YORK.
[Within.] My liege, beware! Look to thyself!
Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there.
KING HENRY.
[Drawing.] Villain, I’ll make thee safe.
AUMERLE.
Stay thy revengeful hand. Thou hast no cause to fear.
YORK.
[Within.] Open the door, secure, foolhardy king!
Shall I for love speak treason to thy face?
Open the door, or I will break it open.
[King Henry unlocks the door; and afterwards, relocks it.]
Enter York.
KING HENRY.
What is the matter, uncle? Speak!
Recover breath. Tell us how near is danger,
That we may arm us to encounter it.
YORK.
Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know
The treason that my haste forbids me show.
AUMERLE.
Remember, as thou read’st, thy promise passed.
I do repent me. Read not my name there;
My heart is not confederate with my hand.
YORK.
It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down.
I tore it from the traitor’s bosom, king.
Fear, and not love, begets his penitence.
Forget to pity him, lest thy pity prove
A serpent that will sting thee to the heart.