Lightborn. He sleeps. King [starting up]. Oh, let me not die yet; stay, oh stay awhile! Lightborn. How now, my lord! King. Something still buzzeth in mine ears 60 And tells me, if I sleep, I never wake; This fear it is which makes me tremble thus: King. I am too weak and feeble to resist ; Assist me, sweet God, and receive my soul ! 65 [They murder him. V. THE DYING PROPHET BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE John of Gaunt, King Richard the Second's uncle, now at the point of death, speaks his fears for England, which is suffering from the bad government of the King. Gaunt is brought in in a chair; his brother, Edmund, Duke of York, and his servants are standing by him. Gaunt has sent for the King. Gaunt. Will the King come, that I may breathe my last In wholesome counsel to his unstaid youth? York. Vex not yourself, nor strive not with your breath; For all in vain comes counsel to his ear. Gaunt. Oh, but they say the tongues of dying men 5 Enforce attention like deep harmony: Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain, ΤΟ York. No; it is stopped with other flattering sounds. Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity (So be it new, there's no respect how vile), That is not quickly buzzed into his ears? Then all too late comes counsel to be heard, 15 Your lives and my dishonour they pursue. Yet, gentle monks, for treasure, gold, or fee, 25 Monks. Your grace may sit secure, if none but we Do wot of your abode. Spencer. Not one alive, but shrewdly I suspect A gloomy fellow in a mead below; 'A gave a long look after us, my lord, And all the land, I know, is up in arms, 30 Baldock. We were embarked for Ireland, wretched we, Arms that pursue our lives with deadly hate. With awkward winds and sore tempests driven Of Mortimer and his confederates. King. Mortimer! who talks of Mortimer ? Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer, 35 That bloody man? [To the Abbot] Good father, on thy lap Lay I this head, laden with mickle care. 40 Oh, nevermore lift up this dying heart! [Falls asleep. Spencer. Look up, my lord. Baldock, this drowsiness Betides no good-[he gives a sudden start] here even we are betrayed! 45 Enter, with Welsh hooks, Rice ap Howell, a Mower, the Earl of Leicester, and some Soldiers. The Mower. Upon my life, these be the men ye seek. Rice. Fellow, enough. My lord, I pray be short; A fair commission warrants what we do. Leicester. Alas, see where he sits, and hopes unseen To escape their hands that seek to reave his life. Spencer and Baldock, by no other names, I do arrest you of high treason here; Stand not on titles, but obey the arrest, 'Tis in the name of Isabel the Queen. My lord, why droop you thus ? King. O day, the last of all my bliss on earth, Centre of my misfortune! O my stars, 50 55 Why do you lour unkindly on a king? Comes Leicester then in Isabella's name To take my life, my company, from me? 60 Here, man, rip up this panting breast of mine, 70 Baldock. My lord, it is in vain to grieve or storm; Here humbly of your grace we take our leaves. Our lots are cast, I fear me so is thine. King. In heaven we may, in earth never shall we meet ! And, Leicester, say, what shall become of us? 75 Leicester. Your majesty must go to Killingworth. King. 'Must!'-it is somewhat hard when kings must go. Leicester. Here is a litter ready for your grace, And these must die under a tyrant's sword. 85 King. Well, that shall be, shall be; part we must, Sweet Spencer, gentle Baldock, part we must. Hence, feigned weeds [he throws off his disguise]—un feigned are my woes. Father, farewell!-Leicester, thou stay'st for me, 90 SCENE II. THE DEPOSITION. The King has been brought to Killingworth (or Kenilworth) Castle, the seat of the Earl of Leicester. The Earl of Leicester, the Bishop of Winchester, and Sir William Trussel there demand his abdication. Leicester. Be patient, good my lord, cease to lament, Imagine Killingworth Castle were your court, Where will doth mutiny with wit's regard. Consuming means, soon preys upon itself. This fortress built by Nature for herself 20 25 30 This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England, Feared by their breed and famous by their birth, 35 As is the sepulchre in stubborn Jewry 45 This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land, 40 50 51 VI. KING HENRY THE FIFTH BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SCENE I. THE WEARING OF A CROWN. King Henry the Fourth is struck down with illness just at the moment when a rebellion against him is crushed and he is free to lead an army to the Holy Land, as he had vowed in order to recover the Sepulchre of Christ from the Turks. Enter King Henry the Fourth, the Princes Thomas of Clarence and Humphrey of Gloucester, the Earl of Warwick, and Courtiers. King Henry. Now, lords, if God doth give successful end To this debate that bleedeth at our doors, [He sinks into a chair. Only, we want a little personal strength; 5 Warwick. Both which, we doubt not but your majesty Shall soon enjoy. King. Humphrey, my son of Gloucester, II Where is the Prince your brother? Prince Humphrey. I think he's gone to hunt, my lord, at Windsor. King. And how accompanied? Prince Humphrey. I do not know, my lord. King. Is not his brother, Thomas of Clarence, with him? [Clarence comes forward. 15 Prince Humphrey. No, my good lord; he is in presence here. Clarence. What would my lord and father? King. Nothing but well to thee, Thomas of Clarence. How chance thou art not with the Prince thy brother? |