Came to the bar, where, to his accufations,
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 examinations, proofs, confeffions
Of divers witnesses, which the Duke desir'd
To have brought viva voce to his face;
At which appear'd against him, his furveyor,
Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor, and John Court
Confeffor to him, with that devil-monk
Hopkins, that made this mischief.
2 Gen. That was he
That fed him with his prophecies.
All these accus'd him strongly, which he fain Would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could
And fo his peers, upon this evidence,
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 th' bar,
His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd
With such an agony, he sweat extremely;
And fomething spoke in choler, ill and hasty;
But he fell to himself again, and sweetly
In all the rest shew'd a most noble patience.
2 Gen. I do not think he fears death.
1 Gen. Sure he does not,
He never was so womanish; the cause
He may a little grieve at.
2 Gen. Certainly
The Cardinal is the end of this.
Gen. '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 Gen. That trick of state
Was a deep envious one.
No doubt he will requite it; this is noted,
And, generally, whoever the King favours,
The Cardinal instantly will find employment for,
And far enough from court too.
2 Gen. All the Commons
Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, Wish him ten fathom deep; this Duke as much They love and doat on, call him bounteous BuckThe mirror of all curtefy.
Enter Buckingham from his arraignment, (Tipstaves before him, the axe with the edge toward him halberds on each fide) accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovel, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir William Sands, and common.people, &c.
1 Gen. Stay there, Sir,
And fee the noble ruin'd man you speak of.
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 received a traitor's judgment,
And by that name must die; yet, Heav'n bear wit
And if I have a confcience, let it fina me (ness,
Even as the aze falls, if I be not faithful.
To the law I bear no malice for my death,
It has done, upon the premises, but justice:
But those that fought it I could wish more Christianss
Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em;
Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief,
Nor build their evils on the graves of great men;
For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'ein.
For further life in this world I ne'er hope,
Nor will I fue, although the King have mercies
More than I dare make faults. Ye few that lov'd
And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, [me,
His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave
Is only bitter to him, only dying,
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 foul to heav'n. - Lead on, o' God's
Lov. I do befeech your Grace for charity;
If ever any malice in your heart
Were hid against me, now forgive me frankly.
Buck. Sir Thomas Lovel, I as free forgive you,
As I would be forgiv'n; I forgive all.
There cannot be those numberless offences
'Gainft me, I can't take peace with; no black envy
Shall make * my grave: Commend me to his
Grace; And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him, You met him half in heav'n: my vows and pray'rs Yet are the King's; and, till my foul forsake me, Shall cry for bleslings on him. May he live Longer than I have time to tell his years! Ever belov'd and loving may his rule be! And when old Time shall lead him to his end,. Goodness and he fill up one monument!
Lov. To th' water-fide I must conduct your Grace, Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end.
The Duke is coming. See the barge parge be ready,
And fit it with such furniture as fuits
The greatness of his perfon..
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 Bo---
Yet I am richer than my base accusers, [hun:
That never knew what truth meant; I now feal it,.
And with that blood will make 'em one day groan
My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,
Who first rais'd head againft ufurping Richard,
Flying for fuccour to his fervant Banister,
Being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd,
And without trial fell; God's peace be with him!
* Shall mark my grave.. Warburton.
Henry the Seventh fucceeding, truly pitying
My father's loss, like a most royal Prince,
Restor'd to me my honours; and, from ruins,
Made my name once more noble. Now his fon,
Henry the Eighth, life, honour, name, and all
That made me happy, at one stroke has taken
For ever from the world. I had my trial,
And must needs say, a noble one, which makes me
A little happier than my wretched father;
Yet thus far we are one in fortune, both
Fell by our fervants, by those men we lov'd most.
A most unnatural and faithless service!
Heav'n has an end in all: yet, you that hear me,
This from a dying man receive as certain;
Where you are lib'ral of your loves and counsels,
Be fure you be not loose; those you make friends,
And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
The leaft rub in your fortunes, fall away
Like water from ye, never found again,
But where they mean to fink ye. All good people
Pray for me! I must leave ye; the laft hour
Of my long weary life is come upon me.
Farewell; and when you would say something fad,
Speak how I fell.-I've 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!
What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, Sir? 2 Gen. This fecret is fo weighty, 'twill require
A ftrong 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
• Strong faith is great fidelity. Johnson.
A buzzing of a feparation
Between the King and Catharine?
1 Gen. Yes, but it held not;
For when the King once heard it, out of anger
He fent command to the Lord Mayor strait
To stop the rumour, and allay those tongues
That durst disperse it.
2 Gen. But that flander, Sir,
Is found a truth now; for it grows again
Fresher than e'er it was, and held for certain
The King will venture at it. Either the Cardinal,
Or fome about him near, have, out of malice
To the good Queen, poffefs'd him with a fcruple
That will undo her. To confirm this too,
Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd, and lately,
As all think, for this business.
1 Gen. 'Tis the Cardinal;
And merely to revenge him on the Emperor,
For not bestowing on him, at his asking,
The Archbishopric of Toledo, this is purpos'd.
2 Gen. I think you've hit the mark; but is't not cruel
That she thould feel the smart of this? The Car
Will have his will, and the must fall.
We are too open here to argue this:
Let's think in private more.
An Antechamber in the Palace.
Enter Lord Chamberlain reading a letter.
My Lord, the horses your Lordship fent for, with all the care I had I saw well chofen, 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 ferv'd before a fubject, if not before the King; which stopped our mouths, Sir.
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