Gle. At Crosby-Place, there shall you find us both. [Exit Catesby.

Buck. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive
Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots?
Gle. Chop off his head, man;-somewhat we will
do ;-

And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me
The earldom of Hereford, and all the moveables
Whereof the king my brother was possess'd.

Buck. I'll claim that promise at your grace's hand. Glo. And look to have it yielded with all kindness. Come, let us sup betimes; that afterwards

We may digest our complots in some form. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Before Lord Hastings's House. Enter a Messenger.

Hast. [Within.] What is't o'clock ?
Mes.

Upon the stroke of four.
Enter Hastings.

Mast. Cannot thy master sleep the tedious nights? Mes. So it should seem by that I have to say. First, he commends him to your noble lordship. Hast. And then,

Mes. And then he sends you word, he dreamt To-night, the boar had rased off his helm: Besides, he says, there are two councils held; And that may be determin'd at the one,

Which may make you and him to rue at the other. Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,If presently, you will take horse with him,

And with all speed post with him toward the north,
To shun the danger that his soul divines.

Hart. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord;
Bid him not fear the separated councils :
His honour, and myself, are at the one;
And, at the other, is my good friend Catesby;
Where nothing can proceed, that toucheth us,
Whereof I shall not have intelligence.
Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance:
And for his dreams-I wonder he's so fond
To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers:
To fly the boar, before the boar pursues,
Were to incense the boar to follow us,
And make pursuit, where he did mean no chase.
Go, bid thy master rise and come to me;
And we will both together to the Tower,
Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly.
Mes. I'll go, my lord, and tell him what you say.

The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.
Hast. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,
Because they have been still my adversaries :
But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,
To bar my master's heirs in true descent,
God knows, I will not do it, to the death.

Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind! Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month

hence,

That they, who brought me in my master's hate,
I live to look upon their tragedy.

Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older,
I'll send some packing, that yet think not on't.
Cate. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,
When men are unprepar'd, and look not for it.

Hast. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out
With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do
With some men else, who think themselves as safe
As thou, and I; Who, as thou know'st, are dear
To princely Richard, and to Buckingham.
Cate. The princes both make high account of you,—
For they account his head upon the bridge. [Aside.
Hast. I know, they do; and I have well deserv'd it.
Enter Stanley.

Come on, come on, where is your boar-spear, man?
Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided?

Stan. My lord, good morrow:-and, good morrow,
Catesby:-

You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,

I do not like these several councils, I.

Hast. My lord, I hold my life as dear as yours;
And never, in my life, I do protest,

Was it more precious to me than 'tis now:
Think you, but that I know our state secure,

I would be so triumphant as I am?

Stan. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from

London,

Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure,
And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust;
But yet, you see, how soon the day o'er-cast.
This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt:
Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward!
What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent.
Hast. Come, come, have with you.-Wot you what,
my lord?

To-day, the lords you talk of are beheaded.

Stan. They, for their truth, might better wear their

heads,

Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their hats. But come, my lord, let's away.

Enter a Pursuivant. Hast. Go on before, I'll talk with this good fellow. [Exeunt Stanley and Catesby. How now, sirrah, how goes the world with thee? Purs. The better, that your lordship please to ask. Hast. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now, Than when thou met'st me last where now we ineet: › Then was I going prisoner to the Tower, By the suggestion of the queen's allies ; But now, I tell thee (keep it to thyself.) This day those enemies are put to death, And I in better state than e'er I was.

Purs. God hold it, to your honour's good content! Hlast. Gramercy, fellow: There, drink that for me. [Throwing him his purse. Purs. I thank your honour. [Lait Pursuivant. Enter a Priest.

Priest. Well met, my lord: I am glad to see your honour.

544

Hast. I thank thee, good sir John, with all my heart. I am in your debt for your last exercise; Come the next sabbath, and I will content you.

Enter Buckingham.

Buck. What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain?

Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest;
Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.

Hast. 'Good faith, and when I met this holy man,
The men you talk of came into my mind.
What, go you toward the Tower?

Buck. I do, my lord; but long I cannot stay there; I shall return before your lordship thence. Hast. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there. Buck. And supper too, altho' thou know'st it not. [Aside.

-Come, will you go? Hast.

I'll wait upon your lordship.

SCENE 111-Pomfret. Before the Castle.

[Exeunt.

Enter

Enter Gloster.

er;

Rat. Come, bring forth the prisoners.

Riv. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this,To-day, shalt thou behold a subject die,

For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.

Grey. God keep the prince from all the pack of you!

A knot you are of damned blood-suckers.

[Takes him aside.

ter.

Rat. Despatch; the limit of your lives is out.
Riv. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison,

Fatal and ominous to noble peers!

Within the guilty closure of thy walls,

Richard the Second here was hack'd to death;

And, for more slander to thy dismal seat,
We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink.

Grey. Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon our heads,

When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I,
For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son.
Riv. Then curs'd she Hastings, then curs'd she
Buckingham,

Then curs'd she Richard:-0, remember, God,
To hear her prayers for them, as now for us!
And for my sister, and her princely sons,—
Be satisfied, dear God, with our true bloods,
Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt!
Rat. Make haste, the hour of death is expiate.
Riv. Come, Grey,- come, Vaughan,-let us here
embrace:

Farewell, until we meet again in heaven.

[Exeunt.

And finds the testy gentleman so hot,
That he will lose his head, ere give consent,
His master's child, as worshipfully he terms it,
Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.
Buck. Withdraw yourself awhile, I'll go with you.
[Exeunt Gloster and Buckingham.
Stan. We have not yet set down this day of triumph
To-morrow, in my judgement, is too sudden;
For I myself am not so well provided,
As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.
Re-enter Bishop of Ely.

Ely. Where is my lord protector? I have sent
For these strawberries.

Hast. His grace looks cheerfully and smooth this

morning;

There's some conceit or other likes him well,
When he doth bid good morrow with such spirit.
I think, there's ne'er a man in Christendom,
Can lesser hide his love, or hate, than he;
For by his face straight shall you know his heart.
Stan. What of his heart perceive you in his face,
By any likelihood he show'd to-day?

Hast. Marry, that with no man here he is offended; For, were he, he had shown it in his looks.

Re-enter Gloster and Buckingham.
Gla. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve,
That do conspire my death with devilish plots
Of damned witcheraft; and that have prevail'd
Upon my body with their hellish charms?

Hast. The tender love I bear your grace, my lord,
Makes me most forward in this noble presence
To doom the offenders: Whosoe'er they be,
I say, my lord, they have deserved death.
Glo. Then be your eyes the witness of their evil.
Look how I am bewitch'd; behold mine arm
Is, like a blasted sapling, wither'd up:
And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch,
Consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore,

That by their witchcraft thus have marked me.
Hast. If they have done this deed, my noble lord,-
Glo. If thou protector of this damned strumpet,
Talk'st thou to me of ifs ?-Thou art a traitor ;-
Off with his head :-nów, by saint Paul, I swear,
I will not dine until I see the same.———
Lovel, and Catesby, look, that it be done;
The rest, that love me, rise, and follow me.

[Exe. Council, with Gloster and Buckingham.
Hast. Woe, woe, for England! not a whit for me;
For I, too fond, might have prevented this:
Stanley did dream, the boar did rase his helm;
But I disdain'd it, and did scorn to fly.

Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble,
And startled, when he look'd upon the Tower,
As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.
O, now I want the priest that spake to me:
I now repent I told the pursuivant,
As too triumphing, how mine enemies,
To-day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,
And I myself secure in grace and favour.
O, Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse
Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head.
Cate. Despatch, my lord, the duke would be at din-

ner;

Make a short shrift, he longs to see your head.

Hast. O momentary grace of mortal men, Which we more hunt for than the grace of God! Who builds his hope in air of your fair looks, Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast;

Ready, with every nod, to tumble down

Into the fatal bowels of the deep.

Lov. Come, come, despatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim.
Hast. Oh, bloody Richard!-miserable England!

I prophesy the fearful'st time to thee,
That ever wretched age hath look'd upon.-
Come, lead me to the block, bear him my head;
They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead.

[Exe. SCENE V.-The same. The Tower Walls. Enter Gloster and Buckingham, in rusty armour, marvellous ill-favoured.

Glo. Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change

thy colour?

Murder thy breath in middle of a word,-
And then again begin, and stop again,
As if thou wert distraught, and mad with terror?
Buck. Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian;
Speak, and look back, and pry on every side,
Tremble and start at wagging of a straw,
Intending deep suspicion: ghastly looks
Are at my service, like enforced smiles;
And both are ready in their offices,

At any time, to grace my stratagems.
But what, is Catesby gone?

Glo. He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along.
Enter the Lord Mayor, and Catesby.

Buck. Let me alone to entertain him.-Lord mayor,

Glo. Look to the draw-bridge there. ̧
Buck.

Hark, hark! a drum.

That ever liv'd.-Look you, my lord mayor,
Would you imagine, or almost believe,
(Were't not, that by great preservation
We live to tell it you,) the subtle traitor
This day had plotted, in the council-house,
To murder me, and my good lord of Gloster?
May. What! had he so?

Glo. What! think you we are Turks or infidels?
Or that we would, against the form of law,
Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death;
But that the extreme peril of the case,
The peace of England, and our persons' safety,
Enforc'd us to this execution?

May. Now, fair befal you! he deserv'd his death;
And your good graces both have well proceeded,
To warn false traitors from the like attempts.
I never look'd for better at his hands,
After he once fell in with mistress Shore.

Buck. Yet had we not determin'd he should die,
Until your lordship came to see his end;
Which now the loving haste of these our friends,
Somewhat against our meaning, hath prevented:
Because, my lord, we would have had you heard
The traitor speak, and timorously confess
The manner and the purpose of his treasons;
That you might well have signified the same
Unto the citizens, who, haply, may

Misconstrue us in him, and wail his death.

May. But, my good lord, your grace's word shall
serve,

As well as I had seen, and heard him speak:
And do not doubt, right noble princes both,
But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens
With all your just proceedings in this case.

Glo. And to that end we wish'd your lordship here,
To avoid the censures of the carping world.
Buck. But since you came too late of our intent,
Yet witness what you hear we did intend:
And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell.
[Exit Lord Mayor.

Glo. Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham. The mayor towards Guild-hall hies him in all post: There, at your meetest vantage of the time, Infer the bastardy of Edward's children; Tell them, how Edward put to death a citizen, Only for saying-he would make his son Heir to the crown; meaning, indeed, his house, Which, by the sign thereof, was termed so. Moreover, urge his hateful luxury, And bestial appetite in change of lust; Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters, wives, Even where his raging eye, or savage heart, Without control, listed to make his prey. Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person :Tell them, when that my mother went with child Of that insatiate Edward, noble York, My princely father, then had wars in France;

And, by just computation of the time,
Found, that the issue was not his begot;
Which well appeared in his lineaments,
Being nothing like the noble duke my father:
Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off;
Because, my lord, you know, my mother lives.
Buck. Doubt not, my lord; I'll play the orator,
As if the golden fee, for which I plead,
Were for myself: and so, my lord adieu.

Glo. If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's castle;

Where you shall find me well accompanied,
With reverend fathers, and well-learned bishops.
Buck. I go; and, towards three or four o'clock,
Look for the news that the Guild-hall affords.
[Exit Buckingham.
Glo. Go, Lovel, with all speed to doctor Shaw,-
Go thou [To Cate.] to friar Penker ;-bid them both
Meet me, within this hour, at Baynard's castle.
[Exeunt Lovel and Catesby.
Now will I in, to take some privy order
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;
And to give notice, that no manner of person
Have, any time, recourse unto the princes.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.-A Street. Enter a Scrivener. Scri. Here is the indictment of the good lord Hastings;

Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd,
That it may be to-day read o'er in Paul's.

And mark how well the sequel hangs together :-
Eleven hours I have spent to write it over,
For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me ;
The precedent was fuil as long a doing:
And yet within these five bours Hastings liv'd,
Untainted, unexamin'd, free, at liberty.

Here's a good world the while :-Who is so gross,
That cannot see this palpable device?
Yet who so bold, but says he sees it not?
Bad is the world; and all will come to nought,
When such bad dealing must be seen in thought.

[Exit.

your

Star'd on each other, and look'd deadly pale.
Which when I saw, I reprehended them;

And ask'd the mayor, what meant this wilful silence:
His answer was, the people were not us'd
To be spoke to, but by the recorder.
Then he was urg'd to tell my tale again ;-
Thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferr'd;
But nothing spoke in warrant from himself.
When he had done, some followers of mine own,
At lower end o' the hall, hurl'd up their caps,
And some ten voices cried, God save king Richard!
And thus I took the vantage of those few,-
Thanks, gentle citizens, and friends, quoth I;
This general applause, and cheerful shout,
Argues your wisdon, and your love to Richard:
And even here brake off, and came away.

Glo. What tongueless blocks were they; would they
not speak?

Will not the mayor then, and his brethren, come?
Buck. The mayor is here at hand; intend some fear;
Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit:
And look you get a prayer-book in your hand,
And stand between two churchmen, good my lord;
For on that ground I'll make a holy descant:
And be not easily won to our requests;
Play the maid's part, still answer Nay, and take it.
Glo. I go; and if you plead as well for them,
As I can say nay to thee for myself,
No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue.
Buck. Go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor
knocks.
[Exit Gloster.
Enter the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens.
Welcome, my lord!: I dance attendance here;

I think, the duke will not be spoke withal.

Enter, from the Castle, Catesby.
-Now, Catesby! what says your lord to my request?
Cate. He doth entreat your grace, my noble lord,
To visit him to-morrow, or next day:

He is within, with two right reverend fathers,
Divinely bent to meditation;

And in no worldly suit would he be mov'd,
To draw him from his holy exercise.

Buck. Return, good Catesby, to the gracious duke;
Tell him, myself, the mayor, and aldermen,
In deep designs, in matter of great moment,
No less importing than our general good,
Are come to have some conference with his grace.
Cate. I'll signify so much unto him straight. [Exit.
Buck. Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward!
He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed,
But on his knees at meditation;
Not dallying with a brace of courtezans,
But meditating with two deep divines;
Not sleeping, to engross his idle body,
But praying, to enrich his watchful soul:
Happy were England, would this virtuous prince
Take on himself the sovereignty thereof:
But, sure, I fear, we shall ne'er win him to it.
May. Marry, God defend, his grace should say u

Your love deserves my thanks; but my desert
Unmeritable, shuns your high request.

First, if all obstacles were cut away,
And that my path were even to the crown,
As the ripe revenue and due of birth;

Yet so much is my poverty of spirit,
So mighty, and so many, my defects,

Catesby returns.

May. See, where his grace stands 'tween two clergymen!

Buck. Two props of virtue for a Christian prince, To stay him from the fall of vanity: And, see, a book of prayer in his hand; True ornaments to know a holy man.Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince, Lend favourable ear to our requests; And pardon us the interruption

Of thy devotion, and right-christian zeal.

Glo. My lord, there needs no such apology;
I rather do beseech you pardon me,
Who, earnest in the service of my God,
Neglect the visitation of my friends.

But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure?

Buck. Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above, And all good men of this ungovern'd isle.

Glo, I do suspect, I dave done some offence, That seems disgracious in the city's eye; And that you come to reprehend my ignorance. Buck. You have, my lord; would it might please your grace,

On our entreaties to amend your fault!

Glo. Else wherefore breathe I in a christian land?
Buck. Know, then, it is your fault, that you resign
The supreme seat, the throne majestical,
The sceptred office of your ancestors,

Your state of fortune, and your due of birth,
The lineal glory of your royal house,

To the corruption of a blemish'd stock:

Whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts,
(Which here we wakeń to our country's good)
The noble isle doth want her proper li:nbs;
Her face defac'd with scars of infamy,
Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants,
And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulf
Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion.
Which to recure, we heartily solicit
Your gracious self to take on you the charge
And kingly government of this your land:
Not as protector, steward, substitute,
Or lowly factor for another's gain :
But as successively, from blood to blood,
Your right of birth, your empery, your own.
For this, consorted with the citizens,
Your very worshipful and loving friends,
And by their vehement instigation,

In this just suit come I to move your grace.
Glo. I cannot tell, if to depart in silence,
Or bitterly to speak in your reproof,
Best fitteth my degree, or your condition:
If, not to answer,-you might haply think,
Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded
To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty,
Which fondly you would here impose on me ;
If to reprove you for this suit of yours,
So season'd with your faithful love to me,
Then, on the other side, I check'd my friends.
Therefore, to speak, and to avoid the first;
And then, in speaking, not to incur the last,-
Definitively thus I answer you.

Being a bark to brook no mighty sea,Than in my greatness covet to be hid, And in the vapour of my glory smother'd. But, God be thank'd, there is no need of me, (And much I need to help you, if need were ;) The royal tree hath left us royal fruit, Which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time, Will well become the seat of majesty, And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign. On him I lay what you would lay on me; The right and fortune of his happy stars,— Which, God defend, that I should wring from him! Buck. My lord, this argues conscience in your grace; But the respects thereof are nice and trivial, All circumstances well considered. You say, that Edward is your brother's son ; So say we too, but not by Edward's wife: For first he was contract to lady Lucy, Your mother lives a witness to his vow; And afterwards by substitute betroth'd To Bona, sister to the king of France. These both put by, a poor petitioner, A care-craz'd mother to a many sons, A beauty-waning and distressed widow, Even in the afternoon of her best days, Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye, Seduc'd the pitch and height of all his thoughts To base declension and loath'd bigamy:

By her, in his unlawful bed, he got

This Edward, whom our manners call-the prince.
More bitterly could I expostulate,

Save that, for reverence to some alive,

I give a sparing limit to my tongue.

Then, good my lord, take to your royal self
This proffer'd benefit of dignity:

If not to bless us and the land withal,
Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry
From the corruption of abusing time,
Unto a lineal true-derived course.

May. Do, good my lord; your citizens entreat you. Buck. Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer'd love. Cate. O, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit. Glo. Alas, why would you heap those cares on me? I am unfit for state and majesty :

I do beseech you, take it not amiss;

I cannot, nor I will not, yield to you.

Buck. If you refuse it,-as in love and zeal,
Loath to depose the child, your brother's son ;
As well we know your tenderness of heart,
And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse,
Which we have noted in you to your kindred,
And equally, indeed, to all estates,-
Yet know, whe'r you accept our suit or no,
Your brother's son shall never reign our king;
But we will plant some other in your throne,
To the disgrace and downfall of your house.
And, in this resolution, here we leave you;
-Come, citizens, we will entreat no more.

[Exeunt Buck, and Citizens.

Cate. Call them again, sweet prince, accept their

suit;

If you deny them, all the land will rue it.