Where is the evidence that doth accuse me? To threaten me with death is most unlawful. 1 Mur. What we will do, we do upon command. 2 Mur. And he, that hath commanded, is our king. Cla. Erroneous vassal! the great King of kings Hath in the table of his law commanded, That thou shalt do no murder. Wilt thou then Spurn at his edict, and fulfil a man's? Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hand, To hurl upon their heads that break his law. 2 Mur. And that same vengeance doth he hurl on thee, For false forswearing, and for murder too. 1 Mur. And, like a traitor to the name of God, Didst break that vow, and, with thy treacherous blade, Unrip'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son. Inquest or jury. 2 On the part. 2 Mur. Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and defend. 1 Mur. How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us, When thou hast broke it in such dear degree? Cla. Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed? For Edward, for my brother, for his sake: Why, sirs, he sends you not to murder me for this; For in this sin he is as deep as I. If God will be avenged for the deed, O, know you, that he doth it publicly. Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm. To cut off those that have offended him. 1 Mur. Who made thee then a bloody minister, When gallant-springing, brave Plantagenet, That princely novice,1 was struck dead by thee? Cla. My brother's love, the devil, and my rage. 1 Mur. Thy brothers' love, our duty, and thy fault, Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee. Cla. If you do love my brother, hate not me: I am his brother, and I love him well. If you are hired for meed, go back again, 2 Mur. You are deceived; your brother Gloster hates you. Cla. O, no; he loves me, and he holds me dear. Go you to him from me. Both Mur. Ay, so we will. Cla. Tell him, when that our princely father York Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm, 1 Mur. Ay, mill-stones; as he lesson'd us to weep. Cla. O, do not slander him, for he is kind. 1 Mur. Right, as snow in harvest. Come, you deceive yourself: 'Tis he that sends us to destroy you here. Cla. It cannot be; for he bewept my fortune, And hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs, That he would labor my delivery. 1 Mur. Why, so he doth, when he delivers you From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven. 2 Mur. Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord. Cla. Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind, To do this deed, will hate you for the deed. SHAK. IX. D 2 Mur. What shall we do? Cla. Relent, and save your souls. 1 Mur. Relent! 'tis cowardly and womanish. Cla. Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish. Which of you, if you were a prince's son, Being pent from liberty, as I am now, If two such murderers as yourselves came to you,— My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks. Come thou on my side, and entreat for me, you would beg, were you in my distress. A begging prince what beggar pities not? 2 Mur. Look behind you, my lord. 1 Mur. Take that, and that: if all this will not do, [stabs him. [Exit, with the body. I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. 2 Mur. A bloody deed, and desperately des patch'd! How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands Re-enter FIRST MURDERER. 1 Mur. How now? what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not? By heaven, the duke shall know how slack been. you have 2 Mur. I would, he knew that I had saved his brother! Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say; [Exit. 1 Mur. So do not I: go, coward, as thou art. [Exit. ACT II. SCENE I. London. A room in the palace. Enter KING EDWARD, led in sick; QUEEN ELIZABETH, DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS, BUCKINGHAM, GREY, and others. K. Ed. Why, so :—now have I done a good day's work: You peers, continue this united league. I every day expect an embassage From my Redeemer to redeem me hence; And now in peace my soul shall part to heaven, Ri. By heaven, my soul is purged from grudging hate; And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. Has. So thrive I, as I truly swear the like! |