Page:William Hazlitt - Characters of Shakespear's Plays (1817).djvu/279

Rh There is no malice in this burning coal; The breath of heav'n hath blown its spirit out, And strew'd repentant ashes on its head. Hubert. But with my breath I can revive it, boy. Arthur. All things that you should use to do me wrong, Deny their office; only you do lack That mercy which fierce fire and iron extend, Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses. Hubert. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyes For all the treasure that thine uncle owns: Yet I am sworn, and I did purpose, boy, With this same very iron to burn them out. Arthur. O, now you look like Hubert. All this while You were disguised. Hubert. Peace: no more. Adieu, Your uncle must not know but you are dead. Ill fill these dogged spies with false reports And, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure, That Hubert, for the wealth of all the world, Will not offend thee. Arthur. O heav'n! I thank you, Hubert. Hubert. Silence, no more; go closely in with me; Much danger do I undergo for thee.[Exeunt."

His death afterwards, when he throws himself from his prison-walls, excites the utmost pity for his innocence and friendless situation, and well justifies the exaggerated denunciations of Falconbridge to Hubert whom he suspects wrongfully of the deed.

"There is not yet so ugly a fiend of hell As thou shalt be, if thou did'st kill this child. —If thou did'st but consent