_Mat._ Gurney, I wonder the king dies not, Being in a vault up to the knees in water, To which the channels of the castle run, From whence a damp continually ariseth, That were enough to poison any man, Much more a king, brought up so tenderly. _Gur._ And so do I, Matrevis: yesternight I open'd but the door to throw him meat, And I was almost stifled with the savour. _Mat._ He hath a body able to endure More than we can inflict: and therefore now Let us assail his mind another while. _Gur._ Send for him out thence, and I will anger him. _Mat._ But stay; who's this? _Enter_ LIGHTBORN. _Light._ My Lord Protector greets you. [_Gives letter._ _Gur._ What's there? I know not how to construe it. _Mat._ Gurney, it was left unpointed for the nonce; _Edwardum occidere nolite timere,_ That's his meaning. _Light._ Know you this token? I must have the king. [_Gives token._ _Mat._ Ay, stay a while; thou shalt have answer straight.-- This villain's sent to make away the king. _Gur._ I thought as much. _Mat._ And, when the murder's done, See how he must be handled for his labour,-- _Pereat iste!_ Let him have the king; What else?--Here is the keys, this is the lake: Do as you are commanded by my lord. _Light._ I know what I must do. Get you away: Yet be not far off; I shall need your help: See that in the next room I have a fire, And get me a spit, and let it be red-hot. _Mat._ Very well. _Gur._ Need you anything besides? _Light._ What else? a table and a feather-bed. _Gur._ That's all? _Light._ Ay, ay: so, when I call you, bring it in. _Mat._ Fear not thou that. _Gur._ Here's a light to go into the dungeon. [_Gives light to Lightborn, and then exit with Matrevis._ _Light._ So, now. Must I about this gear: ne'er was there any So finely handled as this king shall be.-- Foh, here's a place indeed with all my heart! _K. Edw._ Who's there? what light is that? wherefore com'st thou? _Light._ To comfort you, and bring you joyful news. _K. Edw._ Small comfort finds poor Edward in thy looks: Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me. _Light._ To murder you, my most gracious lord? Far is it from my heart to do you harm. The queen sent me to see how you were us'd, For she relents at this your misery: And what eye can refrain from shedding tears, To see a king in this most piteous state? _K. Edw._ Weep'st thou already? list a while to me, And then thy heart, were it as Gurney's is, Or as Matrevis', hewn from the Caucasus, Yet will it melt ere I have done my tale. This dungeon where they keep me is the sink Wherein the filth of all the castle falls. _Light._ O villains! _K. Edw._ And there, in mire and puddle, have I stood This ten days' space; and, lest that I should sleep, One plays continually upon a drum; They give me bread and water, being a king; So that, for want of sleep and sustenance,