Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days; Brak. What was your dream, my lord? I pray you tell me. Clar. Methought that I had broken from the Tower, And was embarked to cross to Burgundy; And, in my company, my brother Gloster; Lord, Lord, methought, what pain it was to drown! All scattered in the bottom of the sea. Some lay in dead men's skulls: and, in those holes Clar. Oh, no-my dream was lengthened after life: O, then began the tempest to my soul! I passed, methought, the melancholy flood, The first that there did greet my stranger soul, With that, methought, a legion of foul fiends Brak. No marvel, lord, though it affrighted you; Clar. Oh, Brakenbury, I have done these things,— Which now give evidence against my soul, For Edward's sake; and see how he requites me!— Brakenbury is going. I prythee, Brakenbury, soon return. My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep. Brak. I will, my lord. (A knocking.) (Exit. Clar. Oh, heaven! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee, But thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds, Yet execute thy wrath on me alone : O, spare my guiltless wife, and my poor children! Enter the two Officers. In heaven's name, what art thou? How darkly, and how deadly dost thou look! Clar. To murder me? 1st Off. Ay. Clar. You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so, What's my offence? Where is the evidence?— 1st Off. He that commands the action is our king. Clar. Erroneous vassal! The great king of kings Hath in the table of his law commanded That thou shalt do no murder-O then, take heed! 1st. Off. We will!-They seize him.) Clar. If you are hired for meed, go back again, And I will send you to my brother Gloster 1st. Off "Tis he that sends us to destroy you here. Clar. It cannot be for he bewept my fortunes.Oh, friend! I see some pity in thy looks 2d Off. In vain thou speak'st. Clar. I never did thee harm— But let me pray before I take my death. 2d. Off. Strike! Clar. Oh, mercy! hear me speak-before I die (Struggling.) Oh, my poor children! Oh! most bloody deed! (Falls into the arms of the Officers, who bear him off into an inner chamber.) END OF ACT THE FIRST. C ACT II. SCENE I.—A street before St. Paul's Church. Enter Sir William Brandon meeting Lord Stanley. Bran. Good day, my lord: What brings you to St. Paul's? Stan. I come among the crowd, to see the corpse Of poor king Henry; 'tis a dismal sight. Bran. I am oblig'd to pay attendance here: The lady Anne has license to remove King Henry's corpse to be interr'd at Chertsey; Stan. Mean you king Henry's daughter-in-law? Bran. The same, sir; widow to the late prince Edward, Whom Gloster kill'd at Tewkesbury. Stan. Alas, poor lady! she's severely us'd; And yet, I hear, Richard attempts her love: Methinks, the wrongs he has done her, might deter him. Bran. Neither those wrongs, nor his own shape can fright him : He sent for leave to visit her this morning, And she was forc'd to keep her bed to avoid him. Stan. I'll wait on you. [Exeunt. Enter Gloster. Glos. "Twas her excuse, to avoid me. Alas! She keeps no bed ; - She has health enough to progress far as Chertsey, I cannot blame her: Why, love forswore me in my mother's womb; To make an envious mountain on my back, I am determined to prove a villain !— But see! my love appears. 'Tis true, my form, perhaps, may little move her; And cry, content, to that which grieves my heart, (Bell tolls. Enter Lady Anne, Stanley, Brandon. Officers, Guards, Friars, Ladies, and Pallbearers, with King Henry's body. Yet, hold; she mourns the man that I have kill'd: First let her sorrows take some vent: Stand here: I'll take her passion in its wane, and turn This storm of grief to gentle drops of pity For his repentant murderer. Anne. Set down, set down your honorable load, While I awhile obsequiously lament The untimely fall of virtuous Henry. O, cursed be the hands that made these wounds! More miserable by the life of him, Than I am made by my young lord and thee! (Retires. Glos. Poor girl! what pains she takes to curse herself! Anne. If ever he have child, abortive be it, Prodigious, and untimely brought to light, Whose ugly and unnatural aspect May fright the hopeful mother at the view, (They advance with the corpse. |