Or be admitted to your highness' council. Or else conclude my words effectual. Suff. Well hath your highness seen into this daks; And had I first been put to speak my mind, I think I should have told your grace's tale. The duchess, by his subornation. Upon my life, began her devilish practices: Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess, Car. Did he not, contrary to form of law, Buck. Tut! These are petty faults to faults unknown, Which time will bring to light in smooth duke Hum. phrey. K. Hen. My lords, at once. The care you have of us, To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot, From meaning treason to our royal person, As is the sucking lamb, or harmless dove: Q. Mar. Ah, what's more dangerous than this fond affiance! Seems he a dove? his feathers are but borrow'd, Enter Somerset. Som. All health unto my gracious sovereign! Som. That all your interest in those territories K. Hen. Cold news, lord Somerset: But God's will be done! York. Cold news for me; for I had hope of France, As firmly as I hope for fertile England. Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud, And caterpillars eat my leaves away: But I will remedy this gear ere long, Or sell my title for a glorious grave. [Aside. Enter Gloster. Glo. All happiness unto my lord the king! Pardon, my liege, that I have stay'd so long. Suf. Nay, Gloster, know that thou art come too soon, Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art : I do arrest thee of high treason here. Glo. Well, Suffolk's duke, thou shalt not see me blush, Nor change my countenance for this arrest; A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. The purest spring is not so free from mud As I am clear from treason to my sovereign: Who can accuse me? wherein am I guilty? York. 'Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of And, being protector, stay'd the soldiers' pay; Glo. Is it but thought so? What are they that think it? I never robb'd the soldiers of their pay, Nor ever had one penny bribe from France. So help me God, as I have watch'd the night,— Ay, night by night,—in studying good for England! Be brought against me at my trial day! And never ask'd for restitution. Car. It serves you well, my lord, to say so much. Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of, That England was defam'd by tyranny. Glo. Why, 't is well known, that whiles I was protector Pity was all the fault that was in me; For I should melt at an offender's tears, And lowly words were ransom for their fault. Or foul felonious thief, that fleeo'd poor passengers, Suf. My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answer'd: But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge, Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself. I do arrest you in his highness' name; K. Hen. My lord of Gloster, 't is my special hope, Glo. Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous. Virtue is chok'd with foul ambition, And charity chas'd hence by rancour's hand; And equity exil'd your highness' land. Beaufort's red sparkling eyes blab his heart's malice, a My liefest liege to be mine enemy: Ay, all of you have laid your heads together. Car. My liege, his railing is intolerable: False allegations to o'eithrow his state? Q. Mar. But I can give the loser leave to chide. Glo. Far truer spoke than meant: I lose, indeed;— Beshrew the winners, for they play'd me false! And well such losers may have leave to speak. Buck. He'll wrest the sense, and hold us here all day: Lord cardinal, he is your prisoner. Car. Sirs, take away the duke, and guard him sure. Glo. Ah, thus king Henry throws away his crutch, Before his legs be firm to bear his body: Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. For, good king Henry, thy decay I fear. [Exeunt Attendants, with Glostkb. K. Hen. My lords, what to your wisdom secmeth best, Do, or undo, as if ourself were here. Q. Mar. What, will your highness leave the parliament? a Liefest—dearest. |