3 Cit. Doth the news hold of good king Edward's death? 2 Cit. Ay, sir, it is too true; God help, the while! 3 Cit. Then, masters, look to see a troublous world. 1 Cit. No, no; by God's good grace, his son shall reign. 3 Cit. Woe to that land, that's govern'd by a child! 2 Cit. In him there is a hope of government; That, in his nonage, council under him, And, in his full and ripen'd years, himself, No doubt, shall then, and till then, govern well. 1 Cit. So stood the state, when Henry the Sixth Was crown'd in Paris but at nine months old. [wot; 3 Cit. Stood the state so? no, no, good friends, God [ther. 1 Cit. Why, so hath this, both by his father and mo- Or, by his father, there were none at all: [well. 1 Cit. Čome, come, we fear the worst; all will be When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand; 2 Cit. Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear: 3 Cit. Before the days of change, still is it so: 2 Cit. Marry, we were sent for to the justices. [Exeunt. York. Now, by my troth, if I had been remember'd, York. Marry, they say, my uncle grew so fast, Mess. The sum of all I can, I have disclos'd; Why, or for what, the nobles were committed, Is all unknown to me, my gracious lady. Q. Eliz. Ah me, I see the ruin of my house! Upon the innocent and awless throne :- Duch. Accursed and unquiet wrangling days! SCENE IV.-The same. A Room in the Palace. [ford; York. Ay, mother, but I would not have it so. Duch. Stay, I will go with you. ACT III. SCENE I.-The sume. A Street. The trumpets sound. Enter the PRINCE OF WALES, GLOSTER, BUCKINGHAM, CARDINAL BOURCHIER, and others. Buck. Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber. Glo.Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' sovereign: The weary way hath made you melancholy. Prince. No, uncle; but our crosses on the way Have made tedious, wearisome, and heavy : I want more uncles here to welcome me. Glo. Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years Hath not yet div'd into the world's deceit: No more can you distinguish of a man, Than of his outward show; which, God he knows, Seldom, or never, jumpeth with the heart. Those uncles, which you want, were dangerous; Your grace attended to their sugar'd words, But look'd not on the poison of their hearts: God keep you from them, and from such false friends! Prince. God keep me from false friends! but they were none. [you. Glo. My lord, the mayor of London comes to greet Prince. I thank you, good my lord;-and thank Buck. And in good time, here comes the sweating lord. [come? Prince. Welcome, my lord: What, will our mother Hast. On what occasion, God he knows, not I, The queen your mother, and your brother York, Have taken sanctuary: The tender prince Would fain have come with me to meet your grace, But by his mother was perforce withheld. Buck. Fye! what an indirect and peevish course Is this of hers?-Lord cardinal, will your grace Persuade the queen to send the duke of York Unto his princely brother presently? If she deny,-lord Hastings go with him, And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce. Card. My lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory Can from his mother win the duke of York, Anon expect him here: But if she be obdurate To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid We should infringe the holy privilege Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land, Buck. You are too senseless-obstinate, my lord, Too ceremonious, and traditional : Weigh it but with the grossness of this age, To those whose dealings have deserv'd the place, Card. My lord, you shall o'er-rule my mind for once. Prince. Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may. [Exeunt CARDINAL and HASTINGS. Say, uncle Gloster, if our brother come, Where shall we sojourn till our coronation? Glo. Where it seems best unto your royal self. If I may counsel you, some day, or two, Your highness shall repose you at the Tower: Prince. I do not like the Tower, of any place: Did Julius Cæsar build that place, my lord? Glo. He did, my gracious lord, begin that place; Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified. Prince. Is it upon record? or else reported Successively from age to age, he built it? Buck. Upon record, my gracious lord. Prince. But say, my lord, it were not register'd; Methinks, the truth should live from age to age, As 'twere retail'd to all posterity, Even to the general all-ending day. Glo. So wise, so young, they say, do ne'er live long. [Aside. } Aside. Prince. What say you, uncle? Glo. I say, without charácters, fame lives long, Thus, like the formal vice, Iniquity, I moralize two meanings in one word. Prince. That Julius Cæsar was a famous man With what his valour did enrich his wit, His wit set down to make his valour live: Death makes no conquest of this conqueror; For now he lives in fame, though not in life.-I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham. Buck. What, my gracious lord? Prince. An if I live until I be a man, I'll win our ancient right in France again, Or die a soldier, as I liv'd a king. Glo. Short summers lightly have a forward spring. [Aside. Enter YORK, HASTINGS, and the CARDINAL. Buck. Now, in good time, here comes the duke of York. [brother? Prince. Richard of York! how fares our loving York. Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now. Prince. Ay, brother; to our grief, as it is yours: Too late he died, that might have kept that title, Which by his death hath lost much majesty. Glo. How fares our cousin, noble lord of York? York. I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord, You said, that idle weeds are fast in growth: The prince my brother hath outgrown me far. Glo. He hath, my lord. York. And therefore is he idle? Glo. O, my fair cousin, I must not say so. York. Then is he more beholden to you, than I. Glo. He may command me, as my sovereign; But you have power in me, as in a kinsman. York. I pray you, uncle, then, give me this dagger. Glo. My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart. Prince. A beggar, brother? York. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give; And, being but a toy, which is no grief to give. Glo. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin. York. A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it? Glo. Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough. York. O then, I see, you'll part but with light gifts; In weightier things you'll say a beggar, nay. Glo. It is too weighty for your grace to wear. York. I weigh it lightly, were it heavier. Glo. What, would you have my weapon, little lord? York. I would, that I might thank you as you call me. Glo. How? York. Little. Prince. My lord of York will still be cross in talk ;-Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him. York. You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:---Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me; Because that I am little, like an ape, He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.[ Glo. My gracious lord, will't please you pass along? Glo. Nor none that live, I hope. Prince. An if they live, I hope, I need not fear. But come, my lord, and, with a heavy heart, Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower. [Exeunt PRINCE, YORK, HASTINGS, CARDINAL, and Attendants. boy; Buck. Think you, my lord, this little prating York Was not incensed by his subtle mother, To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously? Glo. No doubt, no doubt: O, 'tis a parlous Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable; He's all the mother's, from the top to toe. Buck. Well, let them rest.Come hither, gentle Catesby; thou art sworn As deeply to effect what we intend, As closely to conceal what we impart : Thou know'st our reasons urg'd upon the way; What think'st thou ? is it not an easy matter To make William lord Hastings of our mind, For the instalment of this noble duke In the seat royal of this famous isle? Cate. He for his father's sake so loves the prince, And, as it were far off, sound thou lord Hastings, If thou dost find him tractable to us, Glo. At Crosby-place, there shall you find us both. [Exit CATESBY. Buck. Now, my lord, what shall we do,if we perceive Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots? Glo. Chop off his head, man ;-somewhat we will And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me [do:The earldom of Hereford, and all the moveables Whereof the king my brother was possess'd. Buck. I'll claim that promise at your grace's hand. Hast. Cannot thy master sleep the tedious nights? Mess. So it should seem by that I have to say. First, he commends him to your noble lordship. Hast. And then, Mess. And then, he sends you word he dreamt To-night the boar had rased off his helm : Besides, he says, there are two councils held; And that may be determin'd at the one, Which may make you and him to rue at the other. Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,If, presently, you will take horse with him, And with all speed post with him toward the north, To shun the danger that his soul divines. Hast. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord: And make pursuit, where he did mean no chase. Cate. Many good morrows to my noble lord! [crown? Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulBefore I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd. [ders, But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it? Cate. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you forward Hast. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news, Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind! I'll send some packing, that yet think not on 't. Cate. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord, When men are unprepar'd, and look not for it. Hast. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey and so 'twill do With some men else, who think themselves as safe As thou and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear To princely Richard, and to Buckingham. Cute. The princes both make high account of you,For they account his head upon the bridge. [Aside. Hast. I know, they do; and I have well deserv'd it. You may jest on, but, by the holy rood Hast. My lord, I hold my life as dear as you do yours; And never, in my life, I do protest, Was it more precious to me than 'tis now: [London, Stan. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure, And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust; But yet, you see, how soon the day o'er-cast. This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt; Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward! What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent. Hast. Come, come, have with you.-Wot you what, my lord? To-day, the lords you talk of are beheaded. [heads, Stan. They, for their truth, might better wear their | Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their hats. But come, my lord, let's away. Enter a Pursuivant. Hast. Go on before, I'll talk with this good fellow. Purs. God hold it, to your honour's good content! Enter a Priest. purse. Pr.Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour. Hast. I thank thee, good sir John, with all my heart. I am in your debt for your last exercise; Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you. Enter BUCKINGHAM. Buck. What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain? Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest; Your honour hath no shriving work in hand. Hast. 'Good faith, and when I met this holy man, The men you talk of came into my mind. What, go you toward the Tower? Buck. I do, my lord; but long I cannot stay there : I shall return before your lordship thence. Hast. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there. Buck. And supper too, although thou know'st it not. [Aside. SCENE III-Pomfret. Before the castle. Enter RATCLIFF, with a guard, conducting RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN, to execution. Rat. Come, bring forth the prisoners. Riv. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this,To-day, shalt thou behold a subject die, For truth, for duty, and for loyalty. Grey. God keep the prince from all the pack of you! A knot you are of damned blood-suckers. Vaug. You live that shall cry woe for this hereafter. Rat. Despatch; the limit of your lives is out. Riv. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison, Fatal and ominous to noble peers! Within the guilty closure of thy walls, Richard the Second here was hack'd to death: And, for more slander to thy dismal seat, We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink. Grey.Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon our heads, When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I, For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son. Riv. Then curs'd she Hastings, then cursed she Then curs'd she Richard:-0, remember, God, SCENE IV.-London. A Room in the Tower. BUCKINGHAM, STANLEY, HASTINGS, the BISHOP OF ELY, CATESBY, LOVEL, and others, sitting at a table: officers of the council attending. Hast. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met Is-to determine of the coronation : In God's name, speak, when is the royal day? Buck. Are all things ready for that royal time? Stan. They are; and wants but nomination. Ely. To-morrow then I judge a happy day. Buck. Who knows the lord protector's mind herein? Who is most inward with the noble duke? [mind. Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest know his Buck. We know each other's faces: for our hearts,He knows no more of mine, than I of yours; Nor I, of his, my lord, than you of mine: Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love. Hast. I thank his grace, I know he loves me well: But, for his purpose in the coronation, I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd His gracious pleasure any way therein : But you, my noble lord, may name the time; And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice, Which, 1 presume, he'll take in gentle part. Enter GLOSTER. Ely. In happy time, here comes the duke himself. Glo. My noble lords, and cousins, all, good morrow; I have been long a sleeper; but, I trust, My absence doth neglect no great design, Which by my presence might have been concluded. Buck. Had you not come upon your cue, my lord, William lord Hastings had pronounc'd your part,— I mean, your voice,--for crowning of the king. Glo. Than my lord Hastings, no man might be bolder; His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.- Glo. My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn, Ely. Where is my lord protector? I have sent [morning; Hast. His grace looks cheerfully and smooth this There's some conceit or other likes him well, Hast. Marry, that with no man here he is offended; Re-enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM. Glo. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve, Hast. The tender love I bear your grace, my lord, Glo. Then be your eyes the witness of their evil, :- [Exeunt Council, with GLOS. and Buck. Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head. Lov. Come, come, despatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim. I prophesy the fearful'st time to thee, [Exeunt. SCENE V.-The same. The Tower Walls. Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, in rusty armour, marvellous ill-favoured. Glo. Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change Murder thy breath in middle of a word,- Buck. Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian; Glo. He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along. Enter the Lord Mayor and CATESBY. Lov. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor, Glo. So dear I lov'd the man, that I must weep. Buck. Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd Glo. What! think you we are Turks, or infidels? But that the extreme peril of the case, The peace of England, and our persons' safety, |