And try your hap against the Irishmen ? York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty. Suf. A charge, lord York, that I will see perform'd. 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 Resign to death, it is not worth the enjoying : Let pale-fac'd fear keep with the mean-born man, And find no harbour in a royal heart. 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, Well, nobles, well, 'tis politickly done, To send me packing with an host of men : I fear me, you but warm the starved snake, Who, cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your hearts. 'Twas men I lack'd, and you will give them me : I take it kindly: yet, be well assur'd You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands. Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams, [9] Flar a sudden violent gust of wind. JOHNS: And, for a minister of my intent, I have seduc'd a head-strong Kentishman, To make commotion, as full well he can, In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts SCENE II. [Exit. Bury. A Room in the Palace. Enter certain Murderers, hastily. 1 Mur. Run to my lord of Suffolk; let him know, We have despatch'd the duke as he commanded. 2 Mar. O, that it were to do!-What have we done? Didst ever hear a man so penitent? Enter SUFFOLK. 1 Mur. Here comes my lord. Suf. Now, sirs, have you [1] Read-And fight so long. RITSON. [2] A Moor in a military dance, now called Morris, that is, a Moorish dance. JOHNS. Morrice-dancing, with belis on the legs, is common at this day in Oxfordshire and the adjacent counties, on May-day, Holy-Thursday, and Whitsun-ales, attended by the fool. or, as he is generally called, the 'Squire, and also a lord and lady; the latter most probably Maid Marian ; "nor is the hobby-horse forgot." HARRIS. Despatch'd this thing? 1 Mur. Ay, my good lord, he's dead. Ниго Suf. Why, that's well said. Go, get you to my house; I will reward you for this venturous deed. The king and all the peers are here at hand :- 1 Mur. 'Tis, my good lord. [Exeunt Murderers. Enter King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, Cardinal BEAUFORT, SOMERSET, Lords, and others. K.Hen. Go, call our uncle to our presence straight: Say, we intend to try his grace to-day, If he be guilty, as 'tis published. Suf. I'll call him presently, my noble lord. [Exit. K.Hen. Lords, take your places;-And, I pray you all, Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloster, Than from true evidence, of good esteem, He be approv'd in practice culpable. Q.Mar. God forbid any malice should prevail, K.Hen. I thank thee, Margaret; these words content me much. Re-enter SUFFOLK. How now? why look'st thou pale? why tremblest thou? Suf. Dead in his bed, my lord; Gloster is dead. Car. God's secret judgment :-I did dream to-night, is dead. Som. Rear up his body; wring him by the nose. 3 Q.Mar. Run, go, help, help!-O,Henry,ope thine eyes! Suf. He doth revive again ;-Madam, be patient. K.Hen. O heavenly God! Q.Mar. How fares my gracious lord? [9] As nothing further is spoken either by Somerset or the Cardinal, or by any one else to show that they continue in the presence, it is to be presumed that they take advantage of the confusion occasioned by the king'e swooning, and slip out unperceived. RITSON. Suf. Comfort, my sovereign! gracious Henry, comfort! Look not upon me, for thine eyes are wounding :- And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight: Q.Mar. Why do you rate my lord of Suffolk thus ? Although the duke was enemy to him, Yet he, most christian-like, laments his death: Might liquid tears, or heart-offending groans, I would be blind with weeping, sick with groans, What know I how the world may deem of me? So shall my name with slander's tongue be wounded, K.Hen. Ah, woe is me for Gloster, wretched man! What, art thou, like the adder, waxen deaf? [4] Just now, even now. JOHNSON. That is, Let not woe be to thee for Gloster, but for me. JOHNS. Erect his statue then, and worship it, What did I then, but curs'd the gentle gusts, Yet Eolus would not be a murderer, But left that hateful office unto thee: The pretty vaulting sea refus'd to drown me ; His father's acts, commenc'd in burning Troy ?7 [6] The verb perish is here used actively.. STEEV. [7] The poet here is unquestionably alluding to Virgil (Aeneid 1.) but he strangely blends fact with fiction. In the first place, it was Cupid in the semblance of Ascanius, who sat in Dido's lap, and was fondled by her. But then it was not Cupid who related to her the process of Troy's destruction; but it was Æneas himself who related this history. MAL. |