Come, let us sup betimes; that afterwards [Exeunt One from lord Stanley. Hast. [Within.] What is't o'clock? Mess. Upon the stroke of four. Enter HASTINGS. Hast. Cannot thy master sleep the tedious nights? Mess. So it should seem by that I have to say. First, he commends him to your noble lordship. Hast. And then, Mess. And then he sends you word, he dreamt To-night the boar had rased off his helm:8 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 plea sure, 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. Hast. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord; Bid him not fear the separated councils: 8 the boar had rased off his helm:] By the boar, throughout this scene, is meant Gloster, who was called the boar, or the hog, from his having a boar for his cognizance, and one of the supporters of his coat of arms. STEEVENS. His honour, and myself, are at the one; Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance:' say. Enter CATESBY. Cate. Many good morrows to my noble lord! Hast. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring: What news, what news, in this our tottering state? Cate. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord; And, I believe, will never stand upright, Till Richard wear the garland of the realm. Hast. How! wear the garland? dost thou mean the crown? Cate. Ay, my good lord. Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders, Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd. But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it? 9 His honour,] This was the usual address to noblemen in Shakspeare's time. 6 wanting instance:] That is, wanting some example or act of malevolence, by which they may be justified: or which, perhaps, is nearer to the true meaning, wanting any immediate ground or reason. JOHNSON. Cate. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you forward Upon his party, for the gain thereof: And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,- Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month That they, who brought me in my master's hate, Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older, 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,' 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: Stan. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure, To-day, the lords you talk of are beheaded. Stan. They, for their truth,3 might better wear their heads, . Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their hats. But come, my lord, let's away. low. Enter a Pursuivant. Hast. Go on before, I'll talk with this good fel[Exeunt STAN. 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 meet: 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,) 1 the holy rood,] i. e. the cross. 2 I misdoubt;] i. e. suspect it of danger. They, for their truth,] That is, with respect to their honesty. VOL. VII. G This day those enemies are put to death, Purs. God hold it, to your honour's good con tent! Hast. Gramercy, fellow: There, drink that for [Throwing him his Purse. Purs. I thank your honour. Exit Pursuivant. me. Enter a Priest. Pr. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour. Hast. I thank thee, good sir John, with all my heart. I am in your debt for your last exercise;1 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. not. Come, will you go? Hast. [Aside. I'll wait upon your lordship. exercise;] for attending him in private to hear his confession; or, perhaps it means only religious exhortation, or lecture. 5 shriving work in hand.] Shriving work is confession. |