges Death Your Fellow Criminals shall suffer Death â—nd 't is notorious false reasoning â—ou shou'd be spar'd because you are great and Noble he World is us'd to such false Reasonings â—nd that 's the cause there is so little Truth in it But I observe but few of the World's Customs Nor will I now be lead away in this Then hear my Sentence since to your great Spirit There is no pain like shame I Sentence you To bear the tort'ring shame of open Pennance And since to live depos'd of all your Honors In some remote sad desolate obscurity Is to you pain like burying alive I Sentence you to spend your days in Banishment With Sir John Stanley in the Isle of Man
Guards the Scaffold but she hates the Office And will e're long let Rebels have their own I 'm going All you of Plantagenets Race My comfort is in death I kill'd your Father Fall's Enter Edward George Richard Warwick Ed. Now the great cause is come to its decision Are any Troops gone to pursue the Queen On her tame Henry's fortune does depend As the Seas ebb and flow does on the Moon War Yes I took care o' that Rich My chief care was To hunt the bloudy Clifford but I cou'd not Find him among the living or the dead War I thought you set death's mark so deep upon him Death cou'd not miss him Geo. Fortune at us all Play'd him to day but when he was in danger Snatch'd him away again as who shou'd say When I have lost this card my game is gone Cl. Oh! Groans Ed. What Soul is that that takes her heavy leave See who it is and be he Friend or Enemy Use him with mercy Ric. No 't is bloody Clifford Ed. Clifford War Clifford Geo. Clifford Rich. He 's dead oh that he had but life And sense enough to see and hear and know us That we might scoff him as he did our Father Ric. Damn him he counterfeits to shun our taunts Clifford you know me ask me mercy Clifford I am the Son of your dear Friend Plantagenet I 'll pity you for you did pity Rutland Geo. No answer prithee swear as thou wast wont War He 's dead I 'm certain if he does not swear Cl. Damnation on you all Ed. He Curses he Curses War Then there is hopes of him Ed. 'T was his last Prayer Off with his Head and place it on the pinacle Where the bold bloudy Slave durst place our Fathers War Now let the Trumpets proclaim Edward King A Flourish of Trumpets Trum. Long live Edward the fourth King of England and France And Lord of Ireland a Shout War Now march to London Sir I will to France About the Marriage you so much approved of With the fair Lady Bona that Queens Sister Ed. Oh! thou hast made me much in love with her And all Relations have encreas'd my Passion War Sir She 's the fairest Creature in the Woorld And in that Marriage you will not only Have a fair bedfellow for your delight But that great King your friend for your security Ed. I cannot marry better haste away War I 'm glad of this I have secur'd my Mistress Aside Some days ago as you commanded me I did dispatch an Envoy to King Lewis To make the offer and he seem'd unwilling Not knowing what th' event of War wou'd be But now I with the Sword that conquer'd Henry Will go my self Embassador and try If a French King dare's deny any thing To an English conquering Sword Ed. Oh! thou hast given me A Crown give me this Beauty and thou art A God to me thy gifts are all divine Geo. My life too on his bounty does depend War Is it in me to give you happiness Geo. Yes if a Father can bestow a Daughter War I shall be very proud you will accept her Geo. I shall be very happy to attain her War She shall be yours if the King give consent Ed. My Brother cou'd not have oblig'd me more Than in this choice War Then she 's at his devotion Geo. Then I 'm a happy man Ed. The Earl of Warwick Is the good Angel of our Family Ric. Of what strange stuff so different from my Brothers Am I made they are all-over love I have appetite but not one grain of Love Ed. Thou art not of a mould for love to grow in Men plant not flowers in a Kitchen garden Well Brother I create you Duke of Clarence You Brother Richard I make Duke of Gloucester Ric. I do not like the Title it is ominous Ed. A foolish observation War Royal Sir I 'll take my leave Ed. Success attend thy Embassy Ex. Geo. I 'll take my leave Ed. Success attend your love Ex. Scene a Chamber Enter Lady Grey and her Woman La. Gr. King Henry beaten poor unfortunate King I and my Children are all ruin'd with him The conquerors will seize my Husbands lands War Madam the greatest Conquerour is your Friend The Earl of Warwick he 'll preserve your Fortune Yes and advance 'em if you 'l give him leave La. Gr. Name not that insolent great man I hate him Enter a Page Pa Madam the Earl of Warwick's coming up La. Gr. He coming up how knows he I am here Pa. His Servants learnt it accidentally Enter Earl of Warwick War So near fair Widow and my beating pulses And quivering flesh give me no notice of it For the kind needle never fails to tremble When it approaches it 's beloved Pole What have you paid formality her wages And turn'd off that old Governess of Women Have you yet dryed your eyes and drawn your Curtains Is the Son good enough to be admitted o you If so I hope his humble kindred may For I am near a-kin to him in heat In short you shall be mine if I can give Others a Crown I 'll give my self a wife La. Gr. If you were serious as I think you are not You give me a brave occasion to revenge My Husbands blood and your affronts to me By making you unhappy in a Wife War Were you the first of Widows that talk'd thus I must confess I think 't wou'd damp my courage But when this is the constant language spoke In the dark shady Land of Vailes and mourning Shou'd I be scar'd I were as rank a fool As the dull Heroe that shou'd leave a pleasant Country he conquer'd ' cause the people speak A strange odd Language you are a conquer'd Province And you may keep your Language and your Customs But I will have the Government and Tribute La. Gr. My Lord I have affairs of greater consequence Then this fond talk and so your humble Servant War So have not I and therefore you shall stay La. Gr. What do you mean my Lord War I mean my Lady To marry you this day enjoy you this night La. Gr. My Lord I tell you plainly I do not love you War All 's one I tell you plainly I will have you I know you are a woman of great virtue And time will file away these rugged humours But if it do not though your soul be rough Your body will be smooth your Cheeks be soft Your eyes be sparkling and your lips be tempting And more perhaps might make me mad with love Ho! call a Parson La. Gr. Now my Lord VVar. Ay! now La. Gr. What and my Husband dyed so very lately War What then what has the dead to do with us La. Gr. I 'll rather go a begging with my Children War Come leave this fooling by this kiss you shall La. Gr. I 'll dye e're suffer all this barb'rous rudeness War VVell thou art a most beauteous Creature I 'm going now Embassadour for France I
truth than e're thou didst to me Ed. Oh! killing sight La. El. VVou'd thou hadst never seen me The cold Earth had not been my Death-bed then Nor had I needed as I do two graves One for my self the other for my name Ed. Oh Heaven How have I wrong'd this beautious Creature First robb'd her of her Fame now of her Life La. El. Ah! Monarch do I merit this for Love Ed. Oh no but I deserve a thousand plagues And I have here with my own hand broke open A fair Pandora's box to let 'em out To fly about my head La. El. Indeed King Edward My injuries have already found thee out Have driven thee from thy throne how far will drive thee I cannot tell I will not curse thee now Cursing is not a language spoke in Heaven And I am very near that glorious Kingdom Therefore I 'll speak the language that is blessing May this be the last day of all thy Troubles And I be the last woman thou shalt wrong May Heaven forgive thy broken Vows as I do And quicklier forget 'em all than thou didst And this one poor request I beg of thee Since I was all the staine of my great Family And I have made thy self who wert the cause of it With thy own Sword cut out the ruined piece Oh hide it where it may no more be seen But be forgot by all as 't will by thee Dyes Ed. She 's gone She 's gone Oh! thou sweet injur'd beauty I never shall forget thee whilst I live Thy wrongs I fear will haunt my mind and fortune In this sweet spot of Earth I fear I 've planted Much mischief for my self I gather'd all The Sweets and now Thorns will spring up to tear me Enter an Officer Offi. Oh Sir the Earl of Warwick ranges o're The Field with so much fury and success Your Troops are just upon the point of flying Ed. My punishment so soon pursue my Crime This beauties wrongs steel that proud Rebels Sword And give it all the kneenness that it has Oh Heav'n hide thy eyes from this sweet Creature At least for this one hour and here I vow I will give o're robbing such spicy Isles And take an honest dwelling at my own Lest sailing to a fro a Tempest fall That shall revenge the injuries of 'em all Ex. Enter Edward and VVarwick Fighting VVar. falls Ed. Now I am King of England and I owe My Crown to my own Sword and not to thine War Insult not Edward for I am not kill'd By thee but Henries cursed Destiny I 'm crush'd under the wheels of his damn'd fortune I am ground all to pieces by his Stars My fortune sickned when I first came under 'em Truth is my Spirit led her such a dance She cou'd not keep me company but tyr'd Now sit's her down and like a poor cast Whore Is glad to be pick'd up by any body Now thou maist banish fear for I am dying Who when I liv'd cou'd frown thee into a Subject Bury thee in the wrinckle of my brow Ed. Talk not of burying Kings but rather think Of burying all thy Crimes in penitence War My greatest Crime is that I e're serv'd thee Whose base ingratitude has ruin'd me I gave thee Kingdoms and thou giv'st me death Dyes Ed. I ne're wrong'd thee nor didst thou e're serve me Thou hast been wrong'd by nothing but my ignorance And hast serv'd nothing but thy vanity And nothing else I fear will e're reward thee Enter George Richard and Guards Geo. Now Sir I hope you will forgive my errours For Beauties sake for Beauty drew me in And you have felt the mighty power of Beauty Ed Brother your errours are all buried under Heaps of my Enemies you have kill'd today I have dispatch'd my greatest Enemy Warwick will make and unmake no more Kings Ric. And the bold Amazon Queen and insolent Boy Her fierce Son Edward are both taken Prisoners I 've order'd Sir they shall attend you here And here they are Enter Queen Prince Guarded as Prisoners Ed. So Madam and young Edward What satisfaction will you make to me For all the Mischief you have done my Kingdom And all the Trouble you have given me Pr. What satisfaction wilt thou make my Father Me and the Kingdom for thy bold usurping My Fathers Crown and my inheritance Ruining us and slaughtering our people Qu. Oh! that thy Father had been so resolv'd Ric. That so your Distaff might have been our Scepter Pr. Why how now Aesop Nay mistake me not Aesop I mean in Body not in mind Ric. Brat I will crush thy brains out Ed. Hold forbear He is a Boy Ric. Why then to School with him To learn him manners Pr. If I learn thy manners The Devil must be my Tutour Ed. Hold your peace You foolish Child Geo. The Boy 's too malapert Pr. The man is too perjur'd I mean perjur'd George And you are all Traytors to me your Prince Ed. How now proud Boy take that Strikes him with his hand Ric. Nay then take that Geo. And that for twitting me with Perjury Rich. and Geo. draw and kill him Qu. Oh! they have kill'd my Son oh murderers Oh! kill me too Ric. Marry with all my heart The Qu. swoons upon the Prince Ed. Hold Brother we have done too much already Why wou'd you cruelly kill the poor Boy I struck him in my Choler but I meant him No farther harm Ric. Who cou'd forbear besides Shou'd we have let him live to cut our Throats Geo. What wou'd have grown up with him but Rebelion Why shou'd a Sprig grow up to be a Tree That wou'd breed nothing else but Caterpillars Ed. His Mother Swoon's use means for her recovery Qu. Oh my dear Son is kill'd my Son is kill'd Speak to thy Mother Son can'st thou not speak Oh murd'rers Butchers Traytors Cannibals Ric. Hence with this rayling Woman Qu. Ay hence with me Out of the world I prithee Richard kill me Murder is all the Almes thou givest the miserable Bestow thy bloudy Charity upon me Have pity on a Queen that begs it of thee Ric. We pity not those that are born to beggery If thou dost beg 't is but thy native poverty Ed. Insult not o're a miserable Woman Madam I pray go hence you shall be us'd With all respect Qu. All the respect of Murderers Is death Oh! bloudy George do thou bestow it Geo. I swear I will not do thee so much kindness Qu. Ay but thou usest to forswear thy self Ed. Madam pray go Qu. Oh! Edward Richard George Be it to you and yours as to this Prince For 't were a shame the Sons of Executioners Shou'd e're be Kings Ric. Away with her away with her The Guard lead out the Qu and carry out the Pr. Now I will to the Tower to dispatch Henry Aside Till he be kill'd our work is done by halves Ex. Geo. Sir If you please I 'll visit my young Bride Ex. Ed. I have a Beautious Bride
Royal Sir the Duke of Suffolk instantly Will bring the Duke of Glocester I have lodg'd My noble Prisoner but in the next Rooms King Methinks he shou'd not be the man you make him Card. Your Majesty has your eyes always fixt On shining Heaven that when you look below The World is in a mist and dark to you Enter Suffolk King How now Why look'st thou pale why do'st thou shake Where is my Uncle What 's the matter Speak Suff. The Duke is dead Card. How Dead Suff. Dead in his Chair Qu. Oh! Heaven forbid Suff. 'T is true Card. Heaven's secret Judgments I fear'd some dreadful judgment wou'd o'retake him The King Swoons Qu. How is my Lord Help help the King is dying Suff. Rear up his Body fetch some Water quickly Qu. Oh! Help help help Suff. See he revives again Madam be comforted Qu. How does my Lord King Oh! heavenly God! Sighs deeply Suff. Take comfort Gracious Sir King Ah! Wo is me for Glocester wretched man Qu. Is all your comfort shut up in his Tomb And can you find no joy in me at all Why do you turn away and hide your Face I am no loathsome Leaper look on me Ah! wo is me more wretched than he is Did I for this expose my self to Winds And Rocks and Seas and twice was almost wrack'd And twice was driven back as if the Winds Forewarn'd me landing on this unkind Shore The vaulting Sea danc'd with me to and fro As it were loth to bring me to this Coast The Rocks cover'd in the Waves and hid themselves As shaming to owe kindred to an Island Whose cruel King wou'd thus reward my Love Ah! see if he will speak to me or look on me How hateful am I grown Ah! wretched me Card. I see the King loves this dead Traytor better Than all his living Friends Farewel I 'me sorry Sir To see you hate your Friends and love your Enemies Ex. King Where is my dead Friend I 'le see him lead me to him Suff. In the next Room Sir Ho open these doors The Scene is drawn and the Duke of Glocester is shewn dead in a Chair King Oh! thou good man And hast thou thus been us'd And is this all of thee that 's left to me Oh! to how little and how poor a pittance Are all my Comforts in this life now brought Enter Warwick War Oh! Sir Reports are spread among the People The good Duke Humphry treacherously is murder'd By Suffolk's and the Cardinal Beauford's means Suff. By mine War By yours Suff. I did expect as much War The Commons like a Hive of angry Bees That want their Leader scatter up and down And care not whom they sting in their revenge I have endeavour'd to allay their rage Until they are satisfied about his death King Ah! my Lord he is dead 't is true too true See here But how he died God knows not I. I fear foul play was plaid him for his Life Oh Heaven to whom Judgment alone belongs Forgive me if I injure any one With false suspitions War Sir as certainly As I believe that Heaven was his Maker I believe Treachery was his destroyer Suff. Do you know it that so dreadfully you swear it War I swear that I believe it Suff. What 's your reason War I see already above a thousand proofs That he was basely strangled Suff. Strangled War Strangled His Face is black and swell'd with settled Blood Which shews the passage to the Heart was stopt Whether the Blood in natural deaths descends To aid the labouring Heart in his last conflict And failing freezes with the cold of Death And ne're returns but leaves the face all pale His eyes stand gastly from his Head and almost Come out to meet us to complain of strangling His gaping nostrils are stretch'd out with striving His hands are spread abroad as one that grasp'd And tugg'd for Life but was by strength o're-master'd His well proportion'd Beard is rugged made Like Summer's Corn by furious tempest lodg'd See a blew Ring encompasses his Neck Oh! Murder here has danc'd her fairy round If the Duke was not strangled ne're was man Suff. Why who shou'd do it my Lord none but my self And Cardinal Beauford had him in protection War Who finds the Heifer dead and bleeding fresh And sees a Butcher with his Ax stand by May easily suspect who made the Slaughter Qu. The Cardinal and you my Lord are Murderers For shame my Lord of Warwick rule your arrogance War Pray Madam let me with due reverence tell you Each word you speak for him slaunders your Honour Suff. Blunt-witted Lord thy evil manners say Thy Mother took into her blameful Bed Some rough untutour'd Churl and grafted there On Nâ—vil's noble race a rugged Clown War Did not my Sovereign's presence check my fury I 'de make thee kneel for pardon for this speech And say 't was thy own Mother that thou mean'st And after this low homage I wou'd kill thee Thou treacherous murderer of sleeping men Suff. Thou shalt be waking when I shed thy blood If er'e I meet thee from this royal presence War Away or I will drag thee though I scorn thee I 'le fight with thee to appease Duke Humphry's Ghost King Forbear my Lords for shame stay I command you A Noise Enter Salisbury Sal. Great Sir the Commons humbly implore by me The Duke of Suffolk may be put to death Or Banish'd instantly for else they threaten They 'l tear him hence by violence and Torture him Free from bold contradiction to your liking But out of Loyalty they drive him from you They say If you desir'd to sleep and charg'd No one on pain of Death shou'd dare to wake you Yet if they saw a Serpent in your Bosom They with the hazard of their lives wou'd wake you And drive him from you whether you wou'd or no. They say the Duke of Suffolk is that Serpent By whose envenom'd sting your Uncle perish'd A Prince a thousand times of Suffolk's value From him they also fear your Majestie 's Death Suff. They durst not send this message to their King My noble Lord Embassador from Weavers King My Lord of Salisbury Tell e'm from me I thank e'm for their Loyal care of me That I have been awake long e're they rouz'd me And seen the dangerous Serpent I have cherish'd To my great danger and my Friends destruction For oh the slimy paths the Serpent crawl'd To sting my Friend to Death shine in my eyes Suff. Sir will you judg me e're you know my innocnece King Go tell e'm By that Heavenly Majesty Whose most unworthy Deputy I am I vow most solemnly the English Air Shall not receive three days infection more From this most wicked man for if it does The fourth shall end his wickedness and him Exit Salis. Suff. Sir this is hard to doom mâ—'re I 'me tried Qu. Oh! let me plead Sir for this injur'd Lord. King Oh fye forbear forbear your pleading