And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse, Yet know, whether you accept our suit or no, [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and Citizens. Cate. Call them again, sweet prince, accept their suit; If you deny them, all the land will rue it. Glo. Will you enforce me to a world of cares? Call them again; I am not made of stone, But penetrable to your kind entreaties, [Exit CATESBY Albeit against my conscience and my soul. 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. be Buck. To-morrow may it please you to crown'd? Glo. Even when you please, for you will have it so. Buck. To-morrow, then, we will attend your grace; And so most joyfully we take our leave. Glo. [to the Bishops.] Come, let us to our holy work again : Farewell, my 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. Duchess. HO meets us here ?-my niece Planta- Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Now, for my life, she's wandering to the Tower, Anne. God give your graces both A happy and a joyful time of day! 2. 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. 2. Eliz. Kind sister, thanks; we'll enter all together: Enter BRAKENBURY. And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes.— Master lieutenant, pray you, by your leave, How doth the prince, and my young son of York? Brak. Right well, dear madam: by your patience, I may not suffer you to visit them; The king hath strictly charged the contrary. 2. Eliz. The king! who's that? Brak. I mean the lord protector. 2. Eliz. The lord protect him from that kingly title! Hath he set bounds between their love and me? Anne. Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother: Then bring me to their sights; I'll bear thy blame, And take thy office from thee, on my peril. Brak. No, madam, no, I may not leave it so; I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me. [Exit. Enter STANLEY. Stan. Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence, And I'll salute your grace of York as mother, And reverend looker-on, of two fair queens. [To the DUCHESS OF GLOSTER.] Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster, There to be crowned Richard's royal queen. That my pent heart may have some scope to beat, news! Dor. Be of good cheer. your grace? Mother, how fares 2. Eliz. O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee gone, Death and destruction dog thee at thy heels; And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse, Nor mother, wife, nor England's counted queen. Stan. Full of wise care is this your counsel, madam : [To DORSET.] Take all the swift advantage of the hours; You shall have letters from me to my son 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 that must round my brow And die, ere men can say-God save the queen! 2. Eliz. Go, go, poor soul, I envy not thy glory; To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm. Anne. No! why ?-When he that is my husband now Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse: When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands, Which issued from my other angel husband, O, when, I say, I look'd on Richard's face, More miserable by the life of thee, Than thou hast made me by my dear lord's death! And proved the subject of mine own soul's curse; Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep, But with his timorous dreams was still awaked. Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick; And will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me. 2. Eliz. Poor heart, adieu! I pity thy complaining. Anne. No more than with my soul I mourn for yours. |