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 for-

ward
Upon his party, for the gain thereof :
And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,
That, this same very day, your enemies,
The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.

Hast. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,
Because they have been still my adversaries :
But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,
To bar my master's heirs in true descent,
God knows, I will not do it, to the death.
Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious

mind! Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month

hence,
That they, who brought me in my master's hate,
I live to look upon their tragedy.
Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older,
I'll send some packing, that yet think not on't.

Cate. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,
When men are unprepar'd, and look not for it.

Hast, O monstrous, monstrous ! and so falls it out With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do With some men else, who think themselves as safe As thou, and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear To princely Richard, and to Buckingham, Cate. The princes both make high account of

you,

For they account his head upon the bridge. [Aside.

Hast. I know, they do ; and I have well desery'd it.

Enter STANLEY.

Come on, come on, where is your boar-spear, man?
Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided ?
Stan. My lord, good-morrow; and good morrow,

Catesby :-
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 státe 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; But yet, you see, how soon the day o'er-cast. · This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt; Pray I say, I prove a needless coward! What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent, 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. But come, my lord, let's away.

Enter a Pursuivant.

Hast. Go on before, I'll talk with this good fellow,

[Exeunt Stan. and CATESBY, How now, sirrah ? how goes the world with thee ?

Purs. The better, that your lordship please to ask.

Hast. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now, Than when thou met'st me last where now we meet: Then was I going prisoner to the Tower, By the suggestion of the queen's allies; But now I tell thee, (keep it to thyself,) This day those enemies are put to death, And I in better state than ere I was.

Purs. God hold it, to your honour's good content ! Hast. Gramercy, fellow : There, drink that for me.

[Throwing him his purse. Purs. I thank

your

honour. [Exit Pursuivant.

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 chamber

lain ? Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest ; Your honour hath no shriving 4 work in hand.

4 Confession.

men

Hast. 'Good faith, and when I met this holy man, The

you talk of came into my mind. What, go you toward the Tower ?

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.

[Aside. Come, will you go? Hast. I'll wait upon your lordship.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Pomfret. Before the Castle. 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,
To-day, shalt thou behold a subject die,
For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.

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 here-,

after.
Rat. Despatch; the limit of your lives is out.

Riv. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison, 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,
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

Buckingham,
Then curs'd she Richard :-0, remember, God,
To hear her prayers for them, as now for us !
And for my sister, and her princely sons,-
Be satisfied, dear God, with our true bloods,
Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt !

Rat. Make haste, the hour of death is expiate. S
Riv. Come, Grey,---come, Vaughan,- let us here

embrace : Farewell, until we meet again in heaven. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

London, A Room in the Tower.

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?

5 Expiated, completed.