For, whilst I think I am thy married wife, Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke? But be thou mild, and blush not at my shame ; With her, that hateth thee, and hates us all,- And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee : 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, And each of them had twenty times their power, So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless. Would'st have me rescue thee from this reproach? But I in danger for the breach of law. Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell: [5] Wrapped up; bundled up in disgrace; alluding to the sheet of penance. JOHNS. [6] i. e. deep-fetched. STEEV [7] Scathe is harm, or mischief. Chaucer, Spenser, and all our ancient writers, are frequent in their use of this word STEEV. [8] The poet has not endeavoured to raise much compassion for the Duchess, who indeed suffered but what she had deserved. JOHNS. 12 VOL. V. 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 parliament, holden at Bury the first of this next mouth. Glo. And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before! This is close dealing.-Well, I will be there. [Ex. Her. My Nell, I take my leave :-and, master sheriff, Let not her penance exceed the king's commission. She. An't please your grace,here my commission 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 not her the worse, in that I pray You use her well: the world may laugh again; And I may live to do you kindness, if 9 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 afear'd, Because I wish'd this world's eternity.Stanley, I pr'ythee, go, and take me hence; I care not whither, 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 reproach : And shall I then be us'd reproachfully? 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 my shame! Sher. It is my office; and, madam, pardon me. Duch. Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharg'd.— Come, Stanley, shall we go? Stan. Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet, And go we to attire you for our journey. Duch. My shame will not be shifted with my sheet: No, it will hang upon my richest robes, [9] i. e. The world may look again favourably upon me JOHNS And show itself, attire me how I can. Go, lead the way; I long to see my prison.' [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.—The Abbey at Bury. Enter to the Parliament, King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, Cardinal BEAUFORT, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, and others. King Henry. 1 MUSE, my lord of Gloster is not come : Q.Mar. Can you not see? or will you not observe How insolent of late he is become, How proud, perémptory, and unlike himself? We know the time, since he was mild and affable ; That all the court admir'd him for submission: Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears, [1] This impatience of a high spirit is very natural. It is not so dreadful to be imprisoned, as it is desirable in a state of disgrace to be sheltered from the scorn of gazers. JOHNS. [2] i.e. It seemeth to me; a word more grammatical than methinks, which bas, I know not how, intruded into its place. JOHNS Now 'tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; Or else conclude my words effectual. Suf. 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.: Upon my life, began her devilish practices: Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess, Car. Did he not, contrary to form of law, 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: 1 i.e. assemblé by observation. [4] i.c. weak, foolish. STEEV. 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, Is he a lamb? his skin is surely lent him, Som. All health unto my gracious sovereign! Som. That all your interest in those territories K.Hen. Cold news, lord Somerset : But God's will be done! York. Cold news for me; for I had hope of France, As firmly as I hope for fertile England. Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud, And caterpillars eat my leaves away: But I will remedy this gear5 ere long, Or sell my title for a glorious grave. Enter GLOSTER. Glo. All happiness unto my lord the king! Pardon, my liege, that I have staid so long. [Aside, Suf. Nay, Gloster, know, that thou art come too soon, Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art : I do arrest thee of high treason here. Glo. Well, Suffolk, yet thou shalt not see me 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 And, being protector, staied the soldiers' pay; I never robb'd the soldiers of their pay, Nor ever had one penny bribe from France. [5] Gear was a general word for things or matters. JOHNS. |