A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 108

QUEEN. Harry, off with his hand, then with his head.

FAU. By the red rood, I cannot choose but weep, Come love or hate, my tears I cannot keep.

QUEEN. When comes this ling'ring executioner?

JOHN. An executioner, an executioner!

HEN. Call none, till we have drunk: father, fill wine; To-day your office is to bear our cup.

RICH. I'll fill it, Henry. [RICH. _kneels down_.

HEN. d.i.c.k, you are too mean To bow unto your sovereign.

GLO. Kneel to his child?

O h.e.l.l! O torture! Gloster, learn: Who would love life to see this huge dishonour?

HEN. Saturn kneeled to his son; the G.o.d was fain To call young Jove his age's sovereign.

Take now your seat again, and wear your crown; Now s.h.i.+neth Henry like the mid-day's sun, Through his horizon darting all his beams, Blinding with his bright splendour every eye, That stares against his face of majesty.

The comets, whose malicious gleams Threatened the ruin of our royalty, Stand at our mercy, yet our wrath denies All favour, but extreme extremities: Gloster, have to thy sorrow, chafe thy arm, That I may see thy blood (I long'd for oft) Gush from thy veins, and stain this palace-roof.

JOHN. 'Twould exceed gilding.

QUEEN. Aye, as gold doth ochre.

GLO. It's well ye count my blood so precious.

HEN. Leicester, reach Gloster wine.

LEI. I reach it him?

HEN. Proud earl, I'll spurn thee; quickly go and bear it.

GLO. I'll count it poison, if his hand come near it.

HEN. Give it him, Leicester, upon our displeasure.

GLO. Thus Gloster takes it: thus again he flings it, In scorn of him that sent it, and of him that brought it.

SKINK. O brave spirit!

LADY F. Bravely resolv'd, brother; I honour thee.

QUEEN. Hark, how his sister joys in his abuse.

Wilt thou endure it, Hal?

FAU. Peace, good Marian.

HEN. Avoid there every under-officer: Leave but [with] us our peers and ladies here.

Richard, you love Earl Gloster: look about, If you can spy one in this company That hath but[551] done as great a sin as Gloster; Choose him, let him be the executioner.

RICH. Thou hast done worse then, like, rebellious head, Hast arm'd ten thousand arms against his life, That lov'd thee so, as thou wert made a king, Being his child; now he's thy underling!

I have done worse: thrice I drew my sword, In three set battles for thy false defence!

John hath done worse; he still hath took thy part.

All of us three have smit our father's heart, Which made proud Leicester bold to strike his face, To his eternal shame and our disgrace!

HEN. Silence, I see thou mean'st to find none fit.

I am sure, nor Lancaster, nor Huntington, Nor Fauconbridge, will lay a hand on him.

Mother, wife, brother, let's descend the throne, Where Henry, as[552] the monarch of the west.

Hath sat[553] amongst his princes dignified.

Father, take you the place: see justice [done].

KING. It's unjust justice, I must tell thee, son.

HEN. Mother, hold you the basin, you the towel: I know your French hearts thirst for English blood; John, take the mallet; I will hold the knife, And when I bid thee smite, strike for thy life: Make a mark, surgeon. Gloster, now prepare thee.

GLO. Tut. I am ready; to thy worst I dare thee.

HEN. Then have I done my worst, thrice-honour'd earl, I do embrace thee in affection's arms.

QUEEN. What mean'st thou, Henry? O, what means my son?

HEN. I mean no longer to be lullabi'd In your seditious arms.

HEN. WIFE. _Mordieu_[554] Henry.

HEN. _Mordieu_ nor devil, little t.i.t of France, I know your heart leaps at our heart's mischance.

JOHN. 'Swounds, Henry, thou art mad!

HEN. I have been mad: What, stamp'st thou, John? know'st thou not who I am?

Come, stamp the devil out, suck'd from thy dam?

QUEEN. I'll curse thee, Henry.

HEN. You're best be quiet; Lest, where we find you, to the Tower we bear you; For, being abroad, England hath cause to fear you.[555]

KING. I am struck dumb with wonder.

GLO. I amaz'd, imagine that I see a vision.

HEN. Gloster, I gave thee first this Skink, this slave; It's in thy power his life to spill or save.

SKINK. He's a n.o.ble gentleman, I do not doubt his usage.

HEN. Stand not thus wond'ring; princes, kneel all down, And cast your coronets before his crown.

Down, stubborn Queen, kneel to your wronged king, Down, mammet! Leicester, I'll cut off thy legs, If thou delay thy duty! when, proud John?

JOHN. Nay, if all kneel of force, I must be one.