1 Murd. Why, so he doth, when he delivers you From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven. 2 Murd. Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord. Clar. Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, To do this deed, will hate you for the deed. 2 Murd. What shall we do? Clar. Relent, and save your souls. 1 Murd. Relent! 'tis cowardly, and womanish. If two such murderers as yourselves came to you, My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks; Come thou on my side, and entreat for me, As you would beg, were you in my distress. A begging prince what beggar pities not? 2 Murd. Look behind you, my lord. 1 Murd. Take that, and that; if all this will not do, I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. [Stabs him. [Exit, with the body. 2 Murd. A bloody deed, and desperately despatched! How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands Of this most grievous, guilty murder done! 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 you have been. 2 Murd. I would he knew that I had saved his brother! [Exit. Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say; 1 Murd. So do not I; go, coward, as thou art.- [Exit. ACT II. SCENE I. London. 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; Riv. By Heaven, my soul is purged from grudging hate; And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. Hast. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! 1 i. e. do not merely cloak and conceal your ill-will to each other, but eradicate it altogether from your bosoms. Riv. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart! K. Edw. Madam, yourself are not exempt in this, Nor your son Dorset,-Buckingham, nor you;— You have been factious one against the other. Wife, love lord Hastings; let him kiss your hand; And what you do, do it unfeignedly. Q. Eliz. There, Hastings;-I will never more re member Our former hatred, so thrive I, and mine! U K. Edw. Dorset, embrace him,-Hastings, love lord marquis. Dor. This interchange of love, I here protest, pon 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, And make me happy in your unity. 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 [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, To make the blessed period of this peace. 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; Made peace of enmity, fair love of hate, Between these swelling, wrong-incensed peers. Glo. A blessed labor, my most sovereign liege.Among this princely heap, if any here, By false intelligence, or wrong surmise, 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 lodged between us ;— Q. Eliz. A holiday shall this be kept hereafter:I would to God all strifes were well compounded. My sovereign lord, I do beseech your highness To take our brother Clarence to your grace. Glo. Why, madam, have I offered love for this, To be so flouted in this royal presence? Who knows not that the gentle duke is dead? You do him injury to scorn his corse. [They all start. K. Edw. Who knows not he is dead! who knows 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 presence, But his red color hath forsook his cheeks. K. Edw. Is Clarence dead? The order was reversed. Glo. But he, poor man, by your first order died, And that a winged Mercury did bear; Some tardy cripple bore the countermand, 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 sor row. 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? 1 He means the remission of the forfeit. |