And, as it were far off, sound thou lord Hastings, If thou dost find him tractable to us, Glo. Commend me to lord William: tell him, His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries Cate. My good lords both, with all the heed I can. Glo. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep? Cate. You shall, my lord. both. Glo. At Crosby-place, there shall you find us. [Exit CATESBY. Buck. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots? will do: And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me Buck. I'll claim that promise at your grace's hand. Glo. And look to have it yielded with all kindness. divided councils,] That is, a private consultation, separate from the known and publick council. Come, let us sup betimes; that afterwards SCENE II. Before Lord Hastings' House. Enter a Messenger. [Exeunt Mess. My lord, my lord, [Knocking. Hast. [Within.] Who knocks? Mess. One from lord Stanley. Hast. [Within.] What is't o'clock? Mess. Upon the stroke of four. Enter HASTINGS. Hast. Cannot thy master sleep the tedious nights? Mess. So it should seem by that I have to say. First, he commends him to your noble lordship. Hast. And then, Mess. And then he sends you word, he dreamt To-night the boar had rased off his helm:8 Besides, he says, there are two councils held; And that may be determin'd at the one, Which may make you and him to rue at the other. Therefore he sends to know your lordship's plea sure, If presently, you will take horse with him, And with all speed post with him toward the north, To shun the danger that his soul divines. Hast. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord; Bid him not fear the separated councils: 8 the boar had rased off his helm:] By the boar, throughout this scene, is meant Gloster, who was called the boar, or the hog, from his having a boar for his cognizance, and one of the supporters of his coat of arms. STEEVENS. His honour, and myself, are at the one; Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance:1 say. Enter CATESBY. Cate. Many good morrows to my noble lord! stirring: What news, what news, in this our tottering state? Till Richard wear the garland of the realm. Hast. How! wear the garland? dost thou mean the crown? Cate. Ay, my good lord. Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders, Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd. But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it? 9 His honour,] This was the usual address to noblemen in Shakspeare's time. 6 wanting instance:] That is, wanting some example or act of malevolence, by which they may be justified: or which, perhaps, is nearer to the true meaning, wanting any immediate ground or reason. JOHNSON. Cate. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you forward Upon his party, for the gain thereof: And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,- Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind! Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence, That they, who brought me in my master's hate, Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older, Hast. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do With some men else, who think themselves as safe As thou, and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear To princely Richard, and to Buckingham. Cate. The princes both make high account of you, For they account his head upon the bridge. [Aside. Hast. I know, they do; and I have well deserv'd it. Enter STANLEY. Come on, come on, where is your boar-spear, man? Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided? Stan. My lord, good morrow; and good morrow, Catesby: You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,' Hast. My lord, I hold my life as dear as yours; And never, in my life, I do protest, Was it more precious to me than 'tis now: Stan. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure, To-day, the lords you talk of are beheaded. Stan. They, for their truth,3 might better wear their heads, Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their hats. But come, my lord, let's away. low. Enter a Pursuivant. Hast. Go on before, I'll talk with this good fel[Exeunt STAN. and CATESBY. How now, sirrah? how goes the world with thee? Purs. The better, that your lordship please to ask. Hast. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now, Than when thou met'st me last where now we meet: Then was I going prisoner to the Tower, By the suggestion of the queen's allies; But now, I tell thee, (keep it to thyself,) 2 the holy rood,] i. e. the cross. I misdoubt;] i. e. suspect it of danger. 3 They, for their truth,] That is, with respect to their honesty. VOL. VII. G |