_Leices._ My lord, why waste you thus the time away? They stay your answer; will you yield your crown? 50
_Edw._ Ah, Leicester, weigh how hardly I can brook To lose my crown and kingdom without cause; To give ambitious Mortimer my right, That like a mountain overwhelms my bliss, In which extreme my mind here murdered is. But what the heavens appoint, I must obey! Here, take my crown; the life of Edward too; [_Taking off the crown._ Two kings in England cannot reign at once. But stay awhile, let me be[307] king till night, That I may gaze upon this glittering crown; 60 So shall my eyes receive their last content, My head, the latest honour due to it, And jointly both yield up their wishèd right. Continue ever thou celestial sun; Let never silent night possess this clime: Stand still you watches of the element; All times and seasons, rest you at a stay, That Edward may be still fair England's king! But day's bright beam doth vanish fast away, And needs I must resign my wishèd crown. 70 Inhuman creatures! nursed with tiger's milk! Why gape you for your sovereign's overthrow! My diadem I mean, and guiltless life. See, monsters, see, I'll wear my crown again! [_He puts on the crown._ What, fear you not the fury of your king? But, hapless Edward, thou art fondly led, They pass not for thy frowns as late they did, But seek to make a new-elected king! Which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts, Which thoughts are martyrèd with endless torments, 80 And in this torment comfort find I none, But that I feel the crown upon my head, And therefore let me wear it yet awhile.
_Trus_. My lord, the parliament must have present news, And therefore say will you resign or no? [_The_ KING _rageth._ _Edw_. I'll not resign, but whilst I live[308] [be king]. Traitors, be gone! and join you with Mortimer! Elect, conspire, install, do what you will:-- Their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries!
_Winch._ This answer we'll return, and so farewell. 90
_Leices._ Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair; For if they go, the prince shall lose his right.
_Edw._ Call thou them back, I have no power to speak.
_Leices._ My lord, the king is willing to resign.
_Edw._ O would I might! but heavens and earth conspire To make me miserable! Here receive my crown; Receive it? no, these innocent hands of mine Shall not be guilty of so foul a crime. He of you all that most desires my blood, 100 And will be called the murderer of a king, Take it. What, are you moved? pity you me? Then send for unrelenting Mortimer, And Isabel, whose eyes, being turned to steel, Will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear. Yet stay, for rather than I'll look on them, Here, here! [_He gives them the crown._ Now, sweet God of heaven, Make me despise this transitory pomp, And sit for aye enthronizèd in heaven! Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes, 110 Or if I live, let me forget myself.[309]