and myself an honest man: * and touching the|* And follow'd with a rabble, that rejoice

* duke of York,-will take my death, I never To see my tears, and hear my deep-fet' groans. meant him any ill, nor the king, nor the queen: The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet; And, therefore, Peter, have at thee with a down- And, when I start, the envious people laugh, right blow, as Bevis of Southampton fell upon And bid me be advised how I tread. Ascapart.

York. Despatch:-this knave's tongue begins
to double.

* Sound trumpets, alarum to the combatants.
[Alarum. They fight, and Peter strikes
down his master.

Hor. Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess
treason.
[Dies.
*York. Take away his weapon :-Fellow,
* thank God, and the good wine in thy master's

way.

Peter. O God! have I overcome mine enemies in this presence? O Peter, thou hast prevailed in 'right!

K. Hen. Go, take hence that traitor from our sight;
For, by his death, we do perceive his guilt:
And God, in justice, hath reveal'd to us
The truth and innocence of this poor fellow,

Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke?
*Trow'st thou, that e'er I'll look upon the world;
*Or count them happy, that enjoy the sun?
* No; dark shall be my light, and night my day;
To think upon my pomp, shall be my hell.
Sometime I'll say, I am duke Humphrey's wife;
And he a prince, and ruler of the land:
Yet so he rul'd, and such a prince he was,
As he stood by, whilst I, his forlorn duchess,
Was made a wonder, and a pointing-stock,
To every idle rascal follower.
But be thou mild, and blush not at my shame;
Nor stir at nothing, till the axe of death
Hang over thee, as, sure, it shortly will.
For Suffolk,-he that can do all in all
With her, that hateth thee, and hates us all,-
And York, and impious Beaufort, that false priest,
liave all lim'd bushes to betray thy wings,

Which he had thought to have murder'd wrong-And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee.

fully.

Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward.

[Exeunt.

But fear not thou, until thy foot be snar'd, Nor never seek prevention of thy foes. *Glo. Ah, Nell, forbear; thou aimest all awry; I must offend, before I be attainted: *And had I twenty times so many foes,

SCENE IV.-The same. A street. Enter
Gloster and Servants, in mourning cloaks.
Glo. Thus, sometimes, hath the brightest day*
a cloud;

* And, after summer, evermore succeeds

* Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold; *So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet. Sirs, what's o'clock ?

Serv.

Ten, my lord.

'Glo. Ten is the hour that was appointed me, To watch the coming of my punish'd duchess: 'Uneath' may she endure the flinty streets, 'To tread them with her tender-feeling feet. Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble mind abrook The abject people, gazing on thy face, With envious looks, still laughing at thy shame; That erst did follow thy proud chariot-wheels, When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets. But, soft! I think, she comes; and I'll prepare My tear-stain'd eyes to see her miseries. Enter the Duchess of Gloster, in a while sheet, with papers pinned upon her back, her feet bare, and a taper burning in her hand; Sir John Stanley, a Sheriff, and Officers.

Serv. So please your grace, we'll take her from the sheriff.

Glo. No, stir not, for your lives; let her pass by. Duch. Come you, my lord, to see my open shame?

Now thou dost penance too. Look, how they gaze!
'See, how the giddy multitude do point,
'And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee!
"Ah, Gloster, hide thee from their hateful looks;
'And, in thy closet pent up, rue my shame,
And ban' thine enemies, both mine and thine.

Glo. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief.
Duch. Ah, Gloster, teach me to forget myself:
For, whilst I think I am thy married wife,
And thou a prince, protector of this land,
Methinks, I should not thus be led along,
Mail'd up in shame, with papers on my back;

(1) The death of the vanquished person was
always regarded as certain evidence of his guilt.
(2) Change. (3) Not easily. (4) Malicious.
(5) Curse,

And each of them had twenty times their power,
* All these could not procure me any scathe,
*So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless.
Would'st have me rescue thee from this reproach?
Why, yet thy scandal were not wip'd away,
But I in danger for the breach of law.
Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell:
I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience;
These few days' wonder will be quickly worn.
Enter a Herald.

Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's par-
liament, holden at Bury the first of this next month.
Glo. And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before !
This is close dealing.-Well, I will be there.

[Exit Herald.

My Nell, I take my leave :-and, master sheriff,
Let not her penance exceed the king's commission.
"Sher. An't please your grace, here my com-
mission stays:
And sir John Stanley is appointed now
To take her with him to the Isle of Man.

'Glo. Must you, sir John, protect my lady here?
'Stan. So am I given in charge, may't please

your grace.

Glo. Entreat her not the worse, in that I pray You use her well: the world may laugh again;" And I may live to do you kindness, if

You do it her. And so, sir John, farewell.

Duch. What gone, my lord; and bid me not farewell?

'Glo. Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak. [Exeunt Gloster and Servants. 'Duch. Art thou gone too? *All comfort go with thee!

*For none abides with me: my joy is-death; Death, at whose name I oft have been afeard, *Because I wish'd this world's eternity.Stanley, I pr'ythee, go, and take me hence;

(6) Wrapped up in disgrace; alluding to the sheet of penance.

(7) Deep-fetched. (8) Harm, mischief.
(9) i. e. The world may look again favourably

on me.

I care not whauet, for I beg no favour
'Only convey me where thou art commanded.
*Stan. Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man;
*There to be used according to your state.
*Duch. That's bad enough, for I am but
proach:

And shall I then be us'd reproachfully?

6

If it be fond, call it a woman's fear;
Which fear if better reasons can supplant,

I will subscribe and say-I wrong'd the duke. My lord of Suffolk,-Buckingham,—and York,— re-Reprove my allegation, if you can;

* Stan. Like to a duchess and duke Humphrey's lady,

*According to that state you shall be used.

'Duch. Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare: Although thou hast been conduct of thy shame! Sher. It is my office; and, madan, pardon me. 'Duch. Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharg'd.

'Come, Stanley, shall we go?

'Stan. Madam, your penance, done throw this sheet,

And go we to attire you for our journey.

'Or else conclude iny words effectual.

Suff. Well hath your highness seen into this
duke;

And, had I first been put to speak my mind,
I think, I should have told your grace's tale.
The duchess, by his subornation,
Upon my life, began her devilish practices.
Or if he were not privy to those faults,
Yet, by reputing of his high descent'
*(As next the king, he was successive heir,)
* And such high vaunts of his nobility,

off* Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess,
By wicked means to frame our sovereign's fall.
Smooth runs the water, where the brook is deep;

'Duch. My shame will not be shifted with my And in his simple show he harbours treason.

sheet:

"The strangeness of his alter'd countenance?
With what a majesty he bears himself;
"How insolent of late he is become,

How proud, peremptory, and unlike himself?
'We know the time, since he was mild and affable;
And, if we did but glance a far-off look,
"Immediately he was upon his knee,

'That all the court admir'd him for submission:
"But meet him now, and, be it in the morn,
"When every one will give the time of day,
'He knits his brow, and shows an angry eye,
And passeth by with stiff unbowed knee,
'Disdaining duty that to us belongs.
'Small curs are not regarded, when they grin:
But great men tremble, when the lion roars;
And Humphrey is no little man in England.
First, note, that he is near you in descent;
And should you fall, he is the next will mount.
'Me seemeth then, it is no policy,-

Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears,
And his advantage following your decease,-
"That he should come about your royal person,
"Or be admitted to your highness' council.

By flattery hath he won the commons' hearts; And when he please to make commotion, "Tis to be fear'd, they all will follow him. "Now 'tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; 'Suffer them now, and they'll o'ergrow the garden, And choke the herbs for want of husbandry. The reverent care, I bear unto my lord, 'Made me collect3 these dangers in the duke.

(1) For conductor.

(2) Wonder.

The fox barks not, when he would steal the lamb.
No, no, my sovereign; Gloster is a man
Unsounded yet, and full of deep deceit.

* Car. Did he not, contrary to form of law,
De ise strange deaths for small offences done?
York. And did he not, in his protectorship,
*Levy great sums of money through the realm,
*For soldiers' pay in France, and never sent it ;
* By means whereof, the towns each day revolted?
* Buck. Tut! these are petty faults to faults
unknown,

*Which time will bring to light in smooth duke Humphrey.

*K. Hen. My lords, at once: The care you

have of us,

To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot, * Is worthy praise: But shall I speak my conscience? *Our kinsman Gloster is as innocent

From meaning treason to our royal person, *As is the sucking lamb, or harmless dove:" The duke is virtuous, mild; and too well given, To dream on evil, or to work my downfall. *Q. Mar. Ah, what's more dangerous than this fond affiance?

* Seems he a dove? his feathers are but borrow'd, *For he's disposed as the hateful raven.

Is he a lamb? his skin is surely lent him,

* For he's inclin'd as are the ravenous wolves.
*Who cannot steal a shape, that means deceit ?
Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all
Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.
Enter Somerset.

*Som. All health unto my gracious sovereign!
K. Hen. Welcome, lord Somerset. What news

from France?

* Glo. All happiness unto my lord the king! Pardon, my liege, that I have staid so long.

(5) i. e. Valuing himself on his high descent.

ie. Assemble by observation. (4) Foolish,|(6) Gear was a general word for things or matters,

Suff. Nay, Gloster, know, that thou art come]'By false accuse2 doth level at my life:

too soon,

'Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art ;

I do arrest thee of high treason here.

And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, 'Causeless have laid disgraces on my head *Ard, with your best endeavour, have stirr'd up

Glo. Well, Suffolk, yet thou shalt not see me My liefest liege to be mine enemy:

blush,

Nor change my countenance for this arrest; * A heart unspotted is not easily daunted.

The purest spring is not so free from mud,
* As I am clear from treason to my sovereign:
Who can accuse me? wherein am I guilty?
York. 'Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes
of France,

And, being protector, stayed the soldiers' pay;
By means whereof, his highness hath lost France.
Glo. Is it but thought so? What are they that
think it?

'I never robb'd the soldiers of their pay,
'Nor never had one penny bribe from France.
'So help me God, as I have watch'd the night,-
'Ay, night by night,-in studying good for England!
'That doit that e'er I wrested from the king,
'Or any groat I hoarded to my use,

Be brought against me at my trial day!
'No! many a pound of mine own proper store,
Because I would not tax the needy commons,
"Have I dispursed to the garrisons,
'And never ask'd for restitution.

* Car. It serves you well, my lord, to say so much. * Glo. I say no more than truth, so help me God! York. In your protectorship, you did devise Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of, That England was defam'd by tyranny.

Glo. Why, 'tis well known, that whiles I was protector,

Pity was all the fault that was in me;

For I should melt at an offender's tears,

* And lowly words were ransom for their fault.
'Unless it were a bloody murderer,

'Or foul felonious thief that fleec'd poor passengers,
'I never gave them condign punishment:
'Murder, indeed, that bloody sin, I tortur'd
'Above the felon, or what trespass else.

Suff. My lord, these faults are easy,' quickly
answer'd:

'But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge,
Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself.
'I do arrest you in his highness' name;
'And here commit you to my lord cardinal
"To keep, until your further time of trial.

Ay, all of you have laid your heads together, *Myself had notice of your conventicles. 'I shall not want false witness to condemn me, 'Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt: The ancient proverb will be well effected,A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.

*Car. My liege, his railing is intolerable: *If those that care to keep your royal person * From treason's secret knife, and traitor's rage, Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at, And the offender granted scope of speech, *Twill make them cool in zeal unto your grace. Suff. Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here, With ignominious words, though clerkly couch'd, As if she had suborned some to swear

False allegations to o'erthrow his state?

Q. Mar. But I can give the loser leave to chide. Glo. Far truer spoke, than meant; I lose indeed ;

'Beshrew the winners, for they play'd me false ! And well such losers may have leave to speak. Buck. He'll wrest the sense, and hold us here all day :

'Lord cardinal, he is your prisoner.

'Car. Sirs, take away the duke, and guard him

sure.

Glo. Ah, thus king Henry throws away his crutch, Before his legs be firm to bear his body: Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, 'And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. Ah, that my fear were false! ah, that it were! 'For, good king Henry, thy decay I fear.

[Exeunt Attendants, with Gloster, K. Hen. My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best

Do, or undo, as if ourself were here.

Q. Mar. What, will your highness leave the par liament ?

K. Hen. Ay, Margaret; my heart is drown'd with
grief,

*Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes;
My body round engirt with misery;
*For what's more miserable than discontent ?—
Ah, uncle Humphrey in thy face I see
*The map of honour, truth, and loyalty;

And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come, That e'er I prov'd thee false, or fear'd thy faith. *What low'ring star now envies thy estate,

'K. Hen. My lord of Gloster, 'tis my special hope,* 'That you will clear yourself from all suspects; My conscience tells me, you are innocent.

Glo. Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous! * Virtue is choak'd with foul ambition, And charity chas'd hence by rancour's hand;

* Foul subornation is predominant,

* And equity exíl'd your highness' land.
* I know, their complot is to have my life;
'And, if my death might make this island happy,
'And prove the period of their tyranny,
'I would expend it with all willingness:
But mine is made the prologue to their play
'For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril,
'Will not conclude their plotted tragedy.
'Beaufort's red sparkling eyes blab his heart's
malice,

'And Suffolk's cloudy brow his stormy hate;
'Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue
"The envious load that lies upon his heart;
'And dogged York, that reaches at the moon,
'Whose overweening arm I have pluck'd back,

(1) For easily. (2) For accusation. (3) Dearest.

That these great lords, and Margaret our queen, * Do seek subversion of thy harmless life? *Thou never didst them wrong, nor noman wrong; *And as the butcher takes away the calf,

And binds the wretch, and beats it when it strays, *Bearing it to the bloody slaughter-house; *Even so, remorseless, have they borne him hence. *And as the dam runs lowing up and down,

Looking the way her harmless young one went, *And can do nought but wail her darling's loss; *Even so myself bewails good Gloster's case, *With sad unhelpful tears; and with dimm'd eyes Look after him, and cannot do him good; *So mighty are his vowed enemies. "His fortunes I will weep; and, 'twixt each groan, 'Say-Who's a traitor, Gloster he is none. Exit.

*Q. Mar. Free lords, cold snow melts with the

sun's hot beams.

*Henry my lord is cold in great affairs,
*Too full of foolish pity; and Gloster's sho
Beguiles him, as the mournful crocodile

*With sorrow snares relenting passengers;
*Or as the snake, rolled in a flowering bank,'
*With shining checker'd slough, doth sting a child,
That, for the beauty, thinks it excellent,
*Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I
* (And yet, herein, I judge mine own wit good,)
"This Gloster should be quickly rid the world,
'To rid us from the fear we have of him.

*Car. That he should die, is worthy policy;
But yet we want a colour for his death:
"Tis meet he be condemned by course of law.

Suff. But, in my mind, that were no policy:
*The king will labour still to save his life,
*The commons haply rise to save his life;
*And yet we have but trivial argument,

More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death.
*York. So that, by this, you would not have
him die.

*Suff. Ah, York, no man alive so fain as I.
*York. 'Tis York that hath more reason for his
death.-

*But, my lord cardinal, and you, my lord of Suf-
folk,-

*Say, as you think, and speak it from your souls,—
*Were't not all one, an empty eagle were set
*To guard the chicken from a hungry kite,
*As place duke Humphrey for the king's protector?
Q. Mar. So the poor chicken should be sure of
death.

'Suff. Madam, 'tis true: And were't not

ness then,

*Car. A breach, that craves a quick expedients
stop!

'What counsel give you in this weighty cause!
York. That Somerset be sent as regent thither:
Tis meet, that lucky ruler be employ'd;
"Witness the fortune he hath had in France.

Som. If York, with all his far-fet' policy,
'Had been the regent there instead of me,
He never would have staid in France so long.
"York. No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done:
'I rather would have lost my life betimes,
*Than bring a burden of dishonour home,

By staying there so long, till all were lost.
* Show ine one scar charácter'd on thy skin :
*Men's flesh preserv'd so whole, do seldom win.
Q. Mar. Nay then, this spark will prove a
raging fire,

*If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with:
*No more, good York; sweet Somerset, be still;—
Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there,
Might happily have prov'd far worse than his.
York. What, worse than naught? nay, then a
shame take all!

Som. And, in the number, thee, that wishest
shame!

'Car. My lord of York, try what your fortune is. The uncivil kernes of Ireland are in arms, And temper clay with blood of Englishmen : "To Ireland will you lead a band of men, mad-Collected choicely, from each county some, And try your hap against the Irishmen? *York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty." *Suff, Why, our authority is his consent; And what we do establish, he confirms: *Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand. 'York. I am content: Provide me soldiers, lords, Whiles I take order for mine own affairs.

To make the fox surveyor of the fold? "Who being accus'd a crafty murderer, His guilt should be but idly posted over, Because his purpose is not executed. No; let him die, in that he is a fox, By nature prov'd an enemy to the flock, 'Before his chaps be stain'd with crimson blood; As Humphrey, prov'd by reasons, to my liege. 'And do not stand on quillets, how to slay him: Be it by gins, by snares, by subtilty, 'Sleeping or waking, 'tis no matter how, So he be dead; for that is good deceit, 'Which mates4 him first, that first intends deceit. *Q. Mar. Thrice-noble Suffolk, 'tis resolutely spoke.

Suff. Not resolute, except so much were done: For things are often spoke, and seldom meant: *But, that my heart accordeth with my tongue,*Seeing the deed is meritorious,

*And to preserve my sovereign from his foe.Say but the word, and I will be his priest.

* Car. But I would have him dead, my lord of
Suffolk,

* Ere you can take due orders for a priest:
*Say, you consent, and censure well the deed,
*And I'll provide his executioner,

I tender so the safety of my liege.

*Suff. Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing. *Q. Mar. And so say I.

*York. And I: and now we three have spoke it, *It skills not greatly' who impugns our doom.

Enter a Messenger.

Suff. A charge, lord York, that I will see per

form'd.

'But now return we to the false duke Humphrey.
'Car. No more of him; for I will deal with him,
That, henceforth, he shall trouble us no more.
And so break off; the day is almost spent:
'Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event.
York. My lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days,
At Bristol I expect my soldiers;

For there I'll ship them all for Ireland.
Suff. I'll see it truly done, my lord of York.
[Exeunt all but York.
York. Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful
thoughts,

And change inisdoubt to resolution :

Be that thou hop'st to be; or what thou art *Resign to death, it is not worth the enjoying

Let pale-fac'd fear keep with the mean-born man, *And find no harbour in a royal heart. *Faster than spring-time showers, comes thought on thought;

And not a thought, but thinks on dignity. *My brain more busy than the labouring spider, *Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies. *Well, nobles, well, 'tis politicly done, *To send me packing with a host of men: *I fear me, you but warm the starved snake,

'Mess. Great lords, from Ireland am I come Who, cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your

amain,

"To signify-that rebels there are up,
And put the Englishmen unto the sword:
Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime,
*Before the wound do grow incurable;
*For, being green, there is great hope of help.

(1) i. e. In the flowers growing on a bank.
(2) Skin
(3) Perhaps. (4) Confounds,

hearts.

'Twas men I lack'd, and you will give them me :
I take it kindly; yet, be well assur'd
'You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands.
"Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band,
*I will stir up in England some black storm,

(5) It is of no importance. (6) Expeditious
(7) Far-fetched.

* Shall blev ten thousand souls to heaven, or hell: [
* And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage
* Until the golden circuit on my head,

* Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams,
* Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw.'
'And, for a minister of my intent,

'I have seduc'd a headstrong Kentishman,
'John Cade of Ashford,

'To make commotion, as full well he can,
"Under the title of John Mortimer.

* In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade
* Oppose himself against a troop of kernes;2
* And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts
* Were almost like a sharp-quill'd porcupine:
* And, in the end being rescu'd, I have seen him
* Caper upright like a wild Mórisco,3

Shaking the bloody darts, as he his bells.
* Full often, like a shag-hair'd crafty kerne
Hath he conversed with the enemy;
* And undiscover'd come to me again,
* And given me notice of their villanies.
*This devil here shall be my substitute;
* For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,
* In face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble:
By this I shall perceive the commons' mind,
"How they affect the house and claim of York.
'Say, he be taken, rack'd, and tortur'd:
'I know no pain, they can inflict upon him,
'Will make him say-I mov'd him to those arms.
Say, that he thrive (as 'tis great like he will,)
"Why, then from Ireland come I with my strength,
And reap the harvest which that rascal sow'd:
'For, Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,
And Henry put apart, the next for me. [Exit.
SCENE II.-Bury. A room in the palace. En-
ter certain Murderers, hastily.

1 Mur. Run to my lord of Suffolk; let him know, * We have despatch'd the duke, as he commanded. * 2 Mur. O, that it were to do!-What have we done!

* Didst ever hear a man so penitent?

Enter Suffolk.

'1 Mur. Here comes my lord. Suff.

'Despatch'd this thing?

1 Mur.

Now, sirs, have you

Ay, my good lord, he's dead. 'Suff. Why, that's well said. Go, get you to my house;

'I will reward you for this venturous deed.
'The king and all the peers are here at hand :-

'Have you laid fair the bed? are all things well,

'According as I gave directions?

1 Mur. 'Tis, my good lord. 'Suff. Away, be gone! [Exeunt Murderers. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Cardinal Beaufort, Somerset, Lords, and others.

K. Hen. Go, call our uncle to our presence straight:

Say, we intend to try his grace to-day,

If he be guilty, as 'tis published.

Suff. "I'll call him presently, my noble lord.

'How now? why look'st thou pale? why tremblest thou?

Where is our uncle? what is the matter, Suffolk? Suff. Dead in his bed, my lord; Gloster is dead. *Q. Mar. Marry, God forefend!

*Car. God's secret judgment:-I did dream to-night,

*The duke was dumb, and could not speak a word. [The King swoons. 'Q. Mar. How fares my lord?-Help, lords! the

king is dead.

*Som. Rear up his body; wring him by the nose. * Q. Mar. Run, go, help, help!-0, Henry, ope thine eyes!

*Suff. He doth revive again;-Madam, be
patient.

*K. Hen. O heavenly God!
* Q. Mar.

How fares my gracious lord? Suff. Comfort, my sovereign! gracious Henry, comfort!

K. Hen. What, doth my lord of Suffolk comfort
me?

Came he right now to sing a raven's note,
*Whose dismal tune bereft my vital powers;
And thinks he, that the chirping of a wren,
By crying comfort from a hollow breast,
Can chase away the first-conceived sound?
*Hide not thy poison with such sugar'd words.
Lay not thy hands on me; forbear, I say;
*Their touch affrights me, as a serpent's sting.
Thou baleful messenger, out of my sight!
Upon thy eye-balls murderous tyranny
Sits in grim majesty, to fright the world.
Look not upon me, for thine eyes are wounding :
'Yet do not go away;-Come, basilisk,

And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight:
*For in the shade of death I shall find joy;
*In life, but double death, now Gloster's dead.
Q. Mar. Why do you rate my lord of Suffolk thus?
Although the duke was enemy to him,

*

Yet he, most Christian-like, laments his death: And for myself,-foe as he was to me, *Might liquid tears, or heart-offending groans, *Or blood-consuming sighs, recall his life,

津

I would be blind with weeping, sick with groans, *Look pale as primrose, with blood-drinking sighs, *And all to have the noble duke alive. 'What know I how the world may deem of me? For it is known we were but hollow friends; So shall my name with slander's tongue be 'It may be judg'd, I made the duke away: wounded,

And princes' courts be fill'd with my reproach. *This get I by his death: Ah me, unhappy! *To be a queen, and crown'd with infamy!

K. Hen. Ah, wo is me for Gloster, wretched man! Q. Mar. Be wo for me,' more wretched than he is. What, dost thou turn away, and hide thy face? 'K. Hen. Lords, take your places;-And, II am no loathsome leper, look on me.

pray you all,

'Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloster,

Than from true evidence, of good esteem,

He be approv'd in practice culpable.

(1) A violent gust of wind.

(2) Irish foot-soldiers, light-armed. (3) A Moor in a morris dance.

[Exit.

What, art thou, like the adder, waxen deaf?
Be poisonous too, and kill thy forlorn queen.
Is all thy comfort shut in Gloster's tomb ?
*Why, then dame Margaret was ne'er thy joy