Volume II Part 48 (1/2)

_Gur._ Need you anything besides?

_Light._ What else? A table and a feather-bed.

_Gur._ That's all?

_Light._ I, I; so, when I call you, bring It in.

_Mat._ Fear not thou that.

_Gur._ Here's a light, To go into the dungeon.

[_Gives light, and exit with_ MATREVIS.

_Light_. So[329] now Must I about this gear;[330] ne'er was there any So finely handled as this king shall be.

Foh, here's a place indeed, with all my heart!

_Edw_. Who's there? what light is that? wherefore com'st thou?

_Light._ To comfort you, and bring you joyful news. 40

_Edw._ Small comfort finds poor Edward in thy looks.

Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me.

_Light._ To murder you, my most gracious lord!

Far is it from my heart to do you harm.

The queen sent me to see how you were used, For she relents at this your misery: And what eyes can refrain from shedding tears, To see a king in this most piteous state?

_Edw._ Weep'st thou already? list awhile to me.

And then thy heart, were it as Gurney's is, 50 Or as Matrevis', hewn from the Caucasus, Yet will it melt, ere I have done my tale.

This dungeon where they keep me is the sink Wherein the filth of all the castle falls.

_Light._ O villains!

_Edw._ And there in mire and puddle have I stood This ten days' s.p.a.ce; and, lest that I should sleep, One plays continually upon a drum.

They give me bread and water, being a king; So that, for want of sleep and sustenance, 60 My mind's distempered, and my body's numbed, And whether I have limbs or no I know not.

O, would my blood dropped out from every vein, As doth this water from my tattered[331] robes.

Tell Isabel, the queen, I looked not thus, When for her sake I ran at tilt in France, And there unhorsed the Duke of Cleremont.

_Light._ O speak no more, my lord! this breaks my heart.

Lie on this bed,[332] and rest yourself awhile.

_Edw._ These looks of thine can harbour nought but death: 70 I see my tragedy written in thy brows.

Yet stay; awhile forbear thy b.l.o.o.d.y hand, And let me see the stroke before it comes, That[333] even then when I shall lose my life, My mind may be more steadfast on my G.o.d.

_Light._ What means your highness to mistrust me thus?

_Edw._ What mean'st thou to dissemble with me thus?

_Light._ These hands were never stained with innocent blood, Nor shall they now be tainted with a king's. 79