Bear this to the Queen,
Wet with my tears, and dried again with sighs.
If with the sight thereof she be not moved,
Return it back, and dip it in my blood.
Commend me to my son, and bid him rule
Better than I. Yet how have I transgressed,
Unless it be with too much clemency?
TRUSSEL. And thus, most humbly do we take our leave.
Exeunt Bishop and Trussel.
EDWARD. Farewell. I know the next news that they bring
Will be my death, and welcome shall it be.
To wretched men death is felicity. .
Enter Berkeley.
LEICESTER. Another post. What news brings he?
EDWARD. Such news as I expect. Come, Berkeley, come
And tell thy message to my naked breast.
BERKELEY. My lord, think not a thought so villainous
Can harbour in a man of noble birth.
To do your highness service and devoir
And save you from your foes, Berkeley would die.
LEICESTER. Reading letter My lord, the council of the Queen commands
That I resign my charge.
EDWARD. And who must keep me now? Must you, my lord?
BERKELEY. Ay, my most gracious lord: so 'tis decreed.
EDWARD. Taking letter By Mortimer, whose name is written here!
Well may I rent his name that rends my heart,
This poor revenge hath something eased my mind.
So may his limbs be torn as is this paper,
Hear me, immortal Jove, and grant it too!
BERKELEY. Your grace must hence with me to Berkeley straight.
EDWARD. Whither you will: all places are alike,
And every earth is fit for burial.
LEICESTER. Favour him, my lord, as much as lieth in you.
BERKELEY. Even so betide my soul as I use him.
EDWARD. Mine enemy hath pitied my estate,
And that's the cause that I am now removed.
BERKELEY. And thinks your grace that Berkeley will be cruel?
EDWARD. I know not, but of this am I assured,
That death ends all, and I can die but once.
Leicester, farewell.
LEICESTER. Not yet, my lord; I'll bear you on your way.
Exeunt.
ACT FIVE, SCENE TWO
Enter Mortimer, and Queen Isabella.
MORTIMER. Fair Isabel, now have we our desire;
The proud corrupters of the light-brained king
Have done their homage to the lofty gallows,
And he himself lies in captivity.
Be ruled by me, and we will rule the realm.
In any case take heed of childish fear,
For now we hold an old wolf by the ears,
That, if he slip, will seize upon us both,
And gripe the sorer, being griped himself.
Think therefore, madam, that imports us much
To erect your son with all the speed we may,
And that I be protector over him;
For our behoof will bear the greater sway
Whenas a king's name shall be under writ.
ISABELLA. Sweet Mortimer, the life of Isabel,
Be thou persuaded that I love thee well;
And therefore, so the prince my son be safe,
Whom I esteem as dear as these mine eyes,
Conclude against his father what thou wilt,
And I myself will willingly subscribe.
MORTIMER. First would I hear news that he were deposed,
And then let me alone to handle him.
Enter Messenger.
MORTIMER. Letters! From whence?
MESSENGER. From Killingworth, my lord.
ISABELLA. How fares my lord the King?
MESSENGER. In health, madam, but full of pensiveness.
ISABELLA. Alas, poor soul, would I could ease his grief!
Thanks, gentle Winchester. Sirrah, be gone.
Exit Messenger.
WINCHESTER. The King hath willingly resigned his crown.
ISABELLA. O, happy news! Send for the prince my son.
WINCHESTER. Further, or ere this letter was sealed,
Lord Berkeley came,
So that he now is gone from Killingworth;
And we have heard that Edmund laid a plot
To set his brother free; no more but so.
The lord of Berkeley is so pitiful
As Leicester that had charge of him before.
ISABELLA. Then let some other be his guardian.
MORTIMER.