William Wilfred Campbell - Hildebrand: Act II, Scene 3 lyrics

PLACE—An audience room in the castle. Enter Attendant. Enter HENRY in haste, with GILBERT, a Lord. HEN. Now, by my crown, I'll harry those villains out. (to the Page) Quick, wine! (to GILBERT) You say this news be true. This Saxon Rodulph would pluck Henry down, And wear his Empery. Ha, this likes me well! GIL. 'Tis said, your Majesty, the Saxon towns Have all revolted. HEN. And Rodulph leads them! Enter BAMBURG. Well, Bamburg, have you heard the latest news? The North's revolted. Rodulph heads the Saxons To conquer Germany and take my crown, And on it all, this bold, insulting letter Reads me a lesson from His Holiness, Yon arrogant priest, the scheming Pope of Rome. BAM. Henry, as your father's oldest friend, As your most faithful subject, I would plead, Be not o'er-hasty in this sudden business. HEN. Bamburg, I am sick of being a child. You drive me mad by your pacific measures. While you are dallying they will ride me down With squadrons and with curses. Nay, no more! I'll ride me north and show mine enemies, I'll bring yon Rodulph's head upon a pike-pole. BAM. What of this Roman message? HEN. Call in the messengers. Enter a Cardinal and a Roman Bishop. (to Ambssadors) Go you to Rome? Card. Yea, your Majesty [Page 285]. HEN. Go, tell your master, if he be the Pope, That I am Emperor, who can lift him down. Tell him, in spiritual matters, Henry bows To his opinion; in matters temporal, never! This is my answer. Now, safe speed you Romewards. [Exeunt Amba**adors. BAM. Your Majesty before you go will see But one more suppliant. HEN. Nay, Bamburg, nay, not now, I'm hurried. BAM. By my love, I beseech you! HEN. Is it so urgent? Well, be hasty, Bamburg. My troops await me, and my sword-arm aches To hack yon Rodulph. Enter Queen, veiled. Who be this? BAM. One who deserves your patience and your love, If you love aught on earth, proud Henry. Go you not forth to battle with your foes Till you have made your spirit's peace with her, Your realm's Queen, the mother of your child. HEN. Bamburg, Bamburg, you trifle with my kindness. This goes too far, know you that I am King! One word and I will hale you to a dungeon For this insult. Queen. Henry, my lord, one word before you go: What have I done to gather all this hate? BAM. Your Majesty may sever my poor body, Mend you your love. k** me, Henry, but Murder not by scorn the noblest love That soul hath nourished. By these wintry hairs, Though thou dost slay me, I will tell thee true, By this one act thou dost unking thyself. HEN. No more, by heaven, no more! I know her not. When will my subjects treat me less the child? I am no ward now, and I ever hated This foolish, enforced marriage. Let her Majesty [Page 286 Get to some retirement. She demeans Herself by these forced meetings. [Exit. Queen. O Bamburg, I have lowered my queenliness And cheapened my womanhood. I will no more. Take me away. CURTAIN.