To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers: And make pursuit, where he did mean no chase. Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly. Enter CATESBY. [Exit. Cate. Many good morrows to my noble lord! Hast. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring : What news, what news, in this our tottering state? Cate. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord; And, I believe, will never stand upright, Till Richard wear the garland of the realm. Hast. How! wear the garland? dost thou mean the crown? Cate. Ay, my good lord. Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders, Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd. But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it? Cate. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you forward Upon his party, for the gain thereof: And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,- The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret. Hast. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news, Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind! VOL. VI. F Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older, Hast. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out Cate. The princes both make high account of you,— For they account his head upon the bridge. [A side. Hast. I know, they do; and I have well deserv'd it. Enter STANLEY. Come on, come on, where is your boar-spear, man? Stan. My lord, good morrow; and good morrow †, You may jest on, but, by the holy rood', I do not like these several councils, I Hast. My lord, I hold my life as dear as yours‡; And never, in my life, I do protest, Was it more precious to me than 'tis now. Think you, but that I know our state secure, I would be so triumphant as I am? Stan. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London, Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure, And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust; t "and" is omitted by Mr. Malone. 1 2 the holy rood,] i. e. the cross. "dear as you do yours ;"-MALONE. I misdoubt;] i. e. suspect it of danger. Hast. Come, come, have with you.-Wot you what, my lord? To-day, the lords you talk of are beheaded. Stan. They, for their truth', might better wear their heads, Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their hats. Enter a Pursuivant. Hast. Go on before, I'll talk with this good fellow. How now, sirrah? how goes the world with thee? Purs. God hold it, to your honour's good content! Purs. I thank your honour. Enter a Priest. Pr. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour. Hast. I thank thee, good sir John, with all my heart. I am in your debt for your last exercise*; Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you. Enter BUCKINGHAM. Buck. What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain ? 3 They, for their truth,] That is, with respect to their honesty. exercise ;] For attending him in private to hear his confession; or, perhaps it means only religious exhortation or lecture. Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest; Hast. 'Good faith, and when I met this holy man, Buck. I do, my lord; but long I cannot stay there: I shall return before your lordship thence. Hast. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there. Buck. And supper too, although thou know'st it not. Enter RATCLIFF, with a Guard, conducting RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN, to Execution. Rat. Come, bring forth the prisoners. Riv. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this,- Grey. God keep the prince from all the pack of you! A knot you are of damned blood-suckers. Vaugh. You live, that shall cry woe for this hereafter. Fatal and ominous to noble peers! Within the guilty closure of thy walls, Richard the second here was hack'd to death: And, for more slander to thy dismal seat, We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink. Grey. Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon our heads, 5 shriving work in hand.] Shriving work is confession, When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I, For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son. Riv. Then curs'd she Hastings, then curs'd she Then curs'd she Richard:-0, remember, God, Farewell, until we meet again in heaven. SCENE IV. London. A Room in the Tower. [Exeunt. BUCKINGHAM, STANLEY, HASTINGS, the Bishop of Ely, CATESBY, LOVEL, and Others, sitting at a Table: Officers of the Council attending. Hast. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met Is to determine of the coronation : In God's name, speak, when is the royal day? Buck. Are all things ready for that royal time? Buck. Who knows the lord protector's mind herein? Who is most inward with the noble duke? 6 Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. Buck. We know each other's faces: for our hearts, and ended. 7 the hour of death is expiate.] Perhaps, fully completed and wants but nomination.] i. e. the only thing wanting, is appointment of a particular day for the ceremony. |