ACT I. PROLOGUE. I COME no more to make you laugh: things now, The play may pass, if they be still and willing, In a long motley coat, guarded' with yellow, Our own brains, and the opinion that we bring, Will leave us never an understanding friend. Therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are known, The first and happiest hearers of the town, Be sad as we would make ye: think, ye see The very persons of our noble story, As they were living; think, you see them great, 1 Bordered. SCENE I.-London. An Ante-chamber in the Palace. Enter the Duke of NORFOLK, at one door; at the other, the Duke of BUCKINGHAM, and the Lord ABER GAVENNY. Buck. Good morrow, you done, and well met. How have I thank your grace, Since last we saw in France ? Nor. Healthful; and ever since a fresh admirer Of what I saw there. Buck. An untimely ague Stay'd me a prisoner in my chamber, when 'Twixt Guynes and Arde: Nor. Which had they, what four thron'd ones could have weigh'd Such a compounded one? Buck. I was my chamber's prisoner. Nor. All the whole time Then you lost The view of earthly glory: men might say, 'T was said, they saw but one: and no discerner Durst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns (For so they praise 'em) by their heralds challeng'd The noble spirits to arms, they did perform Beyond thought's compass; that former fabulous story, Being now seen possible enough, got credit, That Bevis1 was believ'd. Buck. O! you go far. Buck. Distinctly his full function. All was royal: The office did Who did guide, I mean, who set the body and the limbs Buck. I pray you, who, my lord? Buck. The devil speed him! no man's pie is freed From his ambitious finger. What had he To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder, And keep it from the earth. Surely, sir, Nor. I cannot tell Aber. 1 Of Southampton, the hero of an old romance. 2 This sentence is assigned to NORFOLK, in f. e. 3 A ball of fat, rolled up by batchers. O in folio. Steevens made the change. VOL. V.-32 Pierce into that; but I can see his pride Peep through each part of him whence has he that? If not from hell, the devil is a niggard; Or has given all before, and he begins A new hell in himself. Buck. Why the devil, Upon this French going-out, took he upon him, Must fetch him in the papers. Aber. I do know Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have Buck. O! many Have broke their backs, with laying manors on them For this great journey. What did this vanity, But minister the consummation of A most poor issue? The peace between the French and us not values Buck. Nor. Which is budded out; For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'd Our merchants' goods at Bordeaux. Aber. Th' ambassador is silenc'd ? Nor. Is it therefore Marry, is 't. Aber. A proper title of a peace, and purchas'd At a superfluous rate. Buck. Why, all this business Our reverend cardinal carried. 1 To: in folio; which Knight retains. 2 minister communication: in f. e. Nor. 'Like it your grace, The state takes notice of the private difference What his high hatred would effect wants not You'll find it wholesome. Lo! where comes that rock, That I advise your shunning. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY (the Purse borne before him), certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries with Papers. The Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on BUCKINGHAM, and BUCKINGHAM on him, both full of disdain. Wol. The duke of Buckingham's surveyor? ha! Where's his examination? 1 Secr. Here, so please you. Wol. Is he in person ready? ingham Shall lessen this big look. [Exeunt WOLSEY, and Train. Nor. What, are you chaf'd? Ask God for temperance; that's th' appliance only, Which your disease requires. Buck. I read in 's looks Matter against me; and his eye revil'd Me, as his abject object: at this instant He bores me with some trick. He's gone t' the king: I'll follow, and out-stare him. Stay, my lord, Nor. 1 book in f. e. |