in this presence? O Peter! thou hast prevailed in right.' K. Hen. Go, take hence that traitor from our sight; For, by his death, we do perceive his guilt. And God in justice hath revealed to us The truth and innocence of this poor fellow Which he had thought to have murdered wrongfully. Come, fellow; follow us for thy reward. [Exeunt. Enter GLOSTER and Servants, in mourning cloaks. Glo. Thus, sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud; And after summer evermore succeeds Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold: Serv. Ten, my lord. Glo. Ten is the hour that was appointed me To watch the coming of my punished duchess : Uneath may she endure the flinty streets, 1 Peter. O God, I give thee praise. To tread them with her tender-feeling feet. That erst did follow thy proud chariot wheels, When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets. But soft! I think, she comes; and I'll My tear-stained eyes to see her miseries. prepare Enter the Duchess of GLOSTER, in a white sheet with papers pinned upon her back, her feet bare, and a taper burning in her hand; Sir JOHN STANLEY, a Sheriff, and Officers. Serv. So please your grace, we'll take her from the sheriff. Glo. No, stir not, for your lives: let her pass by. Duch. Come you, my lord, to see my open shame ? Now thou dost penance too. Look, how they gaze : And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee. Glo. Be patient, gentle Nell: forget this grief. Ah, Humphrey ! can I bear this shameful yoke? But be thou mild, and blush not at my shame; With her that hateth thee, and hates us all,— And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee. Glo. Ah, Nell! forbear: thou aimest all awry ; I must offend before I be attainted; And had I twenty times so many foes, And each of them had twenty times their power, I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience : Enter a Herald. Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, holden at Bury the first of this next month. Glo. And my consent ne'er asked 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 To take her with him to the Isle of Man. Glo. Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here? Stan. So am I given in charge, may 't please your grace. Glo. Entreat her not the worse, in that I pray You use her well. The world may laugh again; And I may live to do you kindness, if You do it her: and so, Sir John, farewell. Duch. What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell? Glo. Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak. [Exeunt GLOSTER and Servants. Duch. Art thou gone too? All comfort go with thee, For none abides with me: my joy is death,- Stanley, I pr'ythee, go, and take me hence; Only convey me where thou art commanded. Stan. Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man; |