2 Murd. Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and defend. 1 Murd. How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us, When thou hast broke it in such dear degree? 1 Murd. Who made thee then a bloody minister, When gallant-springing, brave Plantagenet, That princely novice, was struck dead by thee? Clar. My brother's love, the devil, and my rage. 1Murd. Thy brother's love,our duty, and thy fault, Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee. Clar. If you do love my brother, hate not me; I am his brother, and I love him well. If you are hir'd for meed, go back again, And I will send you to my brother Gloster; Who shall reward you better for my life, Than Edward will for tidings of my death. 2 Murd. You are deceiv'd, your brother Gloster hates you. Clar. O, no; he loves me, and he holds me dear: Go you to him from me. Both Murd. Ay, so we will. York Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm, 1 Murd. Ay, millstones; as he lesson'd us to weep. 'Tis he that sends us to destroy you here. Clar. It cannot be; for he bewept my fortune, And hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs, That he would labour my delivery. 1 Murd. Why, so he doth, when he delivers you From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven. 2 Murd. Make peace with God, for you must die, Clar. Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, me? Ah, sirs, consider, he, that set you on To do this deed, will hate you for the deed. Clar. Relent, and save your souls. If two such murderers as yourselves came to Would not entreat for life? My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks; Come thou on my side, and entreat for me, do, 1 Murd. Take that, and that; if all this will not [Stabs him. I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. [Exit, with the body. 2 Murd. A bloody deed, and desperately de spatch'd! Re-enter first Murderer. 1 Murd. How now? what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not? By heaven, the duke shall know how slack you have been. 2 Murd. I would he knew, that I had sav'd his Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say; [Exit. 1 Murd. So do not I; go, coward, as thou art. Well, I'll go hide the body in some hole, Enter King EDWARD, (led in sick,) Queen ELIZABETH, DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS, BUCKINGHAM, GREY, and Others. K. Edw. Why, so:-now have I done a good day's work; You peers, continue this united league: From my Redeemer to redeem me hence; Riv. By heaven, my soul is purg'd from grudging hate; And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. Lest he, that is the supreme King of kings, Hast. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! Q. Eliz. There, Hastings;-I will never more remember Our former hatred, So thrive I, and mine! K. Edw. Dorset, embrace him,-Hastings, love lord marquis. Dor. This interchange of love, I here protest, Upon my part, shall be inviolable. Hast. And so swear I. [Embraces Dorset. K. Edw. Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league With thy embracements to my wife's allies, Buck. Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate Upon your grace, [To the Queen.] but with all duteous love Doth cherish you, and yours, God punish me With hate in those where I expect most love! [Embracing Rivers, &c. K. Edw. A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham, Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart. There wanteth now our brother Gloster here, Buck. And,in good time, here comes the noble duke. Glo. Good-morrow to my sovereign king, and queen; And, princely peers, a happy time of day! K. Edw. Happy, indeed, as we have spent the Brother, we have done deeds of charity; Among this princely heap, if any here, If I unwittingly, or in my rage, Have aught committed that is hardly borne To reconcile me to his friendly peace: I hate it, and desire all good men's love.-- If ever any grudge were lodg'd between us ;- Q. Eliz. A holyday shall this be kept hereafter :I would to God, all strifes were well compounded. My sovereign lord, I do beseech your highness To take our brother Clarence to your grace. Glo. Why, madam, have I offer'd love for this, To be so flouted in this royal presence? Who knows not that the gentle duke is dead? [They all start. You do him injury, to scorn his corse. K. Edw. Who knows not, he is dead! who knows he is? Q. Eliz. All-seeing heaven, what a world is this! Buck. Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest? Dor. Ay, my good lord; and no man in the pre sence, But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks. K. Ed. Is Clarence dead? the order was revers'd. Glo. But he, poor man, by your first order died, And that a winged Mercury did bear; Some tardy cripple bore the countermand, God grant, that some, less noble, and less loyal, Enter STANLEY. Stan. A boon, my sovereign, for my service done! K.Edw. I pr'ythee, peace; my soul is full of sorrow. Stan. I will not rise, unless your highness hear me. K.Edw. Then say at once, what is it thou request'st. Stan. The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life; Who slew to-day a riotous gentleman, Lately attendant on the duke of Norfolk. K. Edw. Have I a tongue to doom my brother's death, And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave ? |