Warbeck. You are a wise and just king, by the Powers Above reserved beyond all other aids To plant me in mine own inheritance, 50 55 Of your own princely ear, since it concerns Some great ones living yet, and others dead бо Whose issue might be questioned. For your bounty, Royal magnificence to him that seeks it, We vow hereafter to demean ourself As if we were your own and natural brother, To express a gratitude beyond example. 65 King James. He must be more than subject who can utter 70 75 The language of a king, and such is thine. As if his cause concerned me. I should pity him 80 S SCENE II. THE DEPARTURE FROM SCOTLAND. Fox, Bishop of Durham, makes peace between James and Henry, so Perkin has to leave Scotland. James has married him to Lady Katherine Gordon. Enter King James and Perkin, the latter attended by his Wife and his Followers. 5 ΤΟ King James. Cousin, our bounty, favours, gentleness, Our benefits, the hazard of our person, Our people's lives, our land, hath evidenced How much we have engaged on your behalf : How trivial and how dangerous our hopes Appear, how fruitless our attempts in war, How windy-rather, smoky-your assurance Of party shows, we might in vain repeat. But now obedience to the mother church, A father's care upon his country's weal. The dignity of state, directs our wisdom To seal an oath of peace through Christendom, To which we are sworn already: it is you Must only seek new fortunes in the world And find an harbour elsewhere. As I promised On your arrival, you have met no usage Deserves repentance in your being here; But yet I must live master of mine own. However, what is necessary for you At your departure, I am well content You be accommodated with, provided Delay prove not my enemy. It shall not, 15 20 Warbeck. Most glorious prince; the fame of my designs Soars higher than report of ease and sloth Can aim at. I acknowledge all your favours Boundless and singular, am only wretched In words as well as means to thank the grace That flowed so liberally. Two empires firmly You're lord of-Scotland, and Duke Richard's heart! My claim to mine inheritance shall sooner Fail than my life to serve you, best of kings! And (witness Edward's blood in me!) I am More loath to part with such a great example Of virtue than all other mere respects. But, sir, my last suit is, you will not force 25 30 35 From me what you have given, this chaste lady, Lady Katherine. No human power can or shall divorce My faith from duty. Warbeck. I am your wife. Such another treasure I gave her, cousin, 40 The earth is bankrupt of. King James. And must avow the gift, will add withal And unsuspected constancy. Provide For your attendance; we will part good friends. [Exit with Dalyell. 46 Warbeck. The Tudor hath been cunning in his plots; As malice follows us. You're all resolved All. 50 Cornwall, Cornwall! Frion. The inhabitants expect you daily. Cheerfully Draw all our ships out of the harbour, friends; 55 [Exeunt. Perkin has lost and has fled. The King is at Salisbury, preparing to march back to London. Enter King Henry, the Earl of Surrey, the King's Chaplain Urswick, and a Guard of Soldiers. King Henry. The counterfeit, King Perkin, is escaped; Escaped! so let him; he is hedged too fast Within the circuit of our English pale To steal out of our ports or leap the walls Which guard our land; the seas are rough, and wider Our fancy than affrighted rest of state. 348733 Enter Lord Dawbeney with a Guard, leading in Perkin Warbeck, and his followers Heron, John a-Water, Astley, and Skelton, chained. II Dawbeney. Life to the King, and safety fix his throne! I here present you, royal sir, a shadow Of majesty, but in effect a substance Of pity; a young man in nothing grown To ripeness but the ambition of your mercy— Perkin, the Christian world's strange wonder. King Henry. Dawbeney, We observe no wonder: I behold, 'tis true, Dawbeney. From sanctuary At Bewley near Southampton, regist❜red With these few followers for persons privileged. 16 20 King Henry. I must not thank you, sir; you were to blame To infringe the liberty of houses sacred: Dare we be irreligious? Dawbeney. Gracious lord, They voluntarily resigned themselves Without compulsion. King Henry. So: 'twas very well, 'Twas very, very well. Turn now thine eyes, Till, wanting breath, thy feet of pride have slipt But not my heart! my heart Will mount till every drop of blood be frozen By death's perpetual winter: if the sun Of majesty be darkenèd, let the sun Of life be hid from me in an eclipse There was a shooting-in of light when Richmond, 25 30 35 40 To some few wandering remnants, promising day, At Milford Haven Daubeney. Whither speeds his boldness? 45 Check his rude tongue, great sir. Oh, let him range : The player's on the stage still, 'tis his part ; 'A does but act. What followed? Bosworth Field; 50 Warbeck. Where at an instant, to the world's amazement, A morn to Richmond and a night to Richard Appeared at once. The tale is soon applied; Fate, which crowned these attempts when least assured, Might have befriended others like resolved. King Henry. A pretty gallant! Thus your 'Aunt of YourDuchess Aunt', informed her nephew; so Till, learnt by heart, 'tis now received for truth. King Henry. Sirrah, shift Your antic pageantry, and now appear In your own nature, or you'll taste the danger Warbeck. No less than what severity calls 'justice', 55 60 I expect And politicians 'safety'; let such beg 65 As feed on alms: but if there can be mercy In a protested enemy, then may it Descend to these poor creatures whose engagements 70 To the bettering of their fortunes have incurred Flow from some noble orator, in death I owe the fee of thankfulness. King Henry. So brave! Dawbeney. Kneel to the King, ye rascals. Mercy, mercy! King Henry. Urswick, command the dukeling and these fellows To Digby, the Lieutenant of the Tower : 75 |