Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/66

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York. So that, by this, you would not have him die.

Suf. Ah, York, no man alive so fain as I.

York. 'Tis York that hath more reason for his death.

But, my Lord Cardinal, and you, my Lord of Suffolk,

Say as you think, and speak it from your souls,

Were 't not all one an empty eagle were set

To guard the chicken from a hungry kite,

As place Duke Humphrey for the king's protector?

Queen. So the poor chicken should be sure of death.

Suf. Madam, 'tis true: and were 't not madness, then,

To make the fox surveyor of the fold?

Who, being accus'd a crafty murtherer,

His guilt should be but idly posted over

Because his purpose is not executed.

No; let him die, in that he is a fox,

By nature prov'd an enemy to the flock,

Before his chaps be stain'd with crimson blood,

As Humphrey, prov'd by reasons, to my liege.

And do not stand on quillets how to slay him:

Be it by gins, by snares, by subtilty,

Sleeping or waking, 'tis no matter how,

So he be dead; for that is good deceit

Which mates him first that first intends deceit.

Queen. Thrice noble Suffolk, 'tis resolutely spoke.

Suf. Not resolute, except so much were done,

For things are often spoke and seldom meant;

But, that my heart accordeth with my tongue,

Seeing the deed is meritorious,

And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,

 244 fain: gladly

248 empty: i.e. starving

255 idly: foolishly

posted over: passed over hastily, ignored

260 prov’d: i.e. proved an enemy

261 stand on quillets: waste time with subtle distinctions

262 gins: traps

265 mates: confounds, overwhelms

269 that: to prove that 