And other of your highness' privy council,
As more at large your Grace shall understand.
Car. And so, my Lord Protector, by this means 176
Your lady is forthcoming yet at London.
This news, I think, hath turn'd your weapon's edge;
'Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour.
Glo. Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart: 180
Sorrow and grief have vanquish'd all my powers;
And, vanquish'd as I am, I yield to thee,
Or to the meanest groom.
King. O God! what mischiefs work the wicked ones, 184
Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby.
Queen. Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest;
And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best.
Glo. Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal, 188
How I have lov'd my king and commonweal;
And, for my wife, I know not how it stands.
Sorry I am to hear what I have heard:
Noble she is, but if she have forgot 192
Honour and virtue, and convers'd with such
As, like to pitch, defile nobility,
I banish her my bed and company,
And give her, as a prey, to law and shame, 196
That hath dishonour'd Gloucester's honest name.
King. Well, for this night we will repose us here:
To-morrow toward London back again,
To look into this business thoroughly, 200
And call these foul offenders to their answers;
And poise the cause in justice' equal scales,
177 forthcoming: under arrest
180 leave: cease
186 tainture: fouling
187 thou wert best: you had better
193 convers'd: had dealings
202 poise: weigh
