2 Murd. Andhe, that hath commanded, is our king. Clar. Erroneous vassal! the great King of kings Hath in the table of his law commanded, That thou shalt do no murder; Wilt thou then Spurn at his edict, and fulfil a man's? Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hand, To hurl upon their heads that break his law. 2 Murd. And that fame vengeance doth he hurl on thee, For false forswearing, and for murder too: 1 Murd. And, like a traitor to the name of God, Didst break that vow; and, with thy treacherous blade, Unrip'dft the bowels of thy sovereign's fon. 2 Murd. Whom thou walt sworn to cherish and defend. 1 Murd. How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us, When thou hast broke it in such dear degree? I Murd. Who made thee then a bloody minister, When gallant-springing', brave Plantagenet, 3-Springing Plantagenet,] Blooming Plantagenet; a prince in the spring of life. JOHNSON. When gallant, fpringing,] This should be printed as one word, I think;-gallant-springing. Shakspeare is fond of these compound epithets, in which the first adjective is to be considered as an adverb. So, in this play he uses childish-foolish, fenfelessobftinare and mortal-staring. TYRWHITT, 1. That That princely novice, was struck dead by thee? Clar. My brother's love, the devil, and my rage. I Murd. Thy brother'slove, our duty, and thy fault, Provoke us hither now to flaughter thee. Clar. If you do love my brother, hate not me; I am his brother, and I love him well. 5 If you are hir'd for meed, go back again, And I will fend you to my brother Glofter; Who shall reward you better for my life, Than Edward will for tidings of my death. 2 Murd. You are deceiv'd, your brother Glofter hates you. Clar. Oh, no; he loves me, and he holds me dear : Go you to him from me. Both. Ay, fo we will. 1 Clar. Tell him, when that our princely father York Bless'd his three fons with his victorious arm, 1 Murd. Ay, mill-stones; as he leffon'd us to weep. deceive yourself; "Tis he that sends us to destroy you here. Clar. It cannot be; for he bewept my fortune, And hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with fobs, That he would labour my delivery. 1 1 Murd. Why, fo he doth, when he delivers you From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven. 2 Murd. Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord. Clar. Hast thou that holy feeling in thy foul, To counsel me to make my peace with God, 1 *-novice,-] Youth; one yet new to the world. JOHNSON. 5 If you are hired for meed, go back again.) The quarto of 1613, reads for need, which may be right. ceffity which induces you to undertake this murder If it be ne- And art thou yet to thy own foul so blind, Clar. Relent, and save your fouls. Which of you, if you were a prince's fon, Being pent from liberty, as I am now, If two fuch murderers as yourselves came to you,Would not intreat for life? as you would beg, Were you in my distress, 1 Murd. Relent! 'tis cowardly, and womanish. Clar. Not to relent, is beastly, favage, devilish.My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks; O, if thine eye be not a flatterer, Come thou on my fide, and entreat for me: A begging prince what beggar pities not? 2 Murd. and save your souls, &c.] The fix following lines are not in the old edition. POPE. They are not necessary, but fo forced in, that something seems omitted to which these lines are the answer. JOHNSON. 1 what beggar pities not?] I cannot but suspect that the lines, which Mr. Pope observed not to be in the old edition, are now misplaced, and should be inserted here, somewhat after this manner: Clar. A begging prince what beggar pities not? Clar. Which of you, if you were a prince's fon, &c. JOHNSON. Mr. Pope's note is not accurately stated. I believe this passage should be regulated thus. Clar. Relent and save your fouls. 1 Vil. Relent! 'tis cowardly and womanish. Clar. Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish. Which of you if you were a prince's fon Being pent If two fuch Would not intreat for life? My friend, I spy O, if thine eye VOL. VII. 2 Murd. Look behind you, my lord. I Murd. Take that, and that; if all this will not serve, [Stabs him. I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. [Exit. 2 Murd. A bloody deed, and desperately difpatch'd! How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands Re-enter first Murderer. Murd. How now? what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not? By heaven, the duke shall know how flack you have been. 2 Murd. I would he knew, that I had fav'd his brother! Take thou the fee, and tell him what I fay; For I repent me that the duke is flain. [Exit. I Murd. So do not I; go, coward, as thou art. Well, I'll go hide the body in fome hole, 'Till that the duke give order for his burial : And when I have my meed, I will away; For this will out, and then I must not stay. [Exit, with the body. Come thou on my fide, and intreat for me, As you would beg, were you in my distress. A begging prince what beggar pities not? TYRWHITT. A begging prince what beggar pities not?] To this in the quarto, the murderer replies : I, thus and thus: if this will not serve, I'll chop thee in the malmesey but in the next roome. and then stabs him. STEEVENS, ACT : ACT II. SCENE Ι. The Court. Enter King Edward fick, the Queen, Dorset, Rivers, Hastings, Buckingham, Grey, and others. K. Edw. Why, fo:-now have I done a good day's work ; You peers, continue this united league: From my Redeemer to redeem me hence; Riv. By heaven, my foul is purg'd from grudging hate; And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. K. Edw. Take heed, you dally not before your king; Left he, that is the supreme King of kings, Haft. So profper I, as I swear perfect love! Riv. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart! K. Edw. Madam, yourself are notexempt in this, Nor your fon Dorset, - Buckingham, nor you ;You have been factious one against the other. Wife, love lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand; And what you do, do it unfeignedly. : Queen. There, Haftings;-I will never more re member Our former hatred, So thrive I, and mine! |