What lowering star now envies thy estate, Thou never didst them wrong, nor no man wrong: And binds the wretch, and beats it when it strays, His fortunes I will weep; and, 'twixt each groan, Henry my lord is cold in great affairs, Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I, Car. That he should die is worthy policy, More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death. York. So that, by this, you would not have him die. Suf. Ah! York, no man alive so fain as I. York. 'Tis York that hath more reason for his death. But, my lord cardinal, and you, my lord of Suffolk, To guard the chicken from a hungry kite, As place duke Humphrey for the king's protector? Q. Mar. So the poor chicken should be sure of death Suf. Madam, tis true: and wer't not madness, then, Which mates him first, that first intends deceit. And to preserve my sovereign from his foe, Say but the word, and I will be his priest. Car. But I would have him dead, my lord of Suffolk, 6 Which MATES him first,] To mate is to destroy or confound, and in that sense it is often used by Shakespeare, as well as by Greene, Peele, Drayton, &c. See Vol. ii. p. 142. Ere you can take due orders for a priest. I tender so the safety of my liege. Suf. Here is my hand; the deed is worthy doing. York. And I and now we three have spoke it, Enter a Messenger. Mess. Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain, To signify that rebels there are up, And put the Englishmen unto the sword. Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime, Before the wound do grow incurable; For, being green, there is great hope of help. Car. A breach that craves a quick expedient stop! What counsel give you in this weighty cause? York. That Somerset be sent as regent thither. 'Tis meet, that lucky ruler be employ'd ; Som. If York, with all his far-fet policy, York. No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done. I rather would have lost my life betimes, Q. Mar. Nay then, this spark will prove a raging fire, If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with. 7 It SKILLS not-] An idiomatic phrase for " it matters not,” or “it does not signify." See Vol. iii. p. 416. 8 - a quick EXPEDIENT Stop!] 66 'Expedient" is constantly used by Shakespeare for expeditious. See Vol. iii. p. 46; and Vol. iv. p. 19. 134. No more, good York ;-sweet Somerset, be still :- York. What, worse than naught? nay, then a shame take all. Som. And, in the number, thee, that wishest shame. York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty. York. I am content. Provide me soldiers, lords, Suf. A charge, lord York, that I will see perform❜d. But now return we to the false duke Humphrey. Car. No more of him; for I will deal with him, For there I'll ship them all for Ireland. Suf. I'll see it truly done, my lord of York. [Exeunt all but YORK. York. Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts, And change misdoubt to resolution: Be that thou hop'st to be, or what thou art Resign to death; it is not worth the enjoying. Let pale-fac'd fear keep with the mean-born man, And find no harbour in a royal heart. 9 kernes of Ireland] Irish peasants were called "kernes," but here they mean light-armed foot-soldiers. VOL. V. M Faster than spring-time showers comes thought on thought, And not a thought but thinks on dignity. My brain, more busy than the labouring spider, To send me packing with an host of men: I fear me you but warm the starved snake, Who, cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your hearts. "Twas men I lack'd, and you will give them me : I take it kindly; yet, be well assur'd, You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands. Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams, I have seduc'd a headstrong Kentishman, To make commotion, as full well he can, In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade 1 - mad-bred FLAW.] "Flaw" is a violent gust of wind. Cotgrave, in his French Dict., translates lis de rent," a gust or flaw of wind ;" and Florio, in his Italian Dict. 1598, renders groppo divento, "a flaw or berrie of wind." In his second edit. 1611, it is to be remarked that Florio omits the word flaw. 2 - like a wild MORISCO,] Or, as he was familiarly termed, a Morris-dancer. Moresco is Italian for a Moor, and the Morris-dance has been supposed to be the same as the Tripudium Mauritanicum. Morris-dancing is still kept up in some parts of the country, especially in Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. |