Prince. Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may. [Exeunt Cardinal, and HASTINGS. Say, uncle Gloster, if our brother come, 61 Glo. Where it seems best unto your royal self. If I may counsel you, some day, or two, Your highness shall repose you at the Tower: Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit For your best health and recreation. Prince. I do not like the Tower, of any place :Did Julius Cæsar build that place, my lord? Glo. He did, my gracious lord, begin that place; Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edify'd. Prince. Is it upon record; or else reported Successively from age to age, he built it? Buck. Upon record, my gracious lord. Prince. But say, my lord, it were not register'd; Methinks, the truth should live from age to age, As 'twere retail'd to all posterity, Even to the general all-ending day. 71 Glo. So wise so young, they say, do ne'er live long. Prince. What say you, uncle? [Aside. 80 } [Aside. Glo. I say, without characters, fame lives long. Thus, like the formal vice, Iniquity, I moralize-two meanings in one word. Prince. That Julius Cæsar, was a famous man; With what his valour did enrich his wit, For now he lives in fame, though not in life. I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham. Buck. What, my gracious lord ? Prince. An if I live until I be a man, 90 I'll win our ancient right in France again, Glo. Short summers lightly have a forward spring. [Aside. Enter YORK, HASTINGS, and the Cardinal. Buck. Now, in good time, here comes the duke of York. Prince. Richard of York! how fares our loving brother? York. Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now. Prince. Ay, brother; to our grief, as it is your's: Too late he died, that might have kept that title, Which by his death hath lost much majesty. 100 Glo. How fares our cousin, noble lord of York ? York. I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord, You said, that idle weeds are fast in growth: The prince my brother hath outgrown me far. Glo. He hath, my lord. York. And therefore is he idle. Glo. O, my fair cousin, I must not say so. But you have power in me, as in a kinsman. York. I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger. 110 Glo. Glo. My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart. Prince. A beggar, brother? York. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give ; And, being but a toy, which is no gift to give. Glo. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin. York. A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it? Glo. Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough. York. O then, I see, you'll part but with light gifts; In weightier things you'll say a beggar, nay. Glo. It is too weighty for your grace to wear. 120 Glo. What, would you have my weapon, little lord? York. I would, that I might thank you as you call me. Glo. How? York. Little. Prince. My lord of York will still be cross in talk ; Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him. York. You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me: Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me; 130 Because that I am little like an ape, He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders. He prettily and aptly taunts himself: Glo. My lord, will't please you pass along? Myself, and my good cousin Buckingham, Will to your mother; to entreat of her, 140 To meet you at the Tower, and welcome you. lord ? Prince. My lord protector needs will have it so. Glo. Why, what should you fear ? York. Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost; My grandam told me, he was murder'd there. Prince. I fear no uncles dead. Glo. Nor none that live, I hope. Prince. An if they live, I hope, I need not fear. But come, my lord, and, with a heavy heart, Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower. 150 [Exeunt Prince, YORK, HASTINGS, Cardinal, and Attendants. Buck. Think you, my lord, this little prating York Was not incensed by his subtle mother, To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously; Glo. No doubt, no doubt: O, 'tis a parlous boy; Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable; He's all the mother's, from the top to toe. Buck. Well, let them rest.-Come hither, Catesby; thou art sworn As deeply to effect what we intend, As closely to conceal what we impart : 160 Thou know'st our reason's urg'd upon the way; What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter Το To make William lord Hastings of our mind, In the seat royal of this famous isle ? Cates. He for his father's sake so loves the prince, That he will not be won to aught against him. Buck. What think'st thou then of Stanley? will not he? Cates. He will do all in all as Hastings doth. And, as it were far off, sound thou lord Hastings, If thou dost find him tractable to us, 170 180 Glo. Commend me to lord William: tell him, His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries Buck. Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly. |