Q. Mar. Thrice-noble Suffolk, 'tis resolutely spoke. Suff. Not resolute, except so much were done; For things are often spoke, and seldom meant: But that my heart accordeth with my tongue, Seeing the deed is meritorious, And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,- Ere you can take due orders for a priest: I tender so the safety of my liege. Suff. Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing. Q. Mar. And so say I. York. And I: and now we three have spoke it, It skills not greatly who impugns our doom. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain, To signify-that rebels there are up, And put the Englishmen unto the sword; For, being green, there is great hope of help. Car. A breach, that craves a quick expedient stop! What counsel give you in this weighty cause? York. That Somerset be sent as regent thither: 'Tis meet, that lucky ruler be employ'd; Witness the fortune he hath had in France. Som. If York, with all his far fet policy, Had been the regent there instead of me, He never would have staid in France so long. York. No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done: I rather would have lost my life betimes, Than bring a burden of dishonour home, By staying there so long, till all were lost. Show me one scar character'd on thy skin: Men's flesh preserv'd so whole, do seldom win. Q. Mar. Nay then, this spark will prove a raging fire, If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with: No more, good York:-sweet Somerset, be still: Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there, Might happily have prov'd far worse than his. York. What, worse than nought? nay, then a shame take all! Som. And in the number, thee, that wishest shame! Car. My lord of York, try what your fortune is, The uncivil Kernes of Ireland are in arms, And temper clay with blood of Englishmen : To Ireland will you lead a band of men, Collected choicely, from each county some, And try your hap against the Irishmen? York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty. Suff. Why, our authority is his consent; And, what we do establish, he confirms: Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand. York. I am content: Provide me soldiers, lords, Whiles I take order for mine own affairs. Suff. A charge, Lord York, that I will see perform❜d. But now return we to the false duke Humphrey. Car. No more of him; for I will deal with him, That, henceforth, he shall trouble us no more. And so break off: the day is almost spent: Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event. York. My lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days, At Bristol I expect my soldiers; For there I'll ship them all for Ireland. Suff. I'll see it truly done, my lord of York. [Exeunt all but YORK. York. Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts, And change misdoubt to resolution: Be that thou hop'st to be; or what thou art Resign to death, it is not worth the enjoying: Let pale-fac'd fear keep with the mean-born man, And find no harbour in a royal heart. Faster than spring-time showers, comes thought on thought; And not a thought, but thinks on dignity. Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies. I fear me, you but warm the starved snake, Who, cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your hearts. 'Twas men I lack'd, and you will give them me: I take it kindly: yet, be well assur'd You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands. Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams, I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman, To make commotion, as full well he can, In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade Were almost like a sharp-quill'd porcupine: Shaking the bloody darts, as he his bells. I know, no pain, they can inflict upon him, SCENE II. Bury. A Room in the Palace. Enter certain Murderers hastily. 1 Mur. Run to my lord of Suffolk; let him know, We have dispatch'd the duke, as he commanded. 2 Mur. O, that it were to do!-What have we done? Didst ever hear a man so penitent? Despatch'd this thing? 1 Mur. Now, sirs, have you Ay, my good lord, he's dead. Suff. Why, that's well said. Go, get you to my house; I will reward you for this venturous deed. 1 Mur. 'Tis, my good lord. Suff. Away, be gone! [Exeunt Murderers. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, SOMERSET, Lords, and Others. K. Hen. Go, call our uncle to our presence straight: Say, we intend to try his grace to-day, Suff. I'll call him presently, my noble lord. [Exit. K. Hen. Lords, take your places;-And, I pray you all, Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloster, 1 Q. Mar. God forbid any malice should prevail, That faultless may condemn a nobleman! 'Pray God, he may acquit him of suspicion ! K. Hen. I thank thee, Margaret; these words content me much. Re-enter SUFfolk. How now? why look'st thou pale? why tremblest thou? Where is our uncle? what is the matter, Suffolk? I stood upon the hatches in the storm: A heart it was, bound in with diamonds,- And so, I wish'd, thy body might my heart: His father's acts, commenc'd in burning Troy? Am I not witch'd like her? or thou not false : like him? Ah me, I can no more! Die, Margaret! For Henry weeps that thou dost live so long. Noise within. Enter WARWICK and SALISBURY. The Commons press to the door. War. It is reported, mighty sovereign, That good Duke Humphrey traitorously is murder'd By Suffolk and the cardinal Beaufort's means. The commons, like an angry hive of bees, That want their leader, scatter up and down, And care not who they sting in his revenge. Myself have calm'd their spleenful mutiny, Until they hear the order of his death. K. Hen. That he is dead, good Warwick, 'tis too true; But how he died, God knows, not Henry: Enter his chamber, view his breathless corpse, And comment then upon his sudden death. War. That I shall do, my liege:-Stay, Salisbury, With the rude multitude, till I return. [WARWICK goes into an inner Room, and SALISBURY retires. K. Hen. O thou that judgest all things, stay my thoughts: My thoughts, that labour to persuade my soul, |