Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/81

King Henry the Sixth, III. ii

King. Go, Salisbury, and tell them all from me,

I thank them for their tender loving care;

And had I not been cited so by them,

Yet did I purpose as they do entreat;

For, sure, my thoughts do hourly prophesy

Mischance unto my state by Suffolk's means:

And therefore, by His majesty I swear,

Whose far-unworthy deputy I am,

He shall not breathe infection in this air

But three days longer, on the pain of death.

[Exit Salisbury.]

Queen. O Henry! let me plead for gentle Suffolk.

King. Ungentle queen, to call him gentle Suffolk!

No more, I say; if thou dost plead for him

Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath.

Had I but said, I would have kept my word,

But when I swear, it is irrevocable.

[To Suffolk.] If after three days' space thou here be'st found

On any ground that I am ruler of,

The world shall not be ransom for thy life.

Come, Warwick, come, good Warwick, go with me;

I have great matters to impart to thee.

Exit [with Warwick, etc.].

Queen. Mischance and sorrow go along with you!

Heart's discontent and sour affliction

Be playfellows to keep you company!

There's two of you; the devil make a third,

And threefold vengeance tend upon your steps

Suf. Cease, gentle queen, these execrations,

And let thy Suffolk take his heavy leave.

Queen. Fie, coward woman and soft-hearted wretch!

Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemy?

 281 cited: urged

287 breathe in: infect with his breath

293 said: affirmed without oath 