Two kings in England cannot reign at once- Let never silent night possess this clime; See, monsters, see! I'll wear my crown again! Which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts, But that I feel the crown upon my head; And therefore let me wear it yet awhile. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord, the Parliament must have present news; And therefore say, will you resign or no? Edw. I'll not resign! but whilst I live be king. Traitors, begone, and join with Mortimer : Elect, conspire, install, do what you will; Their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries! Lei. Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair; For if they go, the prince shall lose his right. Edw. Call thou them back, I have no power to speak. Lei. My lord, the king is willing to resign. Bish. If he be not, let him choose. Edw. O would I might! but heaven and earth conspire To make me miserable !-Here, receive my crown; Receive it? no, these innocent hands of mine Shall not be guilty of so foul a crime. He of you all that most desires my blood, Yet stay, for rather than I will look on them, And sit forever enthronized in heaven! Come, Death, and with thy fingers close my eyes, Berkley Castle.-The King is left alone with LIGHTBORN, a murderer. Edw. Who's there? what light is that? wherefore com❜st thou? Light. To comfort you, and bring you joyful news. Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me. Light. To murder you, my most gracious lord! Far is it from my heart to do you harm. And what eyes can refrain from shedding tears, Edw. Weep'st thou already? list awhile to me, Light. O villains! Edw. And there, in mire and puddle, have I stood They give me bread and water, being a king; And there unhorsed the Duke of Cleremont. Light. Oh, speak no more, my lord!—this breaks my heart. Lie on this bed, and rest yourself awhile. Edw. These looks of thine can harbour naught but death! I see my tragedy written in thy brows. * His keepers. Yet stay awhile; forbear thy bloody hand, That even then, when I shall lose my life, Light. What means your highness, to mistrust me thus? Edw. What mean'st thou, to dissemble with me thus? Light. These hands were never stained with innocent blood, Nor shall they now be tainted with a king's. Edu. Forgive my thought, for having such a thought. One jewel have I left-receive thou this. Still fear I, and I know not what's the cause, But every joint shakes as I give it thee. Oh, if thou harbour'st murder in thy heart, Let the gift change thy mind, and save thy soul. Light. You're overwatched, my lord;-lie down and rest. Edw. But that grief keeps me waking, I should sleep; Light. If you mistrust me, I'll be gone, my lord. Thou wilt return again; and therefore stay. Edw. Oh, let me not die! yet stay, oh stay awhile! Ed. Something still buzzeth in mine ears, And tells me if I sleep I never wake; This fear is that which makes me tremble thus. William Shakspeare. ROMEO AND JULIET. MERCUTIO'S Description of QUEEN Mab. Mer. O, then, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies' midwife; and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate-stone |