THE DEATH OF HENRY IV. From Book IV. of Daniel's Poem on the Civil Wars (published in 1595). LXXXI. Whereby once more those parts are quieted; By wicked instruments (who well knew how Fell in his grief to great extremity. LXXXII. Which when that virtuous prince (who born to be The model of a glorious monarch) heard, With humble protestations did so free His father's fears, and his own honour cleared, LXXXIII. Wherewith the king betakes him to some peace; Could free his travails and afflictions deep : LXXXIV. Whose herald, sickness, being employed before, Of those provisions nature deigned to lend, LXXXV. For now (as if those vapours vanished were, LXXXVI. And lying on his last, afflicted bed, Pale death and conscience both before him stand; An ugly form of foul corrupted sand; Both bringing horror in the high'st degree, With what he was, and what he soon should be. LXXXVII. Which seeing (all trembling, and confused with fear), He lay a while amazed with this affright: At last commands some that attending were, 66 what right I had to thee, I now in grief conceive! LXXXVIII. And herewithal, the soul (rapt with the thought That he as breathless quite, quite dead is thought: LXXXIX. To whom (called back for this presumptuous deed) The king, returned from out his ecstasy, Began-“O son, what need'st thou make such speed To be beforehand with thy misery? Thou shalt have time enough, if thou succeed, To feel the storms that beat on dignity. And if thou coulds't but be (be any thing) In liberty, then never be a king." XC. "Nay, father, since your fortune did attain So high a stand, I mean not to descend," Replies the prince, as if what you did gain, I were of spirit unable to defend. 66 Time will appease them well, who now complain. What wrong hath not continuance quite outworn? XCI. "If so, God work His pleasure," said the king: "Yet thou must needs contend with all thy might, Such evidence of virtuous deeds to bring, That well may prove our wrong to be our right; Rase out the blot of soul attaining quite; To wish it otherwise than now it is. XCII. "And since my death my purpose doth prevent, Touching this Holy War I took in hand (An action wherewithal my soul had meant T' appease my God, and reconcile my land), To thee is left to finish my intent; Who, to be safe, must never idly stand: XCIII. "Thou hast not that advantage by my reign, To riot it, as they whom long descent Hath purchased love by custom: but with pain Thou must contend to buy the world's content, What their birth gave them thou hast yet to gain, By thine own virtues and good government; So that unless thy worth confirm the thing, Thou never shalt be father to a king. XCIV. "Nor art thou born in those calm days, where rest Hath brought asleep sluggish security: But in tumultuous times, where minds addressed A mischief, not by force to be suppressed, Where rigour still begets more enmity. Hatred must be beguiled with some new course, Where states are stiff, and princes doubt their force.' XCV. This, and much more, affliction would have said, Out of th' experience of a troublous reign, For which his high desires had dearly paid The int'rest of an ever-toiling pain, But that this all-subduing pow'r here stayed His falt'ring tongue; and pain (t' enforce 't again) Warkworth. Opposites SHALLOW and Country Justices. DAVY, Servant to Shallow. FANG and SNARE, Sheriff's A Porter. LADY NORTHUMBERLAND. Lords, and Attendants; Officers, Soldiers, Messenger, Drawers, Beadles, Grooms, &c., RUMOUR, the Presenter, A Dancer, Speaker of the Epilogue. SCENE-ENGLAND. INDUCTION. Before NORTHUMBERLAND's Castle. Enter RUMOUR, painted full of tongues. Rum. Open your ears; for which of you will stop |