The tyrannous and bloody act is done,

The most arch deed of piteous massacre

That ever yet this land was guilty of.

Dighton and Forrest, who I did suborn

To do this piece of ruthless butchery,

Albeit they were fleshed villains, bloody dogs,

Melted with tenderness and mild compassion,

Wept like two children in their deaths’ sad story.

“O, thus,” quoth Dighton, “lay the gentle babes;”

“Thus, thus,” quoth Forrest, “girdling one another

Within their alabaster innocent arms.

Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,

And in their summer beauty kissed each other.

A book of prayers on their pillow lay,

Which once,” quoth Forrest, “almost changed my mind.

But, O, the devil—” There the villain stopped;

When Dighton thus told on: “We smothered

The most replenished sweet work of nature

That from the prime creation e’er she framed.”

Hence both are gone with conscience and remorse

They could not speak; and so I left them both

To bear this tidings to the bloody King.

And here he comes. All health, my sovereign lord.

Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news?

If to have done the thing you gave in charge

Beget your happiness, be happy then,

For it is done.

But didst thou see them dead?

I did, my lord.

And buried, gentle Tyrrel?

The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them,

But where, to say the truth, I do not know.

Come to me, Tyrrel, soon, at after-supper,

When thou shalt tell the process of their death.

Meantime, but think how I may do thee good,

And be inheritor of thy desire.

Farewell till then.

I humbly take my leave.

The son of Clarence have I pent up close;

His daughter meanly have I matched in marriage;

The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham’s bosom,

And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night.

Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims

At young Elizabeth, my brother’s daughter,

And by that knot looks proudly on the crown,

To her go I, a jolly thriving wooer.

My lord!

Good or bad news, that thou com’st in so bluntly?

Bad news, my lord. Morton is fled to Richmond,

And Buckingham, backed with the hardy Welshmen,

Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.

Ely with Richmond troubles me more near

Than Buckingham and his rash-levied strength.

Come, I have learned that fearful commenting

Is leaden servitor to dull delay;

Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary;

Then fiery expedition be my wing,

Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king!

Go, muster men. My counsel is my shield.

We must be brief when traitors brave the field.