2 Murd. Look behind you, my lord. 1 Murd. Take that, and that; if all this will not do, I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. [Stabs him. Exit, with the body. 2 Murd. A bloody deed, and desperately despatch'd! How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands Of this most grievous guilty murder done! Re-enter first Murderer. 1 Murd. How now? what mean'st thou that thou help'st me not? [been. By heaven, the duke shall know how slack you have 2 Murd. I would he knew, that I had sav'd his brother! Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say; [Exit. 1 Murd. So do not I; go, coward, as thou art.- [Exit. ACT II. SCENE I.-The same. A room in the palace. 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 You peers, continue this united league : [work ;I every day expect an embassage From my Redeemer to redeem me hence And more in peace my soul shall part to heaven, Riv. By heaven, my soul is purg'd from grudging hate; And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. [king; Hast. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! Riv. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart! K. Edw. Madam, yourself are not exempt in this,-Nor your son Dorset,-Buckingham, nor you ;You have been factious one against the other. Wife, love lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand; And what you do, do it unfeignedly. 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 Be he unto me! this do I beg of heaven, [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, To make the blessed period of this peace. [duke. Buck. And, in good time, here comes the noble Enter GLOSTER. Glo. Good-morrow to my sovereign king, and [queen; [day : K. Edw. Happy, indeed, as we have spent the And, princely peers, a happy time of day! Brother, we have done deeds of charity, Made peace of enmity, fair love of hate, Between these swelling wrong-incensed peers. Glo. A blessed labour, my most sovereign liege. Among this princely heap, if any here, By false intelligence, or wrong surmise, Hold me a foe; If I unwittingly, or in my rage, Have aught committed that is hardly borne By any in this presence, I desire 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 holy-day shall this be kept hereafter :-I would to God, all strifes were well compounded. My sovereign lord, I do beseech your highness Glo. Why, madam, have I offer'd love for this, [They all start. You do him injury, to scorn his corse. 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 And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave? [death, My brother kill'd no man, his fault was thought, And yet his punishment was bitter death. The remission of the forfeit. Who sued to me for him? who, in my wrath, none of you would once plead for his life.O God! I fear thy justice will take hold On me, and you, and mine, and yours, for this,-- Poor Clarence! [Exeunt King, Queen, HASTINGS, RIVERS, DORSET, and GREY. Glo. That is the fruit of rashness!-Mark'd you not, How that the guilty kindred of the queen Look'd pale, when they did hear of Clarence' death? God will revenge it. Come, lords; will you go, Buck. We wait upon your grace. [Exeunt |