Hast. My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses. Riv. And so doth mine; I muse', why she's at liberty. Glo. I cannot blame her, She hath had too much wrong, and I repent Q. Eliz. I never did her any, to my knowledge. Riv. A virtuous and a christian-like conclusion, To pray for them that have done scath to us. Glo. So do I ever, being well advis'd; For had I curs'd now, I had curs'd myself. [Aside. Enter CATESBY. Cates. Madam, his majesty doth call for you, And for your grace,—and you, my noble lords. Q. Eliz. Catesby, I come :- Lords, will you go with me? Riv. Madam, we will attend upon your grace. [Exeunt all but GLOSTER. Glo. I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl. The secret mischiefs that I set abroach, I lay unto the grievous charge of others. Clarence, whom I, indeed, have laid in dark ness, I do beweep to many simple gulls; Namely, to Stanley, Hastings, Buckingham; To be reveng'd on Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: With old odd ends, stol'n forth of Koly writ; Enter Two Murderers. But soft, here come my executioners.How now, my hardy, stout resolved mates? Are you now going to despatch this thing? 1 Murd. We are, my lord; and come to have the warrant, That we may be admitted where he is. Glo. Well thought upon, I have it here about me: [Gives the Warrant. When you have done, repair to Crosby-place. But, sirs, be sudden in the execution, We go to use our hands, and not our tongues. Glo. Your eyes drop mill-stones, when fools' eyes drop tears: I like lads; about your business straight, We will, my noble lord. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. A Room in the Tower. Enter CLARENCE and BRAKENBURY. Brak. Why looks your grace so heavily to-day? Clar. O, I have pass'd a miserable night, Brak. What was your dream, my lord? I pray you, tell me. Clar. Methought that I had broken from the And was embark'd to cross to Burgundy ; O heaven! methought, what pain it was to drown! All scatter'd in the bottom of the sea. Some lay in dead men's skulls; and, in those holes Clar. Methought, I had; and often did I strive To yield the ghost: but still the envious flood Kept in my soul, and would not let it forth 1 To seek the empty, vast, and wand'ring air; I pass'd, methought, the melancholy flood, The first that there did greet my stranger soul, Clar. O, Brakenbury, I have done these things- O, spare my guiltless wife, and my poor children!I pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me; My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep. Brak. I will, my lord; God give your grace good rest! [CLARENCE reposes himself on a Chair. Sorrow breaks seasons, and reposing hours, Makes the night morning, and the noon-tide night. Princes have but their titles for their glories, An outward honour for an inward toil; And, for unfelt imaginations, They often feel a world of restless cares: Enter the Two Murderers. 1 Murd. Ho! who's here? Brak. What would'st thou, fellow? and how cam'st thou hither? 1 Murd. I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs. Brak. What, so brief? 2 Murd. O, sir, 'tis better to be brief than te Let him see our commission; talk no more. [A Paper is delivered to BRAKENBURY, who reads it. Brak. I am, in this, commanded to deliver The noble duke of Clarence to your hands: →→→ I will not reason what is meant hereby, Because I will be guiltless of the meaning." Here are the keys; there sits the duke asleep : I'll to the king; and signify to him, That thus I have resign'd to you my charge. 1 Murd. You may, sir; 'tis a point of wisdom: Fare you well. [Exit BRAKENBURY. 2 Murd. What, shall we stab him as he sleeps? 1 Murd. No; he'll say, 'twas done cowardly, when he wakes. 2 Murd. When he wakes! why, fool, he shall never wake until the great judgment day.. 1 Murd. Why, then he'll say, we stabb'd him sleeping. 2 Murd. The urging of that word, judgment, hath bred a kind of remorse in me. |