Surv. First, it was usual with him, every

day

It would infect his speech, that if the king
Should without issue die, he 'll carry it so
To make the sceptre his: these very words
I've heard him utter to his son-in-law,
Lord Abergavenny, to whom by oath he
menaced

Revenge upon the cardinal.

Wol.

Please your highness, note

This dangerous conception in this point.
Not friended by his wish, to your high

person

His will is most malignant, and it stretches Beyond you to your friends.

Q. Kath.

Deliver all with charity.

King.

My learn'd lord cardinal,

Speak on:

How grounded he his title to the crown Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard

him

At any time speak aught?

Surv.

He was brought to this

By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Henton.

King. What was that Henton?

Surv.

Sir, a Chartreux friar,

His confessor, who fed him every minute
With words of sovereignty.

King.

How know'st thou this? Surv. Not long before your highness sped

to France,

The duke being at the Rose, within the parish Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand What was the speech among the Londoners Concerning the French journey: I replied, Men fear'd the French would prove perfidi

ous,

To the king's danger. Presently the duke Said, 'twas the fear indeed, and that he doubted

'Twould prove the verity of certain words Spoke by a holy monk; 'that oft,' says

he,

‘Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit
John de la Car, my chaplain, a choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment :
Whom after under the confession's seal
He solemnly had sworn, that what he spoke
My chaplain to no creature living but
To me should utter, with demure confidence
This pausingly ensued: Neither the king
nor 's heirs,

Tell you the duke, shall prosper: bid him

strive

To gain the love o' the commonalty: the

On the complaint o' the tenants: take good heed

You charge not in your spleen a noble per

son

And spoil your nobler soul: I say, take

heed;

Yes, heartily beseech you.

King.

Go forward.

Let him on.

Surv. On my soul, I'll speak but truth. I told my lord the duke, by the devil's illusions

The monk might be deceived; and that 'twas dangerous for him

To ruminate on this so far, until

It forged him some design, which, being believed,

It was much like to do: he answer'd 'Tush,

It can do me no damage;' adding further, That, had the king in his last sickness fail'd, The cardinal's and Sir Thomas Lovell's heads Should have gone off.

King.

Ha! what, so rank? Ah, ha!

There's mischief in this man: canst thou

say further?

Surv. I can, my liege.

King.

Surv.

Proceed.

Being at Greenwich,

After your highness had reproved the duke About Sir William Bulmer,

I remember

King. Of such a time: being my sworn servant, The duke retain'd him his. But on; what

hence ?

Surv. 'If' quoth he 'I for this had been

committed,

As to the Tower I thought, I would have play'd

The part my father meant to act upon

The usurper Richard; who, being at Salis

bury,

Made suit to come in's presence; which if granted,

As he made semblance of his duty, would

Have put his knife into him.'

King.

A giant traitor!

Wol. Now, madam, may his highness

live in freedom,

And this man out of prison?

Q. Kath.

God mend all!

King. There's something more would out of thee; what say'st?

Surv. After the duke his father,' with the 'knife,'

He stretch'd him, and with one hand on his dagger,

Another spread on 's breast, mounting his

eyes,

He did discharge a horrible oath, whose

tenour

Was, were he evil used, he would outgo
His father by as much as a performance
Does an irresolute purpose.

King.

There's his period,

To sheathe his knife in us. He is attach'd; Call him to present trial: if he may

Find mercy in the law, 'tis his; if none,

Let him not seek't of us by day and

night!

He's traitor to the height.

[exeunt.