Much Would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not: 2 GENT. After all this, how did he bear himself? 1 GENT. When he was brought again to the bar, to hear 2 GENT. I do not think he fears death. 1 GENT. Sure, he does not. He never was so womanish; the cause He may a little grieve at. 2 GENT. Certainly The cardinal is the end of this. a This is usually pointed thus:-"Pray, speak, what has happened?" In the original, "to him brought." 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. 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 SANDS, 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. You that thus far have come to pity me, All good people, 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, It has done, upon the premises, but justice: But those that sought it I could wish more christians: Be what they will, I heartily forgive them: Yet let them look they glory not in mischief, Nor build their evils on the graves of great men; For then my guiltless blood must cry against them. 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, There are many similar instances in Shakspere of this construction;-for being here understood;-as in 'The Merchant of Venice:' "How good a gentleman you sent relief” (to). And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, His noble friends, and fellows, whom to leave Go with me, like good angels, to my end; And, as the long divorce of steel falls on me, And lift my soul to heaven.-Lead on, o' God's name. 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 'Gainst me that I cannot take peace with: No black envy Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace; 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, Yet I am richer than my base accusers, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Who first rais'd head against usurping Richard, Flying for succour to his servant Banister, Being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd, And without trial fell; God's peace be with him! a Rowe here stuck in me-" till my soul forsake me." It is not difficult to see that Shakspere had a different metaphysical notion from that of his editors: the me places the individuality in the body alone. Henry the seventh succeeding, truly pitying And, must needs say, a noble one; which makes me Fell by our servants, by those men we lov'd most; Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me, Like water from ye, never found again But where they mean to sink ye. All good people, Farewell: And when you would say something that is sad, What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir? 2 GENT. This secret is so weighty, 't will require A strong faith to conceal it. a What may it be? All the modern editors, without any authority, read, "where may it be?" |