Part 3 (1/2)

_King._ How fares my lord? speak, Beaufort, to thy sovereign.

_Car._ If thou be'st death, I'll give thee England's treasure, Enough to purchase such another island, So thou wilt let me live and feel no pain.

_King._ Ah, what a sign it is of evil life, Where death's approach is seen so terrible!

_War._ Beaufort, it is thy sovereign speaks to thee:

_Car._ Bring me unto my trial when you will.

Died he not in his bed? where should he die?

Can I make men live, whether they will or no?

O, torture me no more! I will confess.

Alive again? Then show me where he is: I'll give a thousand pound to look upon him.

He hath no eyes, the dust hath blinded them.

Comb down his hair; look, look! it stands upright, Like lime-twigs set to catch my winged soul.

Give me some drink; and bid the apothecary Bring the strong poison that I bought of him.

_King._ O thou eternal Mover of the heavens, Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch!

O, beat away the busy meddling fiend That lays strong siege unto this wretch's soul, And from his bosom purge this black despair!

_War._ See how the pangs of death do make him grin!

_Sal._ Disturb him not; let him pa.s.s peaceably.

_King._ Peace to his soul, if G.o.d's good pleasure be!

Lord cardinal, if thou think'st on heaven's bliss, Hold up thy hand, make signal of thy hope.

He dies, and makes no sign. O G.o.d, forgive him!

_War._ So bad a death argues a monstrous life.

_King._ Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.

Close up his eyes and draw the curtain close; And let us all to meditation.

_Exeunt. --King Henry VI, Part II, Act iii._

BECKET (Thomas a, first Saxon archbishop of Canterbury after the Norman conquest), 1117-1170. ”_For the name of Jesus and the defense of the church I am willing to die._”

He was a.s.sa.s.sinated by four barons, servants of Henry II. The Roman Catholic Church regarded him as a martyr; and in 1172 he was canonized.

BEDE (surnamed ”The Venerable;” an English monk, and the author of ”_Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum_”), 673-735. ”_Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost._”

It is related that on the night of his death he continued dictating to his amanuensis a translation of some work, probably of the gospel of St.

John, into Anglo-Saxon. He asked the scribe how many chapters remained.