And to what end is this? nay, ladies, fear not; Enter a Servant. Cham. How now, what is't? Ser. A noble troop of strangers, For fo they feem, have left their barge, and landed, And hither make, as great ambassadors From foreign Princes Wol. Good Lord Chamberlain, Go, give 'em welcome; you can fpeak the French tongue, And pray receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'em Hautboys. Enter King and others as maskers, habited like Shepherds, ufher'd by the Lord Chamberlain. They pafs directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully falute him.. A noble company! what are their pleasures? Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd This night to meet here, they could do no lefs, Wol. Say, Lord Chamberlain, They've done my poor house grace: for which I pay 'em A thoufand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures. [Chufe ladies, King and Anne Bullen. King. The faireft hand I ever touch'd! O beauty, Till now I never knew thee. [Mufick. Dance. Wol. Wol. My lord. Cham. Your Grace? Wol. Pray tell 'em thus much from me: There should be one amongst 'em by his perfon Cham. I will, my lord. Wol. What fay they? Cham. Such a one, they all confefs,, [Whisper There is indeed, which they would have your Grace Find out, and he will take it. Wol. Let me fee then: By all your good leaves, gentlemen, here I'll make My royal choice. King. You've found him, Cardinal : You hold a fair affembly: you do well, lord. Wol. I am glad Your Grace is grown fo pleasant. King. My lord Chamberlain, Pry'thee come hither, what fair lady's that? Cham. An't please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter, (The Viscount Rochford,) one of her Highnefs' women. Let it go round. Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I' th' privy chamber? Lov. Yes, my lord. Wol. Your Grace, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. King. I fear too much. Wol. There's frefher air, my lord, In the next chamber. King. Lead in your ladies every one: sweet partner, I must not yet forfake you, let's be merry, B Good Good my lord Cardinal: I have a dozen healths ACT II. SCENE L W Enter two Gentlemen at several Doors. I GENTLEMAN. HITHER away so faft? 2 Gen. O Sir, God fave ye: Ev'n to the hall, to hear what shall be come Of the great Duke of Buckingham. That labour, Sir. All's now done, but Of bringing back the pris'ner. 2 Gen. Were you there? 1. Gen. Yes indeed was. I. 2 Gen. Pray fpeak what has happen'd?, 1 Gen. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't. 1 Gen. So are a number more. 2 Gen. But pray how paft it? 1 Gen. I'll tell you in a little. The great Duke of Of divers witneffes, which the Duke defir' 2 Gen. That was he That fed him with his prophecies. r Gen. The fame. All these accus'd him ftrongly, which he fain Have found him guilty of high treafon. Much He fpoke, and learnedly for life; but all Was either pitied in him, or forgotten. 1 2 Gen. After all this, how did he bear himself! His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd He never was fo womanish; the caufe 2 Gen. Certainly, The Cardinal is the end of this. 1 Gen. 'Tis likely, By all conjectures: firft Kildare's attainder, Earl Surrey was fent thither, and in hafte too 2 Gen. That trick of ftate Was a deep envious one. 1 Gen. At his return, No doubt he will requite it; this is noted, B 2. And And far enough from court too. 2 Gen. All the commons Hate him perniciously, and o' my conscience SCENE II. Enter Buckingham from his Arraignment. Tipftaves beHalfore him, the Axe with the edge towards him. berds on each fide, accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovel, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Walter Sands, and common People, &c. 1. Gen. Stay there, Sir, And fee the noble ruin'd Man you speak of. 2 Gen. Let's ftand close and behold him. You that thus far have come to pity me, Hear what I fay, and then go home and lofe me: And by that name muft die; yet heav'n bear witness, And |