Thanks, gentle Winchester.  [To the Messenger.] Sirrah, be gone.  [Exit Messenger.

Winch. The king hath willingly resigned his crown.

Queen. O happy news! send for the prince, my son.

Winch. Further, or this letter [316] was sealed, Lord Berkeley came,30 So that he now is gone from Killingworth; And we have heard that Edmund laid a plot To set his brother free; no more but so. The Lord of Berkeley is so [as?] pitiful As Leicester that had charge of him before.

Queen. Then let some other be his guardian.

Y. Mor. Let me alone, here is the privy seal. [Exit Winchester. Who's there?—call hither Gurney and Matrevis. To dash the heavy-headed Edmund's drift, Berkeley shall be discharged, the king removed,40 And none but we shall know where he lieth.[317]

Queen. But, Mortimer, as long as he survives, What safety rests for us, or for my son?

Y. Mor. Speak, shall he presently be despatched and die?

Queen. I would he were, so 'twere not by my means.

Enter Matrevis and Gurney.