Lov. Yes, my lord. Wol. Your grace, There's fresher air, my lord, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. K. Hen. I fear, too much. Wol. In the next chamber. K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one.-Sweet partner, I must not yet forsake you :-Let's be merry ;Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen healths To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure 4 To lead them once again; and then let's dream Who's best in favour.-Let the musick knock it. [Exeunt, with trumpets. ACT II. SCENE I. A Street. Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1 Gent. Whither away so fast? 2 Gent. O,-God save you! Even to the hall, to hear what shall become Of the great duke of Buckingham. 1 Gent. That labour, sir. All's now done, 1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I. I'll save you but the ceremony Were you there? Pray, speak, what has happen'd? 1 Gent. You may guess quickly what. 4 Dance. 2 Gent. Is he found guilty 1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon it. 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, He pleaded still, not guilty, and alleg'd At which appear'd against him, his surveyor; Hopkins, that made this mischief. 2 Gent. That fed him with his prophecies ? 1 Gent. That was he, The same. All these accus'd him strongly; which he fain 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 2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear himself? 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar,to hear His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd And something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty : 2 Gent. I do not think, he fears death. 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, Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too, Lest he should help his father. 2 Gent. Was a deep envious one. 1 Gent. That trick of state At his return, No doubt, he will requite it. This is noted, All the commons 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 Bucking ham, The mirror of all courtesy ; 1 Gent. Stay there, sir, And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tipstaves before him, the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side: with him, Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common people. 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. And by that name must die; Yet, heaven bear witness, Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful! The law I bear no malice for my death, It has done, upon the premises, but justice: But those, that sought it, I could wish more christians: Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies His noble friends, and fellows, whom to leave Go with me, like good angels, to my end; 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, Ever belov'd, and loving, may his rule be! Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace; Then give my charge up to sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end. Vaux. Prepare there, The duke is coming: see, the barge be ready; And fit it with such furniture, as suits The greatness of his person. Buck. Nay, sir Nicholas, Let it alone; my state now will but mock me. When I came hither, I was lord high constable, And duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bos hun: Yet I am richer than my base accusers, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; And with that blood will make them one day groan for't. $ Close. |