For now the devil, that told me I did well, Take hence the rest, and give them burial here.1o [Exeunt. 10 This whole representation of Richard's death is according Trais et to Holinshed. The oldest authority for it is in Caxton's additions mort earl to Hygden's Polychronicon, and in a manuscript in the Royal Liv brary of Paris. The story is now pretty much exploded; but it was generally believed in the Poet's time, which belief was reason enough why he should follow it. There are two other accounts that are thought to be more deserving of credit than this; the one representing him to have died of voluntary, the other of compulsory starvation. Holinshed notices both of these, and gives the following from Thomas of Walsingham, who was living at the time: "When he heard that the complots and attempts of such his favourers, as sought his restitution and their owne advancement, were annihilated, and the cheefe agents shamefullie executed, he took such conceit at these misfortunes, and was so beaten out of hart, that wilfullie he starved himselfe, and so died in Pomfret castell on S. Valentines daie; a happie daie for him, for it was the beginning of his ease, and the ending of his paine." We subjoin the account as it stands in Holinshed. "King Henrie, sitting on a daie at his table, said, 'Have I no faithfull freend which will deliver me of him whose life will be my death?' This saieng was much noted of them which were present, and especiallie of one called sir Piers of Exton. This knight incontinentlie departed with eight strong persons in his companie, and came to Pomfret, commanding the esquier that was accustomed to take the assaie before king Richard to doo so no more. King Richard sat downe to dinner, and was served without courtesie or assaie, whereupon, much marvelling at the sudden change, he demanded of the esquier why he did not his dutie. Sir,' said he, 'I am otherwise commanded by sir Piers of Exton, which is newlie come from king Henrie.' When king Richard heard that word, he tooke the kerving knife in his hand, and strake the esquier on the head, saieng, The divell take Henrie of Lancaster and thee togither.' And with that word sir Piers entred the chamber with eight tall men, everie of them having a bill in his hand. King Richard, perceiving this, put the table from him, and, steping to the foremost man, wrung the bill out of his hands, and so valiantlie defended himself, that he slue foure of those that thus came to assaile him. Sir Piers, being halfe dismaied herewith, lept into the chaire where king Richard was wont to sit, while the other foure persons fought with him, and chased him about the chamber. And in con SCENE VI. Windsor. A Room in the Castle. Flourish. Enter BOLINGBROKE and YORK, with Lords and Attendants. Bol. Kind uncle York, the latest news we hear Is, that the rebels have consum'd with fire Our town of Cicester in Glostershire; But whether they be ta'en, or slain, we hear not. Enter NORTHUMBERLAND. Welcome, my lord: What is the news? North. First, to thy sacred state wish I all happi ness. The next news is, I have to London sent The heads of Salisbury, Spencer, Blunt, and Kent:1 The manner of their taking may appear At large discoursed in this paper here. [Presenting a paper. Bol. We thank thee, gentle Percy, for thy pains, And to thy worth will add right worthy gains. Enter FITZWATER. Fitz. My lord, I have from Oxford sent to London The heads of Brocas and Sir Bennet Seely; Two of the dangerous consorted traitors, That sought at Oxford thy dire overthrow. Bol. Thy pains, Fitzwater, shall not be forgot; Right noble is thy merit, well I wot. clusion, comming by the chaire where sir Piers stood, he was felled with a stroke of a pollax, which sir Piers gave him upon the head, and therewith rid him out of life. It is said, that sir Piers of Exton, after he had thus slaine him, wept right bitterlie, as one striken with the pricke of a giltie conscience, for murthering him whome he had so long time obeied as king." H. 1 So the folio. The quarto reads of Oxford, Salisbury, Blunt, and Kent. The folio is right according to the histories. Enter PERCY, with the Bishop of CARLISLE. Per. The grand conspirator, abbot of Westminster,2 With clog of conscience, and sour melancholy, But here is Carlisle living, to abide Thy kingly doom, and sentence of his pride. Choose out some secret place, some reverend room, Enter EXTON, with Attendants bearing a Coffin. Bol. Exton, I thank thee not; for thou hast wrought A deed of slander, with thy fatal hand, 4 Upon my head, and all this famous land. Ext. From your own mouth, my lord, did I this deed. 2 This abbot of Westminster was William of Colchester. The relation, which is taken from Holinshed, is untrue, as he survived the king many years; and though called "the grand conspirator," it is very doubtful whether he had any concern in the conspiracy; at least nothing was proved against him. 3 The bishop of Carlisle was committed to the Tower, but on the intercession of his friends obtained leave to change his prison for Westminster Abbey. In order to deprive him of his see, the pope, at the king's instance, translated him to a bishoprick in parti bus infidelium; and the only preferment he could ever after obtain was a rectory in Gloucestershire. 4 So in the first quarto; in all the other old copies slaughter, which makes odd work with upon my head. H. Bol. They love not poison that do poison need, Nor do I thee: though I did wish him dead, I hate the murderer, love him murdered. The guilt of conscience take thou for thy labour, But neither my good word, nor princely favour: With Cain go wander through the shade of night, And never show thy head by day nor light." Lords, I protest, my soul is full of woe, That blood should sprinkle me to make me grow: I'll make a voyage to the Holy Land, To wash this blood off from my guilty hand. [Exeunt. 5 Holinshed yields nothing from which the Poet could have taken a hint for this passage. The matter is thus put by Daniel : "First, he for whom thou dost this villany, Though pleas'd therewith, will not avouch thy fact, Fall on thee unsupported and unback'd: It need scarce be said that such a resemblance cannot well be accounted for but by supposing that either the two poets had some common authority, or else one of them borrowed from the other. H. |