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 FIRST GENTLEMAN. Whither away so fast? |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. O, God save ye! |
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| Ev'n to the Hall, to hear what shall become |
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| Of the great Duke of Buckingham. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. I'll save you |
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| That labour, sir. All's now done but the ceremony |
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| Of bringing back the prisoner. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. Were you there? |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. Yes, indeed, was I. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. Pray, speak what has happen'd. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. You may guess quickly what. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. Is he found guilty? |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. I am sorry for't. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. So are a number more. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. But, pray, how pass'd it? |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. I'll tell you in a little. The great Duke. |
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| Came to the bar; where to his accusations |
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| He pleaded still not guilty, and alleged |
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| Many sharp reasons to defeat the law. |
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| The King's attorney, on the contrary, |
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| Urg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessions, |
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| Of divers witnesses; which the Duke desir'd |
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| To have brought, viva voce, to his face; |
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| At which appear'd against him his surveyor, |
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| Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor, and John Car, |
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| Confessor to him, with that devil-monk, |
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| Hopkins, that made this mischief. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. That was he |
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| That fed him with his prophecies? |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. The same. |
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| All these accus'd him strongly, which he fain |
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| Would have flung from him; but indeed he could not; |
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| And so his peers, upon this evidence, |
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| Have found him guilty of high treason. Much |
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| He spoke, and learnedly, for life; but all |
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| Was either pitied in him or forgotten. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. After all this, how did he bear him-self |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. When he was brought again to th' bar to hear |
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| His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd |
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| With such an agony he sweat extremely, |
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| And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty; |
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| But he fell to himself again, and sweetly |
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| In all the rest show'd a most noble patience. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. I do not think he fears death. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. Sure, he does not; |
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| He never was so womanish; the cause |
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| He may a little grieve at. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. Certainly |
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| The Cardinal is the end of this. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. 'Tis likely, |
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| By all conjectures: first, Kildare's attainder, |
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| Then deputy of Ireland, who remov'd, |
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| Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too, |
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| Lest he should help his father. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. That trick of state |
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| Was a deep envious one. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. At his return |
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| No doubt he will requite it. This is noted, |
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| And generally: whoever the King favours |
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| The Cardinal instantly will find employment, |
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| And far enough from court too. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. All the commons |
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| Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, |
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| Wish him ten fathom deep: this Duke as much |
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| They love and dote on; call him bounteous Buckingham, |
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| The mirror of all courtesy— |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. Stay there, sir, |
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| And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. Let's stand close, and behold him. |
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| BUCKINGHAM. All good people, |
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| You that thus far have come to pity me, |
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| Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me. |
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| I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgment, |
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| And by that name must die; yet, heaven bear witness, |
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| And if I have a conscience, let it sink me |
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| Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful! |
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| The law I bear no malice for my death: |
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| 'T has done, upon the premises, but justice. |
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| But those that sought it I could wish more Christians. |
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| Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em; |
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| Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief |
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| Nor build their evils on the graves of great men, |
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| For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em. |
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| For further life in this world I ne'er hope |
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| Nor will I sue, although the King have mercies |
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| More than I dare make faults. You few that lov'd me |
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| And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, |
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| His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave |
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| Is only bitter to him, only dying, |
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| Go with me like good angels to my end; |
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| And as the long divorce of steel falls on me |
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| Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice, |
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| And lift my soul to heaven. Lead on, a God's name. |
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| LOVELL. I do beseech your Grace, for charity, |
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| If ever any malice in your heart |
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| Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. |
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| BUCKINGHAM. Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you |
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| As I would be forgiven. I forgive all. |
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| There cannot be those numberless offences |
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| 'Gainst me that I cannot take peace with. No black envy |
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| Shall mark my grave. Commend me to his Grace; |
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| And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him |
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| You met him half in heaven. My vows and prayers |
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| Yet are the King's, and, till my soul forsake, |
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| Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live |
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| Longer than I have time to tell his years; |
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| Ever belov'd and loving may his rule be; |
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| And when old Time shall lead him to his end, |
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| Goodness and he fill up one monument! |
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| LOVELL. To th' water side I must conduct your Grace; |
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| Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux, |
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| Who undertakes you to your end. |
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| VAUX. Prepare there; |
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| The Duke is coming; see the barge be ready; |
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| And fit it with such furniture as suits |
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| The greatness of his person. |
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| BUCKINGHAM. Nay, Sir Nicholas, |
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| Let it alone; my state now will but mock me. |
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| When I came hither I was Lord High Constable |
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| And Duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun. |
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| Yet I am richer than my base accusers |
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| That never knew what truth meant; I now seal it; |
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| And with that blood will make 'em one day groan for't. |
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| My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, |
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| Who first rais'd head against usurping Richard, |
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| Flying for succour to his servant Banister, |
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| Being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd |
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| And without trial fell; God's peace be with him! |
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| Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying |
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| My father's loss, like a most royal prince, |
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| Restor'd me to my honours, and out of ruins |
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| Made my name once more noble. Now his son, |
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| Henry the Eighth, life, honour, name, and all |
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| That made me happy, at one stroke has taken |
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| For ever from the world. I had my trial, |
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| And must needs say a noble one; which makes me |
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| A little happier than my wretched father; |
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| Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both |
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| Fell by our servants, by those men we lov'd most— |
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| A most unnatural and faithless service. |
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| Heaven has an end in all. Yet, you that hear me, |
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| This from a dying man receive as certain: |
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| Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels, |
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| Be sure you be not loose; for those you make friends |
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| And give your hearts to, when they once perceive |
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| The least rub in your fortunes, fall away |
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| Like water from ye, never found again |
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| But where they mean to sink ye. All good people, |
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| Pray for me! I must now forsake ye; the last hour |
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| Of my long weary life is come upon me. |
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| Farewell; |
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| And when you would say something that is sad, |
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| Speak how I fell. I have done; and God forgive me! |
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| Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and train |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. O, this is full of pity! Sir, it calls, |
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| I fear, too many curses on their heads |
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| That were the authors. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. If the Duke be guiltless, |
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| 'Tis full of woe; yet I can give you inkling |
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| Of an ensuing evil, if it fall, |
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| Greater than this. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. Good angels keep it from us! |
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| What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir? |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. This secret is so weighty, 'twill require |
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| A strong faith to conceal it. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. Let me have it; |
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| I do not talk much. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. I am confident. |
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| You shall, sir. Did you not of late days hear |
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| A buzzing of a separation |
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| Between the King and Katharine? |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. Yes, but it held not; |
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| For when the King once heard it, out of anger |
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| He sent command to the Lord Mayor straight |
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| To stop the rumour and allay those tongues |
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| That durst disperse it. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. But that slander, sir, |
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| Is found a truth now; for it grows again |
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| Fresher than e'er it was, and held for certain |
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| The King will venture at it. Either the Cardinal |
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| Or some about him near have, out of malice |
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| To the good Queen, possess'd him with a scruple |
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| That will undo her. To confirm this too, |
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| Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd and lately; |
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| As all think, for this business. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. 'Tis the Cardinal; |
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| And merely to revenge him on the Emperor |
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| For not bestowing on him at his asking |
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| The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purpos'd. |
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| SECOND GENTLEMAN. I think you have hit the mark; but is't |
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| not cruel |
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| That she should feel the smart of this? The Cardinal |
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| Will have his will, and she must fall. |
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| FIRST GENTLEMAN. 'Tis woeful. |
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| We are too open here to argue this; |
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| Let's think in private more. |
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| Exeunt |
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