Here in these confines slily have I lurk'd, 3
To watch the waning of mine enemies.
A dire induction am I witness to,
And will to France; hoping the consequence
Will prove as bitter, black, and tragical.—
Withdraw thee, wretched Margaret: who
comes here?
[Retires.]
Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and the DUCHESS
OF YORK.
Q. Eliz. Ah, my poor princes! ah, my tender babes!
[My unblown flowers, new - appearing? sweets!]
If yet your gentle souls fly in the air,
And be not fix'd in doom perpetual,
Hover about me with your airy wings,
And hear your mother's lamentation!
[Ah, who hath any cause to mourn but I?] [Sitting down by her.
[Q. Mar. [Coming forward] If ancient sor
row be most reverend,
Give mine the benefit of seniory,
And let my griefs frown on the upper hand.3 If sorrow can admit society,
[Sitting down with them. Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine:—, I had an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him; 40, I had a Harry, till a Richard kill'd him: Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him;
Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard kill'd him. Duch. I had a Richard too, and thou didst
I had a Rutland too, thou holp'st to kill him.
Q. Mar. Thou hadst a Clarence too, and
Richard kill'd him.
From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept
A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death:
That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes,
To worry lambs, and lap their gentle blood; 50
That foul defacer of God's handiwork;
That excellent grand tyrant of the earth,
That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls,
Thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves.-
O upright, just, and true-disposing God,
How do I thank thee, that this carnal cur
Preys on the issue of his mother's body,
And makes her pew-fellow with others' moan!",
Duch. O Harry's wife, triúmph not in my
woes!
God witness with me, I have wept for thine.
Q. Mar. Bear with me; I am hungry for