Who can remember this, and not, like me, Whose damn'd ambition would renew those horrors, And set once more that scene of blood before us? Glo. How now! so hot! Hast. So brave, and so resolved. you; Glo. Is then our friendship of so little moment, That you could arm your hand against my life? Hast. I hope your highness does not think I mean it; No, Heav'n forbid, that e'er your princely person Should come within the scope of my resentment. Glo. O, noble Hastings! Nay, I must embrace [Embraces him. By holy Paul, y're a right honest man! The time is full of danger and distrust, And warns us to be wary. Hold me not Too apt for jealousy and light surmise, If, when I meant to lodge you next my heart, I put your truth to trial. Keep your loyalty, And live, your king and country's best support: For me, I ask no more than honour gives, To think me yours, and rank me with your friends. [Exit GLOSTER. Hast. I am not read, Nor skill'd and practised in the arts of greatness, To kindle thus, and give a scope to passion. The duke is surely noble; but he touch'd me E'en on the tend'rest point; the master-string That makes most harmony or discord to me. I own the glorious subject fires my breast, And my soul's darling passion stands confess'd; Beyond or love's or friendship's sacred band, Beyond myself, I prize my native land: On this foundation would I build my fame, And emulate the Greek and Roman name; Think England's peace bought cheaply with my blood, And die with pleasure for my country's good. ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. The Court. Enter DUKE OF GLOSTER, RATCLIFF, and Glo. This was the sum of all: that he would brook Was almost mov'd to bid us bold defiance; His name had been of vantage to your highness, Glo. This wayward and perverse declining from us Has warranted at full the friendly notice, Which we this morn received. I hold it certain, Rat. Let her instruct her tongue to bear your inessage; Teach ev'ry grace to smile in your Glo. Your counsel likes me well, it shall be follow'd. She waits without, attending on her suit. Go call her in, and leave us here alone. [Exeunt RATCLIFF and CATESBY. How poor a thing is he, how worthy scorn, Who leaves the guidance of imperial manhood To such a paltry piece of stuff as this is! A moppet made of prettiness and pride, That oftener does her giddy fancies change, Than glittering dew-drops in the sun do colourNow, shame upon it! was our reason given For such a use? Sure there is something more than witchcraft in them, That masters e'en the wisest of us all. Enter JANE SHORE. Oh! you are come most fitly. We have ponder'd And bear a heavy hand, yet fear not you: And rescued from despair, attend your highness. Glo. Marry there are, though I believe them not, Who say you meddle in affairs of state: That you presume to prattle, like a busy-body, Give your advice, and teach the lords o' th' council What fits the order of the commonweal. J. Shore. Oh, that the busy world, at least in this, Forget themselves, and what concerns their peace, trust not To ev ry breath of fame, I'm not to learn Become an instrument of good to any? me well. The state, for many high and potent reasons, Glo. Therefore have resolved To set aside their unavailing infancy, D Hastings, for very peevishness and spleen, J. Shore. Does he? Does Hastings? J. Shore. Reward him for the noble deed, just For this one action, guard him and distinguish him J. Shore. The poor, forsaken, royal little ones! Glo. You're passing rich in this same heav'nly speech, And spend it at your pleasure. Nay, but mark me! J. Shore. No, though the royal Edward has undone me, He was my king, my gracious master still; Glo. Dare not, ev'n for thy soul, to thwart me further! None of your arts, your feigning and your foolery; Your dainty squeamish coying it to me ; Go-to your lord, your paramour; begone! |