Page 1139 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

[Brakenbury] reads.

BRAKENBURY

I am in this commanded to deliver
The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands.
I will not reason what is meant hereby,
Because I will be guiltless from the meaning.
There lies the Duke asleep; and there the keys. [95]
I’ll to the King, and signify to him
That thus I have resign’d to you my charge.

I MURDERER

You may, sir; ’tis a point of wisdom. Fare you well.
Exeunt Brakenbury [and Keeper].

II MURDERER

What, shall I stab him as he sleeps?

I MURDERER

No: he’ll say ’twas done cowardly, when he [100] wakes.

II MURDERER

Why, he shall never wake until the great Judgement Day.

I MURDERER

Why, then he’ll say we stabbed him sleeping.

II MURDERER

The urging of that word, ‘Judgement’, hath bred a kind of remorse in me.
[105]

I MURDERER

What, art thou afraid?

II MURDERER

Not to kill him - having a warrant - but to be damned for killing him, from
the which no warrant can defend me.

I MURDERER