CLARENCE.
I must perforce. Farewell.
[Exeunt Clarence, Brakenbury and guard.]
RICHARD.
Go tread the path that thou shalt ne’er return.
Simple, plain Clarence, I do love thee so
That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,
If heaven will take the present at our hands.
But who comes here? The new-delivered Hastings?
Enter Lord Hastings.
HASTINGS.
Good time of day unto my gracious lord.
RICHARD.
As much unto my good Lord Chamberlain.
Well are you welcome to the open air.
How hath your lordship brooked imprisonment?
HASTINGS.
With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must;
But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanks
That were the cause of my imprisonment.
RICHARD.
No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Clarence too,
For they that were your enemies are his,
And have prevailed as much on him as you.
HASTINGS.
More pity that the eagles should be mewed,
Whiles kites and buzzards prey at liberty.
RICHARD.
What news abroad?