The back is sacrifice to the load. They say They are devised by you; or else you suffer Too hard an exclamation.

King.

Still exaction!

The nature of it? in what kind, let's know, Is this exaction?

Q. Kath.

I am much too venturous In tempting of your patience, but am bolden'd

Under your promised pardon. The subjects' grief

Comes through commissions, which compel from each

The sixth part of his substance, to be levied

Without delay; and the pretence for this Is named your wars in France: this makes bold mouths:

Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze

Allegiance in them; their curses now
Live where their prayers did; and it 's come

to pass,

This tractable obedience is a slave

To each incensed will. I would your high

ness

Would give it quick consideration, for

There is no primer business.

King.

This is against our pleasure.

Wol.

By my life,

And for me,

I have no further gone in this than by
A single voice, and that not pass'd me but
By learned approbation of the judges. If

I am

Traduced by ignorant tongues, which neither

know

My faculties nor person, yet will be

The chronicles of my doing, let me say

"Tis but the fate of place, and the rough

brake

That virtue must go through. We must not stint

Our necessary actions, in the fear

To cope malicious censurers; which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
That is new-trimm'd, but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
Notours or not allow'd; what worst, as oft,
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up
For our best act. If we shall stand still,

In fear our notion will be mock'd or carp'd at,

We should take root here where we sit, or

Things done without example, in their issue
Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent
Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our
laws,

And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?

A trembling contribution! Why, we take From every tree lop, bark, and part o' the timber,

And though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd,

The air will drink the sap. To every county Where this is question'd send our letters,

with

Free pardon to each man that has denied The force of this commission: pray, look to 't;

I put it to your care.

Wol. [to the Secretary] A word with you. Let there be letters writ to every shire, Of the king's grace and pardon. grieved commons

The

Hardly conceive of me : let it be noised That through our intercession this revokement

And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you Further in the proceeding. [exit Secretary.

That he may furnish and instruct great teachers,

And never seek for aid out of himself. Yet

see,

When these so noble benefits shall prove

His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady,

Hath into monstrous habits put the graces That once were his, and is become as black As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear

This was his gentleman in trust-of him Things to strike honour sad. Bid him recount

The fore-recited practices; whereof

We cannot feel too little, hear too much. Wol. Stand forth, and with bold spirit relate what you,

Most like a careful subject, have collected Out of the Duke of Buckingham.

King.

Speak freely.