LORDS AND LOVERS



Who sentried their blue blood, peer back through dust
To see all Babylon pour to their line.
And now she'll bid my war-ghost eyes behold
The land held with my life become a field
For foes at holiday!
  Win. Compose yourself, your grace.
  Pem.    Gualo has come, but where is he will set
This power its task, and play it for this isle
I can not say that wisdom dies with me,
But I could wish more proof of sager mind
Than e'er I've had from this small audience.
Lord Bishop, you are left custodian
Of Henry's ripening youth.
  Win.                  Nor shall I fail
To be your worthy heir in this high duty,
For still I shall consult with your great spirit,
Praying your ghost be mover of my deeds.
  Pem. I've spoken to the king. He'll give you love
For love. But who shall be lord chancellor
There's little choice. And yet there's one, De Burgh,
If camp and field could spare him-
  Alb.                             Sir, a man
No older than our sons
  Pem.                By your good leave,
Age is no patent to respect and place
If virtue go not with it. Whitened hairs
Make honor radiant, but vice thereby
Is viler still. Ay, there are some
  Rich.                           Peace, father,
And save thy strength for us.
  Pem.                    Ah, son, I've been
A careless holder all my life, and still
With my last hour play spendthrift. Well, here be
Three friends of England-Gualo makes a fourth-
And trusting you I ease my bones to death.
[Enter attendant with a letter, which he gives to Pembroke]