These both put off, a poor petitioner, This Edward, whom our manners call the prince. Save that, for reverence to some alive, I give a sparing limit to my tongue. Then, good my lord, take to your royal self If not to bless us and the land withal, May. Do, good my lord; your citizens entreat you. I do beseech you, take it not amiss; I cannot, nor I will not, yield to you. Buck. If you refuse it, as in love and zeal, Come, citizens, we will entreat no more. [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and Citizens. Cate. Call him again, sweet prince; accept their suit: If you deny them, all the land will rue it. Glo. Will you enforce me to a world of cares? [Exit CATESBY. Re-enter BUCKINGHAM, and the rest. May. God bless your grace! we see it, and will say it. All. Amen. Buck. To-morrow may it please you to be crown'd? And so, most joyfully, we take our leave. Glo. Come, let us to our holy work again. [To the Bishops. Farewell, my cousin: farewell, gentle friends. [Exeunt. Enter, on one side, Queen ELIZABETH, Duchess of YORK, and Marquess of DORSET; on the other, ANNE, Duchess of GLOSTER, leading Lady MARGARET, PLANTAGenet, ClaRENCE's young Daughter. Duch. Who meets us here? my niece Plantagenet Anne. God give your graces both A happy and a joyful time of day. Q. Eliz. As much to you, good sister: whither away? Anne. No farther than the Tower; and, as I guess, Upon the like devotion as yourselves, To gratulate the gentle princes there. Q. Eliz. Kind sister, thanks: we 'll enter all together: Enter BRAKENBURY. And in good time here the lieutenant comes. How doth the prince, and my young son of York? Brak. Right well, dear Madam. By your patience, I may not suffer you to visit them: The king hath strictly charg'd the contrary. Q. Eliz. The king! who's that? I mean the lord protector. Duch. I am their father's mother; I will see them. Brak. No, Madam, no; I may not leave it so: I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me. Enter STANley. [Exit BRAKENBURY. Stan. Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence, And I'll salute your grace of York as mother, And reverend looker-on of two fair queens. Come, Madam, you must straight to Westminster, [To the Duchess of GLOSTER. There to be crowned Richard's royal queen. Q. Eliz. Ah! cut my lace asunder, Anne. Despiteful tidings! O, unpleasing news! Dor. Be of good cheer: - mother, how fares your grace? Q. Eliz. O Dorset! speak not to me, get thee gone; Death and destruction dog thee at thy heels: Thy mother's name is ominous to children. If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas, And live with Richmond from the reach of hell. Go, hie thee, hie thee, from this slaughter-house, Lest thou increase the number of the dead, And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse, Nor mother, wife, nor England's 'counted queen. Stan. Full of wise care is this your counsel, Madam. You shall have letters from me to my son Duch. O ill-dispersing wind of misery! Stan. Come, Madam, come: I in all haste was sent. O! would to God, that the inclusive verge - Of golden metal, that must round my brow, And die, ere men can say God save the queen! Q. Eliz. Go, go, poor soul, I envy not thy glory; To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm. Anne. No! why? When he, that is my husband now, Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse; When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands, And that dear saint which, then, I weeping follow'd; This was my wish, "Be thou," quoth I, "accurs'd, And, when thou wedd'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed; More miserable by the life of thee, Than thou hast made me by my dear lord's death!" Within so small a time, my woman's heart And prov❜d the subject of mine own soul's curse: Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep, But with his timorous dreams was still awak'd. Q. Eliz. Poor heart, adieu; I pity thy complaining. [TO DORSET. [To ANNE. Go thou to Richard, and good angels tend thee! [To Queen ELIZABETH. |