University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Warwick, Beaufort.
Warw.
How he collects his Brow!—Intent on Mischief:
His own ambitious Views;—or, Gloucester's Ruin.

Beauf.
First, to disgrace him, in his Wife:—In That,
We gratify the Queen; who, now, expects us.

Warw.
Save you, my good Lord Cardinal.—You seem
To stoop; as burden'd with some weighty Thought.

Beauf.
Alas my Lord!—It is my Grief fits heavy.

Warw.
Grief, for the Lady's Innocence;—I fear.

Beauf.
So would my Nephew Gloucester have reply'd.—
But;—of Her Innocence, the reverend Bishops
Will give their upright Judgments.—Heaven knows,
My Heart is void of Malice,—as of Favour:
And,—were it not, my Brethren might suspect
Me partial for the Honour of my Niece;
I would, my self, assist upon her Trial.

Warw.
Come, come; my Lord of Winchester:—For shame,
Prevent a Complet of so foul a Nature!
And free the Dutchess;—for the Kingdom's Quiet.

Beauf.
Wherefore am I reproached?—Can I restrain,
Or, can I turn aside, the Course of Law?

Warw.
But if, in Times of zealous Ignorance,
A Law be made, which Reason disannulls;—

Beauf.
Warwick,—no more:—Thy Mind is libertine.—
If thou think'st Witchcraft, but a fabled Crime;
To Morrow, may'st Thou, in free Parliament,
Declare in Favour of that deadly Sin,
Our holy Church condemns.—Mean time, We trust,
The Lord Protectour's Wife is innocent.