Oh! you are come most fitly. We have ponder'd On this your grievance: and though some there are, Nay, and those great ones too, who would enforce The rigour of our power to afflict you, And bear a heavy hand; yet fear not you: We've ta'en you to our favour: our protection Shall stand between, and shield you from mishap. _Jane S._ The blessings of a heart with anguish broken And rescu'd from despair, attend your highness. Alas! my gracious lord, what have I done To kindle such relentless wrath against me? _Glos._ Marry, there are, though I believe them not, Who say you meddle in affairs of state: That you presume to prattle like a busy-body, Give your advice, and teach the lords o' the council What fits the order of the commonweal. _Jane S._ Oh, that the busy world, at least in this, Would take example from a wretch like me? None then would waste their hours in foreign thoughts, Forget themselves, and what concerns their peace, To search, with prying eyes, for faults abroad, If all, like me, consider'd their own hearts, And wept their sorrows which they found at home. _Glos._ Go to; I know your pow'r; and though I trust not To ev'ry breath of fame, I'm not to learn That Hastings is profess'd your loving vassal. But fair befall your beauty: use it wisely, And it may stand your fortunes much in stead, Give back your forfeit land with large increase, And place you high in safety and in honour. Nay, I could point a way, the which pursuing, You shall not only bring yourself advantage, But give the realm much worthy cause to thank you. _Jane S._ Oh! where or how--can my unworthy hand Become an instrument of good to any? Instruct your lowly slave, and let me fly To yield obedience to your dread command. _Glos._ Why, that's well said--Thus then--Observe me well. The state, for many high and potent reasons, Deeming my brother Edward's sons unfit For the imperial weight of England's crown-- _Jane S._ Alas! for pity. _Glos._ Therefore have resolv'd To set aside their unavailing infancy And vest the sov'reign rule in abler hands. This, though of great importance to the public Hastings, for very peevishness, and spleen, Does stubbornly oppose. _Jane S._ Does he? Does Hastings? _Glos._ Ay, Hastings. _Jane S._ Reward him for the noble deed, just heav'ns! For this one action, guard him and distinguish him With signal mercies, and with great deliverance; Save him from wrong, adversity, and shame, Let never-fading honours flourish round him, And consecrate his name, ev'n to time's end. _Glos._ How now!