Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/34

22

Som. I humbly thank your royal majesty.

Arm. And I accept the combat willingly.

Pet. Alas! my lord, I cannot fight: for God's

sake, pity my case! the spite of man prevaileth

against me. O Lord, have mercy upon me! I

shall never be able to fight a blow. O Lord, my

heart!

Hum. Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be hang'd.

King. Away with them to prison; and the day

of combat shall be the last of the next month.

Come, Somerset, we'll see thee sent away.

Flourish. Exeunt.

Hume. Come, my masters; the duchess, I

tell you, expects performance of your promises.

Boling. Master Hume, we are therefore pro-

vided. Will her ladyship behold and hear our

exorcisms?

Hume. Ay; what else? fear you not her

courage.

Boling. I have heard her reported to be a

woman of an invincible spirit: but it shall be con-

venient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft

while we be busy below; and so, I pray you,

go in God's name, and leave us.

Mother Jordan, be you prostrate, and grovel

on the earth; John Southwell, read you; and

let us to our work.

 10 aloft: i.e. on the balcony of the stage 