Enter SOMERSET. Som. All health unto my gracious sovereign! Som. That all your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you; all is lost. K. Hen. Cold news, lord Somerset: But God's will be done! York. Cold news for me; for I had hope of France, As firmly as I hope for fertile England. Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud, Enter GLOSTER. Glo. All happiness unto my lord the king! Pardon, my liege, that I have staid so long. [Aside. Suf. Nay, Gloster, know, that thou art come too soon, Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art: I do arrest thee of high treason here. Glo. Well, Suffolk, yet thou shalt not see me blush, Nor change my countenance for this arrest; A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. As I am clear from treason to my sovereign : Who can accuse me? wherein am I guilty? York. 'Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of And, being protector, staied the soldiers' pay; Glo. Is it but thought so? What are they that think it? I never robb'd the soldiers of their pay, Nor ever had one penny bribe from France. So help me God, as I have watch'd the night,— Be brought against me at my trial day! No! many a pound of mine own proper store, And never ask'd for restitution. Car. It serves you well, my lord, to say so much. Glo. Why, 'tis well known, that whiles I was protector, Pity was all the fault that was in me; For I should melt at an offender's tears, And lowly words were ransom for their fault. Unless it were a bloody murderer, Or foul felonious thief that fleec'd poor passengers, Murder, indeed, that bloody sin, I tortur'd Above the felon, or what trespass else. Suf. My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answer'd: But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge, Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself. I do arrest you in his highness' name; K. Hen. My lord of Gloster, 'tis my special hope, That you will clear yourself from all suspects; My conscience tells me, you are innocent. Glo. Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous! Virtue is chok'd with foul ambition, And charity chas'd hence by rancour's hand; And equity exíl'd your highness' land. I know, their complot is to have my life; I would expend it with all willingness: Beaufort's red sparkling eyes blab his heart's malice, Ay, all of you have laid your heads together, I shall not want false witness to condemn me, Car. My liege, his railing is intolerable: Suf. Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here. False allegations to o'erthrow his state? Q. Mar. But I can give the loser leave to chide. Glo. Far truer spoke, than meant: I lose, indeed ;Beshrew the winners, for they played me false ! And well such losers may have leave to speak. Buck. He'll wrest the sense, and hold us here all day:Lord cardinal, he is your prisoner. Car. Sirs, take away the duke, and guard him sure. Glo. Ah, thus king Henry throws away his crutch, Before his legs be firm to bear his body: Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. For, good king Henry, thy decay I fear. [Exeunt Attendants, with GLOSTER. K. Hen. My lords, what to your wisdom seemeth best, Do, or undo, as if ourself were here. Q. Mar. What, will your highness leave the parlia ment! K. Hen. Ay, Margaret; my heart is drown'd with grief, Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes; My body round engirt with misery; For what's more miserable than discontent?— And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come, And binds the wretch, and beats it when it strays, His fortunes I will weep; and, 'twixt each groan, [Exit. Q. Mar. Free lords, cold snow melts with the sun's hot beams. Henry my lord is cold in great affairs, Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I, |