A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 77

OFFICER. Room there, make room for young Huntington.

FAU. A gallant youth, a proper gentleman.

HEN. Richard, I have had wrong about his wardship.

RlCH. You cannot right yourself.

JOHN. He can and shall.

RICH. Not with your help; but, honourable youth, Have ye perform'd the business I enjoin'd?

ROB. I have, and Skink is come; here is his bill.

HEN. No matter for his bill; let him come in.

KING. Let him not enter; his infectious breath Will poison the a.s.sembly.

GLO. Never doubt;[459]

There's more infectious breaths about your throne.

Leicester is there; your envious sons are there; If them you can endure, no poison fear.

KING. Content thee, Gloster.

GLO. I must be content When you, that should mend all, are patient.

_Enter_ SKINK.

HEN. Welcome, good Skink, thou justly dost complain, Thou stand'st in dread of death for Rosamond, Whom thou didst poison at our dread command And the appointment of our gracious mother.

See here my father's hand unto thy pardon.

SKINK. I receive it graciously, wishing his soul sweet peace in heaven for so meritorious a work, for I fear me I have not his heart, though his hand.

KING. Be sure thou hast not, murderous bloodsucker, To jealous envy executioner.

HEN. Besides, thou suest to have some maintenance; We have bethought us how we will reward thee, Thou shalt have Rowden lordship.

GLO. Shall he so?

Will you reward your murtherers with my lands?

HEN. Your lands? it is our gift; and he shall have it.

GLO. I'll give him seizure first with this and this.

[_Strike him_.

JOHN. Lay hold on Gloster.

KING. Hold that murderous Skink.

GLO. Villains, hands off; I am a prince, a peer, And I have borne disgrace, while I can bear.

FAU. Knaves, leave your rudeness; how now, brother Gloster? nay, be appeas'd, be patient, brother.

RICH. Shift for thyself, good Skink; there's gold, away: Here will be parts.[460]

SKINK. Swounds! I'll make one, and stay.

JOHN. I prythee, begone, since thus it falleth out, Take water; hence, away; thy life I doubt.

SKINK. Well, farewell [then]; get I once out of door, Skink never will put trust in warrants more.

[_Exit_.

KING. Will Gloster not be bridled?

GLO. Yes, my liege; And saddled too, and rid, and spurred, and rein'd, Such misery (in your reign) 'falls your friends.

Let go my arms, you dunghills; let me speak.

KING. Where's that knave, Skink? I charge you see him stay'd.

FAU. The swift-heel'd knave is fled; Body-a-me, here's rule; here's work indeed.

KING. Follow that Skink; let privy search be made; Let not one pa.s.s, except he be well-known; Let posts be every way sent speedily For ten miles' compa.s.s round about the city.

HEN. Take Gloster to you, Lieutenant of the Tower.

Keep him aside, till we confer awhile.

Father, you must subscribe to his committing.

LAN. Why must he, Henry?

LEI. Marry, for this cause: He hath broke peace, and violated laws.

GLO. So have you all done, rebels as you be.

FAU. Good words, good brother; hear me, gracious lords.

HEN. I prythee, Fauconbridge, be patient.

Gloster must of force answer this contempt.

KING. I will not yield; he shall unto the Tower, Warden of th'Fleet, take you the charge of Gloster.

HEN. Why, be it so; yet stay with him awhile, Till we take order for the company, That shall attend him, and resort to him.

GLO. Warden of the Fleet, I see I am your charge, Befriend me thus, lest by their command I be prevented of what I intend.

KEEP. Command me any service in my power.

GLO. I pray you call some nimble-footed fellow To do a message for me to my sister.

KEEP. Call in Redcap; he waiteth with a tipstaff, [_Exit one for him_.