The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9] · William Shakespeare
SCENE IV. _London. The palace_.
_Enter_ QUEEN ELIZABETH _and_ RIVERS. _Riv._ Madam, what makes you in this sudden change? [cdd001] _Q. Eliz._ Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn [cdd002] What late misfortune is befall’n King Edward? [cdd003] _Riv._ What! loss of some pitch’d battle against Warwick? [cdd004] _Q. Eliz._ No, but the loss of his own royal person. ·cdd005· _Riv._ Then is my sovereign slain? _Q. Eliz._ Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner, Either betray’d by falsehood of his guard Or by his foe surprised at unawares: And, as I further have to understand, ·cdd010· Is new committed to the Bishop of York, [cdd011] Fell Warwick’s brother and by that our foe. _Riv._ These news I must confess are full of grief; Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may: Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day. ·cdd015· _Q. Eliz._ Till then fair hope must hinder life’s decay. [cdd016] And I the rather wean me from despair [cdd017] For love of Edward’s offspring in my womb: This is it that makes me bridle passion [cdd019] And bear with mildness my misfortune’s cross; [cdd020] Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs, Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown King Edward’s fruit, true heir to the English crown.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.