Page 2897 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

GREEN

We have; whereupon the Earl of Worcester
Hath broken his staff, resign’d his stewardship,
And all the household servants fled with him [60]
To Bolingbroke.

QUEEN

So, Green, thou art the midwife to my woe,
And Bolingbroke my sorrow’s dismal heir.
Now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy,
And I, a gasping new-deliver’d mother, [65]
Have woe to woe, sorrow to sorrow joined.

BUSHY

Despair not, madam.

QUEEN

Who shall hinder me?
I will despair and be at enmity
With cozening hope. He is a flatterer,
A parasite, a keeper-back of death [70]
Who gently would dissolve the bands of life
Which false hope lingers in extremity.

Enter York.

GREEN

Here comes the Duke of York.

QUEEN

With signs of war about his agèd neck.
O, full of careful business are his looks! [75]
Uncle, for God’s sake speak comfortable words.

Y ORK

Should I do so I should belie my thoughts.
Comfort’s in heaven, and we are on the earth,
Where nothing lives but crosses, cares, and grief.
Your husband, he is gone to save far off, [80]
Whilst others come to make him lose at home.