My curtains with an eager hand, o'erjoy'd And fame not more survives from good than evil deeds. Th' aspiring youth, that fir'd the Ephesian dome, Outlives, in fame, the pious fool that rais'd it. Conscience, lie still; more lives will yet be drain'd; Crowns got with blood, must be with blood maintain'd. [Exit. QUEEN, PRINCE EDWARD, DUKE OF YORK, DuCHESS OF YORK, and LADY ANNE, discovered. P. Ed. Pray, madam, do not leave me yet, For I have many more complaints to tell you. Queen. And I unable to redress the least; What wouldst thou say, my child? P. Ed. Oh, mother, since I have lain i' the Tower, My rest has still been broke with frightful dreams, Or shocking news has wak'd me into tears: 2 I'm scarce allow'd a friend to visit me; Lady A. Oh, unhappy prince! D. of York. Dear brother, why do you weep so? You make me cry too! Queen. Alas, poor innocence! P. Ed. 'Would I but knew at what my uncle aims; If 'twere my crown, I'd freely give it him, So he'd but let me 'joy my life in quiet. D. of York. Why, will my uncle kill us, brother? P. Ed. I hope he won't; we never injur'd him. Queen. I cannot bear to see them thus. [Weeping. Enter LORD STANLEY. Stanley. Madam, I hope your majesty will pardon What I am griev'd to tell, unwelcome news! Queen. Ah me! more sorrow yet! my lord, we've long Despair'd of happy tidings; pray, what is't? Stanley. On Tuesday last, your noble kinsmen, Grey, and Sir Thomas Vaughan, at Pomfret, Duch. of York. Oh dismal tidings! P. Ed. Oh poor uncles! I doubt my turn is next. Lady A. Nor mine, I fear far off. Queen. Why then let's welcome blood and massacre, Yield all our throats to the fell tiger's rage, And die lamenting one another's wrong; Enter CATESBY. Catesby. Madam, the king Has sent me to inform your majesty, F [Weeps. That you prepare (as is advis'd from council) Queen. What do I hear! support me, Heav'n! not For my soul find heart to tell you of it. Catesby. The king does farther wish your majesty Would less employ your visits at the Tower; He gives me leave t' attend you to the court, And is impatient, madam, till he sees you. Lady A. Farewell to all! and thou, poor, injur'd queen, Forgive the unfriendly duty I must pay. Queen. Alas, kind soul, I envy not thy glory; Nor think I'm pleas'd thou'rt partner in our sorrow. Catesby. Madam. Catesby. Shall I attend your majesty? Lady A. Attend me! whither? to be crown'd? Let me with deadly venom be anointed, And die ere man can say, Long live the Queen! Queen. Alas, where is it to be found? My son-in-law, the Earl of Richmond, still For 'tis the only hope that Heav'n has left us. Must surely better our condition. Stanley. I farther would advise you, madam, this instant To remove the princes to some Remote abode, where you yourself are mistress. P. Ed. Dear madam, take me hence; for I shall ne'er Enjoy a moment's quiet here. D. of York. Nor I; pray, mother let me go too. Queen. Come then my pretty young ones, let's away, For here you lie within the falcon's reach, Enter LIEUTENANT, with a Warrant. Lieut. I beg your Majesty will pardon me; Nor must (without the king's especial license) Have admission to them all must retire. Queen. I am their mother, sir! who else commands them? If I pass freely, they shall follow me. For you-I'll take the peril of your fault upon myself. Nor, madam, can I now with safety answer Please you, my lord, to read these orders. Queen. Oh! heav'nly powers, shall I not stay with them ? Lieut. Such are the king's commands, madam. Stanley. 'Tis too true-and it were vain to oppose them. Queen. Support me, Heav'n! For life can never bear the pangs of such a parting. Oh! my poor children! oh, distracting thought! I dare not bid them, (as I should) farewell; D. of York. Won't you take me with you, mother? I shall be so 'fraid to stay when you are gone. Queen. I cannot speak to them, and yet we must Be parted then let these kisses say farewell. Why oh why! just Heav'n, must these be our last? Duch. of York. Give not your grief such way-be sudden when you part. Queen. I will-since it must be-to heav'n I leave Hear me, ye guardian powers of innocence! Still may their helpless youth attract men's pity, And throw him on his knees in penitence ! Queen. Oh! my poor children! [Exeunt severally. SCENE II. The Presence Chamber. GLOSTER, seated; BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, RAT- Glost. Stand all apart-Cousin of Buckingham- Glost. Give me thy hand; |