Page 493 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

We’ll both together lift our heads to heaven,
And never more abase our sight so low [15]
As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground.

GLOUCEST ER

O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord,
Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts;
And may that thought, when I imagine ill
Against my king and nephew, virtuous Henry, [20]
Be my last breathing in this mortal world.
My troublous dream this night doth make me sad.

ELEANOR

What dreamed my lord? Tell me, and I’ll requite it
With sweet rehearsal of my morning’s dream.

GLOUCEST ER

Methought this staff, mine office-badge in court, [25]
Was broke in twain; by whom I have forgot,
But, as I think, it was by th’ cardinal;
And on the pieces of the broken wand
Were placed the heads of Edmund, Duke of Somerset,
And William de la Pole, first Duke of Suffolk. [30]
This was my dream: what it doth bode, God knows.

ELEANOR

Tut, this was nothing but an argument
That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester’s grove
Shall lose his head for his presumption.
But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke: [35]
Methought I sat in seat of majesty
In the cathedral church of Westminster;
And in that chair where kings and queens are crowned,
Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneeled to me
And on my head did set the diadem - [40]

GLOUCEST ER

Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright:
Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtured Eleanor!
Art thou not second woman in the realm