Even 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 cere

Is he found guilty?

1. Gent. You may guess quickly what. 2. Gent.

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

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 alleged

10

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;

15

At which appear'd against him his surveyor;
Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor; and John Car, 20
Confessor to him; with that devil-monk,
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
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?

25

30

1. Gent. When he was brought again to the bar, to hear
His knell rung out, his judgement, he was stirr'd
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.

35

Sure, he does not;

He never was so womanish. The cause
He may a little grieve at.

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.

1. Gent.

That trick of state

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.

2. Gent.

45

All the commons

Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience,
Wish him ten fathom deep.
They love and dote on;

Buckingham,

The mirror of all courtesy,

This duke as much

50

call him bounteous

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.

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,

56

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 judgement,
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;

60

But those that sought it I could wish more Christians.

65

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.
For further life in this world I ne'er hope,

Nor will I sue, although the King have mercies 70
More than I dare make faults. You few that

lov'd me

And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,

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

Go with me, like good angels, to my end;
And, as the long divorce of steel falls on me,

75

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

80

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
'Gainst me, that I cannot take peace with; no
black envy

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Shall mark 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

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 !

90

Lov. To the water side I must conduct your Grace; 95 Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end.

Vaux.

Prepare there,

99

The Duke is coming. See the barge be ready;
And fit it with such furniture as suits
The greatness of his person.