Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/54

42  Serv. So please your Grace, we'll take her from the sheriff.

Glo. No, stir not for your lives; let her pass by.

Elea. Come you, my lord, to see my open shame?

Now thou dost penance too. Look! how they gaze.

See how the giddy multitude do point,

And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee.

Ah, Gloucester, hide thee from their hateful looks,

And, in thy closet pent up, rue my shame,

And ban thine enemies, both mine and thine!

Glo. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief.

Elea. Ay, Gloucester, teach me to forget myself;

For whilst I think I am thy wedded wife,

And thou a prince, protector of this land,

Methinks I should not thus be led along,

Mail'd up in shame, with papers on my back,

And follow'd with a rabble that rejoice

To see my tears and hear my deep-fet groans.

The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet,

And when I start, the envious people laugh,

And bid me be advised how I tread.

Ah, Humphrey! can I bear this shameful yoke?

Trowest thou that e'er I'll look upon the world,

Or count them happy that enjoys the sun?

No; dark shall be my light, and night my day;

To think upon my pomp shall be my hell.

Sometime I'll say, I am Duke Humphrey's wife;

And he a prince and ruler of the land:

Yet so he rul'd and such a prince he was

As he stood by whilst I, his forlorn duchess,

Was made a wonder and a pointing-stock

 24 closet: private apartment

25 ban: curse

31 Mail'd: wrapped

32 with: by

33 deep-fet: deep-drawn

35 start: wince

36 advised: cautious

39 that enjoys: who enjoy

46 pointing-stock: butt of ridicule 