Q. Eliz. The Lord protect him from that kingly title!
Hath he set bounds between their love and me? 20
I am their mother; who shall bar me from them?
Duch. York. I am their father's mother; I will see them.
Anne. Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother:
Then bring me to their sights; I'll bear thy blame, 24
And take thy office from thee, on my peril.
Brak. No, madam, no, I may not leave it so:
I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me.
Enter Stanley.
Stan. Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence, 28
And I'll salute your Grace of York as mother,
And reverend looker-on of two fair queens.
[To the Duchess of Gloucester.] Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster,
There to be crowned Richard's royal queen. 32
Q. Eliz. Ah! cut my lace asunder,
That my pent heart may have some scope to beat,
Or else I swoon with this dead-killing news.
Anne. Despiteful tidings! O! unpleasing news! 36
Dor. Be of good cheer: mother, how fares your Grace?
Q. Eliz. O, Dorset! speak not to me, get thee gone!
Death and destruction dog thee at thy heels;
Thy mother's name is ominous to children. 40
If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas,
And live with Richmond, from the reach of hell:
Go, hie thee, hie thee, from this slaughter-house,
Lest thou increase the number of the dead, 44
26 it: i.e. my office
32 crowned; cf. n.
35 dead-killing: death-dealing
36 Despiteful: cruel
42 Richmond; cf. n.
from: beyond
