To sit about the coronation. If thou dost find him tractable to us, Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons: His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries Cate. My good lords both, with all the heed I can. Glo. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep? Cate. You shall, my lord. Glo. 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? 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 kind ness. Come, let us sup betimes; that afterwards We may digest our complots in some form. [Exeunt. 9 Separate. One from lord Stanley. Mess. 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: 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, Hast. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord; Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance': To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers: And make pursuit, where he did mean no chase. 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. Upon his party, for the gain thereof: And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,- 3 i. e. Gloster, who had a boar for his arms. Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracu s mind! Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence, That they, who brought me in my master's hate, Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older, 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, 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, 4 Cross, And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust; 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. 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,) This day those enemies are put to death, And I in better state than ere I was. 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. 5 Know. |