You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal, 88 I should judge now unhappily.

Car.

I am glad

My Lord Chamberlain,

Your Grace is grown so pleasant.

King.

Prithee, come hither. What fair lady's that?

L. Ch. An't please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter,

92

The Viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women.
King. By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,
I were unmannerly to take you out,

And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen!

Let it go round.

Car. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I' the privy chamber?

Lov.

Car.

96

Yes, my lord.

Your Grace,

100

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

King. I fear, too much.

Car.

In the next chamber.

There's fresher air, my lord,

King. Lead in your ladies, every one. Sweet

partner,

I must not yet forsake

you.

Good my
To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
To lead 'em once again; and then let's dream
Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it.

Lord Cardinal, I have half a dozen healths

108

Exeunt with trumpets.

89 unhappily: censoriously; i.e. I should think you flirtatious
90 pleasant: light-hearted, humorous
92, 93 Sir Thomas

Viscount Rochford

Rochford: daughter of Sir Thomas Bullen,

95 take you out: choose you as dancing partner 96 And... kiss you; cf. n.

108 knock it: strike up

106 measure: stately dance

ACT SECOND

Scene One

[Westminster. A Street]

Enter two Gentlemen at several doors.

1. Gent. Whither away so fast?

2. Gent.

O! God save ye.

E'en to the hall, to hear what shall become
Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

1. Gent.

I'll save you

That labour, sir. All's now done but the ceremony 4

Of bringing back the prisoner.

1. Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon 't. 8

2. Gent. I am sorry for 't.

1. Gent.

So are a number more.

2. Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it?

1. Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke

Came to the bar; where to his accusations

12

He pleaded still not guilty, and alleg'd

Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
The king's attorney on the contrary

Urg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessions
Of divers witnesses, which the duke desir'd
To have brought, vivâ voce, to his face:
At which appear'd against him his surveyor;

Scene One; cf. n. S. d. several: different

8 upon 't: upon the verdict

15 on the contrary: on the opposite side

16

18 To have brought; cf. n.

Sir Gilbert Peck, his chancellor; and John Car,
Confessor to him; with that devil-monk,

Hopkins, that made this mischief.

20

24

Would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not:
And so his peers, upon this evidence,

Have found him guilty of high treason. Much
He spoke, and learnedly, for life; but all
Was either pitied in him or forgotten.

2. Gent. After all this how did he bear himself?

28

1. Gent. When he was brought again to the bar, to hear

His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd 32
With such an agony, he sweat extremely,
And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty:
But he fell to himself again, and sweetly

In all the rest show'd a most noble patience.
2. Gent. I do not think he fears death.
1. Gent.

36

Sure, he does not;

He never was so womanish; the cause

He may a little grieve at.

2. Gent.

The cardinal is the end of this.

1. Gent.

Certainly

"Tis likely

By all conjectures: first, Kildare's attainder,
Then deputy of Ireland; who remov'd,

Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,
Lest he should help his father.

2. Gent.

Was a deep envious one.

43, 44 Earl Surrey . . . his father; cf. n.

40

That trick of state 44

45 envious: malicious

1. Gent.

At his return,

No doubt he will requite it. This is noted,
And generally, whoever the king favours,
The cardinal instantly will find employment,
And far enough from court too.

All the commons

48

2. Gent. Hate him perniciously, and o' my conscience, Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much They love and dote on; call him bounteous Buckingham,

The mirror of all courtesy

52

Enter Buckingham from his arraignment-Tipstaves before him; the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side-accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovell, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir William Sandys, and common people, etc.

1. Gent.

Stay there, sir,
And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of.
2. Gent. Let's stand close, and behold him.
Buck.

All good people,

You that thus far have come to pity me,
Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.
I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgment,
And by that name must die: yet heaven bear witness,
And if I have a conscience, let it sink me,

Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful!

The law I bear no malice for my death,

'T has done upon the premises but justice;

56

60

But those that sought it I could wish more Christians:

50 perniciously: with a deadly hatred

53 mirror of all courtesy; cf. n.

53 S. d. with the edge towards him; cf. n.

64

Sir William Sandys;

57 lose: forget

Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em.
Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief,
Nor build their evils on the graves of great men;
For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em. 68
For further life in this world I ne'er hope,

Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies

More than I dare make faults. You few that lov'd me,

And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,

72

His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave
Is only bitter to him, only dying,

Go with me, like good angels, to my end;

76

And as the long divorce of steel falls on me,
Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice,
And lift my soul to heaven. Lead on, o' God's name.
Lov. I do beseech your Grace, for charity,

If ever any malice in your heart

Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.
Buck. Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you

As I would be forgiven: I forgive all.

There cannot be those numberless offences

80

84

'Gainst me that I cannot take peace with: no black

envy

Shall make my grave. Commend me to his Grace;
And if he speak of Buckingham, pray, tell him

You met him half in heaven. My vows and prayers 88
Yet are the king's; and, till my soul forsake,
Shall cry for blessings on him: may he live
Longer than I have time to tell his years!
Ever belov'd and loving may his rule be!
And when old time shall lead him to his end,

Goodness and he fill up one monument!

92

Lov. To the water side I must conduct your Grace;

67 evils: crimes; cf. n.