Gur. And so do I, Matrevis: yesternight Mat. He hath a body able to endure Gur. Send for him out thence, and I will anger him. Mat. But stay; who's this? Enter LIGHTBORN. Light. My Lord Protector greets you. [Gives letter. Gur. What's here? I know not how to construe it. Mat. Gurney, it was left unpointed for the nonce; Edwardum occidere nolite timere, That's his meaning. Light. Know ye this token? I must have the king. [Gives token. Mat. Ay, stay a while; thou shalt have answer straight. This villain's sent to make away the king. Gur. I thought as much. Mat. And, when the murder's dore, See how he must be handled for his labour- What else?-Here is the keys, this is the lake: Light. I know what I must do. Get you away: Yet be not far off; I shall need your help: See that in the next room I have a fire, And get me a spit, and let it be red hot. Mat. Very well. Gur. Need you anything besides ? Light. Ay, ay: so, when I call you, bring it in. Gur. Here's a light; go into the dungeon. Light. So, now [Gives light to LIGHTBORN, and then exit with MATREVIS. Must I about this gear: ne'er was there any Foh, here's a place indeed, with all my heart! Edw. Who's there? what light is that? wherefore com'st thou ? Light. To comfort you, and bring you joyful news. Edw. Small comfort finds poor Edward in thy looks: Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me. Light. To murder you, my most gracious lord ! Far is it from my heart to do you harm. The queen sent me to see how you were used, And what eyes can refrain from shedding tears, Edw. Weep'st thou already? list a while to me, Edw. And there, in mire and puddle, have I stood They give me bread and water, being a king; And whether I have limbs or no I know not. And there unhorsed the Duke of Cleremont. Light. O, speak no more, my lord! this breaks my heart. Lie on this bed, and rest yourself a while. Edw. These looks of thine can harbour nought but death; I see my tragedy written in thy brows. Light. What means your highness to mistrust me thus? Edw. What mean'st thou to dissemble with me thus ? Light. These hands were never stain'd with innocent blood, Nor shall they now be tainted with a king's. Edw. Forgive my thought for having such a thought. One jewel have I left; receive thou this: [Giving jewel. Still fear I, and I know not what's the cause, But every joint shakes as I give it thee. O, if thou harbour'st murder in thy heart, Light. You're overwatch'd, my lord: lie down and rest. Edw. But that grief keeps me waking, I should sleep; For not these ten days have these eye-lids closed. Light. If you mistrust me, I'll be gone, my lord. Edw. [waking] O, let me not die yet! [Sleeps. [a while! O, stay Edw. Something still buzzeth in mine ears, This fear is that which makes me tremble thus; Edw. I am too weak and feeble to resist.- Edw. O, spare me, or despatch me in a trice! [MATREVIS brings in a table. KING EDWARD is murdered by holding him down on the bed with the table, and stamping on it. Light. So, lay the table down, and stamp on it, But not too hard, lest that thou bruise his body. Mat. I fear me that this cry will raise the town, And therefore let us take horse and away. Light. Tell me, sirs, was it not bravely done? [Stabs LIGHTBORN, who dies. Come, let us cast the body in the moat, Away! [Exeunt with the bodies. SCENE VI. Enter MORTIMER and MATREVIS. Y. Mor. Is't done, Matrevis, and the murderer dead? Mat. Aye, my good lord; I would it were undone. Y. Mor. Matrevis, if thou now growest penitent I'll be thy ghostly father; therefore chuse, Whether thou wilt be secret in this, Or else die by the hand of Mortimer. Mat. Gurney, my lord, is fled, and will, I fear, Betray us both, therefore let me fly. Y. Mor. Fly to the savages. Mat. I humbly thank your honour. Y. Mor. As for myself, I stand as Jove's huge tree; And others are but shrubs compared to me. All tremble at my name, and I fear none; Enter the QUEEN. Queen. Ah, Mortimer, the king my son hath news His father's dead, and we have murdered him. Y. Mor. What if he have? the king is yet a child. Queen. Aye, but he tears his hair, and wrings his hands, And vows to be revenged upon us both. Into the council-chamber he is gone, To crave the aid and succour of his peers. Ah me! see where he comes, and they with him; |