This loathsome sequestration have I had; But now, the arbitrator of despairs, Just death, kind umpire of men's miseries, With sweet enlargement doth dismiss me hence; I would, his troubles likewise were expir'd, That so he might recover what was lost. Enter RICHARD PLANTAGEnet. 1. Keep, My Lord, your loving nephew now is come. Mor. Richard Plantagenet, my friend? Is he come? Plan. Ay, noble uncle, thus ignobly us'd, Your nephew, late-despised Richard, comes. Direct mine arms, I may embrace his neck, Mor. And in his bosom spend my latter gasp: And now declare, sweet stem from York's great Why didst thou say stock, oflate thou wert despis'd? Plan. First, lean thine aged back against mine arm; 1 And, in that ease, I'll tell thee my disease. for my father's sake, In honour of a true Plantagenet, And for alliance' sace, Ideclare the cause And hath detain'd me, all my flowring youth, Plan. Discover more at large what cause that was; For I am ignorant, and cannot guess. Mer. I will; if that my fading breath permit, And death approach not ere my tale be done, Henry the fourth, grandfather to this King, Depos'd his nephew Richard; Edward's son, The first-begotten, and the lawful heir Of Edward King, the third of that descent: During whose reign, the Percies of the north, Finding his usurpation most unjust, Endeavour'd my advancement to the throne: The reason mov'd these warlike lords to this, for that (young King Richard thus remov'd, Was -- Leaving no heir begotten of his body,) From Lionel Duke of Clarence, the 'third son did reign, then deriv'd Marrying my sister, that thy mother was, Plan. Of which, my Lord, your Honour is the last. Mor. True; and thou seest, that I no issue have; And that my fainting words do warrant death: Thou art my heir; the rest, I wish thee gather: But yet be wary in thy studious care. Plan. Thy grave admonishments prevail with me: But yet, methinks, my father's execution. Mor. With silence, nephew, be thou politick; Plan. O, uncle, 'would some part of my young years Might but redeem the passage of your age! as the slaught'rer doth, Which giveth many wounds, when one will kill,, And so farewell; and fair be all thy hopes [Dies. Plan. And peace no war, befal thy parting soul! In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage, [Exeunt Keepers, bearing out MORTIMER. Or make my ill the advantage of my good. [Exit. TER, ACT III. SCENE I. The same. The Parliament - House. Flourish. Enter King HENRY, EXETER, GLOSWARWICK, SOMERSET, and SUFFOLK; the Bishop of Winchester, RICHARD PLANTAGENET, and Others. GLOSTER offers to put up a bill; Winchester snatches it, and tears it. Win. Com'st thou with deep premeditated lines, With written pamphlets studiously devis'd, Or aught intend'st to lay unto my charge, As I with sudden and extemporal speech Glo. Presumptuous priest! this place commands my patience, Or thou should'st find thou hast dishonour'd me. Think not, although in writing I preferr'd "The manner of thy vile outrageous crimes, That therefore I have forg'd, or am not able Verbatim to rehearse the method of my pen: No Prelate; such is thy audacious wickedness, Thy lewd, pestiferous, and dissentious pranks, As very infants prattle of thy pride. Thou art a most pernicious usurer; Froward by nature, euemy to peace; Lascivious', wanton,, more than well beseems A man of thy profession, and degree; And for thy treachery, What's more manifest? In that thou laid'st a trap to take my life, As well at London bridge, as at the Tower? Beside, I fear me, if thy thoughts were sifted, The King, thy Sovereign, is not quite exempt From envious malice of thy swelling heart. Win.. Gloster, I do defy thee. vouchsafe Lords. To give me hearing what I shall reply. |