Wol. In the next chamber. There's fresher air, my lord, K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one.-Sweet partner, I must not yet forsake you.-Let's be merry, Good my Lord Cardinal: I have half a dozen healths To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure ACT II. SCENE I.-A Street. Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1 Gent. Whither away so fast? 2 Gent. 0,-God save you. E'en to the hall, to hear what shall become Of the great Duke of Buckingham. 1 Gent. I'll save you That labour, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony Of bringing back the prisoner 2 Gent. Were you there! 1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gent. Pray, speak what has happened. 1 Gent. You may guess quickly what. 2 Gent. Is he found guilty? 1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemned upon 't. 2 Gent. I am sorry for 't. 1 Gent. So are a number more. 2 Gent. But, pray, how passed it? 1 Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke Came to the bar; where to his accusations He pleaded still not guilty, and alleged Many sharp reasons to defeat the law. At which appeared against him, his surveyor; Hopkins, that made this mischief. 2 Gent. That fed him with his prophecies ? 1 Gent. That was he The same. All these accused him strongly; which he fain Would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not: And so his peers, upon this evidence, Much 2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear himself? 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar, to hear His knell rung out, his judgment,—he was stirred And something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty : 2 Gent. I do not think he fears death. Sure, he does not; He never was so womanish: the cause He may a little grieve at. 2 Gent. The Cardinal is the end of this. 1 Gent. Certainly, 'T is likely, By all conjectures: first, Kildare's attainder, Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too Lest he should help his father. 2 Gent. Was a deep envious one. 1 Genet. That trick of state At his return No doubt he will requite it. This is noted, 2 Gent. All the commons Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, They love and dote on; call him bounteous The mirror of all courtesy,— 1 Gent. Stay there, sir And see the noble ruined man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; tip staves before him; the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side; accompanied with Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common people, &c. 2 Gent. 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 received a traitor's judgment, And by that name must die; yet, Heaven bear witness, And if I have a conscience, let it sink me, Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful. 'T has done upon the premises but justice: But those that sought it I could wish more Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em : Nor will I sue, although the King have mercies More than I dare make faults. You few that loved me, And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham His noble friends and fellows,-whom to leave Go with me, like good angels, to my end, And, as the long divorce of steel falls on me, Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice, And lift my soul to heaven.-Lead on, o' God's name. Lov. I do beseech your grace for charity, If ever any malice in your heart Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. Buck. Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you, As I would be forgiven: I forgive all. |