King Edward III by Shakespeare (spurious and doubtful works)
page 37 of 128 (28%)
page 37 of 128 (28%)
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The Lord and master of thy word and oath,
Go to thy daughter; and in my behalf Command her, woo her, win her any ways, To be my mistress and my secret love. I will not stand to hear thee make reply: Thy oath break hers, or let thy sovereign die. [Exit.] WARWICK. O doting King! O detestable office! Well may I tempt my self to wrong my self, When he hath sworn me by the name of God To break a vow made by the name of God. What, if I swear by this right hand of mine To cut this right hand off? The better way Were to profane the Idol than confound it: But neither will I do; I'll keep mine oath, And to my daughter make a recantation Of all the virtue I have preacht to her: I'll say, she must forget her husband Salisbury, If she remember to embrace the king; I'll say, an oath may easily be broken, But not so easily pardoned, being broken; I'll say, it is true charity to love, But not true love to be so charitable; I'll say, his greatness may bear out the shame, But not his kingdom can buy out the sin; I'll say, it is my duty to persuade, But not her honesty to give consent. |
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