Glou. Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's chil dren? Buck. I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy, 5 10 Being the right idea of your father, Both in your form and nobleness of mind; 15 Laid open all your victories in Scotland, Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace, 20 Indeed, left nothing fitting for your purpose Glou. And did they so? Buck. No, so God help me, they spake not a word; But, like dumb statuës or breathing stones, Star'd each on other, and look'd deadly pale; Which when I saw, I reprehended them, 25 And ask'd the Mayor what meant this wilful silence. His answer was, the people were not used To be spoke to but by the Recorder. Then he was urg'd to tell my tale again, 30 "Thus saith the Duke, thus hath the Duke in ferr'd;" But nothing spoke in warrant from himself. When he had done, some followers of mine own, And thus I took the vantage of those few, 36 "Thanks, gentle citizens and friends," quoth I; "This general applause and cheerful shout Argues your wisdom and your love to Richard :" And even here brake off, and came away. Glou. What tongueless blocks were they! Would they not speak? [Buck. No, by my troth, my lord.] 41 Glou. Will not the Mayor then and his brethren come? Buck. The Mayor is here at hand. Intend some fear; Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit; 46 And look you get a prayer-book in your hand, For on that ground I'll make a holy descant 50 Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it. Glou. I go; and if you plead as well for them 54 Buck. Go, go up to the leads; the Lord Mayor knocks. Exit [Gloucester]. Enter the Mayor and Citizens. Welcome, my lord! I dance attendance here; Enter Catesby [from the castle]. [Here comes his servant.] Now, Catesby, what says your lord to my request? He is within, with two right reverend fathers, And in no worldly suits would he be mov'd, 60 Buck. Return, good Catesby, to the gracious Duke ; 65 In deep designs, in matter of great moment, Are come to have some conference with his Grace. Exit. Cate. I'll signify so much unto him straight. He is not lolling on a lewd love-bed, 72 But on his knees at meditation; Not dallying with a brace of courtezans, Happy were England, would this virtuous prince 75 But, sure, I fear, we shall not win him to it. 80 May. Marry, God defend his Grace should say us nay! Buck. I fear he will. Here Catesby comes again. Re-enter Catesby. Cate. Now, Catesby, what says his Grace? [My lord,] Suspect me, that I mean no good to him. 85 90 Exit Catesby. When holy and devout religious men Enter Gloucester aloft, between two Bishops. [Catesby returns]. May. See, where his Grace stands 'tween two clergy men! Buck. Two props of virtue for a Christian prince, Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal. I do beseech your Grace to pardon me, 95 100 105 But, leaving this, what is your Grace's pleasure? Buck. Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above, And all good men of this ungovern'd isle. Glou. I do suspect I have done some offence That seems disgracious in the city's eye, 110 And that you come to reprehend my ignorance. Buck. You have, my lord. Would it might please your Grace, On our entreaties, to amend your fault! 115 Glou. Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land? Buck. Know then, it is your fault that you resign H |