Your grace,

Lov.

Yes, my lord.
Wol.
I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

K. Hen. I fear, too much.
Wol.

There's fresher air, my lord,
In the next chamber.
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 4 To lead them once again; and then let's dream Who's best in favour.--Let the musick knock it.

[Exeunt, with trumpets.

I'll save you

Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1 Gent. Whither away so fast? 2 Gent.

0,-God save you! Even to the hall, to hear what shall become Of the great duke of Buckingham.

1 Gent. 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.

4 Dance.

2 Gent.

Is he found guilty i Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn’d upon it. 2 Gent. I am sorry for't. i Gent.

So are a number more. 2 Gent. But, pray, how pass'd 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 alleg'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 :
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.
2 Gent.

That was he,
That fed him with his prophecies?
1 Gent.

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. Much
He spoke, and learnedly, for life: but all
Was either pitied in him, or forgotten.

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 stirrid 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.

2 Gent. I do not think, he fears death.
i Gent.

Sure, he does not,
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.

That trick of state Was a deep envious one. 1 Gent.

At his return,
No doubt, he will requite it. This is noted,
And generally; whoever the king favours,
The cardinal instantly will find employment,
And far enough from court too.
2 Gent.

All the commons
Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience,
Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much
They love and dote on; call him, bounteous Bucking-

ham, 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; Tip

stares 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 christians: 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. For further life in this world I ne'er hope, Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies More than I dare make faults. You few that lov’d me, And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, 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

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; There cannot be those numberless offences 'Gainst me, I cant take peace with: no black envy Shall makes my grave.-Commend me to his grace; And, if he speak of Buckingham, pray, tell him, You met him half in heaven: my vows and prayers Yet are the king's; and, till my soul forsake me, Shall cry for blessings 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 the water side I must conduct your grace; Then give my charge up to sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes

you to your end. Vaur.

Prepare there, The duke is coming : see, the barge be ready ; And fit it with such furniture, as suits The greatness of his person. 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

hun : Yet I am richer than my base accusers, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; And with that blood will make them one day groan

for't.

$ Close.