Page 562 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Beaufort, it is thy sovereign speaks to thee.

WINCHEST ER

Bring me unto my trial when you will.
Died he not in his bed? Where should he die?
Can I make men live, whe’r they will or no? [10]
O torture me no more, I will confess.
Alive again? Then show me where he is;
I’ll give a thousand pound to look upon him.
He hath no eyes, the dust hath blinded them.
Comb down his hair; look, look, it stands upright [15]
Like lime-twigs set to catch my wingèd soul!
Give me some drink, and bid the apothecary
Bring the strong poison that I bought of him.

KING HENRY

O Thou eternal mover of the heavens,
Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch! [20]
O beat away the busy meddling fiend
That lays strong siege unto this wretch’s soul
And from his bosom purge this black despair!

WARWICK

See how the pangs of death do make him grin.

SALISBURY

Disturb him not, let him pass peaceably. [25]

KING HENRY [Winchester dies.]

Peace to his soul, if God’s good pleasure be.
Lord Cardinal, if thou thinkst on heaven’s bliss,
Hold up thy hand, make signal of thy hope -

He dies and makes no sign. O God, forgive him.

WARWICK

So bad a death argues a monstrous life. [30]

KING HENRY

Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.