Scene—A bedchamber.
Enter the KING, SALISBURY, WARWICK, to the CARDINAL in bed.
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, | 5 |
| 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? | 10 |
| 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, | 15 |
| 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! | 20 |
| 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 pass peaceably. | 25 |
| King. Peace to his soul, if God’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 God, forgive him! | |
| War. So bad a death argues a monstrous life. | 30 |
| King. Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all. | |
| Close up his eves and draw the curtain close; | |
| And let us all to meditation. [Exeunt. | |
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