ACT SECOND SCENE I [London. The palace.] Flourish. Enter King Edward sick, Queen Elizabeth, Dorset, Rivers, Hastings, Buckingham, Woodville, [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; And more in peace my soul shall part to heaven, 5 Riv. By heaven, my soul is purg'd from grudging hate; And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. 10 Confound your hidden falsehood, and award Hast. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! 15 Riv. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart! Nor you, son Dorset, Buckingham, nor you; 20 Wife, love Lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand; Q. Eliz. There, Hastings; I will never more remember K. Edw. Dorset, embrace him; Hastings, love lord marquess. Dor. This interchange of love, I here protest, Upon my part shall be inviolable. Hast. And so swear I. 25 [They embrace.] K. Edw. Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league With thy embracements to my wife's allies, 30 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 With hate in those where I expect most love! 35 40 They embrace. E K. Edw. A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham, There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here, Buck. And, in good time, Here comes Sir Richard Ratcliff and the Duke. Enter Gloucester and Ratcliff. 45 Glou. Good morrow to my sovereign king and queen ; K. Edw. Happy, indeed, as we have spent the day. Glou. A blessed labour, my most sovereign lord. By false intelligence, or wrong surmise, 50 55 If I unwittingly, or in my rage, Have aught committed that is hardly borne By any in this presence, I desire To reconcile me to his friendly peace. 'Tis death to me to be at enmity; I hate it, and desire all good men's love. Which I will purchase with my duteous service; 60 If ever any grudge were lodg'd between us; 65 Of you and you, Lord Rivers and of Dorset ; I do not know that Englishman alive With whom my soul is any jot at odds I thank my God for my humility. Q. Eliz. A holy day shall this be kept hereafter. 70 I would to God all strifes were well compounded. Who knows not that the gentle Duke is dead? 80 You do him injury to scorn his corse. K. Edw. Who knows not he is dead! Who knows he is? Q. Eliz. All-seeing Heaven, what a world is this! K. Edw. Is Clarence dead? The order was revers'd. And that a winged Mercury did bear; Some tardy cripple bare the countermand, 85 90 God grant that some, less noble and less loyal, Enter Derby. Der. A boon, my sovereign, for my service done! 95 [Kneels.] K. Edw. I prithee, peace; my soul is full of sorrow. Der. I will not rise, unless your Highness hear me. K. Edw. Then say at once what is it thou requests. Der. The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life, Who slew to-day a riotous gentleman 100 Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk. K. Edw. Have I a tongue to doom my brother's death, 105 And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave? 110 |