EDWARD IV

And welcome you Peers of England unto your King. Why Nobles, he that lay me here, Can raise me at his pleasure. But my deer friends and kinsmen, In what estate I now lie it is seen to you all, And I feel my self near the dreadful stroke of death. And the cause that I have requested you in friendly wise To meet together is this, That where malice & envy sowing sedition in the hearts of men So would I have that admonished and friendly favours, Overcome in the heart of yond Lord Marcus and Lord Hastings Both, for how I have governed these two and twenty years, I leave it to your discretions. The malice hath still be and enemy to you both, That in my life time I could never get any lege of amity betwixt you, Yet at my death let me entreat you to embrace each other, That at my last departure you may send my soul To the joys celestial: For leaving behind me my young son, Your lawful King after my decease, May be by your wise and graven counsel so governed, Which no doubt may bring comfort To his famous realm of England. But (what says Lord Marcus and Lord Hastings) What not one word? nay then I see it will not be, For they are resolute in their ambition. Nay cease thy speech Elizabeth, It is but folly to speak to them, For they are resolute in their ambitious minds, Therefore Elizabeth, I feel my self at the last instant of death, And now must die being thus tormented in mind. Ah Gods, sith at my death you jar, What will you do to the yoon Prince after my decease? For shame I say, depart from my presence, and leave me to my self, For these words strikes a second dying to my soul: Ah my Lords, I thought I could have commanded A greater thing then this at your hands, But sith I cannot, I take my leave of you both, And so depart and trouble me no more. Ah thanks Lord Hastings. Ah yield Lord Marcus, thou art too obstinate. Now let me see you friendly give one and other your hands. Now for confirming of it, here take your oaths. Confusion. Now my Lords, for your young King, that lies now at Ludlo, Attended with Earl Rivers, Lord Grey, his two uncles, And the rest of the Queens kindred, I hope you will be unto him as you have be to me, His years are but young, thirteen at the most, Unto whose government, I commit to my brother the Pro tector, But to thee Elizabeth my daughter, I leave thee in a world of trouble, And commend me to thy mother, to all thy sisters, And especially I give thee this in charge upon & at my death, Be loyal to thy brother during his authority, As thy self art virtuous, let thy prayers be modest, Still be bountiful in devotion. And thus leaving thee with a kiss, I take my last farewell, For I am so sleepy, that I must now make and end, And here before you all, I commit my soul to almighty God, My saviour, and sweet redeemer, my body to the earth, My Sceptre and Crown to the young Prince my son: And now Nobles, draw the Curtains and depart. He that made me save me, Unto whose hands I commit my spirit.