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 parliament ? K. Hen. Ay, Margaret; my heart is drown'd with grief, Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes; For what's more miserable than discontent?-- And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come, ... Thou never didst them wrong, nor no man wrong : And binds the wretch, and beats it when it strays, 7 His fortunes I will weep; and, 'twixt each groan, Say-Who's a traitor? Gloster he is none.s [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 show Or as the snake, roll'd in a flowering bank, Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I, Car. That he should die, is worthy policy; More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death. York. So that by this, you would not have him die. Suf. 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 Suffolk,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. Suf. Madam, 'tis true: And were't not madness, then, To make the fox surveyor of the fold? No; let him die, in that he is a fox, And do not stand on quillets, how to slay him: And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,- Car. But I would have him dead, my lord of Suf folk, 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. Suf. 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. Mess. Great lords, from Ireland am I come 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. Car. A breach, that craves a quick expedient 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, Q. Mar. Nay then, this spark will prove a raging fire, If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with:- 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. York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty. York. I am content: Provide me soldiers, lords, Whiles I take order for mine own affairs. Suf. A charge, lord York, that I will see perform❜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. Suf. 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 misdoubt to resolution: Be that thou hop'st to be; or what thou art 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, I fear me, you but warm the starved snake, Who, cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your hearts. I have seduc'd a headstrong Kentishman, To make commotion, as full well he can, In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade |