Page 1231 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 1231
But how long fairly shall her sweet life last?
KING RICHARD
As long as heaven and nature lengthens it.
ELIZABET H
As long as hell and Richard likes of it.
KING RICHARD
Say I, her sovereign, am her subject low. [355]
ELIZABET H
But she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty.
KING RICHARD
Be eloquent in my behalf to her.
ELIZABET H
An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.
KING RICHARD
Then plainly to her tell my loving tale.
ELIZABET H
Plain and not honest is too harsh a style. [360]
KING RICHARD
Your reasons are too shallow and too quick.
ELIZABET H
O no, my reasons are too deep and dead:
Too deep and dead, poor infants, in their graves.
KING RICHARD
Harp not on that string, madam; that is past.
ELIZABET H
Harp on it still shall I, till heart-strings break. [365]
