A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 107

Had you it, brother Gloster? G.o.d's good mercy!

HEN. And what have you to say?

BLO. Nothing, sir, But G.o.d bless you! you are a goodly company!

Except Sir Richard[543] or my lady will command me Any more service.

FAU. Away, you prating knave! hence, varlet, hence.

[_Exit_ BLOCK.

LEI. Put forth them fellows there.

RED. Af-fo-fore I g-go, I b-b-be-s-s-seech you, let Sk-Skink and Gl-Gloster be lo-lo-looked to; For they have p-p-play'd the k-k-knaves too-too-too b-b-bad.

HEN. Take hence that stuttering fellow; shut him[544] forth.

RED. Nay, I'll ru-ru-run; faith, you shall not n-n-need to b-b-b-bid him ta-t-take m-me away; for Re-Re-Redcap will r-ru-run rarely.

[_Exit_ REDCAP.

HEN. The sundry misdemeanors late committed, As thefts and shifts in other men's disguise, We now must (knave Skink) freely tell thy faults.

SKINK. Sweet king, by these two terrors[545] to mine enemies, that lend light to my body's darkness: Cavilero Skink being beleaguer'd with an host of leaden heels, arm'd in ring Irish[546]: cheated my hammerer of his _red cap_ and coat; was surpris'd, brought to the Fleet as a person suspected, pa.s.s'd current, till Gloster stripped me from my counterfeit, clad my back in silk and my heart in sorrow, and so left me to the mercy of my mother-wit. How Prince John released me, he knows; how I got Fauconbridge's chain, I know. But how he will get it again, I know not.

FAU. Where is it, sirrah? tell me where it is?

GLO. I got it from him, and I got John's sword.

JOHN. I would 'twere to the hilt up in thy heart.

RICH. O, be more charitable, brother John.

LEI. My liege, you need not by particulars Examine, what the world knows too plain; If you will pardon Skink, his life is sav'd; If not, he is convicted by the law.

For Gloster, as you worthily resolv'd, First take his hand, and afterward his head.

HEN. Skink, thou hast life, our pardon and our love.

SKINK [_to_ JOHN.] And your forgiveness for my robbery?

JOHN. Tut, never trouble me with such a toy; Thou hind'rest me from hearing of my joy.

HEN. Bring forth a block, wine, water, and towel; Knives, and a surgeon to bind up the veins Of Gloster's arm, when his right hand is off-- His hand that struck Skink at the Parl'ament.

SKINK. I shall bear his blows to my grave, my lord.

KING. Son Henry, see thy father's palsy hands, Join'd like two suppliants, pressing to thy throne.

Look, how the furrows of his aged cheek, Fill'd with the rivulets of wet-ey'd moan, Begs mercy for Earl Gloster? weigh his guilt.

Why for a slave should royal blood be spilt?

SKINK. You wrong mine honour: Skink must[547] be reveng'd.

HEN. Father, I do commend your humble course; But quite dislike the project of your suit.

Good words in an ill cause makes the fact worse: Of blood or baseness justice will dispute.

The greater man, the greater his transgression: Where strength wrongs weakness, it is mere oppression.

LADY F. O, but, King Henry, hear a sister speak.

Gloster was wrong'd, his lands were given away, They are not justly said just laws to break, That keep their own right with what power they may.

Think, then, thy royal self began the wrong, In giving Skink what did to him[548] belong.

QUEEN. Hear me, son Henry, while thou art a king, Give, take, prison: thy subjects are thy slaves.

Life, need, thrones[549], proud hearts in dungeons fling, Grace men to day, to-morrow give them graves.

A king must be, like Fortune, ever turning, The world his football, all her glory spurning.

GLO. Still your own counsel, beldam policy!

You're a fit tutress in a monarchy.

RICH. Mother, you are unjust, savage, too cruel, Unlike a woman. Gentleness guides their s.e.x; But you to fury's fire add more fuel.

The vexed spirit will you delight to vex?

O G.o.d, when I conceit what you have done, I am asham'd to be esteem'd your son.

JOHN. Base Richard, I disdain to call thee brother, Tak'st thou a traitor's part in our disgrace?

For Gloster wilt thou wrong our sacred mother?

I scorn thee, and defy thee to thy face.

O, that we were in field! then should'st thou try.

ROB. How fast Earl John would from Prince Richard fly!

Thou meet a lion in field? poor mouse, All thy careers are in a brothel house.

JOHN. 'Zounds, boy!

RICH. Now, man!

LEI. Richard, you wrong Prince John.

RICH. Leicester, 'twere good you prov'd his champion.

JOHN. Hasten the execution, royal lord[s], Let deeds make answer for their worthless words.

GLO. I know, if I respected hand or head, I am encompa.s.sed with a world of friends, And could from fury be delivered.

But then my freedom hazards many lives.

Henry, perform the utmost of thy hate, Let my[550] hard-hearted mother have her will.

Give frantic John no longer cause to prate: I am prepared for the worst of ill.

You see my knees kiss the cold pavement's face, They are not bent to Henry nor his friends, But to all you whose blood, fled to your hearts, Shows your true sorrow in your ashy cheeks: To you I bend my knees: you I entreat To smile on Gloster's resolution.

Whoever loves me, will not shed a tear, Nor breathe a sigh, nor show a cloudy frown.

Look, Henry, here's my hand; I lay it down, And swear, as I have knighthood, here't shall lie Till thou have used all thy tyranny.

LADY F. Has no man heart to speak?

GLO. Let all that love me keep silence, or, by heaven, I'll hate them dying.