K. Hen. O God's name, see the lists and all things fit; Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant, Enter, on one side, HORNER, and his neighbors, drinking to him so much that he is drunk; and he enters bearing his staff with a sand-bag fastened to it; a drum before him; at the other side, PETER, with a drum and a similar staff; accompanied by Prentices drinking to him. 1 Neigh. Here, neighbor Horner, I drink to you in a cup of sack; and fear not, neighbor, you shall do well enough. 2 Neigh. And here, neighbor, here's a cup of charneco. 3 Neigh. And here's a pot of good double beer, neighbor: drink, and fear not your man. Hor. Let it come, i'faith, and I'll pledge you all; and a fig for Peter! 1 Pren. Here, Peter, I drink to thee; and be not afraid. 2 Pren. Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy master; fight for credit of the prentices. Peter. I thank you all: drink, and pray for me, I pray you; for, I think, I have taken my last draught in this world. Here, Robin, an if I die, I give thee my apron; and, Will, thou shalt have my hammer;-and here, Tom, take all the money that I have.- O Lord, bless me, I pray God! for I am never able to deal with my master, he hath learnt so much fence already. Sal. Come, leave your drinking, and fall to blows.Sirrah, what's thy name? Peter. Peter, forsooth. Sal. Peter! what more? Peter. Thump. Sat. Thump! then see thou thump thy master well. Hor. Masters, I am come hither, as it were, upon my man's instigation, to prove him a knave, and myself an honest man; touching the duke of York, will take my death, I never meant him any ill, nor the king, nor the queen. And, therefore, Peter, have at thee with a downright blow, as Bevis of Southampton fell upon Ascapart. York. Despatch;-this knave's tongue begins to double. Sound trumpets, alarum to the combatants. [Alarum. They fight, and Peter strikes down his Master. Hor. Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess treason. [Dies. York. Take away his weapon.- Fellow, Thank God, and the good wine in thy master's way. Peter. O God! have I overcome mine enemies in this presence? O Peter, thou hast prevailed in right! K. Hen. Go, take hence that traitor from our sight; For, by his death, we do perceive his guilt. And God, in justice, hath revealed to us The truth and innocence of this poor fellow, Which he had thought to have murdered wrongfully.- SCENE IV. The same. A Street. [Exeunt. Enter GLOSTER and Servants, in mourning cloaks. Glo. Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud; And, after summer, evermore succeeds Barren winter, with his wrathful, nipping cold. Serv. Ten, my lord. Glo. Ten is the hour that was appointed me, With envious looks, still laughing at thy shame ; Enter the DUCHESS of GLOSTER, in a white sheet, with papers And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee! Glo. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief. For, whilst I think I am thy married wife, Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke? But be thou mild, and blush not at my shame; Glo. Ah, Nell, forbear; thou aimest all awry; And had I twenty times so many foes, And each of them had twenty times their power, These few days' wonder will be quickly worn. Enter a Herald. Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, holden at Bury the first of this next month. Glo. And my consent ne'er asked herein before! This is close dealing.-Well, I will be there. [Exit Herald. My Nell, I take my leave;-and, master sheriff, To take her with him to the Isle of Man. Glo. Must you, sir John, protect my lady here? Stan. So am I given in charge, may't please your grace. Glo. Entreat her not the worse, in that I pray You use her well. The world may laugh again; And I may live to do you kindness, if You do it her. And so, sir John, farewell. Duch. What, gone, my lord; and bid me not farewell? Glo. Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak. [Exeunt GLOSTER and Servants. Duch. Art thou gone too? all comfort go with thee! For none abides with me. My joy is-death; Death, at whose name I oft have been afeard, I care not whither, for I beg no favor, Only convey me where thou art commanded. Stan. Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man; There to be used according to your state. Duch. That's bad enough, for I am but reproach; And shall I then be used reproachfully? Stan. Like to a duchess, and duke Humphrey's lady, According to that state you shall be used. Duch. Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare; Although thou hast been conduct of my shame! Sher. It is my office; and, madam, pardon me. Duch. Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharged.Come, Stanley, shall we go? Stan. Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet, And go we to attire you for our journey. Duch. My shame will not be shifted with my sheet; No, it will hang upon my richest robes, And show itself, attire me how I can. Go, lead the way; I long to see my prison. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. The Abbey at Bury. Enter, to the parliament, KING HENRY, QUEEN Margaret, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, and others. K. Hen. I muse my lord of Gloster is not come. Q. Mar. Can you not see? or will you not observe How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself? That all the court admired him for submission; Now 'tis the spring, and weeds are shallow rooted; |