Page 539 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at, [175]
And the offender granted scope of speech,
’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your grace.

SUFFOLK

Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here
With ignominious words, though clerkly couched?
As if she had subornèd some to swear [180]
False allegations to o’erthrow his state?

MARGARET

But I can give the loser leave to chide.

GLOUCEST ER

Far truer spoke than meant: I lose indeed;
Beshrew the winners, for they played me false!
And well such losers may have leave to speak. [185]

BUCKINGHAM

He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day.
Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.

WINCHEST ER

[to his attendants]
Sirs, take away the duke and guard him sure.

GLOUCEST ER

Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch
Before his legs be firm to bear his body. [190]
Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side
And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first.
Ah, that my fear were false; ah, that it were!
For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.

Exit Gloucester [with the cardinal’s men].

KING HENRY

My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best [195]
[rising] Do or undo, as if ourself were here.

MARGARET