JOHN. Hasten the execution, royal lord[s], Let deeds make answer for their worthless words. GLO. I know, if I respected hand or head, I am encompassed with a world of friends, And could from fury be delivered. But then my freedom hazards many lives. Henry, perform the utmost of thy hate, Let my[550] hard-hearted mother have her will. Give frantic John no longer cause to prate: I am prepared for the worst of ill. You see my knees kiss the cold pavement's face, They are not bent to Henry nor his friends, But to all you whose blood, fled to your hearts, Shows your true sorrow in your ashy cheeks: To you I bend my knees: you I entreat To smile on Gloster's resolution. Whoever loves me, will not shed a tear, Nor breathe a sigh, nor show a cloudy frown. Look, Henry, here's my hand; I lay it down, And swear, as I have knighthood, here't shall lie Till thou have used all thy tyranny. LADY F. Has no man heart to speak? GLO. Let all that love me keep silence, or, by heaven, I'll hate them dying. QUEEN. Harry, off with his hand, then with his head. FAU. By the red rood, I cannot choose but weep, Come love or hate, my tears I cannot keep. QUEEN. When comes this ling'ring executioner? JOHN. An executioner, an executioner! HEN. Call none, till we have drunk: father, fill wine; To-day your office is to bear our cup. RICH. I'll fill it, Henry. [RICH. _kneels down_. HEN. Dick, you are too mean To bow unto your sovereign. GLO. Kneel to his child? O hell! O torture! Gloster, learn: Who would love life to see this huge dishonour? HEN. Saturn kneeled to his son; the god was fain To call young Jove his age's sovereign. Take now your seat again, and wear your crown; Now shineth Henry like the mid-day's sun, Through his horizon darting all his beams, Blinding with his bright splendour every eye, That stares against his face of majesty. The comets, whose malicious gleams Threatened the ruin of our royalty, Stand at our mercy, yet our wrath denies All favour, but extreme extremities: Gloster, have to thy sorrow, chafe thy arm, That I may see thy blood (I long'd for oft) Gush from thy veins, and stain this palace-roof. JOHN. 'Twould exceed gilding. QUEEN. Aye, as gold doth ochre. GLO. It's well ye count my blood so precious. HEN. Leicester, reach Gloster wine. LEI. I reach it him? HEN. Proud earl, I'll spurn thee; quickly go and bear it. GLO. I'll count it poison, if his hand come near it. HEN. Give it him, Leicester, upon our displeasure. GLO. Thus Gloster takes it: thus again he flings it, In scorn of him that sent it, and of him that brought it. SKINK. O brave spirit! LADY F. Bravely resolv'd, brother; I honour thee. QUEEN. Hark, how his sister joys in his abuse. Wilt thou endure it, Hal? FAU. Peace, good Marian.