Volume Vii Part 107 (1/2)

Had you it, brother Gloster? G.o.d's good mercy!

HEN. And what have you to say?

BLO. Nothing, sir, But G.o.d bless you! you are a goodly company!

Except Sir Richard[543] or my lady will command me Any more service.

FAU. Away, you prating knave! hence, varlet, hence.

[_Exit_ BLOCK.

LEI. Put forth them fellows there.

RED. Af-fo-fore I g-go, I b-b-be-s-s-seech you, let Sk-Skink and Gl-Gloster be lo-lo-looked to; For they have p-p-play'd the k-k-knaves too-too-too b-b-bad.

HEN. Take hence that stuttering fellow; shut him[544] forth.

RED. Nay, I'll ru-ru-run; faith, you shall not n-n-need to b-b-b-bid him ta-t-take m-me away; for Re-Re-Redcap will r-ru-run rarely.

[_Exit_ REDCAP.

HEN. The sundry misdemeanors late committed, As thefts and s.h.i.+fts in other men's disguise, We now must (knave Skink) freely tell thy faults.

SKINK. Sweet king, by these two terrors[545] to mine enemies, that lend light to my body's darkness: Cavilero Skink being beleaguer'd with an host of leaden heels, arm'd in ring Irish[546]: cheated my hammerer of his _red cap_ and coat; was surpris'd, brought to the Fleet as a person suspected, pa.s.s'd current, till Gloster stripped me from my counterfeit, clad my back in silk and my heart in sorrow, and so left me to the mercy of my mother-wit. How Prince John released me, he knows; how I got Fauconbridge's chain, I know. But how he will get it again, I know not.

FAU. Where is it, sirrah? tell me where it is?

GLO. I got it from him, and I got John's sword.

JOHN. I would 'twere to the hilt up in thy heart.

RICH. O, be more charitable, brother John.

LEI. My liege, you need not by particulars Examine, what the world knows too plain; If you will pardon Skink, his life is sav'd; If not, he is convicted by the law.

For Gloster, as you worthily resolv'd, First take his hand, and afterward his head.

HEN. Skink, thou hast life, our pardon and our love.

SKINK [_to_ JOHN.] And your forgiveness for my robbery?

JOHN. Tut, never trouble me with such a toy; Thou hind'rest me from hearing of my joy.

HEN. Bring forth a block, wine, water, and towel; Knives, and a surgeon to bind up the veins Of Gloster's arm, when his right hand is off-- His hand that struck Skink at the Parl'ament.

SKINK. I shall bear his blows to my grave, my lord.

KING. Son Henry, see thy father's palsy hands, Join'd like two suppliants, pressing to thy throne.

Look, how the furrows of his aged cheek, Fill'd with the rivulets of wet-ey'd moan, Begs mercy for Earl Gloster? weigh his guilt.

Why for a slave should royal blood be spilt?

SKINK. You wrong mine honour: Skink must[547] be reveng'd.

HEN. Father, I do commend your humble course; But quite dislike the project of your suit.

Good words in an ill cause makes the fact worse: Of blood or baseness justice will dispute.

The greater man, the greater his transgression: Where strength wrongs weakness, it is mere oppression.

LADY F. O, but, King Henry, hear a sister speak.