1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar, to hear His knell rung out, his judgment,-he was stirr'd 2 Gent. Certainly, The cardinal is the end of this. 1 Gent. 'Tis likely, By all conjectures: First, Kildare's attainder, Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too, 2 Gent. Was a deep envious one. That trick of state At his return, 1 Gent. 2 Gent. All the commons Hate him perniciously, and, o'my conscience, Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much They love and dote on; call him, bounteous Buck ingham, The mirror of all courtesy ; 1 Gent. Stay there, sir, And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tip stares before him; the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side: with him, Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common people. 2 Gent. Let's stand close, and behold him. Buck. All good people, You that thus far have come to pity me, Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me. I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgment, And by that name must die; Yet, heaven bear witness, And, if I have a conscience, let it sink me, Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful! It has done, upon the premises, but justice; Be what they will, I heartily forgive them: Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies More than I dare make faults. You few, that lov'd me, And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, Go with me, like good angels, to my end; And lift my soul to heaven.-Lead on, o'God's name. If ever any malice in your heart Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. There cannot be those numberless offences Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace; Then give my charge up to sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end. Vaux. Prepare there, The duke is coming: see, the barge be ready; And fit it with such furniture, as suits The greatness of his person. Buck, Nay, sir Nicholas, Let it alone; my state now will but mock me. When I came hither, I was lord high constable And duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun: F Yet I am richer than my base accusers, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; And with that blood will make them one day groan for't. My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Who first rais'd head against usurping Richard, Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me, Where you are liberal of your loves, and counsels, And give your hearts to, when they once perceive Like water from ye, never found again But where they mean to sink ye. All good people, Farewell: And when you would say something that is sad, That were the authors. 2 Gent. If the duke be guiltless, 'Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling Greater than this. 1 Gent. Good angels keep it from us! 1 Gent. Let me have it; I do not talk much. I am confident; 2 Gent. You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear Between the king and Katharine? 1 Gent. Yes, but it held not: For when the king once heard it, out of anger He sent command to the lord mayor, straight To stop the rumour, and allay those tongues, That durst disperse it. 2 Gent. Fresher than e'er it was; and held for certain, Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd, and lately; 1 Gent. 'Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor, For not bestowing on him, at his asking, The archbishoprick of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 2 Gent. I think, you have hit the mark: But is't not cruel, That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal Will have his will, and she must fall. 1 Gent. We are too open here to argue this; Let's think in private more. SCENE II. An ante-chamber in the Palace. 'Tis woful. [Exeunt; Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a letter. Cham. My lord,-The horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnish'd. They were young, and handsome; and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission, and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason,-His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king: which stopped our mouths, sir. I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them; He will have all, I think. Nor. Cham. It seems, the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suf. No, his conscience Has crept too near another lady. else. Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! For, now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew, He dives into the king's soul; and there scatters These news are every where; every tongue speaks And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open This bold bad man. Suf. And free us from his slavery. Nor. We had need pray, |