**If I'm traduc'd by tongues which neither know My faculties nor person, yet will be

The chroniclers 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 censures; which ever, As rav'nous 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, or weak ones, is
Not ours, or not allowed: what worst, as oft
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried

up

For our best act: if we 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."

Shakspeare is justified by Holinshed,* in ascribing to Wolsey the proceedings against Buckingham; Holinshed does not in this case copy Hall,† but Polydore Vergil,‡ whose testimony, especially as to Wolsey, is to be received with great caution. § It is probable that Buckingham, as a peer of an ancient family, was jealous of the proud and powerful churchman,

*P. 657. See Lingard, vi. 53. + P. 662.

P. 665 of edit. 1556.

§ See Grove, ii. 171; iv. 348. disgusting flatterer of the cardinal.

Polydore had been a

and also that the duke could not have been tried for treason, without the approbation of the minister; but there is no historical evidence for tracing either the trial or the accusation to personal causes.* I find, however, in the depositions, the charge most likely to excite Wolsey's wrath :

Adding further,

That had the king in his sickness fail'd,

The cardinal's and Sir Thomas Lovell's heads
Should have

gone off."+

It was deposed, moreover, that he listened to prophecies that he should become king after the death of Henry. There is no mention of the intention to "put his knife" into the king. All that he said was, that if committed to the Tower, he should have had ten thousand men to deliver him. But that story was among the articles of charge.||

Buckingham was now the next heir to Henry, in the Beaufort branch of the Lancastrian line, and next legitimate representative of Edward III., after the children of Clarence.

* See, on the contrary, Grove's note on Henry VIII.

p. 26.

+ Galt's App. xxiv.

Hol., 661.

|| State Trials, 287; from Lord Herbert.

Of Buckingham's dying speech,* the whole merit, I believe, belongs to Shakspeare; Hall only tell us, that

"He said he had offended the king's grace through negligence and lack of grace, and desired all noblemen to beware by him, and all men to pray for him, and that he trusted to die the king's true man.' ."+

This is amplified by Shakspeare into a moving and impressive speech.

"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, Heav'n 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,

"T 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. For further life in this world I ne'er hope,

Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies,

* Act ii. Sc. 2.

+ Hall, 642, and Hol., 662.

More than I dare make faults. Ye 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!
Lovell. I do beseech your grace, for charity,

If ever any malice in your heart,

Were hid against me, now 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, that 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 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 beloved, and loving, may his rule be;
And when old Time shall lead him to his end,
Goodness and he fill up one monument!"

Sir Nicholas Vaux orders a barge to be got ready, 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 Stafford,*

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.

My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,

Who first rais'd hand against usurping Richard,
Flying for succour to his servant Banister,
Being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd,
And without trial fell;† God's peace be with him!
Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying
My father's loss, like a most noble prince
Restor❜d to me my honours, and out of ruins
Made my name once more noble. Now his son,
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 fortunes,--both
Fell by our servants; by those men we lov'd most.

* In Shakspeare, as in Holinshed, the name is Bohun. See note + in p. 125. The present Viscount Stafford is descended in the female line from this unfortunate duke. † Lingard, v. 259.