Works. The text carefully restored according to the first editions Volume 6 ; with introductions, notes original and selected, and a life of the poet

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt: ...France. So help me God, as I have watch'd the night, Ay, night by night, in studying good for England! That doit that e'er I wrested from the king, Or any groat I hoarded to my use, Be brought against me at my trial day! No! many a pound of mine own proper store, Because I would not tax the needy commons. Have I dispursed to the garrisons, And never ask'd for restitution. Card. It serves you well, my lord, to say so much. Glo. I say no more than truth, so help me God! York. In your protectorship, you did devise Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of, That England was defam'd by tyranny. Glo. Why, 'tis well known, that whiles I was protector, Pity was all the fault that was in me: For I should melt at an offender's tears, And lowly words were ransom for their fault. Unless it were a bloody murderer, Or foul felonious thief that fleec'd poor passengers, I never gave them condign punishment: Murder, indeed, that bloody sin, I tortur'd Above the felon, or what trespass else. Suff. My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answer'd; But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge, Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself. I do arrest you in his highness' name; And here commit you to my lord cardinal To keep, until your further time of trial. King. My lord of Gloster, 'tis my special hope, That you will clear yourself from all suspects:9 My conscience tells me you are innocent. Glo. Ah, gracious lord! these days are dangerous: Virtue is chok'd with foul ambition, And charity chas'd hence by rancour's hand; Foul subornation is predominant, And equity exil'd your highness' land. I know their complot is to have my life; And, if my death might make this island happy, And prove the period of their tyranny, I would expend it with all willingness: But mine is made t...