Buck. God and our innocence defend and guard us ! Enter LovEL and RATCLIFF, with HASTINGS's head. Glo. Be patient, they are friends; Ratcliff, and Lovel. Lov. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor, Glo. So dear I lov'd the man, that I must weep. So smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue, I mean, his conversation with Shore's wife, He liv'd from all attainder of suspect. Buck. Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor That ever liv'd.-Look you, my lord mayor, Would you imagine, or almost believe, To murder me, and my good lord of Gloster? May. What! had he so? Glo. What! think you we are Turks, or infidels? Or that we would, against the form of law, Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death; But that the extreme peril of the case, The peace of England, and our persons' safety, Enforc'd us to this execution? May. Now, fair befal you! he deserv'd his death; And your good graces both have well proceeded, To warn false traitors from the like attempts. I never look'd for better at his hands, After he once fell in with mistress Shore. Buck. Yet had we not determin'd he should die, Until your lordship came to see his end; Which now the loving haste of these our friends, Somewhat against our meaning, hath prevented: Because, my lord, we would have had you heard The traitor speak, and timorously confess The manner and the purpose of his treasons; That you might well have signified the same Unto the citizens, who, haply, may Misconstrue us in him, and wail his death. May. But, my good lord, your grace's word shall serve, As well as I had seen, and heard him speak : Glo. And to that end we wish'd your lordship here, [Exit Lord Mayor. Glo. Go after, after, cousin Buckingham. The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post:There, at your meetest vantage of the time, Infer the bastardy of Edward's children ; VOL. VII. G : Tell them, how Edward put to death a citizen, And bestial appetite in change of lust; Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters, wives, Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person :- my father : Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off; Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu. Glo. If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Where you shall find me well accompanied, [Exit BUCKINGHAM. Glo. Go, Lovel, with all speed to doctor Shaw,Go thou [to CAT.] to friar Penker ;-bid them both Meet me, within this hour, at Baynard's castle. [Exeunt LovEL and CATESBY. Now will I in, to take some privy order To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight; SCENE VI. A Street. Enter a Scrivener. [Exit. Seriv. Here is the indictment of the good lord Hastings; Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd, That it may be to-day read o'er in Paul's. And mark how well the sequel hangs together:- Here's a good world the while!-Who is so gross, Yet who so bold, but says he sees it not? Bad is the world; and all will come to nought, When such bad dealing must be seen in thought. [Exit. Original draft. G 2 SCENE VII. The same. Court of Baynard's Castle. Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, meeting. Glo. How now, how now? what say the citizens? Buck. Now by the holy mother of our Lord, The citizens are mum, say not a word. Glo. Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children? Buck. I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy, Both in your form and nobleness of mind: I bade them, that did love their country's good, Buck. No, so God help me, they spake not a word; But, like dumb statuas, or breathless stones, |