But on his knees at meditation: Not dallying with a brace of courtezans; But with two deep divines in sacred praying; Lord M. Happy indeed, my lord. He will not, sure, refuse our proffer'd love? Buck. Alas, my lord! you know him not: his mind's Above this world-he's for a crown immortal. Look there, his door opens; now where's our hope? Lord M. See where his grace stands, 'tween two cler gyinen! Buck. Ay, ay, 'tis there he's caught-there's his ambi tion. Lord M. How low he bows to thank them for their care! And see! a prayer-book in his hand Buck. 'Would he were king, we'd give him leave to pray! Methinks I wish it, for the love he bears the city. Lord M. Ah, my lord! Buck. See, he comes forth-my friend's, be resolute; I know he's cautious to a fault: but do not Leave him, till our honest suit be granted. Enter GLOSTER, with a Book. Glost. Cousin of Buckingham, ̈ I do beseech your grace to pardon me, Glost. Else wherefore breathe I in a christian land? Fair England's throne, your own due right of birth, In this just cause I come, to move your highness, Fits best with my degree, or your condition: Your love deserves my thanks; but my desert, For, Heaven be thank'd, there is no need of me; Which Heaven forbid my thoughts should rob him of! Lord M. Upon our knees, my lord, we beg your grace To wear this precious robe of dignity, Which on a child must sit too loose and heavy; 'Tis yours, befitting both your wisdom and your birth. Catesby. My lord, this coldness is unkind, Nor suits it with such ardent loyalty. Buck. Oh, make them happy! suit. grant their lawful Glost: Alas! why would you heap this care upon me? I am unfit for state and majesty. I thank you for your loves, but must declare (I do beseech you take it not amiss) I will not, dare not, must not yield to you. Buck. If you refuse us, through a soft remorse, Lord M. Be not too rash, my lord; his grace relents.' Catesby. Sweet prince, accept their suit. Lord M. If you deny us, all the land will rue it. [Exit. Glost. Call him again-[Exit Catesby.] you will enforce me to A world of cares-I am not made of stone, But penetrable to your kind entreaties; Though, Heaven knows, against my own inclining. Enter BUCKINGHAM and CATESBY. Cousin of Buckingham, and sage, grave men, must have patience to endure the load; But, black scandal, or foul-faced reproach, Attend the sequel of your imposition, Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me; Lord M. Heaven guard your grace! we see it, and will say it. Glost. You will but say the truth, my lord. Buck. My heart's so full, it scarce has vent for words; My knee will better speak my duty, now. Long live our sovereign, Richard, King of England! Glost. Indeed, your words have touch'd me nearly, cousin! Pray rise-I wish you could recall them. Buck. It would be treason, now, my lord; to-morrow, If it so please your majesty, from council Orders shall be given for your coronation. Glost. E'en when you please, for you will have it so. Buck. To-morrow, then, we will attend your majesty. And now we take our leaves with joy. Glost. Cousin, adieu-my loving friends, farewell. Ambition, like an early friend, throws back And fame not more survives from good than evil deeds. raised it. et be drain'd; [Exit. ACT IV. SCENE 1-The Tower-QUEEN, PRINCE EDWARD, DUKE OF YORK, DUCHESS OF YORK, and LADY ANNE, discovered. P.Ed. Pray, madam, do not leave me yet, P. Ed. Oh, mother, since I have lain l' the Tower, D. of York. Dear brother, why do you weep so? Queen. Alas, poor innocence! i P. Ed. 'Would I but knew at what my uncle aims; If 'twere my crown, I'd freely give it him, So he'd but let me 'joy my life in quiet. D. of York. Why, will my uncle kill us, brother? Enter LORD STANLEY. [Weeping. Stanley. Madam, I hope your majesty will pardon th What I'm grieved to tell, unwelcome news! Queen. Ah me! more sorrow yet! My lord, we've long Despair'd of happy tidings; pray, what is't? Stanley. On Tuesday last, your noble kinsmen, Rivers, Grey, and Sir Thomas Vaughan, at Pomfret, Were executed on a public scaffold. Duch. of York. Oh dismal tidings! P. Ed. Oh poor uncles! I doubt my turn is next. Lady A. Nor mine. I fear, far off. Queen. Why then let's welcome blood and massacre, Yield all our throats to the fell tiger's rage, And die lamenting one another's wrongs; Oh! I foresaw this ruin of our house! Enter CATESBY. Catesby. Madam, the king Has sent me to inform your majesty, [Weeps That you prepare (as is advised from council) Queen. What do I hear! support me, Heaven! Catesby. The king does farther wish your majesty Would less employ your visits at the Tower; He gives me leave t' attend you to the court, And is impatient, madam, till he sees you. Lady A. Farewell to all! and thou, poor, injured queen, Forgive the unfriendly duty I must pay. Queen. Alas, kind soul, I envy not thy glory;. Nor think I'm pleased thou'rt partner in our sorrow. Lady A. I come. Catesby. Shall I attend your majesty? Lady A. Attend me? whither? to he crown'd? Let me with deadly venom be anointed, And die ere man can say, Long live the Queen! Stanley. Take comfort, madam. [Exit with Catesby Queen. Alas! where is it to be found? Death and destruction follow us so close, They shortly must o'ertake us! Stanley. In Brittany, My son-in-law, the Earl of Richmond, still For 'tis the only hope that Heaven has left us. Queen. Do with me what you please—for any change Must surely better our condition. Stanley. I farther would advise you, madam, this in stant To remove the princes to some Remote abode, where you yourself are mistress. P. Ed. Dear madam, take me hence; for I shall ne'er Enjoy a moment's quiet here. D. of York, Nor I:-pray, mother, let me go too. Queen. Come, then, my pretty young ones, let's away, For here you lie within the falcon's reach, Who watches but the unguarded hour to seize you. Lieut. Lbeg your majesty will pardon me ; Nor must (without the king's especial licence) |