No matter what's the way-for while they live, My goodly kingdom's on a weak foundation. "Tis done, my daring heart's resolv'd--they're dead!

Enter BUCKINGHAM.

Buck. My lord, I have consider'd in my mind, The late request, that you did sound me in.

Glost. Well, let that rest-Dorset is fled to Richmond.

Buck. I have heard the news, my lord.

Glost. Stanley, he's your near kinsman—well, look to him.

Buck. My lord, I claim that gift, my due by pro-
mise,

For which your honour and your faith's eng ag'd;
The earldom of Hereford, and those moveables,
Which you have promised I shall possess.

Glost. Stanley, look to your wife; if she convey Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it.

Buck. what says your highness to my just request?

Glost. I do remember me, Harry the Sixth,
When Richmond was a little, peevish boy,
Did prophesy, that Richmond should be king,
'Tis odd-a king, perhaps

Enter CATESBY.

Catesby. My lord, I have obey'd your highness' orders.

Buck. May it please you to resolve me in my

suit?

Glost. Lead Tirrel to my closet, I'll meet him.
Buck. I beg your highness' ear, my lord.
Glost. I'm busy-thou troublest ine-

vein.

-I'm not i' th'

[Exit.

Buck. Oh patience, Heav'n! is't thus he pays my

service?

Was it for this I rais'd him to the throne ?
Oh! if the peaceful dead have any sense
Of the vile injuries they bore while living,
Then sure the joyful souls of blood-suck'd Edward,
Henry, Clarence, Hastings, and all that through
His foul corrupted dealings have miscarried,
Will, from the walls of heav'n, in smiles look down,
To see this tyrant tumbling from his throne,
His fall unmourn'd, and bloody as their own!

[Exit.

SCENE III.

An Apartment in the Tower.

Enter TIRREL, DIGHTON, and FOREST.

Tirrel. Come, gentlemen,

Have you concluded on the means?

Forest. Smothering will make no noise, sir.

Tirrel. Let it be done i' th' dark-for should you

see

Their young faces, who knows how far their looks
Of innocence may tempt you into pity?
Stand back-Lieutenant, have you brought the keys?

Enter LIEUTENANT.

Lieut. I have them, sir.

Tirrel. Then here's your warrant to deliver them.

[Giving a Ring. Lieut. What can this mean! why at this dead of

night

To give them too! 'tis not for me to inquire.
Tirrel. Gentlemen, there lies your way.

[Exit.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE IV.

The Presence Chamber.

Enter GLOSTER.

Glost. 'Would it were done!

There is a busy something here,

That foolish custom has made terrible,

To the intent of evil deeds? and nature too,
As if she knew me womanish and weak,

Tugs at my heart-strings with complaining cries,

To talk me from my purpose-

And then the thought of what men's tongues will

say,

Of what their hearts must think;

To have no creature love me living, nor

My memory when dead.

Shall future ages, when these children's tale

Is told, drop tears in pity of their hapless fate,

And read with detestation, the misdeeds of Gloster. The crook-back'd tyrant, cruel, barbarous,

And bloody? will they not say too,

That to possess the crown, nor laws divine

Nor human stopt my way?-Why, let them say it; They can't but say I had the crown;

I was not fool as well as villain.

Enter TIRREL.

Now, my Tirrel, how are the brats dispos'd?
Say, am I happy? hast thou dealt upon them?

Tirrel. If to have done the thing you gave in

charge,

Beget your happiness, then, sir, be happy, for it is

done.

Glost. But didst thou see them dead?

Tirrel. I did, my

lord.

Glost. And bury'd, my good Tirrel ?

Tirrel. In that, I thought to ask your grace's plea

sure.

Glost. I have it-I'll have them sure-get me a coffin

Full of holes-let them be both cramm'd into it; And hark thee, in the night tide, throw them down The Thames-once in, they'll find the way to the bottom;

Meantime, but think, how I may do thee good,

And be inheritor of thy desire.

Tirrel. I humbly thank your highness.

Glost. About it, strait, good Tirrel.

Tirrel. Conclude it done, my

lord.

[Exit.

Glost. Why, then my loudest fears are hush'd;

The sons of Edward have eternal rest,

And Anne, my wife, has bid this world good night; While fair Elizabeth, my beauteous niece,

Like a new morn, lights onward to my wishes.

Enter CATESBY.

Catesby. My lord

Glost. Good news, or bad, that thou com'st in so bluntly?

Catesby. Bad news, my lord; Morton is fled to Richmond,

And Buckingham, back'd with the hardy Welshmen, Is in the field, and still his power increases.

Glost. Morton with Richmond, touches me more near,

Than Buckingham, and his rash levy'd numbers.

But come, dangers retreat, when boldly they're confronted,

And dull delays lead impotence and fear;
Then fiery expedition raise my arm,

And fatal may it fall on crush'd rebellion!
Let's muster men-my counsel is my shield,
We must be brief, when traitors brave the field. [Exit.

SCENE V.

A Court in the Tower.

Enter QUEEN and DUCHESS Of York.

Queen. Oh, my poor children!-Oh, my tender babes!

My unblown flowers, pluck'd by untimely hands:
If yet your gentle souls fly in the air,
And be not fix'd in doom perpetual,
Hover about me, with your airy wings,
And hear your mother's lamentation!

Why slept their guardian angels, when this deed was done?

Duch. of York. So many miseries have drain'd my

eyes,

That my woe-weary'd tongue is still and mute;-
Why should calamity be full of words ?

Queen. Let's give them scope; for though they

can't remove,

Yet, do they ease, affliction.

Duch. of York. Why, then, let us be loud in exclamations,