Gloucest.
Not, that I should have given my Office up,
Without consulting You.—I, rather, meant
To try the Queen, and fathom their Intentions.

York.
Your Highness might, as well, give up your Life:
And leave the King, and People to these Spoilers.

Salisb.
The Peers (of their high Privileges jealous)
Will, never, condescend to hear of Business,
'Till You have taken your Seat in Parliament:
Nor, will We, assembled, suffer your Confinement
To be prolong'd, an Hour; ere we demand
The Cause of your Arrest.—When you appear;
With all your wonted Energy of Speech,
Boldly, in Presence of his Majesty
And Both the Houses, set forth your Innocence;
Demanding Reparation, for this Outrage.
Then,—openly assert the Power, you hold by Law;
The Trust committed to you.—Take the King
To your Protection;—And, seclude that female
Politician:—And, let her Paramour,
And Beaufort, abide the Justice of their Peers.

Gloucest.
What shall I say, my Lords?—By gentler Methods,
I would secure the Welfare of the State!—

York.
Must You forgive, and They offend, for ever?

Salisb.
The Nation Suffers, through your Moderation:
And Clemency, misplaced, emboldens Traitours!
  The Wrongs, the Indignities, the bold Attempts,

(Year after Year) level'd against your Person,
With the accumulated Insults of this Day,
I mention not;—since, You are pleas'd to o'erlook
All Injuries, but what regard your Countrey.—
But,—if the Weal of England does require,
Your Enemies should be severely punish'd;
Will Gloucester, still, be partial to their Crimes,
Only, because They have offended Him?

Gloucest.
I think, my Breast did, never, nourish Malice.—
And yet,—so apt is Power to warp with Passion;
And, so over-prone is Censure; that, I wish
(While I discharge my Duty to my Countrey)
Keen-searching Envy might discern no Glimpse
Of secret Vengeance, in my publick Actions.

Salisb.
Rather, my Lord, suspect your Lenity;
Your too-long Suffering:—Lest, it be said;
You court Applause,—at the Expence of Justice.

York.
Beaufort's and Suffolk's Crimes, against the State,
Are so enormous; that, all honest Men
Will blame your Highness, should They go unpunish'd.
  Has not the One (to speak not half his Guilt)
By Frauds against the Crown, by Sale of Offices,
By Plunder from the People, and the Clergy,
Amass'd such vast Exuberance of Wealth;
That Millions, daily, curse him, by the Name
Of the Rich Cardinal?—Has not the Other—

Gloucest.
O, speak it not!—To what a Pitch of Glory
Did our Late Leader, of immortal Memory,
Build up the Nation's Prowess?—That (like a Pyramid
Of Fire, high on a Mountain rais'd, to shine by Night)
Our Blaze of Valour drew the Admiration
Of the wide Continent!—

York.
Our yearly Harvest,

Conquest on Conquest!—And, the English Name
So much revered; that every private Subject,
Who travell'd far,—was an illustrious Stranger!

Gloucest.
Bitter Remembrance!—O, lasting Infamy!—
How have We squander'd our whole Treasure of Renown!—
Spendthrifts in Fame!—The Scorn of Those, We conquer'd!

Salisb.
And, shall this Suffolk live; who gave up France?—
The Purchase of our noblest Blood!—For Which,
Great Henry fought!—And, to maintain it Ours,
Bedford wore out his Life, in sore Fatigues!

Gloucest.
I have assur'd you, by the Earl of Warwick,
Of my Compliance; since the usual Forms
Of Law are ineffectual.

Salisb.
When Treasons, manifest,
Are so contriv'd (as Treasons, often, are)
That they defy the Force of Written Laws;
Or, when the Wealth, or Dignity, of Traitours
Sets them above the Reach of Common Justice:
Attainders are the Refuge of the State.—

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