GLOUCESTER
Thus sometimes the brightest day a cloud,
And after summer evermore succeeds
Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold;
So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.
Sirs, what’s o’clock?
SERVINGMEN
Ten, my lord.
GLOUCESTER
Ten is the hour that was appointed me
To watch the coming of my punished duchess.
Uneath may she endure the flinty streets,
To tread them with her tender-feeling feet.
Sweet Nell, ill can noble mind abrook
The abject people gazing on face
With envious looks, laughing at shame,
That erst did follow proud chariot wheels
When ride in triumph through the streets.
But, soft! I think she comes; and I’ll prepare
My tear-stained eyes to see her miseries.
SERVINGMEN
So please your Grace, we’ll take her from the sheriff.
GLOUCESTER
No, stir not for your lives; let her pass by.
ELEANOR
Come you, my lord, to see my open shame?
Now penance too. Look how they gaze!
See how the giddy multitude do point,
And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on .
Ah, Gloucester, hide from their hateful looks,
And, in closet pent up, rue my shame,
And ban enemies, both mine and !
GLOUCESTER
Be patient, gentle Nell, forget this grief.
ELEANOR
Ah, Gloucester, teach me to forget myself!
For whilst I think I am married wife
And a prince, Protector of this land,
I should not thus be led along,
Mailed up in shame, with papers on my back,
And followed with a rabble that rejoice
To see my tears and hear my deep-fet groans.
The ruthless flint 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 that e’er I’ll look upon the world,
Or count them happy that enjoy the sun?
No, dark shall be my light and night my day;
To think upon my pomp shall be my hell.
Sometimes I’ll say, I am Duke Humphrey’s wife,
And he a prince and ruler of the land;
Yet so he ruled and such a prince he was
As he stood by whilst I, his forlorn duchess,
Was made a wonder and a pointing-stock
To every idle rascal follower.
But be mild and blush not at my shame,
Nor stir at nothing till the axe of death
Hang over , as, sure, it shortly will.
For Suffolk, he that can do all in all
With her that hateth and hates us all,
And York and impious Beaufort, that false priest,
Have all limed bushes to betray wings;
And fly how canst, they’ll tangle .
But fear not until foot be snared,
Nor never seek prevention of foes.
GLOUCESTER
Ah, Nell, forbear! aimest all awry.
I must offend before I be attainted;
And had I twenty times so many foes,
And each of them had twenty times their power,
All these could not procure me any scathe
So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless.
have me rescue from this reproach?
Why, yet scandal were not wiped away,
But I in danger for the breach of law.
greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell.
I pray , sort heart to patience;
These few days’ wonder will be quickly worn.
HERALD
I summon your grace to his majesty’s parliament,
Holden at Bury the first of this next month.
GLOUCESTER
And my consent asked herein before?
This is close dealing. Well, I will be there.
GLOUCESTER
My Nell, I take my leave; and, master sheriff,
Let not her penance exceed the King’s commission.
SHERIFF
An ’t please your grace, here my commission stays,
And Sir John Stanley is appointed now
To take her with him to the Isle of Man.
GLOUCESTER
Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here?
STANLEY
So am I given in charge, may ’t please your grace.
GLOUCESTER
Entreat her not the worse in that I pray
You use her well. The world may laugh again,
And I may live to do you kindness if
You do it her. And so, Sir John, farewell.
ELEANOR
What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell?
GLOUCESTER
Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak.
ELEANOR
Art gone too? All comfort go with ,
For none abides with me; my joy is death;
Death, at whose name I have been afeard,
Because I wished this world’s eternity.
Stanley, I , go, and take me ,
I care not , for I beg no favour,
Only convey me where art commanded.
STANLEY
Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man,
There to be used according to your state.
ELEANOR
That’s bad enough, for I am but reproach;
And shall I then be used reproachfully?
STANLEY
Like to a duchess, and Duke Humphrey’s lady;
According to that state you shall be used.
ELEANOR
Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare,
Although been conduct of my shame.
SHERIFF
It is my office; and, madam, pardon me.
ELEANOR
Ay, ay, farewell; office is discharged.
Come, Stanley, shall we go?
STANLEY
Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet,
And go we to attire you for our journey.
ELEANOR
My shame will not be shifted with my sheet,
No, it will hang upon my richest robes
And show itself, attire me how I can.
Go, lead the way, I long to see my prison.