Thus far success attends upon our councils , And each event has answer 'd to my wish ; The queen and all her upstart race are quell 'd ; Dorset is banish 'd , and her brother Rivers , Ere this , lies shorter by the head at Pomfret . The nobles have , with joint concurrence , nam 'd me Protector of the realm : my brother 's children , Young Edward and the little York , are lodg 'd Here , safe within the Tower . How say you , sirs , Does not this business wear a lucky face ? The sceptre and the golden wreath of royalty Seem hung within my reach . That can I . Those lords are each one my approv 'd good friends , Of special trust and nearness to my bosom ; And , howsoever busy they may seem , And diligent to bustle in the state , Their zeal goes on no further than we lead , And at our bidding stays . I guess the man at whom your words would point : Hastings — He bears me great good will . And yet this tough , impracticable , heart , Is govern 'd by a dainty-finger 'd girl ; Such flaws are found in the most worthy natures ; A laughing , toying , wheedling , whimpering , she , Shall make him amble on a gossip 's message , And take the distaff with a hand as patient As e'er did Hercules . No more , he comes . My good lord chamberlain , We 're much beholden to your gentle friendship . In right good time . Speak out year pleasure freely . Say you , of Shore ? Marry ! the times are badly chang 'd with her , From Edward 's days to these . Then all was jollity , Feasting and mirth , light wantonness and laughter , Piping and playing , minstrelsy and masking ; ‘ Till life fled from us like an idle dream , A show of mummery without a meaning . My brother , rest and pardon to his soul , Is gone to his account ; for this his minion , The revel-rout is done — But you were speaking Concerning her — I have been told , that you Are frequent in your visitation to her . Go to : I did not mean to chide you for it . For , sooth to say , I hold it noble in you To cherish the distress 'd .— On with your tale . Somewhat of this , but slightly , have I heard ; And though some counsellors of forward zeal , Some of most ceremonious sanctity And bearded wisdom , often have provok 'd The hand of justice to fall heavy on her ; Yet still , in kind compassion of her weakness , And tender memory of Edward 's love , I have withheld the merciless stern law From doing outrage on her helpless beauty . Thus far , the voice of pity pleaded only : Our further and more full extent of grace Is given to your request . Let her attend , And to ourself deliver up her griefs . She shall be heard with patience , and each wrong At full redress 'd . But I have other news , Which much import us both ; for still my fortunes Go hand in hand with yours : our common foes , The queen 's relations , our new-fangled gentry , Have fall'n their haughty crests — that for your privacy . Arise , fair dame , and dry your wat'ry eyes . Beshrew me , but ‘ twere pity of his heart That could refuse a boon to such a suitress . You 've got a noble friend to be your advocate ; A worthy and right gentle lord he is , And to his trust most true . This present now Some matters of the state detain our leisure ; Those once dispatch 'd , we 'll call for you anon , And give your griefs redress . Go to ! be comforted . Now by my holidame ! Heavy of heart she seems , and sore afflicted . But thus it is when rude calamity Lays its strong gripe upon these mincing minions ; The dainty gew-gaw forms dissolve at once , And shiver at the shock . What says her paper ? You saw it giv'n , but now . No , ‘ tis plain —— She knows it not , it levels at her life ; Should she presume to prate of such high matters , The meddling harlot , dear she should abide it . Upon the instant , Lord Hastings will be here ; this morn I mean To prove him to the quick ; then if he flinch , No more but this — away with him at once , He must be mine or nothing —— But he comes ! Draw nearer this way , and observe me well . This do , and wait me e'er the council sits . You know your friendship is most potent with us , And shares our power . But of this enough , For we have other matters for your ear . The state is out of tune : distracting fears , And jealous doubts , jar in our public councils ; Amidst the wealthy city , murmurs rise , Lewd railings , and reproach on those that rule , With open scorn of government ; hence credit , And public trust ‘ twixt man and man , are broke . The golden streams of commerce are withheld , Which fed the wants of needy hinds and artizans , Who therefore curse the great , and threat rebellion . Beshrew my heart ! but you have well divin 'd The source of these disorders . Who can wonder If riot and misrule o'erturn the realm , When the crown sits upon a baby brow ? Plainly to speak , hence comes the gen'ral cry , And sum of all complaint : ‘ twill ne'er be well With England while children govern . The council Have plac 'd a pageant sceptre in my hand , Barren of pow'r , and subject to controul ; Scorn 'd by my foes , and useless to my friends . Oh , worthy lord ! were mine the rule indeed , I think I should not suffer rank offence At large to lord it in the commonweal ; Nor would the realm be rent by discord thus , Thus fear and doubt , betwixt disputed titles . Ay , marry , but there is —— And that of much concern . Have you not heard How , on a late occasion , doctor Shaw Has mov 'd the people much about the lawfulness Of Edward 's issue ? By right grave authority Of learning and religion , plainly proving , A bastard scion never should be grafted Upon a royal stock ; from thence at full Discoursing on my brother 's former contract To lady Elizabeth Lucy , long before His jolly match with that same buxom widow , The queen he left behind him —— What if some patriot , for the public good , Should vary from your scheme , new-mould the state ? You go too far , my lord . How now ! so hot ! Is then our friendship of so little moment , That you could arm your hand against my life ? O noble Hastings ! nay , I must embrace you ; By holy Paul , you 're a right honest man ! This was the sum of all : that he would brook No alteration in the present state . Marry , at last , the testy gentleman Was almost mov 'd to bid us bold defiance : But there I dropp 'd the argument , and , changing The first design and purport of my speech , I prais 'd his good affection to young Edward , And left him to believe my thoughts like his . Proceed we then in this fore-mention 'd matter , As nothing bound or trusting to his friendship . This wayward and perverse declining from us , Has warranted at full the friendly notice , Which we this morn receiv 'd . I hold it certain , The puling , whining , harlot rules his reason , And prompts his zeal for Edward 's bastard brood . Your counsel likes me well , it shall be follow 'd , She waits without , attending on her suit . Go , call her in , and leave us here alone . Enter Jane Shore . Oh ! you are come most fitly . We have ponder 'd On this your grievance : and though some there are , Nay , and those great ones too , who would enforce The rigour of our power to afflict you , And bear a heavy hand ; yet fear not you : We 've ta'en you to our favour : our protection Shall stand between , and shield you from mishap . Marry , there are , though I believe them not , Who say you meddle in affairs of state : That you presume to prattle like a busy-body , Give your advice , and teach the lords o ’ the council What fits the order of the commonweal . Go to ; I know your pow'r ; and though I trust not To ev'ry breath of fame , I 'm not to learn That Hastings is profess 'd your loving vassal . But fair befall your beauty : use it wisely , And it may stand your fortunes much in stead , Give back your forfeit land with large increase , And place you high in safety and in honour . Nay , I could point a way , the which pursuing , You shall not only bring yourself advantage , But give the realm much worthy cause to thank you . Why , that 's well said — Thus then — Observe me well . The state , for many high and potent reasons , Deeming my brother Edward 's sons unfit For the imperial weight of England 's crown — Therefore have resolv 'd To set aside their unavailing infancy And vest the sov'reign rule in abler hands . This , though of great importance to the public Hastings , for very peevishness , and spleen , Does stubbornly oppose . Ay , Hastings . How now ! You 're passing rich in this same heav'nly speech , And spend it at your pleasure . Nay , but mark me ! My favour is not bought with words like these . Go to — you 'll teach your tongue another tale . Dare not , ev'n for thy soul , to thwart me further ! None of your arts , your feigning , and your foolery ; Your dainty squeamish coying it to me ; Go — to your lord , your paramour , be gone ! Lisp in his ear , hang wanton on his neck , And play your monkey gambols o'er to him . You know my purpose , look that you pursue it , And make him yield obedience to my will . Do it — or woe upon the harlot 's head . Ha ! Dost thou brave me , minion ! Dost thou know How vile , how very a wretch , my pow'r can make thee ? That I can place thee in such abject state , As help shall never find thee ; where , repining , Thou shall sit down , and gnaw the earth for anguish ; Groan to the pitiless winds without return ; Howl , like the midnight wolf amidst the desert , And curse thy life , in bitterness and misery ! ‘ Tis well — we 'll try the temper of your heart . What , hoa ! Who waits without ? Go , some of you , and turn this strumpet forth ! Spurn her into the street ; there let her perish , And rot upon a dunghill . Through the city See it proclaim 'd , that none , on pain of death , Presume to give her comfort , food , or harbour ; Who ministers the smallest comfort , dies . Her house , her costly furniture and wealth , We seize on , for the profit of the state . Away ! Be gone ! So much for this . Your project 's at an end . I 'll attend them . My lords , a set of worthy men you are , Prudent and just , and careful for the state ; Therefore , to your most grave determination I yield myself in all things ; and demand What punishment your wisdom shall think meet T ’ inflict upon those damnable contrivers , Who shall , with potions , charms , and witching drugs , Practise against our person and our life ! Then judge yourselves , convince your eyes of truth : Behold my arm , thus blasted , dry , and wither 'd , If they have done it ! Talk'st thou to me of ifs , audacious traitor ! Thou art that strumpet witch 's chief abettor , The patron and complotter of her mischiefs , And join 'd in this contrivance for my death . Nay start not , lords — What ho ! a guard there , sirs ! Enter Guards .Lord Hastings , I arrest thee of high treason . Seize him , and bear him instantly away . He sha ’ not live an hour . By holy Paul , I will not dine before his head be brought me . Ratcliffe , stay thou , and see that it be done : The rest , that love me , rise and follow me . Lord Hastings , Sir Richard Ratcliffe , and Guards , remain .