_Serv._ What, think you then the king shall be deposed?[1529]
_Gard._ Depress'd he is already, and deposed 'Tis doubt he will be: letters came last night[1530][1531] To a dear friend of the good Duke of York's,[1530][1532] 70 That tell black tidings.[1533]
_Queen._ O, I am press'd to death through want of speaking![1533][1534]
Thou, old Adam's likeness, set to dress this garden,[1533][1535] How dares thy harsh rude tongue sound this unpleasing news?[1533][1536] What Eve, what serpent, hath suggested thee 75 To make a second fall of cursed man? Why dost thou say King Richard is deposed? Darest thou, thou little better thing than earth, Divine his downfal? Say, where, when, and how, Camest thou by this ill tidings? speak, thou wretch.[1537] 80
_Gard._ Pardon me, madam: little joy have I To breathe this news; yet what I say is true.[1538] King Richard, he is in the mighty hold Of Bolingbroke: their fortunes both are weigh'd: In your lord's scale is nothing but himself,[1539] 85 And some few vanities that make him light; But in the balance of great Bolingbroke, Besides himself, are all the English peers, And with that odds he weighs King Richard down. Post you to London, and you will find it so;[1540] 90 I speak no more than every one doth know.
_Queen._ Nimble mischance, that art so light of foot, Doth not thy embassage belong to me, And am I last that knows it? O, thou think'st[1541] To serve me last, that I may longest keep 95 Thy sorrow in my breast. Come, ladies, go,[1542] To meet at London London's king in woe. What, was I born to this, that my sad look Should grace the triumph of great Bolingbroke? Gardener, for telling me these news of woe,[1543] 100 Pray God the plants thou graft'st may never grow.
_Gard._ Poor queen! so that thy state might be no worse, I would my skill were subject to thy curse. Here did she fall a tear; here in this place[1545] I'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace:[1546] 105 Rue, even for ruth, here shortly shall be seen, In the remembrance of a weeping queen. [_Exeunt._[1547]
[1290] ACT III. SCENE I. Bristol. Before the Castle.] Capell.
Enter Bolingbroke....] Ff Q₅. Enter Duke of Hereford, Y., N., B. and G. prisoners. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[1297] _Whilst_] Q₁. _While_ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅.