K. Edw. He's sudden, if a thing comes in his head. Now march we hence: discharge the common sort With pay and thanks, and let's away to London. And see our gentle queen how well she fares; By this, I hope, she hath a son for me. [Exeunt. SCENE VI.-London. A Room in the Tower. King Henry is discovered sitting with a Book in his hand, the Lieutenant attending. Enter Gloster. Glo. Good day, my lord! hard? What, at your book so K. Hen. Ay, my good lord: my lord, I should say rather; "Tis sin to flatter, good was little better: Good Gloster, and good devil, were alike, And both preposterous; therefore, not good lord. Glo. Sirrah, leave us to ourselves: we must confer. [Exit Lieutenant. K. Hen. So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf: So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece, And next his throat unto the butcher's knife.What scene of death hath Roscius now to act? Glo. Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind: The thief doth fear each bush an officer. K. Hen. The bird, that hath been limed in a bush. With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush: And I, the hapless male to one sweet bird, Have now the fatal object in my eye, Where my poor young was lim'd, was caught, and kill'd. Glo. Why, what a peevish fool was that of Crete, 'That taught his son the office of a fowl? And yet, for all his wings, the fool was drown'd. Thy father, Minos, that denied our course; Whose envious gulf did swallow up his life. Glo. Thy son I kill'd for his presumption. K. Hen Hadst thou been kill'd, when first thou didst presume, Thou hadst not liv'd to kill a son of mine. And thus I prophesy,-that many a thousand, And many an old man's sigh, and many a widow's, Not like the fruit of such a goodly tree. Teeth badst thou in thy head, when thou wast born, To signify, thou cam'st to bite the world; And, if the rest be true which I have heard, Thou cam'st Glo. I'll hear no more ;-Die, prophet, in thy speech; For this, amongst the rest, was I ordain'd. {Stabs him. K. Hen. Ay, and for much more slaughter after this, O God! forgive my sins, and pardon thee! [Dies. Glo. What, will the aspiring blood of Lancaster Sink in the ground? I thought it would have mounted. See, how my sword weeps for the poor king's death! O, may such purple tears be always shed From those that wish the downfal of our house!- Down, down to hell; and say-I sent thee thither, I came into the world with my legs forward : And this word-love, which greybeards call divine, And not in me; I am myself alone.- Clarence, beware; thou keep'st me from the light; [Exit. SCENE VII.-The same. A Room in the Palace. King Edward is discovered sitting on his Throne; Queen Elizabeth with the infant Prince, Clarence, Gloster, Hastings, and others, near him. K. Edw. Once more we sit in England's royal throne, Re-purchas'd with the blood of enemies. What valiant foe-men, like to autumn's corn, For hardy and undoubted champions: Two Cliffords, as the father and the son, tague, That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion, And made the forest tremble when they roar'd. That thou might'st repossess the crown in peace: Glo. I'll blast his harvest, if your head were laid; And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. Cla. The duty that I owe unto your majesty, I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. K. Edw. Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks. 286 THIRD PART OF KING HENRY VI. Glo. And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st, Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit: To say the truth, so Judas kiss'd his master; And cried, all hail! when as he meant, all harm. [Aside. K. Edw. Now am I seated as my soul delights, Having my country's peace, and brothers' loves. Cla. What will your grace have done with Margaret? Reignier, her father, to the king of France Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem, And hither have they sent it for her ransome. K. Edw. Away with her, and waft her hence to And now what rests, but that we spend the time [Exeunt |