SCENE IV. London. A Room in the Tower. BUCKINGHAM, STANLEY, HASTINGS, the Bishop of ELY, CATESBY, LOVEL, and Others, sitting at a table: Officers of the council attending, Hast. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met Is-to determine of the coronation : In God's name, speak, when is the royal day? Who is most inward with the noble duke? Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. Buck. We know each other's faces: for our hearts, He knows no more of mine, than I of yours ; Nor I of his, my lord, than you of mine: Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love. Hast. I thank his grace, I know he loves me well; But, for his purpose in the coronation, I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice, Enter GLOSTER. Ely. In happy time, here comes the duke himself. Glo. My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow: I have been long a sleeper; but, I trust, My absence doth neglect no great design, Buck. Had you not come upon your cue, my lord, Glo. Than my lord Hastings, no man might be bolder; His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.— I do beseech you, send for some of them. Ely. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart. [Exit Ely. Glo. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business; Buck. Withdraw yourself awhile, I'll go with you. [Exeunt Glo, and Buck. 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, 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, Glo. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve, Hast. The tender love I bear your grace, my lord, Glo. Then be your eyes the witness of their evil, And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch, Hast. If they have done this deed, my noble lord,— [Exeunt Council, with Glost. and Buck. Hast. Woe, woe, for England! not a whit for me; For I, too fond, might have prevented this: Stanley did dream, the boar did raise his helm ; Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble, Cate. Despatch, my lord, the duke would be at dinner; Make a short shrift, he longs to see your head. Hast. O momentary grace of mortal men, Into the fatal bowels of the deep. Lov. Come, come, despatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim. Hast. O, bloody Richard!―miserable England! I prophecy the fearful'st time to thee, That ever wretched age hath look'd upon. Come, lead me to the block, bear him my head; [Exeunt. SCENE V. The Same. The Tower-walls. Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, in rusty armour, marvellous ill-favour'd. Glo. Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour? Murder thy breath in middle of a word,— As if thou wert distraught, and mad with terror? Buck. Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian ; |