Page 552 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

What were it but to make my sorrow greater?

[Warwick enters and draws the curtains, and shows Duke Humphrey in
his bed.]

WARWICK

Come hither, gracious sovereign, view this body.

KING HENRY

[averting his gaze]
That is to see how deep my grave is made; [150]
For with his soul fled all my worldly solace;
For, seeing him, I see my life in death.

WARWICK

As surely as my soul intends to live
With that dread King that took our state upon Him
To free us from his Father’s wrathful curse, [155]
I do believe that violent hands were laid
Upon the life of this thrice-famèd duke.

SUFFOLK

A dreadful oath, sworn with a solemn tongue!
What instance gives Lord Warwick for his vow?

WARWICK

See how the blood is settled in his face. [160]
Oft have I seen a timely-parted ghost,
Of ashy semblance, meagre, pale, and bloodless,
Being all descended to the labouring heart
Who, in the conflict that it holds with death,
Attracts the same for aidance ’gainst the enemy, [165]
Which with the heart there cools and ne’er returneth
To blush and beautify the cheek again.
But see, his face is black and full of blood,
His eye-balls further out than when he lived,
Staring full ghastly like a strangled man; [170]
His hair upreared, his nostrils stretched with struggling;
His hands abroad displayed, as one that grasped
And tugged for life, and was by strength subdued.