And never more abase our sight so low, As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground. Duch. What say'st thou, man? hast thou as yet conferr'd Glo. O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch; lord, Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts: With the sweet rehearsal of my morning's dream. Glo. Methought, this staff, mine office-badge in court, Was broke in twain; by whom, I have forgot, Were plac'd the heads of Edmond duke of Somerset, But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke: In the cathedral church of Westminster, And in that chair where kings and queens are crown'd; Where Henry, and dame Margaret, kneel'd to me, And on my head did set the diadem. Glo. Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright: Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtur'd Eleanor ! Art thou not second woman in the realm: And the protector's wife, belov'd of him? Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command, Above the reach or compass of thy thought? And wilt thou still be hammering treachery, To tumble down thy husband, and thyself, From top of honour to disgrace's feet? Away from me, and let me hear no more. Duch. What, what, my lord! are you so cholerick With Eleanor, for telling but her dream? Next time, I'll keep my dreams unto myself, And not be check'd. Glo. Nay, be not angry, I am pleas'd again. Enter a Messenger. Mes. My lord protector, 'tis his highness' pleasure, You do prepare to ride unto Saint Alban's, Whereas the king and queen do mean to hawk. Glo. I go. Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us? Duch. Yes, good my lord, I'll follow presently. [Exeunt GLOSTER and Messenger. Follow I must, I cannot go before, Hume. Jesu preserve your royal majesty ! Dame Eleanor gives gold, to bring the witch: I dare not say, from the rich cardinal, And from the great and new-made duke of Suffolk ; [Exit. The same. A Room in the Palace Enter PETER, and others, with petitions. 1 Pet. My masters, let's stand close; my lord protector will come this way by and by, and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill. 2 Pet. Marry, the Lord protect him, for he's a good man! Jesu bless him! Enter SUFFOLK and QUEEN MARGARET. 1 Pet. Here 'a comes, methinks, and the queen with him: I'll be the first, sure. 2 Pet. Come back, fool; this is the duke of Suffolk, and not my lord protector. Suf. How now, fellow? would'st any thing with me? 1 Pet. I pray, my lord, pardon me! I took ye for my lord protector. Q. Mar. [Reading the superscription.] To my lord protector! are your supplications to his lordship? Let me see them: What is thine? i Pet. Mine is, an't please your grace, against John Goodman, my lord cardinal's man, for keeping my house, and lands, and wife and all, from me. Suf. Thy wife too? that is some wrong, indeed.— What's your's?. What's here! [Reads.] Against the duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford. How now, sir knave? - 2 Pet. Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township. Peter. [Presenting his petition.] Against my mas ter, Thomas Horner, for saying, That the duke of | For I am bold to ccunse. you in this. York was rightful heir to the crown. Q. Mar. What say'st thou? Did the duke of York say, he was rightful heir to the crown? Peter. That my master was? No, forsooth: my master said, That he was; and that the king was an usurper. Suf. Who is there? [Enter Servants.]- Take this fellow in, and send for his master with a puruivant presently:-we'll hear more of your matter before the king. [Exeunt Servants, with PETER. Q. Mar. And as for you, that love to be protected Under the wings of our protector's grace, Begin your suits anew, and sue to him. [Tears the petition. Away, base cullions! Suffolk, let them go. All. Come, let's be gone. [Exeunt Petitioners. His champions are — the prophets and apostles; Would choose him pope, and carry him to Rome. Suf. Madam, be patient: as I was cause Q. Mar. Beside the haught protector, have we The imperious churchman; Somerset, Buckingham, Suf. And he of these, that can do most of all, Cannot do more in England than the Nevils: Salisbury, and Warwick, are no simple peers. Q. Mar. Not all these lords do vex me half so As that proud dame, the lord protector's wife. Although we fancy not the cardinal, Yet must we join with him, and with the lords, K. Hen. For my part, noble lords, I care not which; Or Somerset, or York, all's one to me, York. If York have ill demean'd himself in France. Then let him be denay'd the regentship. Som. If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Let York be regent, I will yield to him. War. Whether your grace be worthy, yea, or no, Dispute not that: York is the worthier. Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. War. The cardinal's not my better in the field. Buck. All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick. War. Warwick may live to be the best of all. Sal. Peace, son; and show some reason, Buckingham, Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this. Q. Mar. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so. Glo. Madam, the king is old enough himself To give his censure; these are no women's matters. Q. Mar. If he be old enough, what needs your grace To be protector of his excellence? Glo. Madam, I am protector of the realm, And, at his pleasure, will resign my place. Suf. Resign it then, and leave thine insolence. Since thou wert king, (as who is king, but thou?) The commonwealth hath daily run to wreck. The Dauphin hath prevail'd beyond the seas; And all the peers and nobles of the realm Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty, Car. The commons hast thou rack'd; the clergy's bags Are lank and lean with thy extortions. Som. Thy sumptuous buildings, and thy wife's attire, Have cost a mass of publick treasury. Buck. Thy cruelty in execution, Upon offenders, hath exceeded law, And left thee to the mercy of the law. Q. Mar. Thy sale of offices, and towns in France,If they were known, as the suspect is great, Would make thee quickly hop without thy head. [Exit GLOSTER. The QUEEN drops her fan. Give me my fan: What, minion! can you not? [Gives the DUCHESS a box on the ear. I cry you mercy, madam; Was it you Duch. Was't I? yea, I it was, proud French woman: ว Though in this place most master wear no breeches, | Let Somerset be regent o'er the French, Re-enter GLOSTER. Glo. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown, Suf. Before we make election, give me leave York. I'll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet. War. That I can witness; and a fouler fact Did never traitor in the land commit. Suf. Peace, head-strong Warwick! War. Image of pride, why should I hold my peace? Enter Servants of SUFFOLK, bringing in HORNER and PETER. Suf. Because here is a man accus'd of treason: Pray God, the duke of York excuse himself! York. Doth any one accuse York for a traitor? K. Hen. What mean'st thou, Suffolk? tell me : What are these? Suf. Please it your majesty, this is the man That doth accuse his master of high treason: His words were these ;-that Richard, duke of York, Was rightful heir unto the English crown; And that your majesty was an usurper. K. Hen. Say, man, were these thy words? Hor. An't shall please your majesty, I never said nor thought any such matter: God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain. Pet. By these ten bones, my lords, [holding up his hands.] he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scouring my lord of York's armour. York. Base dunghill villain, and mechanical, Hor. Alas, my lord, hang me, if ever I spake the words. My accuser is my prentice; and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me: I have good witness of this; therefore, I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a villain's accusation. K. Hen. Uncle, what shall we say to this in law? Glo. This doom, my lord, if I may judge. Because in York this breeds suspicion. Pet. Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God's sake, pity my case! the spite of man prevaileth: against me. O Lord, have mercy upon me! 1 shall never be able to fight a blow: O Lord, my heart! Enter MARGERY JOURDAIN, HUME, SOUTHWELL, and BOLINGBROKE. Hume. Come, my masters; the duchess, I tell you, expects performance of your promises. Boling. Master Hume, we are therefore provided: Will her ladyship behold and hear our exorcisms? Hume. Ay; What else? fear you not her courage. Boling. I have heard her reported to be a woman of an invincible spirit: But it shall be convenient, master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go in God's name, and leave us. [Erit HUME.] Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate, and grovel on the earth: John Southwell, read you; and let us to our work. Enter DUCHESS, above. Duch. Well said, my masters; and welcome all. To this geer; the sooner the better. Boling. Patience, good lady; wizards know their times: Deep night, dark night, the silent of the night, M. Jourd. Asmath, By the eternal God, whose name and power Boling. First, of the king. What shall of him become? [Reading out of a paperSpir. The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose; But him outlive, and die a violent death. [As the Spirit speaks, SOUTHWELL writes the answer. Boling. What fuit awaits the duke of Suffolk? Spir. By water shall he die, and take his end Boling. What shall befall the duke of Somerset ? Spir. Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains, Than where castles mounted stand. Have done, for more I hardly can endure. A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon : Now, pray, my lord, let's see the devil's writ. What have we here? The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose; But him outlive, and die a violent death. Boling. Descend to darkness, and the burning lake: Why, this is just, False fiend, avoid! [Thunder and lightning. Spirit descends. Enter YORK and BUCKINGHAM, hastily with their York. Lay hands upon these traitors, and their trash. Beldame, I think, we watch'd you at an inch. What, madam, are you there? the king and commonweal Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains; Duch. Not half so bad as thine to England's king, [Exit DUCHESS from above. We'll see your trinkets here all forth-coming; All.- Away! [Exeunt Guards, with SOUTH. BOLING. &c. York. Lord Buckingham, methinks, you watch'd her well: Aio te, Eacida, Romanos vincere posse. Tell me, Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains, These oracles are hardily attain'd, [Reacts The king is now in progress toward Saint Alban's, A sorry breakfast for my lord protector. Buck. Your grace shall give me leave, my lord of York, To be the post, in hope of his reward. York. At your pleasure, my good lord. within there, ho! Enter a Servant. - Who's Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, GLOSTER, CARDINAL, and SUFFOLK, with Falconers hollaing. Q. Mar. Believe me, lords, for flying at the brook, I saw not better sport these seven years' day: Yet, by your leave, the wind was very high; And, ten to one, old Joan had not gone out. K. Hen. But what a point, my lord, your falcon made, And what a pitch she flew above the rest! Car. I thought as much; he'd be above the clouds. Glo. Ay, my lord cardinal; How think you by Were it not good, your grace could fly to heaven? thoughts Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart; That smooth'st it so with king and commonweal! Glo. What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown peremptory? Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ? With such holiness can you do it? Suf. No malice, sir; no more than well becomes K. Hen. I pr'ythee, peace, Good queen; and whet not on these furious peers, For blessed are the peacemakers on earth. Car. Let me be blessed for the peace I make, Against this proud protector, with my sword! Glo. 'Faith, holy uncle, 'would 'twere come to that! [Aside to the CARDINAL. Car. Marry, when thou dar'st. [Aside. Glo. Make up no factious numbers for the matter. In thine own person answer thy abuse. [Aside. Car. Ay, where thou dar'st not peep: an if thou dar'st, Glo. Talking of nawking; nothing else, my lord.— Now, by God's mother, priest, I'll shave your crown for this, Or all my fence shall fail. Car. Medice teipsum; [Aside. Protector, see to't well, protect yourself. } [Aside. K. Hen. The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords. How irksome is this musick to my heart! Enter an Inhabitant of Saint Alban's, crying, Glo. What means this noise? Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim? Inhab. A miracle! a miracle! Suf. Come to the king, and tell him what miracle. Inhab. Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban's shrine, Within this half hour, hath receiv'd his sight; K. Hen. Now, God be prais'd! that to believing souls Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair! Enter the Mayor of Saint Alban's, and his brethren; and SIMPCOX, borne between two persons in a chair; his wife and a great multitude following. Car. Here come the townsmen on procession, To present your highness with the man. K. Hen. Great is his comfort in this earthly vale, Although by his sight his sin be multiplied. Glo. Stand by, my masters, bring him near the king, His highness' pleasure is to talk with him. K. Hen. Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance, That we for thee may glorify the Lord. Suf. What woman is this? Wife. His wife, an't like your worship. Glo. Had'st thou been his mother, thou could'st have better told. K. Hen. Where wert thou born? grace. K. Hen. Poor soul! God's goodness hath been great to thee: Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass, Q. Mar. Tell me, good fellow, cam'st thou here by chance, Or of devotion, to this holy shrine? Simp. But that in all my life, when I was a youth Wife. Too true; and bought his climbing verv dear. Glo. 'Mass, thou lov'dst plums well, that would si venture so. Simp. Alas, good master, my wife desir'd some damsons, And made me climb, with danger of my life. Glo. A subtle knave! but yet it shall not serve.Let me see thine eyes: wink now; now open them : In my opinion, yet thou see'st not well. Simp. Yes, master, clear as day; I thank God, and Saint Alban. Glo. Say'st thou me so? What colour is this cleak of! Simp. Red, master; red as blood. Glo. Why, that's well said: What colour is my gown of? Simp. Black, forsooth; coal-black, as jet. Suf. And yet, I think, jet did he never see. In Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, Glo. My masters of Saint Alban's, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips? May. Yes, my lord, if it please your giace. Glo. Then send for one presently. May. Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight. [Exit an Attendant Glo. Now fetch me a stool hither by and by. [4 stool brought out.] Now, sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap me over this stool, and run away. Simp. Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone; Simp. God knows, of pure devotion: being call'd You go about to torture me in vain. -Simpcox, come; A hundred times, and oftner, in my sleep Car. What, art thou lame? Ay, God Almighty help me! Suf. How cam'st thou so? Simp. Wife. A plum-tree, master. Glo. A fall off of a tree. How long hast thou been blind? Simp. Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand. [After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leap over the stool, and runs away; and the people follow, and cry, A Miracle! K. Hen. O God, see'st thou this, and bear'st so long? |