Infer the bastardy of Edward's children : Heir to the crown; meaning, indeed, his house, 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 :- My princely father, then had wars in France; 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 Guildhall affords. [Exit BUCKINGHAM, -- Glo. Go, Lovel, with all speed to doctor Shaw,Go thou [To CAT.] 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 :- 5 VOL. VII. For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me ; Here's a good world the while!-Who is so gross, 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.3 [Exit. SCENE VII. The same. Court of Baynard's Castle. Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, meeting. Glo. How now, how now? What say the citizens? The citizens are mum, say not a word. Glo. Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children? Th' insatiate greediness of his desires : I bade them, that did love their country's good, Buck. No, so God help me, they spake not a word; But, like dumb statues, or breathless stones, Star'd on each other, and look'd deadly pale. And ask'd the mayor, what meant this wilful silence : [8] That is, seen in silence, without notice or detection. JOHNSON. Then he was urg'd to tell my tale again ;- Glo. What tongueless blocks were they; would they Will not the mayor then, and his brethren, come? And look you get a prayer-book in your hand, 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? 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, [4] Perhaps, pretend; though intend will stand in the sense of giving attention. JOHNSON. [5] Buckingham is to plead for the citizens; and if (says Richard) you speak for them as plausibly as I in my own person, or for my own purposes, shall seem to deny your suit, there is no doubt but we shall bring all to a happy issue. STEEVENS, No less importing than our general good, Are come to have some conference with his grace. [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; 6 Not dallying with a brace of courtezans, But, sure, fear, we shall ne'er win him to it. May. Marry, God defend, his grace should say us nay! -Now, Catesby, what says his grace? Cate. He wonders to what end you have assembled Such troops of citizens to come to him, His grace not being warn'd thereof before, He fears, my lord, you mean no good to him. Buck. Sorry I am, my noble cousin should Suspect me, that I mean no good to him: By heaven, we come to him in perfect love; And so once more return and tell his grace. [Ex. CATE. When holy and devout religious men Are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw them thence So sweet is zealous contemplation. Enter GLOSTER in a gallery above, between two Bishops. CATESBY returns. May. See, where his grace stands 'tween two clergymen !7 Buck. Two props of virtue for a christian prince, And, see, a book of prayer in his hand; Of thy devotion, and right-christian zeal. Glo. My lord, there needs no such apology; [6] To fatten: to pamper. JOHNSON. [7] This pious and courtly Mayor was Edmund Shaw, brother to Doctor Shaw, whom Richard had employed to prove his title to the crown, from the pulpit at Saint Paul's Cross. MALONE. I rather do beseech you pardon me, But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure? Glo. I do suspect, I have 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? The scepter'd office of your ancestors, In this just suit come I to move your grace. And almost smoulder'd in the swallowing gulf. |