you, master Glou. Then, Saunder, sit there, the lyingest knave in Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, thou mightest as well have known all our names as thus to name the several colors we do wear. Sight may distinguish of colors, but suddenly to nominate them all, it is impossible. My lords, Saint Alban here hath done a miracle; and would ye not think his cunning to be great, that could restore this cripple to his legs again? Simp. O master, that you could! Glou. My masters of Saint Alban's, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips? May. Yes, my lord, if it please your grace. Glou. Then send for one presently. 140 May. Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight. [Exit an Attendant. 170 A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent, 180 Your lady is forthcoming yet at London. This news, I think, hath turn'd your weapon's edge; 'Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour. Glou. Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart: Sorrow and grief have vanquish'd all my powAnd, vanquish'd as I am, I yield to thee, ers; Or to the meanest groom. King. O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones, Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby! Queen. Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest, And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best. Glou. Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal, 190 How I have loved my king and commonweal: And, for my wife, I know not how it stands ; Sorry I am to hear what I have heard : Noble she is, but if she have forgot I banish her my bed and company And give her as a prey to law and shame, To-morrow toward London back again, To look into this business thoroughly And call these foul offenders to their answers And poise the cause in justice' equal scales, Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful cause prevails. [Flourish. Exeunt. SCENE II. London. The DUKE OF YORK'S garden. Enter YORK, SALISBURY, and WARWICK. Fork. Now, my good Lords of Salisbury and Warwick, Our simple supper ended, give me leave be good, The Nevils are thy subjects to command. Edward the Third, my lords, had seven sons: Wales; 11 The second, William of Hatfield, and the third, Gloucester; William of Windsor was the seventh and last. Edward the Black Prince died before his father And left behind him Richard, his only son, Who after Edward the Third's death reign'd as king; 20 Till Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt, Crown'd by the name of Henry the Fourth, Seized on the realm, deposed the rightful king, Sent his poor queen to France, from whence she came, And him to Pomfret; where, as all you know, Harmless Richard was murder'd traitorously. War. Father, the duke hath told the truth; As I have read, laid claim unto the crown; 40 York. The fourth son; York claims it from the third. 60 York. We thank you, lords. But I am not Till I be crown'd and that my sword be stain'd phrey : 'Tis that they seek, and they in seeking that Shall find their deaths, if York can prophesy. Sal. My lord, break we off; we know your mind at full. War. My heart assures me that the Earl of Warwick once; His lady banish'd, and a limb lopp'd off. This staff of honor raught, there let it stand Where it best fits to be, in Henry's hand. Suf. Thus droops this lofty pine and hangs his sprays; Thus Eleanor's pride dies in her youngest days. York. Lords, let him go. Please it your majesty, This is the day appointed for the combat; And ready are the appellant and defendant, The armorer and his man, to enter the lists, 50 So please your highness to behold the fight. Queen. Ay, good my lord; for purposely therefore things fit: Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried. King. O God's name, see the lists and all [right Here let them end it; and God defend the York. I never saw a fellow worse bested, Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant The servant of this armorer, my lords. Enter at one door, HORNER, the Armorer, ane his Neighbors, drinking to him so much tha he is drunk; and he enters with a drum be fore him and his staff with a sand-bag jus tened to it; and at the other door PETER, hi man, with a drum and sand-bag, and 'Pren tices drinking to him. First Neigh. Here, neighbor Horner, drink to you in a cup of sack: and fear not neighbor, you shall do well enough. Sec. Neigh. And here, neighbor, here's cup of charneco. Third Neigh. And here's a pot of goo double beer, neighbor drink, and fear no your man. Hor. Let it come, i' faith, and I'll pledg you all and a fig for Peter! First 'Pren. Here, Peter, I drink to the and be not afraid. Sec. 'Pren. Be merry, Peter, and fear n thy master: fight for credit of the 'prentices Peter. I thank you all: drink, and pray f me, I pray you; for I think I have taken v last draught in this world. Here, Robin, an I die, I give thee my apron: and, Will, th shalt have my hammer: and here, Tom, ta all the money that I have. O Lord bless n I pray God! for I am never able to deal w my master, he hath learnt so much fer already. Sal. Come, leave your drinking, and fal blows. Sirrah, what's thy name? Peter. Peter, forsooth. Sal. Peter! what more? But, soft! I think she comes; and I'll prepare My tear-stain'd eyes to see her miseries. Enter the DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER in a white sleet, and a taper burning in her hand; with SIR JOHN STANLEY, the Sheriff, and Officers. Sert. So please your grace, we'll take her from the sheriff. Glou. No, stir not, for your lives; let her pass by. Duch. Come you, my lord, to see my open shame ? [gaze! Now thou dost penance too. Look how they See how the giddy multitude do point, 21 And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee! Ah, Gloucester, hide thee from their hateful looks, And, in thy closet pent up, rue my shame, And ban thine enemies, both mine and thine! Glou. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief. 30 For whilst I think I am thy married wife Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke? wife, And he a prince and ruler of the land: But be thou mild and blush not at my shame, With her that hateth thee and hates us all, priest, Have all limed bushes to betray thy wings, And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee: But fear not thon, until thy foot be snared, Glou. Ah, Nell, forbear! thou aimest all awry; 60 I must offend before I be attainted; power, proach? Why, yet thy scandal were not wiped away But I in danger for the breach of law. Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell: I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience; These few days' wonder will be quickly worn. Enter a Herald. Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, 70 Holden at Bury the first of this next month. Glou. And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before! This is close dealing. Well, I will be there. [Exit Herald. My Nell, I take my leave: and, master sheriff, Let not her penance exceed the king's commission. Sher. An't please your grace, here my commission stays, And Sir John Stanley is appointed now Glou. Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here? Stan. So am I given in charge, may't please your grace. 80 Glou. Entreat her not the worse in that I pray How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself? We know the time since he was mild and affable, And if we did but glance a far-off look, Immediately he was upon his knee, That all the court admired him for submission : 10 You use her well: the world may laugh again; Duch. What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell! Glou. Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak. [Exeunt Gloucester and Servingmen. Duch. Art thou gone too? all comfort go with thee! 90 For none abides with me: my joy is death; 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, 100 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. But meet him now, and, be it in the morn, Suffer them now, and they'll o'ergrow the garden Stan. Madam, your penance done, throw off Or else conclude my words effectual. Come, Stanley, shall we go? And choke the herbs for want of husbandry. 40 this sheet, Suf. Well hath your highness seen into this And go we to attire yon for our journey. duke; Duch. My shame will not be shifted with my sheet: No, it will hang upon my richest robes And, had I first been put to speak my mind, I think I should have told your grace's tale. The duchess, by his subornation, And show itself, attire me how I can. Upon my life, began her devilish practices : 50 fall. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep; |