 | Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester |  |
75
SCENE X.
York. Warwick. Salisbury. Beaufort.Beauf.
Alas, my Lords!—Why am I, thus defamed?—
Is not my Nephew's unexpected Death
Sufficient Weight of Grief, to bow me down?
An ample Suffering, to appease all Enmity?
But you must load,—but you must persecute,
My Age, my Dignity, my sacred Office,
With Infamy so black,—Suspicion of such Guilt,
As, Heaven can testify, my Soul abhorrs!
Warw.
Nothing, thy Soul abhorrs; but Truth and Vertue!
York.
Last Night, remember, Beaufort, I foretold
Some monstrous Mischief, brooding in thy Breast!
Warw.
Did'st thou imagine, the Eye of Heaven would wink
At such a Deed!—
York.
A Crime, unparallell'd!
A Murder, that sets Nature at Defiance!
Beauf.
You are young Men; yet, Strangers to Compassion:
But, Salisbury is more weigh'd; more slow to Censure.
With Him, I may expostulate; to Him reveal
My penitent Sorrow; though late, not less sincere.
But, Salisbury is more weigh'd; more slow to Censure.
With Him, I may expostulate; to Him reveal
My penitent Sorrow; though late, not less sincere.
Why did I listen to the Queen and Suffolk?
Why did their specious Arguments seduce me?
Oh, that They never had confin'd my Nephew!—
Unthinking, that I was!—Not to foresee,
The Violence of their unlawfull Love
Might tempt them to conspire—
Why did their specious Arguments seduce me?
Oh, that They never had confin'd my Nephew!—
Unthinking, that I was!—Not to foresee,
The Violence of their unlawfull Love
Might tempt them to conspire—
Salisb.
Go, Beaufort; go!—
Thou doest not lessen, but enhance, thy Guilt!
Thou doest not lessen, but enhance, thy Guilt!
76
They were seduced by Thee: Thine is the Murder!—
And (if Thy slinty Heart can feel Compunction)
Know, Gloucester interceded for Thy Life!
Made it his last Request, to spare his Uncle;
Enforced it with such Tenderness, that We
Consented.
And (if Thy slinty Heart can feel Compunction)
Know, Gloucester interceded for Thy Life!
Made it his last Request, to spare his Uncle;
Enforced it with such Tenderness, that We
Consented.
Beauf.
Do I not know, He was all Goodness!—
How shall I bear the Loss!—Oh, how lament
His hard, untimely, Fate!
Salisb.
Thy black Contrivance!—
Beauf.
Then, I perceive, Salisbury is bent on Mischief!
Salisb.
On Justice!—
Beauf.
I appeal thee, then!—
Salisb.
To Morrow!—
Beauf.
This very Day!—
Salisb.
The Lords have other Business,—
Beauf.
To Morrow, then!—
Salisb.
When, in the Presence of the Peers,
Thou shalt turn pale, and tremble, at the Sight—
Beauf.
Of Gloucester!—say'st Thou?
Salisb.
Of the Two bold Ruffians,—
Beauf.
Curse on thy Tongue!—Thy penetrating Thought!—
Warw.
His Guilt begins to work.—
York.
It shakes his Soul!
Beauf.
What Ruffians; Nevil!—Who?—I am ensnar'd!—
Have you procur'd false Witnesses?—Or, must you
Be allow'd a Day, to seek out Perjury?—
Daring Impiety!—Where will it end?
When holy Dignities are vilified!
Salisb.
Presuming Insolence of Rome's Authority!—
You think, that, with Impunity, You may
Offend against the Civil Power.
Beauf.
I did it not.
Salisb.
Deliberate Cruelty—
77
They disobey'd me, then.—
I said, No Violence; No Bloodshed.
Salisb.
I know it.
Beauf.
I said it not.—Thou could'st not hear me.—
But, I perceive your deep-concerted Malice:—
And, if I stir not Vengeance up;—may Heaven
Deny me Mercy, when I need it most!
| Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester | |