GLOUCESTER.
I go. Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us?
ELEANOR.
Yes, my good lord, I’ll follow presently.
[Exeunt Gloucester and Messenger.]
Follow I must; I cannot go before
While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind.
Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood,
I would remove these tedious stumbling-blocks
And smooth my way upon their headless necks;
And, being a woman, I will not be slack
To play my part in Fortune’s pageant.—
Where are you there? Sir John! Nay, fear not, man,
We are alone; here’s none but thee and I.
Enter Hume.
HUME.
Jesus preserve your royal majesty!
ELEANOR.
What sayst thou? Majesty! I am but grace.
HUME.
But, by the grace of God, and Hume’s advice,
Your grace’s title shall be multiplied.
ELEANOR.
What sayst thou, man? Hast thou as yet conferred
With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch,
With Roger Bolingbroke, the conjurer?
And will they undertake to do me good?
HUME.
This they have promised, to show your highness
A spirit raised from depth of underground,
That shall make answer to such questions
As by your Grace shall be propounded him.