Your grace mistakes; it is for England's good,
And princely Edward's right, we crave the crown.
EDWARD. No, 'tis for Mortimer, not Edward's head;
For he's a lamb, encompassed by wolves,
Which in a moment will abridge his life.
But, if proud Mortimer do wear this crown,
Heavens turn it to a blaze of quenchless fire;
Or, like the snaky wreath of Tisiphon,
Engirt the temples of his hateful head;
So shall not England's vine be perished,
But Edward's name survive, though Edward dies.
LEICESTER. My lord, why waste you thus the time away?
They stay your answer; will you yield your crown?
EDWARD. Ah, Leicester, weigh how hardly I can brook
To lose my crown and kingdom without cause,
To give ambitious Mortimer my right,
That, like a mountain, overwhelms my bliss.
In which extreme my mind here murdered is.
But what the heavens appoint I must obey.
Here, take my crown; the life of Edward too:
Two kings in England cannot reign at once.
But stay a while. Let me be King till night,
That I may gaze upon this glittering crown;
So shall my eyes receive their last content,
My head, the latest honour due to it,
And jointly both yield up their wished right.
Continue ever, thou celestial sun;
Let never silent night possess this clime:
Stand still, you watches of the element;
All times and seasons, rest you at a stay,
That Edward may be still fair England's king.
But day's bright beams doth vanish fast away,
And needs I must resign my wished crown.
Inhuman creatures, nursed with tiger's milk,
Why gape you for your sovereign's overthrow?
My diadem, I mean, and guiltless life.
See, monsters, see! I'll wear my crown again.
What, fear you not the fury of your king?
But, hapless Edward, thou art fondly led;
They pass not for thy frowns as late they did,
But seek to make a new elected king;
Which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts,
Which thoughts are martyred with endless torments.
And in this torment comfort find I none,
But that I feel the crown upon my head;
And therefore let me wear it yet a while.
TRUSSEL. My lord, the parliament must have present news,
And therefore say, will you resign or no?
the King rageth.
EDWARD. I'll not resign, but whilst I live -
Traitors, be gone, and join you with Mortimer.
Elect, conspire, install, do what you will;
Their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries.
WINCHESTER. This answer we'll return; and so, farewell.
LEICESTER. Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair,
For if they go, the prince shall lose his right.
EDWARD. Call thou them back; I have no power to speak.
LEICESTER. My lord, the King is willing to resign.
WINCHESTER. If he be not, let him choose.
EDWARD. O would I might, but heavens and earth conspire
To make me miserable. Here, receive my crown.
Receive it? No, these innocent hands of mine
Shall not be guilty of so foul a crime.
He of you all that most desires my blood
And will be called the murderer of a king,
Take it. What, are you moved? Pity you me?
Then send for unrelenting Mortimer
And Isabel, whose eyes being turned to steel
Will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear.
Yet stay; for rather than I will look on them,
Here, here! Now, sweet God of Heaven,
Make me despise this transitory pomp,
And sit for aye enthronized in heaven.
Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes,
Or if I live, let me forget myself.
WINCHESTER. My lord...
EDWARD. Call me not lord!
Away, out of my sight! Ah, pardon me
Grief makes me lunatic.
Let not that Mortimer protect my son;
More safety is there in a tiger's jaws
Than his embracements.