Source
For all my reign hath been but as a scene | ||
Acting that argument: and now my death | ||
Changes the mode; for what in me was purchased, | ||
Falls upon thee in a more fairer sort; | ||
So thou the garland wear'st successively. | ||
Yet, though thou stand'st more sure than I could do, | ||
Thou art not firm enough, since griefs are green; | ||
And all my friends, which thou must make thy friends, | ||
Have but their stings and teeth newly ta'en out; | ||
By whose fell working I was first advanced | ||
And by whose power I well might lodge a fear | ||
To be again displaced: which to avoid, | ||
I cut them off; and had a purpose now | ||
To lead out many to the Holy Land, | ||
Lest rest and lying still might make them look | ||
Too near unto my state. Therefore, my Harry, | ||
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds | ||
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out, | ||
May waste the memory of the former days. | ||
More would I, but my lungs are wasted so | ||
That strength of speech is utterly denied me. | ||
How I came by the crown, O God forgive; | ||
And grant it may with thee in true peace live! |