140

For judgment only doth belong to thee.
[Fain would I go to chafe his paly lips
With twenty thousand kisses, and to rain
Upon his face an ocean of salt tears,
To tell my love unto his dumb deaf trunk,
And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling:
But all in vain are these mean obsequies;
And to survey his dead and earthly image,
What were it but to make my sorrow greater?]
[The folding-doors are thrown open, and

the dead body of Gloster is discovered,
lying on the bed; Warwick and others
standing by it.

War. Come hither, gracious sovereign, view this body.

161

War. See how the blood is settled in his face. Oft have I seen a timely-parted ghost,1 Of ashy semblance, meagre, pale and bloodless,

[Being all descended to the labouring heart; Who, in the conflict that it holds with death, Attracts the same for aidance 'gainst the enemy; Which with the heart there cools, and ne'er returneth

To blush and beautify the cheek again.]
But see, his face is black and full of blood,
His eye-balls further out than when he liv'd,
Staring full ghastly like a strangled man; 170
His hair uprear'd, his nostrils stretch'd with
struggling;

His hands abroad display'd, as one that grasp'd And tugg'd for life, and was by strength subdu'd:

[Look, on the sheets his hair, you see, is stick

230

Unworthy though thou art, I'll cope with thee, And do some service to Duke Humphrey's ghost. [Exeunt Suffolk and Warwick. King. What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted!

Thrice is he arm'd that hath his quarrel just, And he but naked, though lock'd up in steel, Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted. [A noise within.

Queen. What noise is this? Re-enter SUFFOLK and WARWICK, with their weapons drawn.

King. Why, how now, lords! your wrathful weapons drawn

Here in our presence! dare you be so bold? Why, what tumultuous clamour have we here?

Suf. The trait'rous Warwick, with the men of Bury,

Set all upon me, mighty sovereign.

240

Sal. [To the Commons at the door] Sirs, stand apart; the king shall know your mind. [He comes forward.

Dread lord, the commons send you word by me,

1 Graft, past participle of to graff; = grafted. * Deathsman, executioner.

Unless false Suffolk straight be done to death,
Or banished fair England's territories,
They will by violence tear him from your
palace,

And torture him with grievous ling'ring death. They say, by him the good Duke Humphrey died;

They say, in him they fear your highness' death;

And mere instinct of love and loyalty, 250
Free from a stubborn opposite intent,
As being thought to contradict your liking,-
Makes them thus forward in his banishment.
[They say, in care of your most royal person,
That if your highness should intend to sleep,
And charge that no man should disturb your
rest,

In pain of your dislike, or pain of death,
Yet, notwithstanding such a strait1 edíct,
Were there a serpent seen, with forked
tongue,

That slily glided towards your majesty, 260
It were but necessary you were wak'd;
Lest, being suffer'd in that harmful slumber,
The mortal worm might make the sleep
eternal:

And therefore do they cry, though you forbid,
That they will guard you, whether you will

3 Quitting, freeing.

5 Worm serpent.

A sort, a pack, a gang; used contemptuously.

I thank them for their tender loving care; 250
And had I not been cited1 so by them,
Yet did I purpose as they do entreat;
For, sure, my thoughts do hourly prophesy
Mischance unto my state.by Suffolk's means:
And therefore,-by His majesty I swear,
Whose far unworthy deputy I am,—

He shall not breathe infection in this air
But three days longer, on the pain of death.
[Exit Salisbury.

Queen. O Henry, let me plead for gentle Suffolk!

King. Ungentle queen, to call him gentle Suffolk!

290