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Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze
Allegiance in them; their curses now,
Live where their prayers did; and it's come to pass,
That tractable obedience is a slave
To each incensed will. I would, your highness
Would give it quick consideration, for
There is no primer business.
K. Hen.
By my life,
This is against our pleasure.
Wol.
And for me,
I have no further gone in this, than by
A single voice; and that not pass'd me, but
By learned approbation of the judges.
If I am traduc'd by tongues, which neither know
My faculties, nor person, yet will be
The chronicles of my doing, let me say,
'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake That virtue must go through. We must not stint Our necessary actions, in the fear
To cope malicious censurers; which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
That is new trimm'd; but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
Not ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oft,
Qq
Q. Kath.
Deliver all with charity.
K. Hen.
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up
For our best act. If we shall stand still,
In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at,
We should take root here where we sit, or sit
State statues only.
K. Hen.
Things done well,
And with a care, exempt themselves from fear;
Things done without example, in their issue
Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent
Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our laws,
And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?
A trembling contribution! Why, we take,
From every tree, lop, bark, and part o'the timber;
And, though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd,
The air will drink the sap. To every county,
Where this is question'd, send our letters, with
Free pardon to each man that has denied
The force of this commission: Pray, look to't;
I put it to your care.
Wol.
A word with you.
[To the Secretary. Let there be letters writ to every shire, Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd com
mons
Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd,
That, through our intercession, this revokemen
And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you
Further in the proceeding. [Exit Secretary.
Yet see
When these so noble benefits shall prove
Not well dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt,
They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly
Than ever they were fair. This man so cómplete,
Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,
Almost with ravish'd list'ning, could not find
His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady,
Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
That once were his, and is become as black
As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear
(This was his gentleman in trust,) of him
Things to strike honour sad. - Bid him recount
The fore-recited practices: whereof
We cannot feel too little, hear too much.
Wel. Stand forth; and with bold spirit relate what
you,
Most like a careful subject, have collected
Out of the duke of Buckingham.
K. Hen.
Speak freely.
Sure. First, it was usual with him, every day
It would infect his speech, That if the king
Should without issue die, he'd carry it so
To make the scepter his : These very words
I have heard him utter to his son-in-law,
Lord Aberga'ny; to whom by oath he menac'd
Revenge upon the cardinal.
Wol.
Please your highness, note
This dangerous conception in this point.
Not friended by his wish, to your high person
His will is most malignant; and it stretches
Beyond you, to your friends.
My learn'd lord cardinal,
Speak on:
How grounded he his title to the crown,
Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him
At any time speak aught?
Surv.
He was brought to this
By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins.
K. Hen. What was that Hopkins?
Surv.
Sir, a Chartreux friar,
His confessor; who fed him every minute
With words of sovereignty.
K. Hen.
How know'st thou this?
Surv. Not long before your highness sped to
France,
The duke being at the Rose, within the parish
Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand
What was the speech amongst the Londoners
Concerning the French journey: I replied,
Men fear'd, the French would prove perfidious,
To the king's danger. Presently the duke
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Said, 'Twas the fear, indeed; and that he doubted,
'Twould prove the verity of certain words
Spoke by a holy monk: that oft, says he,
Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit
John de la Court, my chaplain, a choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment :
Whom after under the confession's seal
He solemnly had sworn, that, what he spoke,
My chaplain to no creature living, but
To me, should utter, with demure confidence
Thus pausingly ensu’d-Neither the king, nor his heirs,
(Tell you the duke) shall prosper: bid him strive
To gain the love of the commonalty; the duke
Shall govern England.
Q. Kath.
If I know you well,
You were the duke's surveyor, and lost your office
On the complaint o' the tenants: Take good heed,
You charge not in your spleen a noble person,
And spoil your nobler soul! I say, take heed;
Yes, heartily beseech you.
Let him on :
K. Hen.
Go forward.
Surv.
On my soul, I'll speak but truth.
I told my lord the duke, By the devil's illusions
The monk might be deceiv'd; and that 'twas dan-
g'rous for him
To ruminate on this so far, until
Made suit to come in his presence; which if granted,
As he made semblance of his duty, would
Have put his knife into him.
K. Hen.
A giant traitor ! Wol. Now, madam, may his highness live in freedom,
And this man out of prison?
Q. Kath.
God mend all!
Cham.
K. Hen. There's something more would out of Will have of these trim vanities!
thee; What say'st?
Surv. After- the duke his father, with the
knife,
He stretch'd him, and, with one hand on his dagger,
Another spread on his breast, mounting his eyes,
He did discharge a horrible oath; whose tenour
Was, . Were he evil us'd, he would out-go
His father, by as much as a performance
Does an irresolute purpose.
K. Hen.
There's his period,
To sheath his knife in us. He is attach'd;
Call him to present trial: if he may
Find mercy in the law, 'tis his; if none,
Let him not seek't of us: by day and night,
He's traitor to the height.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III. A Room in the Palace.
Enter the Lord Chamberlain and LORD SANDS.
Cham. Is it possible, the spells of France should
juggle
Men into such strange mysteries?
Sands.
Though they be never so ridiculous,
Nay, let them be unmanly, yet are follow'd.
Cham. As far as I see, all the good our English
Have got by the late voyage, is but merely
A fit or two o' the face; but they are shrewd ones;
For when they hold them, you would swear directly,
Their very noses had been counsellors
To Pepin, or Clotharius, they keep state so.
Sands. They have all new legs, and lame ones;
one would take it,
That never saw them pace before, the spavin,
A springhalt reign'd among them.
Enter Sir THOMAS LOVELL.
Lov.
'Faith, my lord,
I hear of none, but the new proclamation
That's clapp'd upon the court-gate.
Cham.
What is't for? Lov. The reformation of our travell'd gallants, That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors. Cham. I am glad, 'tis there; now I would pray our monsieurs
To think an English courtier may be wise,
And never see the Louvre.
And understand again like honest men ;
Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it,
They may, cum privilegio, wear away
The lag end of their lewdness, and be laugh'd at.
Sands. 'Tis time to give them physick, their
diseases
Are grown so catching.
Lov.
They must either
(For so run the conditions,) leave these remnants
Of fool, and feather, that they got in France,
With all their honourable points of ignorance,
Pertaining thereunto, (as fights, and fireworks;
Abusing better men than they can be,
Out of a foreign wisdom,) renouncing clean
The faith they have in tennis, and tall stockings,
Short blister'd breaches, and those types of travel,
Lov.
Ay, marry,
There will be woe indeed, lords; the sly whore-
Cham. No doubt, he's noble, He had a black mouth, that said other of him. Sands. He may, my lord, he has wherewithal; in him, Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine : Men of his way should be most liberal, Cham. Death! my lord, They are set here for examples. Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too, That, sure, they have worn out christendom. now?
How
What news, sir Thomas Lovell?
sons
Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies;
A French song, and a fiddle, has no fellow.
Sands. The devil fiddle them! I am glad, they're
going;
(For, sure, there's no converting of them ;) now, An honest country lord, as I am, beaten
A long time out of play, may bring his plain
song,
And have an hour of hearing; and, by'r lady,
Held current musick too.
Cham.
Well said, lord Sands;
Your colt's tooth is not cast yet.
Sands.
No, my lord;
Nor shall not, while 1 have a stump.
Cham.
Sir Thomas,
To the cardinal's;
Whither were you a going?
Lov.
Your lordship is a guest too.
Cham.
O, 'tis true:
This night he makes a supper, and a great one,
To many lords and ladies; there will be
The beauty of this kingdom, I'll assure you.
Lov. That churchinan bears a bounteous mind
indeed,
A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us,
His dews fall every where.
Cham.
True, they are so;
But few now give so great ones. My barge stays;
Your lordship shall along:- Come, good sir Thomas,
We shall be late else: which I would not be,
For I was spoke to, with sir Henry Guildford,
This night to be comptrollers.
Sands.
I am your lordship's. [Exeunt.
The Presence-Chamber in York
Place. Hautboys. A small table under a state for the CARDINAL, a longer table for the guests. Enter at one door ANNE BULLEN, and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomer. as guests; at another door, enter Sir HENRY GUILDFord.
Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes ye all: This night he dedicates
Enter Lord Chamberlain, LORD SANDS, and Sir THOMAS LOVELL.
The very thought of this fair company Clapp'd wings to me.
Cham. You are young, sir Harry Guildford. Sands. Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal But half my lay-thoughts in him, some of these Should find a running banquet ere they rested, I think, would better please them: By my life, They are a sweet society of fair ones.
Lov. O, that your lordship were but now confessor To one or two of these!
Sands.
I would, I were ;
They should find easy penance.
Lov.
'Faith, how easy?
Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir
Harry,
Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this:
His grace is ent'ring. - Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women plac'd together makes cold weather:
My lord Sands, you are one will keep them waking;
Pray, sit between these ladies.
Sands.
By my faith, And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies :
[Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN and another lady.
(Exit a Servant.
Wol. What warlike voice? And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not; By all the laws of war you are privileg'd.
Re-enter Servant.
Cham. How now? what is't?
Serv.
For so they seem; they have left their barge, and landed;
A noble troop of strangers;
And hither make, as great ambassadors
From foreign princes.
Wol.
Good lord chamberlain, Go, give them welcome, you can speak the French tongue;
And, pray, receive them nobly, and conduct them,
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them:- Some attend him.-
[Exit Chamberlain, attended. All arise,
and tables removed.
You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.
A good digestion to you all: and, once more,
I shower a welcome on you; -Welcome all.
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 happen'd? 1 Gent. You may guess quickly what. 2 Gent.
2 Gent.
That fed him with his prophecies ? 1 Gent.
Lov.
Wol.
Yes, my lord.
I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
K. Hen. I fear, too much.
Wol.
In the next chamber.
K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one. — - Sweet
The same.
All these accus'd him strongly; which he fain
Would have flung from him, but,indeed, he could not:
And so his peers, upon this evidence,
Have found him guilty of high treason.
He spoke, and learnedly, for life; but all
Was either pitied in him, or forgotten.
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 stirr'd
With such an agony, he sweat extremely,
And something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty:
But he fell to himself again, and, sweetly,
In all the rest show'd a most noble patience.
There's fresher air, my lord,
partner,
I must not yet forsake you :- Let's be merry ;Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen healths
2 Gent. I do not think he fears death.
1 Gent.
He never was so womanish; the cause
He may a little grieve at.
2 Gent.
Certainly,
The cardinal is the end of this.
1 Gent.
'Tis likely,
By all conjectures: First, Kildare's attainder,
Then deputy of Ireland; who remov'd,
Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,
Lest he should help his father.
2 Gent.
Was a deep envious one.
Is he found guilty?
This is noted,
1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon it.
1 Gent. No doubt, he will requite it. And generally; whoever the king favours, 2 Gent. I am sorry for't. The cardinal instantly will find employment, 1 Gent. So are a number more. And far enough from court too. 2 Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it? 2 Gent. All the commons 1 Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke | Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, Came to the bar; where, to his accusations, Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much He pleaded still, not guilty, and alledg'd Many sharp reasons to defeat the law. The king's attorney, on the contrary, Urg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessions Of divers witnesses; which the duke desir'd To him brought, viva voce, to his face :
They love and dote on; call him bounteous Buck
At which appear'd against him, his surveyor;
Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor; and John Court,
Confessor to him; with that devil-monk,
Hopkins, that made this mischief.
ingham,
The mirror of all courtesy ;
1 Gent. 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 LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common people.
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 receiv'd 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!
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 chris
tians:
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 ;
For then my guiltless blood must cry against them.
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