My queen, perpend: what I pronounce I will not violate; But one thing which my heart makes glad, I mind to explicate: You know, in court uptrained is A lion very young, Of one litter two whelps beside, As yet not very strong; I did request one whelp to see And this young lion fight: But lion did the whelp convince By strength of force and might His brother whelp, perceiving that The lion was too good, And he by force was like to see The other whelp his blood, With force to lion he did run His brother for to help: A wonder great it was to see That friendship in a whelp. So then the whelps between them both The lion did convince; Which thing to see before mine eyes Did glad the heart of prince. [_At this tale told let the_ QUEEN _weep_. QUEEN. These words to hear makes stilling tears Issue from crystal eyes. KING. What dost thou mean, my spouse, to weep For loss of any prize? QUEEN. No, no (O king); but as you see Friendship in brothers whelp, When one was like to have repulse, The other yielded help. And was this favour show’d in dogs, To shame of royal king? Alack, I wish these ears of mine Had not once heard this thing. Even so should you (O mighty king) To brother been a stay; And not, without offence to you, In such wise him to slay. In all assays it was your part His cause to have defended; And whosoever had him misused, To have them reprehended: But faithful love was more in dog, Than it was in your grace. KING. O cursed caitiff, vicious and vile, I hate thee in this place. This banquet is at an end, Take all these things away: Before my face thou shalt repent The words that thou dost say. O wretch most vile, didst thou the cause Of brother mine so tender? The loss of him should grieve thy heart, He being none offender. It did me good his death to have, So will it to have thine; What friendship he had at my hands, The same even thou shalt find. I give consent and make a vow, That thou shalt die the death; By Cruel’s sword, and Murder fell, Even thou shalt lose the breath. Ambidexter, see with speed To Cruelty ye go; Cause him hither to approach, Murder with him also. AMBIDEXTER. I ready am for to fulfil, If that it be your grace’s will. KING. Then nought oblight[247] my message given, Absent thyself away. AMBIDEXTER. [_Aside_] Then in this place I will no longer stay. If that I durst, I would mourn your case; But, alas, I dare not for fear of his grace. [_Exit_ AMBIDEXTER. KING.