Blush, blush, thou lump of foul deformity; For 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood From cold and empty veins, where no blood dwells ; Provokes this deluge most unnatural. O God, which this blood madest, revenge his death! Anne. Villain, thou know'st no law of God nor man : Anne. Vouchsafe, defused infection of a man, 60 70 By circumstance, to curse thy cursed self. 80 Glou. Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have Some patient leisure to excuse myself. Anne. Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make No excuse current, but to hang thyself. Glou. By such despair, I should accuse myself. Anne. And, by despairing, shouldst thou stand excused; For doing worthy vengeance on thyself, Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others. Glou. Say that I slew them not? Anne. Why, then they are not dead: 90 Glou, I did not kill your husband, But dead they are, and, devilish slave, by thee. Why, then he is alive. Anne. Glou. Nay, he is dead; and slain by Edward's hand. Anne. In thy foul throat thou liest : Queen Margaret saw Thy murderous falchion smoking in his blood; The which thou once didst bend against her breast, Glou. I was provoked by her slanderous tongue, 100 Anne. Dost grant me, hedgehog? then, God grant me too Thou mayst be damned for that wicked deed! O, he was gentle, mild, and virtuous ! Glou. The fitter for the King of heaven, that hath him. Anne. He is in heaven, where thou shalt never come. Glou. Let him thank me, that holp to send him thither; For he was fitter for that place than earth. Anne. And thou unfit for any place but hell. Glou. Yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it. 110 Anne. Some dungeon. Glou. Your bed-chamber. Anne. Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest ! Glou. So will it, madam, till I lie with you. I know so. But, gentle Lady Anne, Glou. Is not the causer of the timeless deaths Of these Plantagenets, Henry and Edward, Anne. Thou art the cause, and most accursed effect. A 120 So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom. These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks. Glou. These eyes could never endure sweet beauty's wreck; You should not blemish it, if I stood by : As all the world is cheered by the sun, So I by that; it is my day, my life. 130 Anne. Black night o'ershade thy day, and death thy life! Glou. Curse not thyself, fair creature; thou art both. Anne. I would I were, to be revenged on thee. Glou. It is a quarrel most unnatural, To be revenged on him that loveth you. Anne. It is a quarrel just and reasonable, Anne. His better doth not breathe upon the earth. 140 Glou. Anne. Plantagenet. Why, that was he. Glou. The selfsame name, but one of better nature. Anne. Where is he? Glou. Here. Why dost thou spit at me? [She spitteth at him.] Anne. Would it were mortal poison, for thy sake! Out of my sight! thou dost infect my eyes. Glou. Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine. Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears, 150 No, when my father York and Edward wept, : And what these sorrows could not thence exhale, My tongue could never learn sweet smoothing words; My proud heart sues and prompts my tongue to speak. 160 170 [She looks scornfully at him. Lo, here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword; And let the soul forth that adoreth thee, I lay it naked to the deadly stroke, And humbly beg the death upon my knee. [He lays his breast open: she offers at it with his sword. Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry, Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward, 180 [Here she lets fall the sword. Take up the sword again, or take up me. Anne. Arise, dissembler: though I wish thy death, I will not be the executioner. Glou. Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it. Glou. Tush, that was in thy rage: Speak it again, and, even with the word, That hand, which, for thy love, did kill thy love, 190 To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary. Anne. I would I knew thy heart. Glou. Then never man was true. Anne. That shall you know hereafter. 200 Anne. All men, I hope, live so. Anne. To take is not to give. Glou. Look, how this ring encompasseth thy finger, Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart; Wear both of them, for both of them are thine. And if thy poor devoted suppliant may But beg one favour at thy gracious hand, Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever. Anne. What is it? Glou. That it would please thee leave these sad designs And presently repair to Crosby Place; Anne. With all my heart; and much it joys me too, Tressel and Berkeley, go along with me. Glou. Bid me farewell. Anne. 'Tis more than you deserve; 210 220 |