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The shameless Herod! who doth lend the cloak
Of power to shield the wicked schemes of lust!
Rochester [to Davenant.]⁠His way of making widows I admire.
Rosebery [to Richard.]⁠Yes, of your friendship I had touching proofs.
But—
Richard [folding his arms across his breast.
But— And that friendship on my part unmeet,
You all reciprocate—by treason base!
Lambert [aside.]⁠By treason!
Clifford. By treason! What! by treason!
Sedley. By treason! What! by treason! God in heav'n!
Carr [in amazement.
What mean they?
Richard [with great animation.
What mean they? Ay, to this place you have come
To drink without me!
Rosebery. To drink without me! Ah! I breathe again!
[To the other Cavaliers, in an undertone.
The purpose of the meeting 'scapes his eye:
He saw the cups, the daggers he saw not.
[To Richard.]⁠Believe me, my dear Richard—
Richard. Believe me, my dear Richard Yes, I say,
It is high treason! As I live and breathe,
Such action on your part doth grieve me sore.
What! you get tipsy, and say nought to me?
What have I done? Pray, am I not, like you,
A ne'er-do-well? Drink without me? Fie! fie!
For I can hold my peace. I understand
That, to befool the cunning Puritans,
You hide yourselves beneath these broad-brimmed hats,
And ample cloaks. But do you hide from me,
Who, in this sanctuary, was first of all