SCENE II. The Presence Chamber. Enter BUCKINGHAM, hastily, meeting LORD Buck. Did you see the duke? Stanley. What duke, my lord? / Buck. His Grace of Gloster; did you see him? Stanley. Not lately, my lord-I hope no ill news? Buck. The worst that heart e'er bore, or tongue can utter, Edward, the king, his royal brother,'s dead! Stanley. 'Tis sad, indeed! I wish by your impa tience, To acquaint him though, you think it so, to him. Did the king, my lord, make any mention [Aside. Buck. He did; Duke Richard has the care of both. Stanley. That sad news you are afraid to tell him too. [Aside. Buck. He'll spare no toils, I'm sure, to fill his place. Stanley. 'Pray, Heav'n, he's not too diligent ! [Aside. My lord, is not that the Duchess of York, Enter DUCHESS OF YORK. Duch. of York. Good day, my lords; how takes the king his rest? Buck. Alas, madam! too well-he sleeps for ever! Am I still left the last, in life, and woe? But now, my last support is gone.-First, Clarence, Duch. of York. "Twere new, indeed! for yet of him, Unless a churlish disposition may Be counted from a child a mother's comfort. Buck. I left her with her kinsmen, deep in sorrow, Enter QUEEN, RIVERS, and DORSET. Queen. Why do you thus oppose my grief? unless, To make me rave, and weep, the faster? ha! My mother too, in tears! fresh sorrow strikes My heart, at sight of every friend that lov'd My Edward, living! Oh, mother, he's dead! Edward, my lord, thy son, our king, is dead! Oh, that my eyes could weep away my soul ! Then I might follow, worthy of his hearse. Stanley. Your duty, madam, of a wife, is dead, And now, the mother's only, claims your care. Think on the prince, your son-send for him, straight, And let his coronation clear your eyes, : Bury your griefs in the dead Edward's grave— Queen. Alas! that thought, but adds to my afflic- New tears for Edward, gone, and fears for Edward, living! An helpless child, in his minority, Is in the trust of his stern uncle, Gloster- Enter GLOSTER, behind. Glost. Why, ah! these tears look well-Sorrow's the mode, And every one at court must wear it now :With all my heart; I'll not be out of fashion. [Aside. Queen. My lord, just Heaven knows, I never hated Gloster! But would, on any terms, embrace his friendship. Buck. These words would make him weep-I know him yours. See, where he comes, in sorrow for our loss. Glost. My lords, good morrow-Cousin of Buckingham, I am yours. Buck. Good morning to your grace. Glost. Methinks, We meet, like men that had forgot to speak. [Weeps. Buck. We may remember; but our argument, Is now too mournful to admit such talk. Glost. It is, indeed! Peace be with him, that made it so! Sister, take comfort; 'tis true, we've all cause ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. The Palace. PRINCE EDWARD, GLOSTER, BUCKINGHAM, LORD STANLEY, TRESSEL, and ATTENDANTS, discovered. Glost. Now, my royal cousin, welcome to London ! Welcome to all those honour'd dignities, Which, by your father's will, and by your birth, May take the liberty to show itself, uncle's care And love-Why do you sigh, my lord? That weary way has made you melancholy. Tressel. More uncles! what means his highness? has Secur'd his kinsmen on the way.-Lord Rivers, Gray, On what pretence it boots not, there they are; Enter LORD MAYOR and Two ALDERMEN. Lord M. Vouchsafe, most gracious sovereign, to The general homage of your royal city : P. Ed. I thank you, good my lord, and thank you Alas! my youth is yet unfit to govern, Therefore, the sword of justice is in abler hands; I perceive I love you, that though I know not yet Glost. So wise, so young, they say, do ne'er live long. P. Ed. My lords, I thought my mother, and my brother, York, Where shall we sojourn till our coronation? [Aside. Glost. Where it shall seem best to your royal self. May I advise you, sir, some day or two, Your highness shall repose you at the Tower; Then, where you please, and shall be thought most fit For your best health and recreation. P. Ed. Why at the Tower? But, be it as you please. Buck. My lord, your brother's Grace of York. Enter DUKE and DUCHESS OF York. P. Ed. Richard of York! how fares our dearest brother? [Embracing. |