Re-enter First Murderer. 1 Murd. How now? what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not? By heaven, the duke shall know how slack been. you have 2 Murd. I would he knew, that I had sav'd his brother! Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say; [Exit. 1 Mur. So do not I; go, coward, as thou art.Well, I'll go hide the body in some hole, Till that the duke give order for his burial: And when I have my meed, I will away; For this will out, and then I must not stay. [Exit. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. A Room in the Palace. Enter King EDWARD, (led in sick,) Queen ELIZABETH, DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS, BUCKINGHAM, GREY, and others. K. Edw. 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 more in peace my soul shall part to heaven, Since I have made my friends at peace on earth. Rivers, and Hastings, take each other's hand; And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. Lest he, that is the supreme King of kings, Hast. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! Nor your son Dorset, - Buckingham, nor you;- Q. Eliz.. There, Hastings;- I will never more remember Our former hatred; So thrive I, and mine! lord marquis. Hastings, love Dor. This interchange of love, I here protest, Upon my part shall be inviolable. Hast. And so swear I. [Embraces DORSET. K. Edw. Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league With thy embracements to my wife's allies, Buck. Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate Upon your grace, [To the Queen.] but, with all duteous love Doth cherish you, and yours, God punish me Be he unto me! this do I beg of heaven, [Embracing RIVERS, &c. K.Edw. A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham, Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart. There wanteth now our brother Gloster here, Buck. And, in good time, here comes the noble duke. Enter GLOSTER. Glo. Good-morrow to my sovereign king, and queen; And, princely peers, a happy time of day! K. Edw. Happy, indeed, as we have spent the day: : Brother, we have done deeds of charity; peers. Glo. A blessed labour, my most sovereign liege.Among this princely heap, if any here, By false intelligence, or wrong surmise, Hold me a foe; If I unwittingly, or in my rage, Have aught committed that is hardly borne To reconcile me to his friendly peace: I hate it, and desire all good men's love. If ever any grudge were lodg'd between us; That all without desert have frown'd on me; More than the infant that is born to-night; I thank my God for my humility. Q. Eliz. A holy-day shall this be kept hereafter: I would to heaven all strifes were well compounded.- Glo. Why, madam, have I offer'd love for this, he is? Q. Eliz. All-seeing heaven, what a world is this! Buck. Look I so pale, lord Dorset, as the rest? Dor. Ay, my good lord; and no man in the pre But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks. K. Edw. Is Clarence dead? the order was revers'd. God grant, that some, less noble, and less loyal, Enter STANLEY. Stan. A boon my sovereign, for my service done. K. Edw. I pr'ythee, peace; my soul is full of sorrow. Stan. I will not rise, unless your highness hear me. K. Edw. Then say at once, what is it thou request❜st. Stan. The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life; Who slew to-day a riotous gentleman, Lately attendant on the duke of Norfolk. K. Edw. Have I a tongue to doom my brother's death, And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave? you On me, [Exeunt King, Queen, HASTINGS, RIVERS, VOL. VII. F |