The fourth son; York claims it from the third. With honor of his birthright to the crown. Both. Long live our sovereign Richard, England's king! York. We thank you, lords. But I am not your king Till I be crowned; and that my sword be stained With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster. And that's not suddenly to be performed; But with advice and silent secrecy. Do you, as I do, in these dangerous days, Wink at the duke of Suffolk's insolence, At Beaufort's pride, at Somerset's ambition, At Buckingham, and all the crew of them, Till they have snared the shepherd of the flock, That virtuous prince, the good duke Humphrey. "Tis that they seek and they in seeking that, Shall find their deaths, if York can prophesy. Sal. My lord, break we off; we know your mind at full. War. My heart assures me, that the earl of Warwick, Shall one day make the duke of York a king. York. And, Nevil, this I do assure myself,Richard shall live to make the earl of Warwick The greatest man in England, but the king. [Exeunt. MARGA SCENE III. The same. A Hall of Justice. Trumpets sounded. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MargaRET, GLOSTER, YORK, SUFFOLK, and SALISBURY; the DUCHESS of GLOSTER, MARGERY JOURDAIN, SOUTHWELL, HUME, and BOLINGBROKE, under guard. K. Hen. Stand forth, dáme Eleanor Cobham, Gloster's wife: Such as by God's book are adjudged to death.- [To JOURD., &c. From thence unto the place of execution; Shall, after three days' open penance done, Duch. Welcome is banishment; welcome were my death. Glo. Eleanor, the law, thou seest, hath judged thee; I cannot justify whom the law condemns. [Exeunt the Duchess, and the other Prisoners, Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief. K. Hen. Stay, Humphrey duke of Gloster: ere thou go, Q. Mar. I see no reason why a king of years Glo. My staff?-Here, noble Henry, is my staff; As willingly do I the same resign, As e'er thy father Henry made it mine; And even as willingly at thy feet I leave it, As others would ambitiously receive it. Farewell, good king. When I am dead and gone, [Exit. Q. Mar. Why, now is Henry king, and Margaret queen; And Humphrey, duke of Gloster, scarce himself, This staff of honor raught, there let it stand, Where it best fits to be, in Henry's hand. Suff. Thus droops this lofty pine, and hangs his sprays; Thus Eleanor's pride dies in her youngest days. York. Lords, let him go.-Please it your majesty, Q. Mar. Ay, good my lord; for purposely therefore Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried. K. Hen. O God's name, see the lists and all things fit; Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant, Enter, on one side, HORNER, and his neighbors, drinking to him so much that he is drunk; and he enters bearing his staff with a sand-bag fastened to it; a drum before him; at the other side, PETER, with a drum and a similar staff; accompanied by Prentices drinking to him. 1 Neigh. Here, neighbor Horner, I drink to you in a cup of sack; and fear not, neighbor, you shall do well enough. 2 Neigh. And here, neighbor, here's a cup of charneco. 3 Neigh. And here's a pot of good double beer, neighbor: drink, and fear not your man. Hor. Let it come, i'faith, and I'll pledge you all; and a fig for Peter! 1 Pren. Here, Peter, I drink to thee; and be not afraid. 2 Pren. Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy master; fight for credit of the prentices. Peter. I thank you all: drink, and pray for me, I pray you; for, I think, I have taken my last draught in this world. Here, Robin, an if I die, I give thee my apron; and, Will, thou shalt have my hammer;- and here, Tom, take all the money that I have.-O Lord, bless me, I pray God! for I am never able to deal with my master, he hath learnt so much fence already. Sal. Come, leave your drinking, and fall to blows.— Sirrah, what's thy name? Peter. Peter, forsooth. Sal. Peter! what more? Peter. Thump. Sal. Thump! then see thou thump thy master well. Hor. Masters, I am come hither, as it were, upon my man's instigation, to prove him a knave, and myself an honest man; touching the duke of York, - will take my death, I never meant him any ill, nor the king, nor the queen. And, therefore, Peter, have at thee with a downright blow, as Bevis of Southampton fell upon Ascapart. York. Despatch;-this knave's tongue begins to double. Sound trumpets, alarum to the combatants. They fight, and Peter strikes down his Master. [Alarum. Hor. Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess treason. [Dies. York. Take away his weapon.-Fellow, Thank God, and the good wine in thy master's way. Peter. O God! have I overcome mine enemies in this presence? O Peter, thou hast prevailed in right! K. Hen. Go, take hence that traitor from our sight; For, by his death, we do perceive his guilt. And God, in justice, hath revealed to us Which he had thought to have murdered wrongfully.- SCENE IV. The same. A Street. [Exeunt. Enter GLOSTER and Servants, in mourning cloaks. Barren winter, with his wrathful, nipping cold. Serv. Ten, my lord. Glo. Ten is the hour that was appointed me, With envious looks, still laughing at thy shame; Enter the DUCHESS of GLOSTER, in a white sheet, with papers And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee! Glo. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief. 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,—- Glo. Ah, Nell, forbear; thou aimest all awry; And had I twenty times so many foes, And each of them had twenty times their power, Enter a Herald. Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, holden at Bury the first of this next month. |