The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
And undiscover’d come to me again
And given me notice of their villanies. ·bca370·
This devil here shall be my substitute;
For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,
In face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble:
By this I shall perceive the commons’ mind,
How they affect the house and claim of York. ·bca375·
Say he be taken, rack’d and tortured,
I know no pain they can inflict upon him
Will make him say I moved him to those arms. [bca378]
Say that he thrive, as ’tis great like he will,
Why, then from Ireland come I with my strength ·bca380·
And reap the harvest which that rascal sow’d;
For Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,
And Henry put apart, the next for me. [bca383] [_Exit._
SCENE II. _Bury St Edmund’s. A room of state_.
_Enter certain_ Murderers, _hastily_.
_First Mur._ Run to my Lord of Suffolk; let him know [bcb001]
We have dispatch’d the duke, as he commanded.
_Sec. Mur._ O that it were to do! What have we done?
Didst ever hear a man so penitent? [bcb004]
_Enter_ SUFFOLK.
_First Mur._ Here comes my lord. [bcb005]
_Suf._ Now, sirs, have you dispatch’d this thing?
_First Mur._ Ay, my good lord, he’s dead.
_Suf._ Why, that’s well said. Go, get you to my house;
I will reward you for this venturous deed.
The king and all the peers are here at hand. ·bcb010·
Have you laid fair the bed? Is all things well, [bcb011]
According as I gave directions?
_First Mur._ ’Tis, my good lord. [bcb013]
_Suf._ Away! be gone. [_Exeunt Murderers._ [bcb014]
_Sound trumpets. Enter the_ KING, _the_ QUEEN, CARDINAL
BEAUFORT, SOMERSET, _with Attendants_.
_King._ Go, call our uncle to our presence straight; ·bcb015·
Say we intend to try his grace to-day,
If he be guilty, as ’tis published.
_Suf._ I’ll call him presently, my noble lord. [_Exit._
_King._ Lords, take your places; and, I pray you all,
Proceed no straiter ’gainst our uncle Gloucester ·bcb020·
Than from true evidence of good esteem
He be approved in practice culpable.
_Queen._ God forbid any malice should prevail,
That faultless may condemn a nobleman!
Pray God he may acquit him of suspicion! ·bcb025·
_King._ I thank thee, Nell; these words content me much. [bcb026]
_Re-enter_ SUFFOLK.
How now! why look’st thou pale? why tremblest thou?
Where is our uncle? what’s the matter, Suffolk?
_Suf._ Dead in his bed, my lord; Gloucester is dead.
_Queen._ Marry, God forfend! ·bcb030·
_Car._ God’s secret judgement: I did dream to-night
The duke was dumb and could not speak a word. [bcb032]
[_The King swoons._
_Queen._ How fares my lord? Help, lords! the king is dead.
_Som._ Rear up his body; wring him by the nose.
_Queen._ Run, go, help, help! O Henry, ope thine eyes! ·bcb035·
_Suf._ He doth revive again: madam, be patient.
_King._ O heavenly God!
_Queen._ How fares my gracious lord?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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