Беспокойное бессмертие: 450 лет со дня рождения Уильяма Шекспира (Честертон, Грин) - страница 115

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Unto the kingdom of perpetual night.

The first that there did greet my stranger-soul

Was my great father-in-law, renownèd Warwick,

Who spake aloud, ʼWhat scourge for perjury

Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?’

And so he vanished. Then came wandering by

A shadow like an angel, with bright hair

Dabbled in blood, and he shrieked out aloud,

ʼClarence is come: false, fleeting, perjured Clarence,

That stabbed me in the field by Tewksbury.

Seize on him, furies, take him unto torment.’

With that, methought, a legion of foul fiends

Environed me, and howlèd in mine ears

Such hideous cries that with the very noise

I trembling waked, and for a season after

Could not believe but that I was in hell,

Such terrible impression made my dream.

Keeper

No marvel, lord, though it affrighted you.

I am afraid, methinks, to hear you tell it.

Clarence

Ah keeper, keeper, I have done these things

Which now bear evidence against my soul

For Edward’s sake, and see how he requites me.

O God, if my deep prayers cannot appease thee,

But thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds,

Yet execute thy wrath in me alone.

Oh, spare my guiltless wife and my poor children.

Keeper, I prithee sit by me awhile.

My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep.

Keeper

I will, my lord. God give your grace good rest.

^{>Enter Brakenbury, the Lieutenant.}

Brakenbury

Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours,

Makes the night morning, and the noontide night.

Princes have but their titles for their glories,

An outward honour for an inward toil,

And for unfelt imaginations

They often feel a world of restless cares;

So that between their titles and low name

There’s nothing differs but the outward fame.

^{>Enter two Murderers.}

First Murderer

Ho, who’s here?

Brakenbury

What wouldst thou, fellow? And how cam’st thou hither?

Second Murderer

I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs.

Brakenbury

What, so brief?

First Murderer

ʼTis better, sir, than to be tedious.

Let him see our commission, and talk no more.

^{>Brakenbury reads.}

Brakenbury

I am in this commanded to deliver

The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands.

I will not reason what is meant hereby,

Because I will be guiltless from the meaning.

There lies the duke asleep, and there the keys.

I’ll to the king and signify him

That thus I have resigned to you my charge.

First Murderer

You may, sir, ʼtis a point of wisdom. Fare you well.

^{>Exeunt Brakenbury and Keeper.}

Second Murderer

What, shall we stab him as he sleeps?

First Murderer

No. He’ll say ʼtwas done cowardly, when he wakes.

Second Murderer

Why, he shall never wake until the great judgement day.

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