FAU. Where is it, sirrah? tell me where it is? GLO. I got it from him, and I got John's sword. JOHN. I would 'twere to the hilt up in thy heart. RICH. O, be more charitable, brother John. LEI. My liege, you need not by particulars Examine, what the world knows too plain; If you will pardon Skink, his life is sav'd; If not, he is convicted by the law. For Gloster, as you worthily resolv'd, First take his hand, and afterward his head. HEN. Skink, thou hast life, our pardon and our love. SKINK [_to_ JOHN.] And your forgiveness for my robbery? JOHN. Tut, never trouble me with such a toy; Thou hind'rest me from hearing of my joy. HEN. Bring forth a block, wine, water, and towel; Knives, and a surgeon to bind up the veins Of Gloster's arm, when his right hand is off-- His hand that struck Skink at the Parl'ament. SKINK. I shall bear his blows to my grave, my lord. KING. Son Henry, see thy father's palsy hands, Join'd like two suppliants, pressing to thy throne. Look, how the furrows of his aged cheek, Fill'd with the rivulets of wet-ey'd moan, Begs mercy for Earl Gloster? weigh his guilt. Why for a slave should royal blood be spilt? SKINK. You wrong mine honour: Skink must[547] be reveng'd. HEN. Father, I do commend your humble course; But quite dislike the project of your suit. Good words in an ill cause makes the fact worse: Of blood or baseness justice will dispute. The greater man, the greater his transgression: Where strength wrongs weakness, it is mere oppression. LADY F. O, but, King Henry, hear a sister speak. Gloster was wrong'd, his lands were given away, They are not justly said just laws to break, That keep their own right with what power they may. Think, then, thy royal self began the wrong, In giving Skink what did to him[548] belong. QUEEN. Hear me, son Henry, while thou art a king, Give, take, prison: thy subjects are thy slaves. Life, need, thrones[549], proud hearts in dungeons fling, Grace men to day, to-morrow give them graves. A king must be, like Fortune, ever turning, The world his football, all her glory spurning. GLO. Still your own counsel, beldam policy! You're a fit tutress in a monarchy. RICH. Mother, you are unjust, savage, too cruel, Unlike a woman. Gentleness guides their sex; But you to fury's fire add more fuel. The vexed spirit will you delight to vex? O God, when I conceit what you have done, I am asham'd to be esteem'd your son. JOHN. Base Richard, I disdain to call thee brother, Tak'st thou a traitor's part in our disgrace? For Gloster wilt thou wrong our sacred mother? I scorn thee, and defy thee to thy face. O, that we were in field! then should'st thou try. ROB. How fast Earl John would from Prince Richard fly! Thou meet a lion in field? poor mouse, All thy careers are in a brothel house. JOHN. 'Zounds, boy! RICH. Now, man! LEI. Richard, you wrong Prince John. RICH. Leicester, 'twere good you prov'd his champion.