University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

An Apartment in the Tower.
Enter York, Oxford, and several other Lords, all as from Stanley's Tryal.
(York to one of the Lords.)
[York.]
Please to inform the King we wait his Pleasure.
[Ex. Lord.]
I fear, my Lords, his Majesty, from his
Tenderness innate, and extream Affection,
To this unhappy Stanley, will extend
His royal Mercy beyond its prudent Bounds,
And grant him Pardon of all his Treasons.

Ox.
Will he? Why then 'tis Pity he
Shou'd ever be without a Traitor in
His Bosom; for a blacker, or one so
Unprovok'd, History cannot produce.

Enter King attended.
King.
Well, Lords, what says our apostate Minion;
Have you condemn'd him?

York.
His Treasons have, Sir;
Which were as manifest, as foul and dangerous.
The conscious Guilt of his Conspiracy
Press'd him so close, it forc'd Confession from him,
Unimportun'd.

King.
O Lord Bishop, that argued Shame and Sorrow
For his Folly; and tho' in letter'd Law
It stands against him, yet in our Mercy,
And the Softness of our friendly Nature,
It pleads strongly for him.
‘Extremity of Law is sometimes too sharp
‘Even for our traiterous Subjects; on whom,
‘Especially when penitent, Chastisement
‘Shou'd fall not with a rigorous Cruelty,
‘But paternal Sorrow; as the fond Father
‘Corrects his truant Child. Let me then, Lords,’
For this unhappy Man, I once call'd Friend,
Wear a grateful Pity in my Breast.
He gave me Life and Crown in Bosworth Field;
Let me repay the Debt, and give him Life,
Too justly forfeited by foul Rebellion.

Ox.
My Lord, from my Heart I wish the Treason
Cou'd be punish'd, and th'unhappy Traitor
Spar'd. But I believe your Subjects, at this Juncture,
Expect Examples of publick Justice.
It gives me Grief to say it, but Clamour
Is so violent against him, 'mongst all
Degrees of People, that I fear Mercy,
At this Time, wou'd be an Act dangerous
To yourself and State.

York.
Lord Oxford councils well.
Th'Insolence of this Rebellion must be
Crush'd with speedy War and Laws utmost Rigour.
'Mongst the great Ones more particularly,
In whom, when Traitors, most Power of Mischief's lodged;
And tho' Mercy in Season is a King's
Heav'nly Attribute, yet to use it now
Wou'd, I fear, be deem'd a dangerous Weakness.

King.
Then be it so—since England's Weal demands it.
That we shall ever make the sole Guidance
Of our Laws and Will.—Did he assign no
Cause for his flagitious Crimes?

York.
None, Sir; when urg'd, his humble Request was,
To see his Royal Master e're he dy'd;
That then, the Motives of his Discontent
Shou'd have free and ample Declaration.

King.
O York! I'll see him! but 'tis a hard Tryal
Of tender Nature, to see the Man we've lov'd,
Surrounded by Guilt and Death. The King indeed
At such a Sight may stand unmov'd, but the Friend,
In Spite of Justice, will relent,
And soften into womanish Pity.

[Exeunt.