Page 1226 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 1226
And I in such a desp’rate bay of death,
Like a poor bark of sails and tackling reft,
Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom. [235]
KING RICHARD
Madam, so thrive I in my enterprise
And dangerous success of bloody wars,
As I intend more good to you and yours
Than ever you or yours by me were harm’d.
ELIZABET H
What good is cover’d with the face of heaven, [240]
To be discover’d, that can do me good?
KING RICHARD
Th’advancement of your children, gentle lady.
ELIZABET H
Up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads.
KING RICHARD
Unto the dignity and height of fortune,
The high imperial type of this earth’s glory! [245]
ELIZABET H
Flatter my sorrow with report of it.
Tell me what state, what dignity, what honour,
Canst thou demise to any child of mine?
KING RICHARD
Even all I have - ay, and myself and all
Will I withal endow a child of thine; [250]
So in the Lethe of thy angry soul
Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs
Which thou supposest I have done to thee.
ELIZABET H
Be brief, lest that the process of thy kindness
Last longer telling than thy kindness’ date. [255]
