Light. To murder you, my most gracious lord! Far is it from my heart to do you harm. The queen sent me to see how you were used, For she relents at this your misery: And what eyes can refrain from shedding tears, To see a king in this most piteous state?
Edw. Weep'st thou already? list awhile to me. And then thy heart, were it as Gurney's is,50 Or as Matrevis', hewn from the Caucasus, Yet will it melt, ere I have done my tale. This dungeon where they keep me is the sink Wherein the filth of all the castle falls.
Light. O villains!
Edw. And there in mire and puddle have I stood This ten days' space; and, lest that I should sleep, One plays continually upon a drum. They give me bread and water, being a king; So that, for want of sleep and sustenance,60 My mind's distempered, and my body's numbed, And whether I have limbs or no I know not. O, would my blood dropped out from every vein, As doth this water from my tattered [331] robes. Tell Isabel, the queen, I looked not thus, When for her sake I ran at tilt in France, And there unhorsed the Duke of Cleremont.
Light. O speak no more, my lord! this breaks my heart. Lie on this bed, [332] and rest yourself awhile.
Edw. These looks of thine can harbour nought but death:70 I see my tragedy written in thy brows. Yet stay; awhile forbear thy bloody hand, And let me see the stroke before it comes, That [333] even then when I shall lose my life, My mind may be more steadfast on my God.
Light. What means your highness to mistrust me thus?
Edw. What mean'st thou to dissemble with me thus?
Light. These hands were never stained with innocent blood, Nor shall they now be tainted with a king's.79
Edw. Forgive my thought [334] for having such a thought. One jewel have I left, receive thou this. [Giving jewel. Still fear I, and I know not what's the cause, But every joint shakes as I give it thee. O, if thou harbour'st murder in thy heart, Let this gift change thy mind, and save thy soul! Know that I am a king: O! at that name I feel a hell of grief; where is my crown? Gone, gone; and do I remain alive? [335]