SCENE VII — An Apartment in Wold Castle

The Duchess OF W OLD and J ANET M OUNTNORRIS making grave-clothes

D UCH . ( rising ). His shroud is ready.

Enter Lady M ERVYN , and falls on her knees before the Duchess .

Lady M ER . Stay the execution! Read, read!
D UCH . What's this? Richard's own seal?
D UCH . Pledge how revered!
Lady M ER . O do you spare him, then?
He's out to execution.
D UCH . Hie thee, Janet,
With this my ring: Mountnorris knows it: Tell him
The execution's stopped: Summon him hither.

Who are you that plead thus?
Lady M ER . Fain would I say, Your Daughter!
D UCH . King Richard's will is law, the more since he's brought low.
I do resist no longer. Rise, my child,
Kiss me.
Lady M ER . My mother!
D UCH . ( dropping Richard's letter ) We're too late!
Lady M ER . No, no!

Enter J ANET .

J ANET . The bell! the bell! I saw him down, and turned.
There's your ring, Madam.
D UCH . Let's to our inner chamber.