To royal clemency,—however strongly
Entreated so to do.
KING.
Thou 'st been inclined to mercy, not to blood.
HENRIQUEZ.
With black ingratitude, with base disloyalty
To all that sacred is in virtuous ties,
Knitting man's heart to manWhat shall I say?
Ingenuous, faithful, generous, and noble:
Ev'n but to look on him had been full warrant
Against th' accusing tongue of man or angel
To all the world beside,—and yet he slew him.
A friend whose fost'ring love had been the stay,
The guide, the solace of his wayward youth,—
Love steady, tried, unwearied,—yet he slew him.
A friend, who in his best devoted thoughts,
His happiness on earth, his bliss in heaven,
Intwined his image, and could nought devise
Of separate good,—and yet he basely slew him;
Rush'd on him like a ruffian in the dark,
And thrust him forth from life, from light, from nature,
Unwitting, unprepared for th' awful change
