For there, they say, he daily doth frequent, Even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes, Percy. My lord, some two days since I saw the And told him of these triumphs held at Oxford. Percy. His answer was, he would unto the And from the common'st creature pluck a glove, Boling. As dissolute, as desperate: yet, through both I see some sparkles of a better hope, Which elder days may happily bring forth. Enter AUMERLE, hastily. Aum. Boling. Where is the king? What means Our cousin, that he stares and looks so wildly? Aum. God save your grace. I do beseech your majesty, To have some conference with your grace alone. Boling. Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here [Exeunt PERCY and Lords. alone. What is the matter with our cousin now? Aum. For ever may my knees grow to the earth, [Kneels. My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth, Boling. Intended, or committed, was this fault? If but the first, how heinous ere it be, To win thy after-love, I pardon thee. Aum. Then give me leave that I may turn the key, That no man enter till my tale be done. Boling. Have thy desire. [AUMERLE locks the door. York. [Within.] My liege, beware; look to thy self; Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there. Boling. Villain, I'll make thee safe. [Drawing. Aum. Stay thy revengeful hand; Thou hast no cause to fear. York. [Within.] Open the door, secure, foolhardy king: Shall I, for love, speak treason to thy face? [BOLINGBROKE opens the door. "Enter YORK. ** Boling. What is the matter, uncle? speak; Recover breath; tell us how near is danger, That we may arm us to encounter it. York. Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know The treason that my haste forbids me show. Aum. Remember, as thou read'st, thy promise I do repent me; read not my name there, I tore it from the traitor's bosom, king; A serpent that will sting thee to the heart. Boling. O heinous, strong, and bold conspiracy!O loyal father of a treacherous son! Thou sheer, immaculate, and silver fountain, York. So shall my virtue be his vice's bawd; Boling. What shrill-voic'd suppliant makes this eager cry ? Duch. A woman, and thine aunt, great king; 'tis I. Speak with me, pity me, open the door; A beggar begs, that never begg'd before. Boling. Our scene is alter'd, from a serious And now chang'd to The Beggar and the King. York. If thou do pardon, whosoever pray, ; 3 Thou sheer, immaculate, &c.] Sheer is pellucid, transparent. digressing son.] deviating from what is right. 4 5 The Beggar and the King.] The King and the Beggar seems to have been an interlude or song, well known in the time of our author, who has alluded to it more than once.” Enter Duchess. Duch. O king, believe not this hard-hearted man; Love, loving not itself, none other can. York. Thou frantick woman, what dost thou make here? Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear? Duch. Sweet York, be patient: Hear me, gentle [Kneels. liege. Boling. Rise up, good aunt. Duch. Not yet, I thee beseech: For ever will I kneel upon my knees, And never see day that the happy sees, By pardoning Rutland, my transgressing boy. knee. [Kneels. York. Against them both, my true joints bended be. [Kneels. Ill may'st thou thrive, if thou grant any grace! Duch. Pleads he in earnest ? look upon his face; His eyes do drop no tears, his prayers are in jest ; His words come from his mouth, ours from our breast: ; He prays but faintly, and would be denied; Our prayers do out-pray his; then let them have That mercy, which true prayers ought to have. Boling. Good aunt, stand up. Duch. Nay, do not say stand up; But, pardon, first; and afterwards, stand up. An if I were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach, Pardon-should be the first word of thy speech, I never long'd to hear a word till now; moy. 6 Duch. Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy? Boling. Good aunt, stand up. I do not sue to stand, Pardon is all the suit I have in hand. Boling. I pardon him, as God shall pardon me. Duch. O happy vantage of a kneeling knee! Yet am I sick for fear: speak it again; Twice saying pardon, doth not pardon twain, Boling. I pardon him. Duch. With all my heart A god on earth thou art. Boling. But for our trusty brother-in-law,”—and the abbot, With all the rest of that consorted crew,Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels.Good uncle, help to order several powers pardonnez moy.] That is, excuse me, a phrase used when any thing is civilly denied. The whole passage is such as I could well wish away. JOHNSON. 7 But for our trusty brother-in-law,] The brother-in-law, was John Duke of Exeter and Earl of Huntingdon (own brother to King Richard II.) and who had married with the lady Elizabeth, sister of Henry Bolingbroke. |