P. Ed.
Pray, madam, do not leave me yet,
For I have many more complaints to tell you.

Queen.
And I unable to redress the least.
What would'st thou say, my child?

P. Ed.
Oh, mother, since I have lain i'th' Tower,
My rest has still been broke with frightful dreams,
Or shocking news has wak'd me into tears:
I'm scarce allow'd a friend to visit me;
All my old honest servants are turn'd off,
And in their rooms are strange ill-natur'd fellows,
Who look so bold as they were all my masters;
And I'm afraid they'll shortly take you from me.

D. of York.
Oh, mournful hearing!

La. Anne.
Oh, unhappy prince!

D. of York.
Dear brother, why do you weep so?
You make me cry too!

Queen.
Alas, poor innocence!

P. Ed.
Would I but knew at what my uncle aims;
If 'twere my crown, I'd freely give it him,
So he'd but let me 'joy my life in quiet.

D. of York.
Why, will my uncle kill us, brother?

P. Ed.
I hope he won't; we never injur'd him.

Queen.
I cannot bear to see 'em thus. [Weeping. Enter Lord Stanley.

Stanley.
Madam, I hope your majesty will pardon
What I am griev'd to tell, unwelcome news!

Queen.
Ah me! more sorrow, yet! my lord, we've long
Despair'd of happy tidings; pray what is't?

Stanley.
On Tuesday last, your noble kinsmen, Rivers,
Grey, and sir Thomas Vaughan, at Pomfret,
Were executed on a public scaffold.

Dut. of York.
Oh dismal tidings!

P. Ed.
Oh poor uncles! I doubt my turn is next.

La. Anne.
Nor mine, I fear, far off.

Queen.
Why then let's welcome blood and massacre,
Yield all our throats to the fell tiger's rage,
And die lamenting one another's wrongs;
Oh! I foresaw this ruin of our house. [Weeps. Enter Catesby.

Catesby.
Madam, the king
Has sent me to inform your majesty,
That you prepare (as is advised from council)
To-morrow for your royal coronation.

Queen.
What do I hear! support me, heav'n!

La. Anne.
Despightful tidings! Oh, unpleasing news!
Alas, I heard of this before, but could not,
For my soul, find heart to tell you of it.

Catesby.
The king does farther wish your majesty
Would less employ your visits at the Tower;
He gives me leave t'attend you to the court,
And is impatient, madam, till he sees you.

La. Anne.
Farewel to all; and thou, poor injur'd queen,
Forgive the unfriendly duty I must pay.

Queen.
Alas, kind soul, I envy not thy glory;
Nor think I'm pleas'd thou'rt partner in our sorrow.

Catesby.
Madam.

La. Anne.
I come.

Queen.
Farewel, thou woeful welcomer of glory.

Catesby.
Shall I attend your majesty?

La. Anne.
Attend me! whither? to be crown'd?
Let me with deadly venom be anointed,
And die ere man can say, Long live the Queen!

Queen.
Poor grieving heart! I pity thy complaining.

La. Anne.
No more than with my soul I mourn for yours.
A long farewel to all. [Exit with Catesby.

Stanley.
Take comfort, madam.

Queen.
Alas! where is it to be found?
Death and destruction follow us so close,
They shortly must o'ertake us.

Stanley.
In Britany,
My son-in-law, the earl of Richmond, still
Resides, who with a jealous eye observes
The lawless actions of aspiring Glo'ster;
To him would I advise you, madam, fly
Forthwith, for aid, protection, and redress:
He will, I'm sure, with open arms receive you.

Dut. of York.
Delay not, madam,
For 'tis the only hope that heav'n has left us.

Queen.
Do with me what you please—for any change
Must surely better our condition.

Stanley.
I farther would advise you, madam, this instant
To remove the princes to some
Remote abode, where you yourself are mistress.

P. Ed.
Dear madam, take me hence; for I shall ne'er
Enjoy a moment's quiet here.

D. of York.
Nor I; pray, mother, let me go too.

Queen.
Come then, my pretty young ones, let's away,
For here you lie within the falcon's reach,
Who watches but th' unguarded hour to seize you. Enter Lieutenant.

Lieut.
I beg your majesty will pardon me;
But the young princes must, on no account,
Have egress from the Tower.
Nor must (without the king's especial licence)
Of what degree soever, any person
Have admittance to 'em—all must retire.

Queen.
I am their mother, sir; who else commands 'em?
If I pass freely, they shall follow me.
For you—I'll take the peril of your fault upon myself.

Lieut.
My inclination, madam, would oblige you;
But I am bound by oath, and must obey;
Nor, madam, can I now with safety answer
For this continued visit.
Please you, my lord, to read these orders.

Queen.
Oh heav'nly pow'rs! shall I not stay with 'em?

Lieut.
Such are the king's commands, madam.

Queen.
My lord!

Stanley.
'Tis too true—and it were vain t'oppose 'em.

Queen.
Support me, heav'n!
For life can never bear the pangs of such a parting.
Oh, my poor children! oh, distracting thought!
I dare not bid 'em (as I should) farewel;
And then to part in silence, stabs my soul!

P. Ed.
What, must you leave us, mother?

Queen
What shall I say? [Aside.
But for a time, my loves—we shall meet again,
At least in heaven.

D. of York.
Won't you take me with you, mother?
I shall be so 'fraid to stay, when you are gone.

Queen.
I cannot speak to 'em, and yet we must
Be parted—then let these kisses say farewel.
Why! oh why! just heav'n, must these be our last!

D. of York.
Give not your grief such way—be sudden when you part.

Queen.
I will—since it must be—to heav'n I leave 'em:
Hear me, ye guardian powers of innocence!
Awake or sleeping—Oh, protect 'em still!
Still may their helpless youth attract men's pity,
That when the arm of cruelty is rais'd,
Their looks may drop the lifted dagger down
From the stern murderer's relenting hand,
And throw him on his knees in penitence!

Both Princes.
Oh, mother! mother!

Queen.
Oh, my poor children! [Exeunt severally.

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