Teach not thy lip such scorn; for it was made Lo! here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword; I lay it naked to the deadly stroke, [He lays his breast open; she offers at Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry ; — But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me. Nay, now despatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward; -- [She again offers at his breast. But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on. [She lets fall the sword. Take up the sword again, or take up me. Anne. Arise, dissembler; though I wish thy death, I will not be thy executioner. Glo. Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it. Anne. I have already. Glo. That was in thy rage: Speak it again, and, even with the word, Shall, for thy love, kill a far truer love; My tongue. Anne. I fear me, both are false. Glo. Then mau Was never true. Anne. Well, well, put up your sword. Glo. Say then, my peace is made. Anne. That shall you know Hereafter. Glo. But shall I live in hope? Anne. All men, I hope, live so. Glo. Vouchsafe to wear this ring. [She puts on the ring. Glo. Look, how this ring encompasseth thy finger, Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart; But beg one favour at thy gracious hand, Glo. That it may please you leave these sad designs To him that hath more cause to be a mourner,' Anne. With all my heart; and much it joys me too, To see you are become so penitent.. Tressel, and Berkley, go along with me. Anne. 'Tis more than you deserve: Imagine I have said farewell already. [Exeunt Lady ANNE, Tressel, and Berkley. Glo. Take up the corse, Sirs. Gen. Towards Chertsey, noble Lord? Glo. No, to White-Fryars; there attend my coming. [Exeunt the rest, with the corse. Was ever woman in this humour woo'd? With God, her conscience, and these bars against And I no friends to But the plain devil, me, back my suit withal, and dissembling looks, And yet to win her, all the world to nothing! Ha! Hath she forgot already that brave Prince, Edward, her Lord, whom I, some three months since, Stabb'd in my angry mood at Tewksbury? Fram'd in the prodigality of nature, Young, valiant, wise, and, no doubt, right royal, न The spacious world cannot again afford: That cropp'd the golden prime of this sweet And made her widow to a woful bed? On me, whose all not equals Edward's moiety? I do mistake my person all this while: SCENE III. The same. A Room in the Palace. [Exit. Enter Queen ELIZABETH, Lord RIVERS, and Lord GREY. Riv. Have patience, Madam; there's no doubt, Will soon recover his his Majesty accustom'd health. brook it ill, it makes him worse: Therefore, for God's sake, entertain good com fort, And cheer his Grace with quick and merry words. Q. Eliz. If he were dead, what would betide of me? Grey. No other harm, but loss of such a lord. harms. Grey. The heavens have bless'd you with a goodly sou, To be your comforter, when he is gone. Q. Eliz. Ah, he is young; and his minority Is put unto the trust of Richard Gloster, A man that loves not me, nor none of you. Riv. Is it concluded, he shall be Protector? Q. Eliz. It is determin'd, not concluded yet: But so it must be, if the King miscarry. " Enter BUCKINGHAM and STANLEY. Grey. Here come the lords of Buckingham and Buck. Good time of day unto your royal Grace! have been! Q. Eliz. The Countess Richmond, Lord of Stanley, To your good prayer will scarcely say good my amén. Yet, Stanley, notwithstanding she's your wife, And loves not me, be you, good Lord, assur'd, It hate not you for her proud arrogance. Stan. I do beseech you, either not believe The envious slanders of her false accusers; Or, if she be accus'd on true report, Bear with her weakness, which, I think, proceeds From wayward sickness, and no grounded malice. Q. Eliz. Saw you the King to-day, my Lord of Stanley? Stan. But now, the Duke of Buckingham, and I, Are come from visiting his Majesty. Q. Eliz. What likelihood of his amendment, Lords? Buck. Madam, good hope; his Grace speaks cheerfully. |