Re-enter Buckingham, and the rest. Cousin of Buckingham, and sage, grave men,- Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me May. God bless your grace! we see it, and will say it. Glo. In saying so, you shall but say the truth. Buck. Then I salute you with this royal title,Long live king Richard, England's worthy king! All. Amen. Buck. To-morrow may it please you to be crown'd? Glo. Even when you please, since you will have it so. Buck. To-morrow then we will attend your grace; And so, most joyfully, we take our leave. Glo. Come, let us to our holy work again. [To the Bishops. Farewell, good cousin ;-farewell, gentle friends. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I-Before the Tower. Enter on one side, Queen Elizabeth, duchess of York, and marquis of Dorset; on the other, Anne, duchess of Gloster, leading Lady Margaret Plantagenet, Clarence's young daughter. Duch. Who meets us here?-my niece Plantagenet Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloster? Now, for my life, she's wand'ring to the Tower, On pure heart's love, to greet the tender prince. Daughter, well met. Anne. God give your graces both A happy and a joyful time of day! Q. Eliz. As much to you, good sister? Whither away? Anne. No further than the Tower; and, as I guess, Upon the like devotion as yourselves, To gratulate the gentle princes there. Q. Eliz. Kind sister, thanks; we'll enter all together: Enter Brakenbury. And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes.— I may not suffer you to visit them; The king hath strictly charg'd the contrary. I mean, the lord protector, Q. Eliz. The Lord protect him from that kingly title! Hath he set bounds between their love, and me? Then bring me to their sights; I'll bear thy blame, Brak. No, madam, no, I may not leave it so; I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me. [Exit Brakenbury. Enter Stanley. Stan. Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence, And I'll salute your grace of York as mother, That my pent heart may have some scope to beat, Anne. Despiteful tidings! O unpleasing news! Dor. Be of good cheer:-Mother, how fares your grace? gone, Q. Eliz. O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee Take all the swift advantage of the hours; Duch. O ill-dispersing wind of misery! Stan. Come, madam, come; I in all haste was sent. Anne. And I with all unwillingness will go.O, would to God, that the inclusive verge Of golden metal,2 that must round my brow, Were red-hot steel, to sear3 me to the brain! (1) A serpent supposed to originate from a cock's (3) Burn. egg. (2) The crown. Anointed let me be with deadly venom; now, my husband Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse; Which issu'd from my other angel husband, Than thou hast made me by my dear lord's death! Even in so short a space, my woman's heart And prov'd the subject of mine own soul's curse: Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep, But with his timorous dreams was still awak'd. Q. Eliz Poor heart, adieu: I pity thy complaining. Anne. No more than with my soul I mourn for yours. Dor. Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory! Anne. Adieu, poor soul, that tak'st thy leave of it! Duch. Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee! Go thou to Richard, and good angels tend thee! (To Dorset. [To Anne. Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes, So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell. [Exe. SCENE II-A room of state in the palace. Flourish of trumpets. Richard, as king upon his throne; Buckingham, Catesby, a Page, and others. K. Rich. Stand all apart.-Cousin of Buckingham, Buck. My gracious sovereign. K. Rich. Give me thy hand. Thus high, by thy And thy assistance, is king Richard seated :- To try if thou be current gold, indeed :- Buck. Say on, my loving lord. K. Rich. Why, Buckingham, I say, I would be king. Buck. Why, so you are, my thrice-renowned liege. K. Rich. Ha! am I king? 'Tis so: but Edward lives. (1) Sorrow. (2) Touchstone. |