Of bringing back the prisoner. 2 Gen. Were you there? 1 Gen. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gen. Pray, speak, what has happen'd? 1 Gen. You may guess quickly what. 2 Gen. Is he found guilty? 1 Gen. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon it. 2 Gen. I am sorry for't. 1 Gen. So are a number more. 2 Gen. But, pray, how pass'd it? 1 Gen. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke 2 Gen. That was he, That fed him with his prophecies? 1 Gen. The same. All these accus'd him strongly; which he fain Have found him guilty of high treason. Much He spoke, and learnedly, for life; but all Was either pitied in him, or forgotten. 2 Gen. After all this, how did he bear himself? 1 Gen.When he was brought again to the bar,—to hear His knell rung out, his judgment,-he was stirr'd With such an agony, he sweat extremely, 2 1 Gen. Sure, he does not, He never was so womanish; the cause [2] This circumstance is taken from Holirshed: "After he was found guilty, the duke was brought to the bar, sore-chafing, and sweat marvelously." STEEV. 2 Gen. Certainly, The cardinal is the end of this. 1 Gen. 'Tis likely, By all conjectures: First, Kildare's attainder, Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too, 2 Gen. That trick of state Was a deep envious one. 1 Gen. At his return, No doubt, he will requite it. This is noted, 2 Gen. All the commons Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, 1 Gen. Stay there, sir, And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tipstaves before him; the axe with the edge towards him; Halberds on each side with him, Sir THOMAS LOVEL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common People. 2 Gen. Let's stand close, and behold him. Buck. All good people, You that thus far have come to pity me, 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, 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 ; More than I dare make faults. You few that lov'd me,s [3] These lines are remarkably tender and pathetic JOHNS. And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, Go with me, like good angels, to my end; 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. There cannot be those numberless offences Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace; Then give my charge up to sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end. Vaux. Prepare there, The duke is coming see, the barge be ready; 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, And duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun : Yet I am richer than my base accusers, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it ;5 Who first rais'd head against usurping Richard, Being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd, [4] Shakspeare, by this expression, meant no more than to make the duke say, No action expressive of malice shall conclude my life. Envy by our author, is used for malice and hatred, in other places, and, perhaps, in this. STEEV. [5] I now seal my truth, my loyalty, with blood, which blood shall one day make them groan. JOHNS. And without trial fell; God's peace be with him! Fell by our servants, by those men we lov'd most ; Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me, Where you are liberal of your loves, and counsels, Like water from ye, never found again, But where they mean to sink ye. All good people, Farewel: And when you would say something that is sad, Speak how I fell. I have done; and God forgive me! [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and Train. 1 Gen. O, this is full of pity !-Sir, it calls, I fear, too many curses on their heads, That were the authors. 2 Gen. If the duke be guiltless, 'Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling Of an ensuing evil, if it fall, Greater than this. 1 Gen. Good angels keep it from us! Where may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir? 2 Gen. This secret is so weighty, 'twill require A strong faith to conceal it. 1 Gen. Let me have it ; I do not talk much. 2 Gen. I am confident; You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear Between the king and Katharine ? 1 Gen. Yes, but it held not; [6] Strong faith, is great fidelity. JOHNS. For when the king once heard it, out of anger 2 Gen. But that slander, sir, Is found a truth now: for it grows again 1 Gen. 'Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor, The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 2Gen. I think you have hit the mark: But is't not cruel, That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal Will have his will, and she must fall. 1 Gen. 'Tis woful. We are too open here to argue this; SCENE II. [Exeunt. An Ante-chamber in the Palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a letter. Cham. My lord,-The horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. They were young, and handsome; and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission, and main power, took 'em from me ; with this reason, His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king: which stopped our mouths, sir. I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them : He will have all, I think. Enter the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Cham. I left him private, Full of sad thoughts and troubles. |