Volume Viii Part 48 (2/2)
RICH. Let us away, Bruce, lest we come too late, And with us take some score of men well-arm'd.
[_Exeunt_ RICHMOND _and_ BRUCE.
FITZ. Do: Leicester and myself will keep the city, Till we are furnish'd with an able army.
Your nephew Bruce shall take an hundred men,[320]
And post to Hertford Castle with your sister.
Sith wrong doth[321] wake us, we will keep such watch, As for his life he shall not hurt us bring.
[_Exeunt omnes_.
ACT III., SCENE I.
_Enter_ QUEEN, BRUCE'S LADY, HUBERT, SALISBURY.
QUEEN. Be comforted, good madam, do not fear, But give your son as pledge unto the king: Yourself at court may keep him company.
LADY B. I am betray'd! alas, I am betray'd!
And little thought your highness had been bent So much against me for my many loves, As to prepare an entrance for my foe.
QUEEN. As I shall live in heaven, I did not know Of Hubert's coming. But lament not this: Your son, you say, is gone; what fear you then?
LADY B. O madam, murder, mischief, wrongs of men I fear, I fear--what is't I do not fear, Sith hope is so far off, despair so near?
SAL. Answer me, good Hubert, I pray thee, Hubert, do: What think you of this matter? may I on your word Persuade the woman that all things are well?
HUB. You may persuade her if you can, my lord; For I protest I know no other thing, But that the king would have him for a pledge Of the Lord Bruce's faith.
SAL. And reason, too.
Now, by my honour, Hubert, I protest It is good reason: Bruce, I tell you plain, Is no sound cloak to keep John from the rain.[322]
I will go to her.
HUB. Do, good simple earl.
If not by threats nor my entreats she yield, Thy brain is barren of invention, Dried up with care; and never will she yield Her son to thee, that having power want'st wit.
LADY B. I overhear thee, Hubert.
SAL. So do I, Dame Bruce; But stir no coals: the man is well belov'd, And merits more than so.
LADY B. But I will answer.
Hubert, thou fatal keeper of poor babes, That are appointed hostages for John,[323]
Had I a son here, as I have not one, (For yesterday I sent him into Wales), Think'st thou I would be so degenerate, So far from kind, to give him unto thee?
I would not, I protest: thou know'st my mind.
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