That England was defam'd by tyranny.
Glo. Why, 'tis well known that, whiles I was protector, 124
Pity was all the fault that was in me;
For I should melt at an offender's tears,
And lowly words were ransom for their fault.
Unless it were a bloody murtherer, 128
Or foul felonious thief that fleec'd poor passengers,
I never gave them condign punishment:
Murther, indeed, that bloody sin, I tortur'd
Above the felon or what trespass else. 132
Suf. My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answer'd:
But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge,
Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself.
I do arrest you in his highness' name, 136
And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal
To keep until your further time of trial.
King. My Lord of Gloucester, 'tis my special hope
That you will clear yourself from all suspect: 140
My conscience tells me you are innocent.
Glo. Ah! gracious lord, these days are dangerous.
Virtue is chok'd with foul ambition,
And charity chas'd hence by rancour's hand; 144
Foul subornation is predominant,
And equity exil'd your highness' land.
I know their complot is to have my life;
And if my death might make this island happy, 148
And prove the period of their tyranny,
I would expend it with all willingness;
But mine is made the prologue to their play;
126 should: was wont to, would
129 passengers: wayfarers
130 condign: adequate
132 Beyond any other kind of felony or misdemeanor
138 further: future
145 subornation: instigation to perjury or crime (cf. l. 45)
149 period: end
150 it: i.e. my life
