Page 1153 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Had so much grace to put it in my mind.
But when your carters or your waiting vassals
Have done a drunken slaughter, and defac’d
The precious image of our dear Redeemer,
You straight are on your knees for ‘Pardon, pardon!’ [125]
And I, unjustly too, must grant it you.
But for my brother not a man would speak,
Nor I, ungracious, speak unto myself
For him, poor soul. The proudest of you all
Have been beholding to him in his life, [130]
Yet none of you would once beg for his life.
O God, I fear Thy justice will take hold
On me, and you, and mine and yours for this.
Come, Hastings, help me to my closet.
Ah, poor Clarence! [135]

Exeunt some with King and Queen.

RICHARD

This is the fruits of rashness: mark’d you not
How that the guilty kindred of the Queen
Look’d pale when they did hear of Clarence’ death?
O, they did urge it still unto the King:
God will revenge it. Come, lords, will you go [140]
To comfort Edward with our company.

BUCKINGHAM

We wait upon your Grace.

Exeunt.

Scene II IT

Enter the old Duchess of York, with the two Children of Clarence.

BOY

Good grandam tell us, is our father dead?

DUCHESS

No, boy.

GIRL