Page 1095 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

No, I will sit and watch here by the king.
[Exeunt all but the Prince.]
Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow, [20]
Being so troublesome a bedfellow?

O polished perturbation! Golden care!
That keep’st the ports of slumber open wide
To many a watchful night! Sleep with it now!
Yet not so sound and half so deeply sweet [25]

As he whose brow with homely biggen bound
Snores out the watch of night. O majesty!
When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit
Like a rich armour worn in heat of day,

That scald’st with safety. By his gates of breath [30]
There lies a downy feather which stirs not.
Did he suspire, that light and weightless down
Perforce must move. My gracious lord! my father!

This sleep is sound indeed. This is a sleep
That from this golden rigol hath divorced [35]
So many English kings. Thy due from me
Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood,

Which nature, love, and filial tenderness
Shall, O dear father, pay thee plenteously.
My due from thee is this imperial crown, [40]
Which, as immediate from thy place and blood,

Derives itself to me. [Puts on the crown.] Lo, where it sits,
Which God shall guard. And put the world’s whole strength
Into one giant arm, it shall not force
This lineal honour from me. This from thee [45]

Will I to mine leave, as ’tis left to me.
[Exit.]

KING
Warwick! Gloucester! Clarence!

Enter Warwick, Gloucester, Clarence.

CLARENCE
Doth the king call?