Re-enter BUCKINGHAM and the rest. Cousin of Buckingham,—and sage, grave men,— May. God bless your grace! we see it, and will say it. Glo. In saying so, you shall but say the truth. Buck. Then I salute you with this royal title,— Long live king Richard, England's worthy king! All. Amen. Buck. To-morrow may it please you to be crown'd? Glo. Even when you please, since you will have it So. Buck. To-morrow then we will attend your grace; And so, most joyfully, we take our leave. Glo. Come, let us to our holy work again : [To the Bishops. Farewell, good cousin ;-farewell, gentle friends. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I.-Before the Tower. Enter, on one side, Queen ELIZABETH, Duchess of YORK, and Marquis of DORSET; on the other, ANNE, Duchess of GLOSTER, leading Lady MARGARET PLANTAGENET, CLARENCE's young daughter. Duch. Who meets us here?-my niece Plantagenet, Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloster? Now, for my life, she's wand'ring to the Tower, On pure heart's love, to greet the tender prince.Daughter, well met. Anne. God give your graces both A happy and a joyful time of day! Q. Eliz. As much to you, good sister! Whither away ? Anne. No further than the Tower; and, as I guess, Upon the like devotion as yourselves, To gratulate the gentle princes there. Q. Eliz. Kind sister, thanks; we'll enter all together: Enter BRAKENBURY. And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes.- The king hath strictly charg'd the contrary. Brak. I mean, the lord protector. Q. Eliz. The Lord protect him from that kingly title ! Hath he set bounds between their love and me? Brak. No, madam, no, I may not leave it so; [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. Eliz. Ah, cut my lace asunder! That my pent heart may have some scope to beat, Anne. Despiteful tidings! O unpleasing news! Q. Eliz. O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee gone, Death and destruction dog thee at the heels; Thy mother's name is ominous to children: If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas, And live with Richmond, from the reach of hell. And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse,- Take all the swift advantage of the hours; Duch. O ill-dispersing wind of misery!— Stan. Come, madam, come; I in all haste was sent. O, would to God, that the inclusive verge And die, ere men can say-God save the queen! To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm. Anne. No! why?-When he, that is my husband now, Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse; When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands, Which issu'd 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, accurs'd And, when thou wedd'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed; 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 prov'd the subject of mine own soul's curse: Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep, But with his timorous dreams was still awak'd. Q. Eliz. Poor heart, adieu; I pity thy complaining. yours. Dor. Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory! Anne. Adieu, poor soul, that tak'st 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 !— [To ANNE. Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess thee! [To Q. ELIZABETH. I to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me! And each hour's joy wreck'd with a week of teen. Q. Eliz. Stay yet; look back, with me, unto the Tower. |