Enter BRAKENBURY. And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes. The king hath strictly charged the contrary. Q. Eli. The king? who's that? Bra. I mean, the lord protector. Q. Eli. The lord protect him from that kingly title! Hath he set bounds between their love and me? them. Anne. Their aunt I am in law, in love their mo ther: Then bring me to their sights. I'll bear thy blame, And take thy office from thee, on my peril. Bra. No, madam, no; I may not leave it so : I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me. [Exit Brakenbury. Enter STANLEY. Stan. Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence, And I'll salute your grace of York as mother, And reverend looker-on of two fair queens. Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster, [to the Duchess of Gloster. There to be crowned Richard's royal queen. Q. Eli. Ah, cut my lace asunder, That my pent heart may have some scope to beat; Or else I swoon with this dead-killing news. Anne. Despiteful tidings! O unpleasing news! Dor. Be of good cheer. Mother, how fares your grace? Q. Eli. O Dorset, speak not to me; get thee gone: Death and destruction dog thee at the heels: madam. Take all the swift advantage of the hours: Duch. O ill-dispersing wind of misery!— A cockatrice 1 hast thou hatch'd to the world, 1 The cockatrice is a serpent supposed to originate from a cock's egg. Stan. Come, madam, come: I in all haste was sent. Anne. And I with all unwillingness will go. Q. Eli. Go, go, poor soul! I envy not thy glory: To feed my humor, wish thyself no harm. Anne. No! why?—When he, that is now, Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse; my husband When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands, Which issued from my other angel husband, And that dead saint which then I weeping follow'd; O, when, I say, I look'd on Richard's face, This was my wish; -Be thou,' quoth I, accursed, For making me, so young, so old a widow ! And, when thou wed'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed; And be thy wife, if any be so mad, More miserable by the life of thee, Than thou hast made me by my dear lord's death!' Even in so short a space, my woman's heart And proved the subject of mine own soul's curse, Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep, But with his timorous dreams was still awaked. Q. Eli. Poor heart, adieu! I pity thy com- Anne. No more than with my soul I mourn for yours. Dor. Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory! Anne. Adieu, poor soul, that takest thy leave of it! Duch. Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee ! [to Dorset. Go thou to Richard, and good angels tend thee!— thee! [to Anne. Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess [to Q. Elizabeth. I to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me! Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen, And each hour's joy wreck'd with a week of teen.1 Q. Eli. Stay yet; look back, with me, unto the Tower. Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes, Whom envy hath immured within your walls! [Exeunt. 1 Sorrow. SCENE 11. A room of state in the palace. Florish of trumpets. RICHARD, as king, upon his throne; BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, A PAGE, and others. K. Rich. Stand all apart.-Cousin of Buckingham! Buck. My gracious sovereign. K. Rich. Give me thy hand. Thus high, by thy advice, And thy assistance, is king Richard seated: Buck. Still live they, and for ever let them last! K. Rich. Ah, Buckingham, now do I play the touch,1 To try if thou be current gold indeed. Young Edward lives:-think now what I would speak. Buck. Say on, my loving lord. K. Rich. Why, Buckingham, I say, I would be king. Buck. Why, so you are, my thrice-renowned liege. K. Rich. Ha! am I king? "Tis so: but Edward lives. 1 Touchstone. |