The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9] · William Shakespeare
SCENE III. _A bedchamber_.
_Enter the_ KING, SALISBURY, WARWICK, _to the_ CARDINAL _in bed_. _King._ How fares my lord? speak, Beaufort, to thy sovereign. [bcc001] _Car._ If thou be’st death, I’ll give thee England’s treasure, Enough to purchase such another island, So thou wilt let me live, and feel no pain. [bcc004] _King._ Ah, what a sign it is of evil life, ·bcc005· Where death’s approach is seen so terrible! _War._ Beaufort, it is thy sovereign speaks to thee. _Car._ Bring me unto my trial when you will. Died he not in his bed? where should he die? [bcc009] Can I make men live, whether they will or no? [bcc010] O, torture me no more! I will confess. Alive again? then show me where he is: I’ll give a thousand pound to look upon him. He hath no eyes, the dust hath blinded them. Comb down his hair; look, look! it stands upright, ·bcc015· Like lime-twigs set to catch my winged soul. Give me some drink; and bid the apothecary Bring the strong poison that I bought of him. _King._ O thou eternal Mover of the heavens, Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch! ·bcc020· O, beat away the busy meddling fiend [bcc021] That lays strong siege unto this wretch’s soul [bcc022] And from his bosom purge this black despair! _War._ See, how the pangs of death do make him grin!
_Sal._ Disturb him not; let him pass peaceably. ·bcc025· _King._ Peace to his soul, if God’s good pleasure be! [bcc026] Lord cardinal, if thou think’st on heaven’s bliss, Hold up thy hand, make signal of thy hope. [bcc028] He dies, and makes no sign. O God, forgive him! _War._ So bad a death argues a monstrous life. ·bcc030· _King._ Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all. Close up his eyes and draw the curtain close; And let us all to meditation. [_Exeunt._
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.