With his estates assembled, well determine What course the sov'reign rule should take henceforward? When shall the deadly hate of faction cease, Shall set the senseless rabble in an uproar, Glost. What if some patriot, for the public good, Hast. Your highness' pardon Have we so soon forgot those days of ruin, When York and Lancaster drew forth the battles; The reverend crosier, and the holy mitre, Here vow to sheath a dagger in his heart Whose damn'd ambition would renew those horrors, And set once more that scene of blood before us? Glost. How now! so hot! Hast. So brave, and so resolv'd. Glost. Is then our friendship of so little moment, That you could arm your hand against my life? Hast. I hope your highness does not think I mean it; No, Heav'n forefend that e'er your princely person Should come within the scope of my resentment. Glost. Oh, noble Hastings! Nay, I must embrace you; [Embraces him. By holy Paul, y'are a right honest man! To think me yours, and rank me with your friends pay, "Oh, princely Gloster! judge me not ungentle, "Of manners rude, and insolent of speech, "If, when the public safety is in question, "My zeal flows warm and eager from my tongue. "Glost. Enough of this: to deal in wordy compliment "Is much against the plainness of my nature: "I judge you by myself, a car truespirit, "And, as such, once more join you to my bosom. "Farewell, and be my friend." Hast. I am not read, [Exit Glost. Nor skill'd and practis'd in the arts of greatness, Think England's peace bought cheaply with my blood, Continues. ACT IV. SCENE I. Enter Duke of GLOSTER, RATCLIFFE and CATESBY. Gloster. THIS was the sum of all: that he would brook No alteration in the present state. Marry, at last, the testy gentleman Was almost mov'd to bid us bold defiance; Rat. Il does it thus befall. I could have wish'd This lord had stood with us. "His friends are wealthy; "Thereto, his own possessions large and mighty; "The vassals and dependants on his power "Firm in adherence, ready, bold, and many;" His name had been of vantage to your highness, And stood our present purpose much in stead. Glost. This wayward and perverse declining from us, Has warranted at full the friendly notice, Which we this morn receiv'd. I hold it certain, And turn it at her will, you rule her fate ; The very means immediate to her being, To speak, to act, to think as you command Rat. Let her instruct her tongue to bear your mes sage; Teach every grace to smile in your behalf, His ductile reason will be wound about, Be led and turn'd again, say and unsay, Glost. Your counsel likes me well, it shall be fol. low'd. She waits without, attending on her suit. Go, call her in, and leave us here alone. [Exeunt Ratcliffe and Catesby. How poor a thing is he, how worthy scorn, "The sport of every whiffling blast that blows? Enter JANE SHORE. Oh! you are come most fitly. We have ponder'd On this your grievance: and tho' some there are, Nay, and those great ones too, who wou'd enforce The rigour of our power to afflićt you, And bear a heavy hand; yet fear not you : |