Page 2898 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Here am I left to underprop his land,
Who weak with age cannot support myself.
Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made.
Now shall he try his friends that flattered him. [85]

Enter a Servant.

SERVANT

My lord, your son was gone before I came.

Y ORK

He was? why, so; go all which way it will.
The nobles they are fled. The commons they are cold,
And will, I fear, revolt on Hereford’s side.
Sirrah, get thee to Plashy to my sister Gloucester. [90]
Bid her send me presently a thousand pound -
Hold: take my ring.

SERVANT

My lord, I had forgot to tell your lordship:
Today as I came by I callèd there -
But I shall grieve you to report the rest. [95]

Y ORK

What is’t, knave?

SERVANT

An hour before I came the Duchess died.

Y ORK

God for his mercy, what a tide of woes
Comes rushing on this woeful land at once!
I know not what to do. I would to God - [100]
So my untruth had not provok’d him to it -
The King had cut off my head with my brother’s.
What, are there no posts dispatch’d for Ireland?
How shall we do for money for these wars?
Come, sister - cousin, I would say - pray pardon me. [105]
Go, fellow, get thee home, provide some carts,
And bring away the armour that is there.