William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Second Part

ACT III. 2. SCENE II. Bury St. Edmund's. A Room of State.

[Enter certain Murderers, hastily.]

1 MURDERER.
Run to my Lord of Suffolk; let him know
We have dispatch'd the duke, as he commanded.

2 MURDERER.
O that it were to do! What have we done?
Didst ever hear a man so penitent?

[Enter SUFFOLK.]

1 MURDERER.
Here comes my lord.

SUFFOLK.
Now, sirs, have you dispatch'd this thing?

1 MURDERER.
Ay, my good lord, he's dead.

SUFFOLK.
Why, that's well said. Go, get you to my house;
I will reward you for this venturous deed.
The king and all the peers are here at hand.
Have you laid fair the bed? Is all things well,
According as I gave directions?

1 MURDERER.
'T is, my good lord.

SUFFOLK.
Away! be gone.

[Exeunt Murderers.]

[Sound trumpets. Enter the KING, the QUEEN,
CARDINAL BEAUFORT, SOMERSET, with attendants.]

KING.
Go, call our uncle to our presence straight;
Say we intend to try his grace to-day,
If he be guilty, as 't is published.

SUFFOLK.
I'll call him presently, my noble lord.

[Exit.]

KING.
Lords, take your places; and, I pray you all,
Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloster
Than from true evidence of good esteem
He be approv'd in practice culpable.

QUEEN.
God forbid any malice should prevail
That faultless may condemn a nobleman!
Pray God he may acquit him of suspicion!

KING.
I thank thee, Meg; these words content me much.--

[Re-enter SUFFOLK.]

How now! why look'st thou pale? why tremblest thou?
Where is our uncle? what's the matter, Suffolk?