Some violent hands were laid on Humphrey's life! If my suspect be false, forgive me, God; . War. Come hither, gracious sovereign, view this body. .K. Hen. That is to see how deep my grave is made: For, with his soul, fled all my worldly solace; For seeing him, I see my life in death. War. As surely as my soul intends to live With that dread King, that took our state upon him To free us from his Father's wrathful curse, Suff. A dreadful oath, sworn with a solemn tongue! What instance gives Lord Warwick for his vow? War. See how the blood is settled in his face! Oft have I seen a timely parted ghost, Of ashy semblance, meager, pale, and bloodless, To blush and beautify the cheek again. His hands abroad display'd, as one that grasp❜d And tugg'd for life, and was by strength subdu'd. Like to the summer's corn by tempest lodg'd. Suff. Why, Warwick, who should do the duke to death? Myself, and Beaufort, had him in protection; And we, I hope, sir, are no murderers. War. But both of you were vow'd Duke Humphrey's foes; And you, forsooth, had the good duke to keep: 'Tis like, you would not feast him like a friend; And 'tis well seen he found an enemy. Q. Mar. Then you, belike, suspect these noblemen As guilty of Duke Humphrey's timeless death. War. Who finds the heifer dead, and bleeding fresh, And sees fast by a butcher with an axe, But will suspect, 'twas he that made the slaughter? Who finds the partridge in the puttock's nest, But may imagine how the bird was dead, Although the kite soar with unbloodied beak? Even so suspicious is this tragedy. Q. Mar. Are you the butcher, Suffolk, where's your knife? Is Beaufort term'd a kite? where are his talons? Suff. I wear no knife, to slaughter sleeping men; But here's a vengeful sword, rusted with ease, That shall be scoured in his rancorous heart, That slanders me with murder's crimson badge: Say, if thou dar'st, proud lord of Warwickshire, That I am faulty in duke Humphrey's death. [Exeunt Cardinal, SOM. and Others. War. What dares not Warwick, if false Suffolk dare him? Q. Mar. He dares not calm his contumelious spirit, Nor cease to be an arrogant controller, Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times. War. Madam, be still; with reverence may I say; For every word you speak in his behalf, Suff. Blunt-witted lord, ignoble in demeanour! Some stern untutor'd churl, and noble stock Was graft with crab-tree slip; whose fruit thou art, And never of the Nevil's noble race. War. But that the guilt of murder bucklers thee, And I should rob the deathsman of his fee, I would, false murderous coward, on thy knee Suff. Thou shalt be waking, while I shed thy blood, If from this presence thou dar'st go with me. War. Away even now, or I will drag thee hence; Unworthy though thou art, I'll cope with thee, And do some service to Duke Humphrey's ghost. [Exeunt SUFFOLK and WARWICK. K. Hen. What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted? Thrice is he armed, that hath his quarrel just; And he but naked, though lock'd up in steel, Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted. [A Noise within. Q. Mar. What noise is this? Re-enter SUFFOLK and WARWICK, with their K. Hen. Why, how now, lords? your wrathful weapons drawn Here in our presence? dare you be so bold ?Why, what tumultuous clamour have we here? VOL. V. L Suff. The traitorous Warwick with the men of Bury, Set all upon me, mighty sovereign. Noise of a Crowd within. Re-enter SALISBURY. Sal. Sirs, stand apart; the king shall know your mind.- [Speaking to those within. Dread lord, the commons send you word by me, Unless false Suffolk straight be done to death, Or banished fair England's territories, They will by violence tear him from your palace, They say, in him they fear your highness' death; As being thought to contradict your liking,- In pain of your dislike, or pain of death; Commons. [Within] An answer from the king, Suff. 'Tis like the commons, rude unpolish'd Could send such message to their sovereign: Commons. [Within.] An answer from the king, or we'll all break in. K. Hen. Go, Salisbury, and tell them all from me, I thank them for their tender loving care; He shall not breathe infection in this air Q. Mar. O Henry, let me plead for gentle K. Hen. Ungentle queen, to call him gentle No more, I say; if thou dost plead for him, Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath. Had I but said, I would have kept my word: But, when I swear, it is irrevocable: If, after three days space, thou here be'st found, On any ground that I am ruler of, The world shall not be ransome for thy life,Come, Warwick, come, good Warwick, go with me; I have great matters to impart to thee. [Exeunt K. HENRY, WARWICK, Lords, &c. Q. Mar. Mischance, and sorrow go along with you! Heart's discontent, and sour affliction, Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemies? Would curses kill, as doth the mandrake's groan, |