And as the butcher takes away the calf,

And binds the wretch, and beats it when it ftrives,
Bearing it to the bloody flaughter-house;
Even fo remorfelefs have they borne him hence.
And as the dam runs lowing up and down,
Looking the way her harmlefs young one went,
And can do nought but wail her darling lofs;
Even fo myself bewail good Glo'fter's cafe
With fad unhelpful tears; and with dimm'd eyes
Look after him, and cannot do him good:
So mighty are his vowed enemies.

groan

[Exit.

[hot beams.

His fortunes I will weep, and 'twixt each
Say, who's a traitor? Glo'fter he is none.
2. Mar. Free Lords, cold fnow melts with the fun's
Henry my Lord is cold in great affairs,
Too full of foolish pity: Glo'fter's fhew
Beguiles him as the mournful crocodile
With forrow fnares relenting paffengers:
Or as the fnake, roll'd in a flow'ry bank,
With fhining chequer'd flough, doth fting a child
That for the beauty thinks it excellent.

Believe me, Lords, were none more wife than I,
(And yet herein I judge my own wit good,)
This Glo'fter fhould be quickly rid the world,
To rid us from the fear we have of him.

Car. That he fhould die, is worthy policy;
But yet we want a colour for his death:
"Tis meet he be condemn'd by course of law.
Suf. But, in my mind, this were no policy:
The King will labour fill to fave his life,
The commons haply rife to fave his life;
And yet we have but trivial argument,

More than miftruft, that fhews him worthy death.
York. So that by this, you would not have him die.
Suf. Ah, York, no man alive fo fain as I.

Tork. 'Tis York that hath more reafon for his death.
But, my Lord Cardinal, and you, my Lord of Suffolk,
Say as you think, and fpeak it from your fouls:
Were't not all one, an empty eagle were set
To guard the chicken from a hungry kite,

As place Duke Humphry for the King's Protector?

2. Mar. So the poor chicken fhould be fure of death..

Suf

Suf. Madam, 'tis true; and were't not madness then To make the fox furveyor of the fold? Who being accus'd a crafty murderer, His guilt fhould be but idly posted over, Because his purpose is not executed. No; let him die, in that he is a fox, By nature prov'd an enemy to the flock, Before his chaps be ftain'd with crimson blood, As Humphry's prov'd by reasons to my Liege; And do not ftand on quillets how to flay him: Be it by ginns, by fnares, by fubtilty, Sleeping or waking, 'tis no matter how, So he be dead; for that is good deceit Which mates him firft, that first intends deceit.

2. Mar. Thrice Noble Suffolk, 'tis refolutely fpoke.
Suf. Not refolute, except fo much were done
For things are often spoke, and seldom meant;
But that my heart accordeth with my tongue,
Seeing the deed is meritorious,

And to preferve my Sovereign from his foe,
Say but the word, and I will be his priest.

Car. But I would have him dead, my Lord of Suffolk, Ere you can take due orders for a priest;

Say you confent, and cenfure well the deed,.

And I'll provide his executioner,

I tender fo the fafety of my Liege..

Suf. Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing, 2. Mar. And so say I.

York. And I: And now we three have spoke it,, It skills not greatly who impugns our doom.

SCENE IV. Enter a Poft.

Poft. Great Lords, from Ireland am I come amain,,

To fignify that rebels there are up,

And put the Englishmen unto the sword:

Send fuccours, Lords, and ftop the rage betime,.
Before the wound do grow incurable;

For being green, there is great hope of help.
Car. A breach that craves a quick expedient stop!
What counfel give you in this weighty cause?
York. That Somerfet be fent a Regent thither;
"Tis meet that lucky ruler be employ'd;

D 3

Witnefss

Witnefs the fortune he hath had in France

Som. If York, with all his fair-fetch'd policy,
Had been the Regent there inftead of me,
He never wou'd have staid in France fo long.
York. No, not to lofe it all, as thou haft done:
I rather would have loft my life betimes,
Than bring a burden of dishonour home,
By staying there fo long, till all were loft.
Shew me one fcar character'd on thy fkin:
Mens' flesh preferv'd fo whole do feldom win,

2. Mar. Nay then, this fpark will prove a raging fire, If wind and fewel be brought to feed it with. No more, good York; fweet Somerset, -be ftill. Thy fortune, York, hadft thou been Regent there, Might happily have prov'd far worse than his.

York. What, worfe than nought? nay, then a fhame take all!

Som. And, in the number, thee that wifheft fhame!
Car. My Lord of York, try what your fortune is:.
Th' uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms,
And temper clay with blood of English.en..
To Ireland will you lead a band of men,
Collected choicely from each county fome,.
And try your hap against the Irifhmen?

York. I will, my Lord, fo please his Majefty.
Suf. Why, our authority is his confent;
And what we do establish, he confirms;
Then, Noble York, take thou this task in hand.

York. I am content: provide me foldiers, Lords,
Whilft I take order for mine own affairs

Suf. A charge, Lord York, that I will fee perform'd But now return we to the false Duke Humphry. Car. No more of him; for I deal with him, That henceforth he fhall trouble us no more: And fo break off: the day is almost spent: Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event. York. My Lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days

At Bristol I expect my foldiers;

For there I'll ship them all for Ireland.

Suf. I'll fee it truly done, my Lord of York. [Exeunt.

SCENE:

SCENE V. Manet York.

York. Now, York, or never, fteel thy fearful thoughts,. And change mifdoubt to refolution:

Be that thou hop'ft to be, or what thou art
Refign to death, it is not worth th' enjoying,
Let pale-fac'd fear keep with the mean-born man,
And find no harbour in a royal heart.

Fafter than fpring time fhow'rs, comes thought on:
And not a thought but thinks on dignity.

My brain, more bufy than the lab'ring fpider,
Weaves tedious fnares to trap mine enemies.
Well, Nobles, well; 'tis politicly done,
To fend me packing with an host of men:
I fear me you be warm the ftarved fnake,

[thought,

Who, cherish'd in your breast, will fting your hearts.
"Twas men I lack'd, and you will give them me;
I take it kindly: yet be well affur'd,
You put fharp weapons in a madman's hands.
Whilst I in Ireland nourish a mighty band,
I will ftir up in England fome black storm
Shall blow ten thousand fouls to heaven or hell..
And this fell tempeft fhall not cease to rage,
Until the golden circuit on my head,
(Like to the glorious fun's tranfparent beams,).
Do calm the fury of this mad-brain'd flaw.
And, for a minifter of my intent,

I have feduc'd a headstrong Kentish man,
John Cade of Afhford,

To make commotion, as full well he can,
Under the title of John Mortimer.

In Ireland have I feen this flubborn Cade
Oppofe himself against a troop of kerns;

And fought fo long, till that his thighs with darts
Were almost like a fharp-quill'd porcupine:
And, in the end being refcu'd, I have feen
Him caper upright, like a wild Morisco,
Shaking the bloody darts, as he his bells.
Full often, like a fhag-hair'd crafty kern,
Hath he converfed with the enemy;
And undiscover'd come to me again,
And given me notice of their villanies.

This

This devil here fhall be my substitute;
For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,
Ia face, in gait, in fpeech he doth resemble.
By this I fhall perceive the commons' mind;
How they affect the house and claim of York.
Say he be taken, rack'd, and tortured;
I know no pain they can inflict upon him
Will make him fay, I mov'd him to those arms.
Say that he thrive, as 'tis great like he will;
Why, then, from Ireland come I with my ftrength,
And reap the harvest which that rafcal fow'd:
For Humphry being dead, as he shall be,
And Henry put apart, the next for me.

SCENE VI. An apartment in the palace.

[Exit.

Enter two or three running over the stage from the murder ́of Duke Humphry.

1. Run to my Lord of Suffolk; let him know We have dispatch'd the Duke, as he commanded.

2. Oh that it were to do! what we have done!: Didst ever hear a man fo penitent!

1. Here comes my

Enter Suffolk..

Lord.

Suf. Now, Sirs, have you dispatch'd this thing? 1. Ay, my good Lord, he's dead.

Suf. Why, that's well faid. Go get you to my houfe;; I will reward you for this vent'rous deed:

The King and all the Peers are here at hand..

Have you laid fair the bed? are all things well,

According as I gave directions?

1. Yes, my good Lord.

Suf. Away be gone.

[Exeunt Murderers.

Enter King Henry, the Queen, Cardinal, Somerfet, with

Attendants.

K. Henry. Go, call our uncle to our prefence ftrait: Say, we intend to try his Grace to-day,

If he be guilty, as 'tis published.

Suf. I'll call him prefently, my Noble Lord.

[Exit..

K. Henry