Jane Shore A Tragedy

Excerpt

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I. THE TOWER.

Enter the Duke of Gloster, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, and Catesby.

Glos.Thus far success attends upon our councils,And each event has answer'd to my wish;The queen and all her upstart race are quell'd;Dorset is banish'd, and her brother Rivers,Ere this, lies shorter by the head at Pomfret.The nobles have, with joint concurrence, nam'd meProtector of the realm: my brother's children,Young Edward and the little York, are lodg'dHere, safe within the Tower. How say you, sirs,Does not this business wear a lucky face?The sceptre and the golden wreath of royaltySeem hung within my reach.Sir R.Then take 'em to you,And wear them long and worthily: you areThe last remaining male of princely York,(For Edward's boys, the state esteems not of 'em,)And therefore on your sov'reignty and ruleThe commonweal does her dependence make,And leans upon your highness' able hand.Cates.And yet to-morrow does the council meetTo fix a day for Edward's coronation.Who can expound this riddle?Glos.That can I.Those lords are each one my approv'd good friends,Of special trust and nearness to my bosom;And, howsoever busy they may seem,And diligent to bustle in the state,Their zeal goes on no further than we lead,And at our bidding stays.Cates.Yet there is one,And he amongst the foremost in his power,Of whom I wish your highness were assur'd.For me, perhaps it is my nature's fault,I own I doubt of his inclining much.Glos.I guess the man at whom your words would point:Hastings—Cates.The same.Glos.He bears me great good will.Cates.'Tis true, to you, as to the lord protector,And Gloster's duke, he bows with lowly service:But were he bid to cry, God save king Richard,Then tell me in what terms he would reply.Believe me, I have prov'd the man, and found him:I know he bears a most religious reverenceTo his dead master Edward's royal memory,And whither that may lead him, is most plain.Yet more—One of that stubborn sort he is,Who, if they once grow fond of an opinion,They call it honour, honesty, and faith,And sooner part with life than let it go.Glos.And yet this tough, impracticable, heart,Is govern'd by a dainty-finger'd girl;Such flaws are found in the most worthy natures;A laughing, toying, wheedling, whimpering, she,Shall make him amble on a gossip's message,And take the distaff with a hand as patientAs e'er did Hercules.Sir R.The fair Alicia,Of noble birth and exquisite of feature,Has held him long a vassal to her beauty.Cates.I fear, he fails in his allegiance there;Or my intelligence is false, or elseThe dame has been too lavish of her feast,And fed him till he loathes.Glos.No more, he comes.Enter Lord Hastings.Lord H.Health, and the happiness of many days,Attend upon your grace.Glos.My good lord chamberlain,We're much beholden to your gentle friendship.Lord H.My lord, I come an humble suitor to you.Glos.In right good time....