K. Edw. He's sudden, if a thing comes in his head. Now march we hence: discharge the common sort With pay and thanks, and let's away to London And see our-gentle queen how well she fares; By this, I hope, she hath a son for me. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. London. A room in the Tower. King HENRY is discovered sitting with a book in his hand, the Lieutenant attending. GLOSTER. Enter Glo. Good day, my lord! What, at your book so hard? K. Hen. Ay, my good lord: My lord, I should say rather; 'Tis sin to flatter, good was little better: Good Gloster, and good devil, were alike,, And both preposterous; therefore, not good lord. Glo. Sirrah, leave us to ourselves: we must [Exit Lieutenant. K. Hen. So flies the reckless shepherd from the confer. wolf: So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece, And next his throat unto the butcher's knife.What scene of death hath Roscius now to act? Glo. Suspicion ever haunts the guilty mind; The thief doth fear each bush an officer. K. Hen. The bird, that hath been limed in a bush, With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush: And I, the hapless male to one sweet bird, Have now the fatal object in my eye, Where my poor young was lim'd, was caught, and kill'd. Glo. Why, what a peevish fool was that of Crete, That taught his son the office of a fowl? And yet, for all his wings, the fool was drown'd. K. Hen. I, Daedalus; my poor boy, Icarus; Thy father, Minos, that denied our course; The sun, that sear'd the wings of my sweet boy, Thy brother Edward; and thyself, the sea, Whose envious gulf did swallow up his life. Ah, kill me with thy weapon, not with words! My breast can better brook thy dagger's point, Than can my ears that tragic historyBut wherefore dost thou come? is't for my life? Glo. Think'st thou I am an executioner? K. Hen. A persecutor, I am sure, thou art; If murdering innocents be executing, Why, then thou art an executioner. Glo. Thy son I kill'd for his presumption. Thou hadst not liv'd to kill a son of mine. Teeth hadst thou in thy head, when thou wast born, And, if the rest be true which I have heard, Thou cam'st Glo. I'll hear no more ;-Die, prophet, in thy From those that wish the downfal of our house!- O Jesu bless us, he is born with teeth! And so I was; which plainly signified That I should snarl, and bite, and play the dog. And this word-love, which greybeards call divine, And not in me; I am myself alone.- The same. A room in the Palace. King EDWARD is discovered sitting on his throne; Queen ELIZABETH with the infant Prince, CLARENCE, GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and Others, near him. K. Edw. Once more we sit in England's royal throne, Re-purchas'd with the blood of enemies. That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion, Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy :Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles, and myself, Have in our armours watch'd the winter's night; Went all afoot in summer's scalding heat, That thou might'st repossess the crown in peace; K. Edw. Clarence, and Gloster, love my lovely [Aside. queen; And kiss your princely nephew, brothers bo h. Clar. The duty, that I owe unto your majesty, I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. K. Edw. Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks. Glo. And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st, Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit:- all harm. Aside. K. Edw. Now am I seated as my soul delights, Having my country's peace, and brothers' loves. Clar. What will your grace have done with Margaret? Reignier, her father, to the king of France K. Ed. Away with her, and waft her hence to And now what rests, but that we spend the time With stately triumphs, mirthful comick shows, Such as befit the pleasures of the court? Sound, drums and trumpets!-farewell, sour annoy For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy. [Exeunt. |