1 Who made thee then a bloudy minister,When gallant springing braue Plantagenet,That Princely Nouice was strucke dead by thee?Cla. My Brothers loue, the Diuell, and my Rage
1 Thy Brothers Loue, our Duty, and thy Faults,Prouoke vs hither now, to slaughter thee
Cla. If you do loue my Brother, hate not me:I am his Brother, and I loue him well.If you are hyr'd for meed, go backe againe,And I will send you to my Brother Glouster:Who shall reward you better for my life,Then Edward will for tydings of my death
2 You are deceiu'd,Your Brother Glouster hates you
Cla. Oh no, he loues me, and he holds me deere:Go you to him from me
1 I so we will
Cla. Tell him, when that our Princely Father Yorke,Blest his three Sonnes with his victorious Arme,He little thought of this diuided Friendship:Bid Glouster thinke on this, and he will weepe
1 I Milstones, as he lessoned vs to weepe
Cla. O do not slander him, for he is kinde
1 Right, as Snow in Haruest: Come, you deceiue your selfe, 'Tis he that sends vs to destroy you heere
Cla. It cannot be, for he bewept my Fortune,And hugg'd me in his armes, and swore with sobs,That he would labour my deliuery
1 Why so he doth, when he deliuers youFrom this earths thraldome, to the ioyes of heauen
2 Make peace with God, for you must die my Lord
Cla. Haue you that holy feeling in your soules,To counsaile me to make my peace with God,And are you yet to your owne soules so blinde,That you will warre with God, by murd'ring me.O sirs consider, they that set you onTo do this deede will hate you for the deede
2 What shall we do?Clar. Relent, and saue your soules:Which of you, if you were a Princes Sonne,Being pent from Liberty, as I am now,If two such murtherers as your selues came to you,Would not intreat for life, as you would beggeWere you in my distresse
1 Relent? no: 'Tis cowardly and womanish
Cla. Not to relent, is beastly, sauage, diuellish:My Friend, I spy some pitty in thy lookes:O, if thine eye be not a Flatterer,Come thou on my side, and intreate for mee,A begging Prince, what begger pitties not
2 Looke behinde you, my Lord
1 Take that, and that, if all this will not do,
Stabs him.
Ile drowne you in the MalmeseyBut within.Enter.
2 A bloody deed, and desperately dispatcht: How faine (like Pilate) would I wash my hands Of this most greeuous murther.
Enter 1.Murtherer]
1 How now? what mean'st thou that thou help'st me not? By Heauen the Duke shall know how slacke you haue beene
2.Mur. I would he knew that I had sau'd his brother,Take thou the Fee, and tell him what I say,For I repent me that the Duke is slaine.Enter.
1.Mur. So do not I: go Coward as thou art.Well, Ile go hide the body in some hole,Till that the Duke giue order for his buriall:And when I haue my meede, I will away,For this will out, and then I must not stay.
Exit
Actus Secundus. Scoena Prima.
Flourish.
Enter the King sicke, the Queene, Lord Marquesse Dorset, Riuers,Hastings,Catesby, Buckingham, Wooduill.
King. Why so: now haue I done a good daies work.You Peeres, continue this vnited League:I, euery day expect an EmbassageFrom my Redeemer, to redeeme me hence.And more to peace my soule shall part to heauen,Since I haue made my Friends at peace on earth.Dorset and Riuers, take each others hand,Dissemble not your hatred, Sweare your loue
Riu. By heauen, my soule is purg'd from grudging hateAnd with my hand I seale my true hearts Loue
Hast. So thriue I, as I truly sweare the like
King. Take heed you dally not before your King,Lest he that is the supreme King of KingsConfound your hidden falshood, and awardEither of you to be the others end
Hast. So prosper I, as I sweare perfect loue
Ri. And I, as I loue Hastings with my heart,King. Madam, your selfe is not exempt from this:Nor you Sonne Dorset, Buckingham nor you;You haue bene factious one against the other.Wife, loue Lord Hastings, let him kisse your hand,And what you do, do it vnfeignedly
Qu. There Hastings, I will neuer more rememberOur former hatred, so thriue I, and mine
King. Dorset, imbrace him:Hastings, loue Lord Marquesse
Dor. This interchange of loue, I heere protestVpon my part, shall be inuiolable
Hast. And so sweare I
King. Now Princely Buckingham, seale y this leagueWith thy embracements to my wiues Allies,And make me happy in your vnity
Buc. When euer Buckingham doth turne his hateVpon your Grace, but with all dutious loue,Doth cherish you, and yours, God punish meWith hate in those where I expect most loue,When I haue most need to imploy a Friend,And most assured that he is a Friend,Deepe, hollow, treacherous, and full of guile,Be he vnto me: This do I begge of heauen,When I am cold in loue, to you, or yours.
Embrace
King. A pleasing Cordiall, Princely BuckinghamIs this thy Vow, vnto my sickely heart:There wanteth now our Brother Gloster heere,To make the blessed period of this peace
Buc. And in good time,Heere comes Sir Richard Ratcliffe, and the Duke.Enter Ratcliffe, and Gloster.
Rich. Good morrow to my Soueraigne King & QueenAnd Princely Peeres, a happy time of day
King. Happy indeed, as we haue spent the day:Gloster, we haue done deeds of Charity,Made peace of enmity, faire loue of hate,Betweene these swelling wrong incensed Peeres
Rich. A blessed labour my most Soueraigne Lord:Among this Princely heape, if any heereBy false intelligence, or wrong surmizeHold me a Foe: If I vnwillingly, or in my rage,Haue ought committed that is hardly borne,To any in this presence, I desireTo reconcile me to his Friendly peace:'Tis death to me to be at enmitie:I hate it, and desire all good mens loue,First Madam, I intreate true peace of you,Which I will purchase with my dutious seruice.Of you my Noble Cosin Buckingham,If euer any grudge were lodg'd betweene vs.Of you and you, Lord Riuers and of Dorset,That all without desert haue frown'd on me:Of you Lord Wooduill, and Lord Scales of you,Dukes, Earles, Lords, Gentlemen, indeed of all.I do not know that Englishman aliue,With whom my soule is any iot at oddes,More then the Infant that is borne to night:I thanke my God for my Humility
Qu. A holy day shall this be kept heereafter:I would to God all strifes were well compounded.My Soueraigne Lord, I do beseech your HighnesseTo take our Brother Clarence to your Grace
Rich. Why Madam, haue I offred loue for this,To be so flowted in this Royall presence?Who knowes not that the gentle Duke is dead?
They all start.
You do him iniurie to scorne his Coarse
King. Who knowes not he is dead?Who knowes he is?Qu. All-seeing heauen, what a world is this?Buc. Looke I so pale Lord Dorset, as the rest?Dor. I my good Lord, and no man in the presence,But his red colour hath forsooke his cheekes
King. Is Clarence dead? The Order was reuerst
Rich. But he (poore man) by your first order dyed,And that a winged Mercurie did beare:Some tardie Cripple bare the Countermand,That came too lagge to see him buried.God grant, that some lesse Noble, and lesse Loyall,Neerer in bloody thoughts, and not in blood,Deserue not worse then wretched Clarence did,And yet go currant from Suspition.Enter Earle of Derby.
Der. A boone my Soueraigne for my seruice done
King. I prethee peace, my soule is full of sorrow
Der. I will not rise, vnlesse your Highnes heare me
King. Then say at once, what is it thou requests
Der. The forfeit (Soueraigne) of my seruants life,Who slew to day a Riotous Gentleman,Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolke
King. Haue I a tongue to doome my Brothers death?And shall that tongue giue pardon to a slaue?My Brother kill'd no man, his fault was Thought,And yet his punishment was bitter death.Who sued to me for him? Who (in my wrath)Kneel'd and my feet, and bid me be aduis'd?Who spoke of Brother-hood? who spoke of loue?Who told me how the poore soule did forsakeThe mighty Warwicke, and did fight for me?Who told me in the field at Tewkesbury,When Oxford had me downe, he rescued me:And said deare Brother liue, and be a King?Who told me, when we both lay in the Field,Frozen (almost) to death, how he did lap meEuen in his Garments, and did giue himselfe(All thin and naked) to the numbe cold night?All this from my Remembrance, brutish wrathSinfully pluckt, and not a man of youHad so much grace to put it in my minde.But when your Carters, or your wayting VassallsHaue done a drunken Slaughter, and defac'dThe precious Image of our deere Redeemer,You straight are on your knees for Pardon, pardon,And I (vniustly too) must grant it you.But for my Brother, not a man would speake,Nor I (vngracious) speake vnto my selfeFor him poore Soule. The proudest of you all,Haue bin beholding to him in his life:Yet none of you, would once begge for his life.O God! I feare thy iustice will take holdOn me, and you; and mine, and yours for this.Come Hastings helpe me to my Closset.Ah poore Clarence.
Exeunt. some with K[ing]. & Queen.
Rich. This is the fruits of rashnes: Markt you not,How that the guilty Kindred of the QueeneLook'd pale, when they did heare of Clarence death.O! they did vrge it still vnto the King,God will reuenge it. Come Lords will you go,To comfort Edward with our company
Buc. We wait vpon your Grace.
Exeunt.
Scena Secunda.
Enter the old Dutchesse of Yorke, with the two children ofClarence.
Edw. Good Grandam tell vs, is our Father dead?Dutch. No Boy
Daugh. Why do weepe so oft? And beate your Brest?And cry, O Clarence, my vnhappy Sonne
Boy. Why do you looke on vs, and shake your head,And call vs Orphans, Wretches, Castawayes,If that our Noble Father were aliue?Dut. My pretty Cosins, you mistake me both,I do lament the sicknesse of the King,As loath to lose him, not your Fathers death:It were lost sorrow to waile one that's lost
Boy. Then you conclude, (my Grandam) he is dead:The King mine Vnckle is too blame for it.God will reuenge it, whom I will importuneWith earnest prayers, all to that effect
Daugh. And so will I
Dut. Peace children peace, the King doth loue you wel.Incapeable, and shallow Innocents,You cannot guesse who caus'd your Fathers death
Boy. Grandam we can: for my good Vnkle GlosterTold me, the King prouok'd to it by the Queene,Deuis'd impeachments to imprison him;And when my Vnckle told me so, he wept,And pittied me, and kindly kist my cheeke:Bad me rely on him, as on my Father,And he would loue me deerely as a childe
Dut. Ah! that Deceit should steale such gentle shape,And with a vertuous Vizor hide deepe vice.He is my sonne, I, and therein my shame,Yet from my dugges, he drew not this deceit
Boy. Thinke you my Vnkle did dissemble Grandam?Dut. I Boy
Boy. I cannot thinke it. Hearke, what noise is this?Enter the Queene with her haire about her ears, Riuers & Dorsetafterher.
Qu. Ah! who shall hinder me to waile and weepe?To chide my Fortune, and torment my Selfe.Ile ioyne with blacke dispaire against my Soule,And to my selfe, become an enemie
Dut. What meanes this Scene of rude impatience?Qu. To make an act of Tragicke violence.Edward my Lord, thy Sonne, our King is dead.Why grow the Branches, when the Roote is gone?Why wither not the leaues that want their sap?If you will liue, Lament: if dye, be breefe,That our swift-winged Soules may catch the Kings,Or like obedient Subiects follow him,To his new Kingdome of nere-changing night
Dut. Ah so much interest haue in thy sorrow,As I had Title in thy Noble Husband:I haue bewept a worthy Husbands death,And liu'd with looking on his Images:But now two Mirrors of his Princely semblance,Are crack'd in pieces, by malignant death,And I for comfort, haue but one false Glasse,That greeues me, when I see my shame in him.Thou art a Widdow: yet thou art a Mother,And hast the comfort of thy Children left,But death hath snatch'd my Husband from mine Armes,And pluckt two Crutches from my feeble hands,Clarence, and Edward. O, what cause haue I,(Thine being but a moity of my moane)To ouer-go thy woes, and drowne thy cries
Boy. Ah Aunt! you wept not for our Fathers death:How can we ayde you with our Kindred teares?Daugh. Our fatherlesse distresse was left vnmoan'd,Your widdow-dolour, likewise be vnwept
Qu. Giue me no helpe in Lamentation,I am not barren to bring forth complaints:All Springs reduce their currents to mine eyes,That I being gouern'd by the waterie Moone,May send forth plenteous teares to drowne the World.Ah, for my Husband, for my deere Lord Edward
Chil. Ah for our Father, for our deere Lord Clarence
Dut. Alas for both, both mine Edward and Clarence
Qu. What stay had I but Edward, and hee's gone?Chil. What stay had we but Clarence? and he's gone
Dut. What stayes had I, but they? and they are gone
Qu. Was neuer widdow had so deere a losse
Chil. Were neuer Orphans had so deere a losse
Dut. Was neuer Mother had so deere a losse.Alas! I am the Mother of these Greefes,Their woes are parcell'd, mine is generall.She for an Edward weepes, and so do I:I for a Clarence weepes, so doth not shee:These Babes for Clarence weepe, so do not they.Alas! you three, on me threefold distrest:Power all your teares, I am your sorrowes Nurse,And I will pamper it with Lamentation
Dor. Comfort deere Mother, God is much displeas'd,That you take with vnthankfulnesse his doing.In common worldly things, 'tis call'd vngratefull,With dull vnwillingnesse to repay a debt,Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent:Much more to be thus opposite with heauen,For it requires the Royall debt it lent you
Riuers. Madam, bethinke you like a carefull MotherOf the young Prince your sonne: send straight for him,Let him be Crown'd, in him your comfort liues.Drowne desperate sorrow in dead Edwards graue,And plant your ioyes in liuing Edwards Throne.Enter Richard, Buckingham, Derbie, Hastings, and Ratcliffe.
Rich. Sister haue comfort, all of vs haue causeTo waile the dimming of our shining Starre:But none can helpe our harmes by wayling them.Madam, my Mother, I do cry you mercie,I did not see your Grace. Humbly on my knee,I craue your Blessing
Dut. God blesse thee, and put meeknes in thy breast,Loue Charity, Obedience, and true Dutie
Rich. Amen, and make me die a good old man,That is the butt-end of a Mothers blessing;I maruell that her Grace did leaue it out
Buc. You clowdy-Princes, & hart-sorowing-Peeres,That beare this heauie mutuall loade of Moane,Now cheere each other, in each others Loue:Though we haue spent our Haruest of this King,We are to reape the Haruest of his Sonne.The broken rancour of your high-swolne hates,But lately splinter'd, knit, and ioyn'd together,Must gently be preseru'd, cherisht, and kept:Me seemeth good, that with some little Traine,Forthwith from Ludlow, the young Prince be setHither to London, to be crown'd our King
Riuers. Why with some little Traine,My Lord of Buckingham?Buc. Marrie my Lord, least by a multitude,The new-heal'd wound of Malice should breake out,Which would be so much the more dangerous,By how much the estate is greene, and yet vngouern'd.Where euery Horse beares his commanding Reine,And may direct his course as please himselfe,As well the feare of harme, as harme apparant,In my opinion, ought to be preuented
Rich. I hope the King made peace with all of vs,And the compact is firme, and true in me
Riu. And so in me, and so (I thinke) in all.Yet since it is but greene, it should be putTo no apparant likely-hood of breach,Which haply by much company might be vrg'd:Therefore I say with Noble Buckingham,That it is meete so few should fetch the Prince
Hast. And so say I
Rich. Then be it so, and go we to determineWho they shall be that strait shall poste to London.Madam, and you my Sister, will you goTo giue your censures in this businesse.
Exeunt.
Manet Buckingham, and Richard.
Buc. My Lord, who euer iournies to the Prince,For God sake let not vs two stay at home:For by the way, Ile sort occasion,As Index to the story we late talk'd of,To part the Queenes proud Kindred from the Prince
Rich. My other selfe, my Counsailes Consistory,My Oracle, My Prophet, my deere Cosin,I, as a childe, will go by thy direction,Toward London then, for wee'l not stay behinde.
Exeunt.
Scena Tertia.
Enter one Citizen at one doore, and another at the other.
1.Cit. Good morrow Neighbour, whether away sofast?2.Cit. I promise you, I scarsely know my selfe:Heare you the newes abroad?1. Yes, that the King is dead
2. Ill newes byrlady, seldome comes the better: I feare, I feare, 'twill proue a giddy world. Enter another Citizen.
3. Neighbours, God speed
1. Giue you good morrow sir
3. Doth the newes hold of good king Edwards death? 2. I sir, it is too true, God helpe the while
3. Then Masters looke to see a troublous world
1. No, no, by Gods good grace, his Son shall reigne
3. Woe to that Land that's gouern'd by a Childe
2. In him there is a hope of Gouernment,Which in his nonage, counsell vnder him,And in his full and ripened yeares, himselfeNo doubt shall then, and till then gouerne well
1. So stood the State, when Henry the sixtWas crown'd in Paris, but at nine months old
3. Stood the State so? No, no, good friends, God wotFor then this Land was famously enrich'dWith politike graue Counsell; then the KingHad vertuous Vnkles to protect his Grace
1. Why so hath this, both by his Father and Mother
3. Better it were they all came by his Father:Or by his Father there were none at all:For emulation, who shall now be neerest,Will touch vs all too neere, if God preuent not.O full of danger is the Duke of Glouster,And the Queenes Sons, and Brothers, haught and proud:And were they to be rul'd, and not to rule,This sickly Land, might solace as before
1. Come, come, we feare the worst: all will be well
3. When Clouds are seen, wisemen put on their clokes;When great leaues fall, then Winter is at hand;When the Sun sets, who doth not looke for night?Vntimely stormes, makes men expect a Dearth:All may be well; but if God sort it so,'Tis more then we deserue, or I expect
2. Truly, the hearts of men are full of feare: You cannot reason (almost) with a man, That lookes not heauily, and full of dread
3. Before the dayes of Change, still is it so, By a diuine instinct, mens mindes mistrust Pursuing danger: as by proofe we see The Water swell before a boyst'rous storme: But leaue it all to God. Whither away? 2 Marry we were sent for to the Iustices
3 And so was I: Ile beare you company.
Exeunt.
Scena Quarta.
Enter Arch-bishop, yong Yorke, the Queene, and the Dutchesse.
Arch. Last night I heard they lay at Stony Stratford,And at Northampton they do rest to night:To morrow, or next day, they will be heere
Dut. I long with all my heart to see the Prince:I hope he is much growne since last I saw him
Qu. But I heare no, they say my sonne of YorkeHa's almost ouertane him in his growth
Yorke. I Mother, but I would not haue it so
Dut. Why my good Cosin, it is good to grow
Yor. Grandam, one night as we did sit at Supper,My Vnkle Riuers talk'd how I did growMore then my Brother. I, quoth my Vnkle Glouster,Small Herbes haue grace, great Weeds do grow apace.And since, me thinkes I would not grow so fast,Because sweet Flowres are slow, and Weeds make hast
Dut. Good faith, good faith, the saying did not holdIn him that did obiect the same to thee.He was the wretched'st thing when he was yong,So long a growing, and so leysurely,That if his rule were true, he should be gracious
Yor. And so no doubt he is, my gracious Madam
Dut. I hope he is, but yet let Mothers doubt
Yor. Now by my troth, if I had beene remembred,I could haue giuen my Vnkles Grace, a flout,To touch his growth, neerer then he toucht mine
Dut. How my yong Yorke,I prythee let me heare it
Yor. Marry (they say) my Vnkle grew so fast,That he could gnaw a crust at two houres old,'Twas full two yeares ere I could get a tooth.Grandam, this would haue beene a byting Iest
Dut. I prythee pretty Yorke, who told thee this?Yor. Grandam, his Nursse
Dut. His Nurse? why she was dead, ere y wast borne
Yor. If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told me
Qu. A parlous Boy: go too, you are too shrew'd
Dut. Good Madam, be not angry with the Childe
Qu. Pitchers haue eares.Enter a Messenger.
Arch. Heere comes a Messenger: What Newes?Mes. Such newes my Lord, as greeues me to report
Qu. How doth the Prince?Mes. Well Madam, and in health
Dut. What is thy Newes?Mess. Lord Riuers, and Lord Grey,Are sent to Pomfret, and with them,Sir Thomas Vaughan, Prisoners
Dut. Who hath committed them?Mes. The mighty Dukes, Glouster and Buckingham
Arch. For what offence?Mes. The summe of all I can, I haue disclos'd:Why, or for what, the Nobles were committed,Is all vnknowne to me, my gracious Lord
Qu. Aye me! I see the ruine of my House:The Tyger now hath seiz'd the gentle Hinde,Insulting Tiranny beginnes to IuttVpon the innocent and awelesse Throne:Welcome Destruction, Blood, and Massacre,I see (as in a Map) the end of all
Dut. Accursed, and vnquiet wrangling dayes,How many of you haue mine eyes beheld?My Husband lost his life, to get the Crowne,And often vp and downe my sonnes were tostFor me to ioy, and weepe, their gaine and losse.And being seated, and Domesticke broylesCleane ouer-blowne, themselues the Conquerors,Make warre vpon themselues, Brother to Brother;Blood to blood, selfe against selfe: O prepostorousAnd franticke outrage, end thy damned spleene,Or let me dye, to looke on earth no more
Qu. Come, come my Boy, we will to Sanctuary.Madam, farwell
Dut. Stay, I will go with you
Qu. You haue no cause
Arch. My gracious Lady go,And thether beare your Treasure and your Goodes,For my part, Ile resigne vnto your GraceThe Seale I keepe, and so betide to me,As well I tender you, and all of yours.Go, Ile conduct you to the Sanctuary.
Exeunt.
Actus Tertius. Scoena Prima.
The Trumpets sound.
Enter yong Prince, the Dukes of Glocester, and Buckingham, Lord Cardinall, with others.
Buc. Welcome sweete Prince to London,To your Chamber
Rich. Welcome deere Cosin, my thoughts SoueraignThe wearie way hath made you Melancholly
Prin. No Vnkle, but our crosses on the way,Haue made it tedious, wearisome, and heauie.I want more Vnkles heere to welcome me
Rich. Sweet Prince, the vntainted vertue of your yeersHath not yet diu'd into the Worlds deceit:No more can you distinguish of a man,Then of his outward shew, which God he knowes,Seldome or neuer iumpeth with the heart.Those Vnkles which you want, were dangerous:Your Grace attended to their Sugred words,But look'd not on the poyson of their hearts:God keepe you from them, and from such false Friends
Prin. God keepe me from false Friends,But they were none
Rich. My Lord, the Maior of London comes to greetyou.Enter Lord Maior.
Lo.Maior. God blesse your Grace, with health andhappie dayes
Prin. I thanke you, good my Lord, and thank you all:I thought my Mother, and my Brother Yorke,Would long, ere this, haue met vs on the way.Fie, what a Slug is Hastings, that he comes notTo tell vs, whether they will come, or no.Enter Lord Hastings.
Buck. And in good time, heere comes the sweatingLord
Prince. Welcome, my Lord: what, will our Mothercome?Hast. On what occasion God he knowes, not I;The Queene your Mother, and your Brother Yorke,Haue taken Sanctuarie: The tender PrinceWould faine haue come with me, to meet your Grace,But by his Mother was perforce with-held
Buck. Fie, what an indirect and peeuish courseIs this of hers? Lord Cardinall, will your GracePerswade the Queene, to send the Duke of YorkeVnto his Princely Brother presently?If she denie, Lord Hastings goe with him,And from her iealous Armes pluck him perforce
Card. My Lord of Buckingham, if my weake OratorieCan from his Mother winne the Duke of Yorke,Anon expect him here: but if she be obdurateTo milde entreaties, God forbidWe should infringe the holy PriuiledgeOf blessed Sanctuarie: not for all this Land,Would I be guiltie of so great a sinne
Buck. You are too sencelesse obstinate, my Lord,Too ceremonious, and traditionall.Weigh it but with the grossenesse of this Age,You breake not Sanctuarie, in seizing him:The benefit thereof is alwayes grantedTo those, whose dealings haue deseru'd the place,And those who haue the wit to clayme the place:This Prince hath neyther claym'd it, nor deseru'd it,And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot haue it.Then taking him from thence, that is not there,You breake no Priuiledge, nor Charter there:Oft haue I heard of Sanctuarie men,But Sanctuarie children, ne're till now
Card. My Lord, you shall o're-rule my mind for once.Come on, Lord Hastings, will you goe with me?Hast. I goe, my Lord.
Exit Cardinall and Hastings.
Prince. Good Lords, make all the speedie hast you may.Say, Vnckle Glocester, if our Brother come,Where shall we soiourne, till our Coronation?Glo. Where it think'st best vnto your Royall selfe.If I may counsaile you, some day or twoYour Highnesse shall repose you at the Tower:Then where you please, and shall be thought most fitFor your best health, and recreation
Prince. I doe not like the Tower, of any place:Did Iulius Cęsar build that place, my Lord?Buck. He did, my gracious Lord, begin that place,Which since, succeeding Ages haue re-edify'd
Prince. Is it vpon record? or else reportedSuccessiuely from age to age, he built it?Buck. Vpon record, my gracious Lord
Prince. But say, my Lord, it were not registred,Me thinkes the truth should liue from age to age,As 'twere retayl'd to all posteritie,Euen to the generall ending day
Glo. So wise, so young, they say doe neuer liue long
Prince. What say you, Vnckle?Glo. I say, without Characters, Fame liues long.Thus, like the formall Vice, Iniquitie,I morallize two meanings in one word
Prince. That Iulius Cęsar was a famous man,With what his Valour did enrich his Wit,His Wit set downe, to make his Valour liue:Death makes no Conquest of his Conqueror,For now he liues in Fame, though not in Life.Ile tell you what, my Cousin Buckingham
Buck. What, my gracious Lord?Prince. And if I liue vntill I be a man,Ile win our ancient Right in France againe,Or dye a Souldier, as I liu'd a King
Glo. Short Summers lightly haue a forward Spring.Enter young Yorke, Hastings, and Cardinall.
Buck. Now in good time, heere comes the Duke ofYorke
Prince. Richard of Yorke, how fares our Noble Brother?Yorke. Well, my deare Lord, so must I call you now
Prince. I, Brother, to our griefe, as it is yours:Too late he dy'd, that might haue kept that Title,Which by his death hath lost much Maiestie
Glo. How fares our Cousin, Noble Lord of Yorke?Yorke. I thanke you, gentle Vnckle. O my Lord,You said, that idle Weeds are fast in growth:The Prince, my Brother, hath out-growne me farre
Glo. He hath, my Lord
Yorke. And therefore is he idle?Glo. Oh my faire Cousin, I must not say so
Yorke. Then he is more beholding to you, then I
Glo. He may command me as my Soueraigne,But you haue power in me, as in a Kinsman
Yorke. I pray you, Vnckle, giue me this Dagger
Glo. My Dagger, little Cousin? with all my heart
Prince. A Begger, Brother?Yorke. Of my kind Vnckle, that I know will giue,And being but a Toy, which is no griefe to giue
Glo. A greater gift then that, Ile giue my Cousin
Yorke. A greater gift? O, that's the Sword to it
Glo. I, gentle Cousin, were it light enough
Yorke. O then I see, you will part but with light gifts,In weightier things you'le say a Begger nay
Glo. It is too weightie for your Grace to weare
Yorke. I weigh it lightly, were it heauier
Glo. What, would you haue my Weapon, little Lord?Yorke. I would that I might thanke you, as, as, youcall me
Glo. How?Yorke. Little
Prince. My Lord of Yorke will still be crosse in talke:Vnckle, your Grace knowes how to beare with him
Yorke. You meane to beare me, not to beare with me:Vnckle, my Brother mockes both you and me,Because that I am little, like an Ape,He thinkes that you should beare me on your shoulders
Buck. With what a sharpe prouided wit he reasons:To mittigate the scorne he giues his Vnckle,He prettily and aptly taunts himselfe:So cunning, and so young, is wonderfull
Glo. My Lord, wilt please you passe along?My selfe, and my good Cousin Buckingham,Will to your Mother, to entreat of herTo meet you at the Tower, and welcome you
Yorke. what, will you goe vnto the Tower, my Lord?Prince. My Lord Protector will haue it so
Yorke. I shall not sleepe in quiet at the Tower
Glo. Why, what should you feare?Yorke. Marry, my Vnckle Clarence angry Ghost:My Grandam told me he was murther'd there
Prince. I feare no Vnckles dead
Glo. Nor none that liue, I hope
Prince. And if they liue, I hope I need not feare.But come my Lord: and with a heauie heart,Thinking on them, goe I vnto the Tower.
A Senet. Exeunt Prince, Yorke, Hastings, and Dorset.
Manet Richard, Buckingham, and Catesby.
Buck. Thinke you, my Lord, this little prating YorkeWas not incensed by his subtile Mother,To taunt and scorne you thus opprobriously?Glo. No doubt, no doubt: Oh 'tis a perillous Boy,Bold, quicke, ingenious, forward, capable:Hee is all the Mothers, from the top to toe
Buck. Well, let them rest: Come hither Catesby,Thou art sworne as deepely to effect what we intend,As closely to conceale what we impart:Thou know'st our reasons vrg'd vpon the way.What think'st thou? is it not an easie matter,To make William Lord Hastings of our minde,For the installment of this Noble DukeIn the Seat Royall of this famous Ile?Cates. He for his fathers sake so loues the Prince,That he will not be wonne to ought against him
Buck. What think'st thou then of Stanley? Willnot hee?Cates. Hee will doe all in all as Hastings doth
Buck. Well then, no more but this:Goe gentle Catesby, and as it were farre off,Sound thou Lord Hastings,How he doth stand affected to our purpose,And summon him to morrow to the Tower,To sit about the Coronation.If thou do'st finde him tractable to vs,Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons:If he be leaden, ycie, cold, vnwilling,Be thou so too, and so breake off the talke,And giue vs notice of his inclination:For we to morrow hold diuided Councels,Wherein thy selfe shalt highly be employ'd
Rich. Commend me to Lord William: tell him Catesby,His ancient Knot of dangerous AduersariesTo morrow are let blood at Pomfret Castle,And bid my Lord, for ioy of this good newes,Giue Mistresse Shore one gentle Kisse the more
Buck. Good Catesby, goe effect this businesse soundly
Cates. My good Lords both, with all the heed I can
Rich. Shall we heare from you, Catesby, ere we sleepe?Cates. You shall, my Lord
Rich. At Crosby House, there shall you find vs both.
Exit Catesby.
Buck. Now, my Lord,What shall wee doe, if wee perceiueLord Hastings will not yeeld to our Complots?Rich. Chop off his Head:Something wee will determine:And looke when I am King, clayme thou of meThe Earledome of Hereford, and all the moueablesWhereof the King, my Brother, was possest
Buck. Ile clayme that promise at your Graces hand
Rich. And looke to haue it yeelded with all kindnesse.Come, let vs suppe betimes, that afterwardsWee may digest our complots in some forme.
Exeunt.
Scena Secunda.
Enter a Messenger to the Doore of Hastings.
Mess. My Lord, my Lord
Hast. Who knockes?Mess. One from the Lord Stanley
Hast. What is't a Clocke?Mess. Vpon the stroke of foure.Enter Lord Hastings.
Hast. Cannot my Lord Stanley sleepe these tediousNights?Mess. So it appeares, by that I haue to say:First, he commends him to your Noble selfe
Hast. What then?Mess. Then certifies your Lordship, that this NightHe dreamt, the Bore had rased off his Helme:Besides, he sayes there are two Councels kept;And that may be determin'd at the one,Which may make you and him to rue at th' other.Therefore he sends to know your Lordships pleasure,If you will presently take Horse with him,And with all speed post with him toward the North,To shun the danger that his Soule diuines
Hast. Goe fellow, goe, returne vnto thy Lord,Bid him not feare the seperated Councell:His Honor and my selfe are at the one,And at the other, is my good friend Catesby;Where nothing can proceede, that toucheth vs,Whereof I shall not haue intelligence:Tell him his Feares are shallow, without instance.And for his Dreames, I wonder hee's so simple,To trust the mock'ry of vnquiet slumbers.To flye the Bore, before the Bore pursues,Were to incense the Bore to follow vs,And make pursuit, where he did meane no chase.Goe, bid thy Master rise, and come to me,And we will both together to the Tower,Where he shall see the Bore will vse vs kindly
Mess. Ile goe, my Lord, and tell him what you say.Enter.
Enter Catesby.
Cates. Many good morrowes to my Noble Lord
Hast. Good morrow Catesby, you are early stirring:What newes, what newes, in this our tott'ring State?Cates. It is a reeling World indeed, my Lord:And I beleeue will neuer stand vpright,Till Richard weare the Garland of the Realme
Hast. How weare the Garland?Doest thou meane the Crowne?Cates. I, my good Lord
Hast. Ile haue this Crown of mine cut fro[m] my shoulders,Before Ile see the Crowne so foule mis-plac'd:But canst thou guesse, that he doth ayme at it?Cates. I, on my life, and hopes to find you forward,Vpon his partie, for the gaine thereof:And thereupon he sends you this good newes,That this same very day your enemies,The Kindred of the Queene, must dye at Pomfret
Hast. Indeed I am no mourner for that newes,Because they haue beene still my aduersaries:But, that Ile giue my voice on Richards side,To barre my Masters Heires in true Descent,God knowes I will not doe it, to the death
Cates. God keepe your Lordship in that graciousminde
Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelue-month hence,That they which brought me in my Masters hate,I liue to looke vpon their Tragedie.Well Catesby, ere a fort-night make me older,Ile send some packing, that yet thinke not on't
Cates. 'Tis a vile thing to dye, my gracious Lord,When men are vnprepar'd, and looke not for it
Hast. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it outWith Riuers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill doeWith some men else, that thinke themselues as safeAs thou and I, who (as thou know'st) are deareTo Princely Richard, and to Buckingham
Cates. The Princes both make high account of you,For they account his Head vpon the Bridge
Hast. I know they doe, and I haue well deseru'd it.Enter Lord Stanley.
Come on, come on, where is your Bore-speare man?Feare you the Bore, and goe so vnprouided?Stan. My Lord good morrow, good morrow Catesby:You may ieast on, but by the holy Rood,I doe not like these seuerall Councels, I
Hast. My Lord, I hold my Life as deare as yours,And neuer in my dayes, I doe protest,Was it so precious to me, as 'tis now:Thinke you, but that I know our state secure,I would be so triumphant as I am?Sta. The Lords at Pomfret, whe[n] they rode from London,Were iocund, and suppos'd their states were sure,And they indeed had no cause to mistrust:But yet you see, how soone the Day o're-cast.This sudden stab of Rancour I misdoubt:Pray God (I say) I proue a needlesse Coward.What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent
Hast. Come, come, haue with you:Wot you what, my Lord,To day the Lords you talke of, are beheaded
Sta. They, for their truth, might better wear their Heads,Then some that haue accus'd them, weare their Hats.But come, my Lord, let's away.Enter a Pursuiuant.
Hast. Goe on before, Ile talke with this good fellow.
Exit Lord Stanley, and Catesby.
How now, Sirrha? how goes the World with thee?Purs. The better, that your Lordship please to aske
Hast. I tell thee man, 'tis better with me now,Then when thou met'st me last, where now we meet:Then was I going Prisoner to the Tower,By the suggestion of the Queenes Allyes.But now I tell thee (keepe it to thy selfe)This day those Enemies are put to death,And I in better state then ere I was
Purs. God hold it, to your Honors good content
Hast. Gramercie fellow: there, drinke that for me.
Throwes him his Purse.
Purs. I thanke your Honor.
Exit Pursuiuant.
Enter a Priest.
Priest. Well met, my Lord, I am glad to see your Honor
Hast. I thanke thee, good Sir Iohn, with all my heart.I am in your debt, for your last Exercise:Come the next Sabboth, and I will content you
Priest. Ile wait vpon your Lordship.Enter Buckingham.
Buc. What, talking with a Priest, Lord Chamberlaine?Your friends at Pomfret, they doe need the Priest,Your Honor hath no shriuing worke in hand
Hast. Good faith, and when I met this holy man,The men you talke of, came into my minde.What, goe you toward the Tower?Buc. I doe, my Lord, but long I cannot stay there:I shall returne before your Lordship, thence
Hast. Nay like enough, for I stay Dinner there
Buc. And Supper too, although thou know'st it not.Come, will you goe?Hast. Ile wait vpon your Lordship.
Exeunt.
Scena Tertia.
Enter Sir Richard Ratcliffe, with Halberds, carrying the Nobles to death at Pomfret.
Riuers. Sir Richard Ratcliffe, let me tell thee this,To day shalt thou behold a Subiect die,For Truth, for Dutie, and for Loyaltie
Grey. God blesse the Prince from all the Pack of you,A Knot you are, of damned Blood-suckers
Vaugh. You liue, that shall cry woe for this heereafter
Rat. Dispatch, the limit of your Liues is out
Riuers. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody Prison!Fatall and ominous to Noble Peeres:Within the guiltie Closure of thy Walls,Richard the Second here was hackt to death:And for more slander to thy dismall Seat,Wee giue to thee our guiltlesse blood to drinke
Grey. Now Margarets Curse is falne vpon our Heads,When shee exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I,For standing by, when Richard stab'd her Sonne
Riuers. Then curs'd shee Richard,Then curs'd shee Buckingham,Then curs'd shee Hastings. Oh remember God,To heare her prayer for them, as now for vs:And for my Sister, and her Princely Sonnes,Be satisfy'd, deare God, with our true blood,Which, as thou know'st, vniustly must be spilt
Rat. Make haste, the houre of death is expiate
Riuers. Come Grey, come Vaughan, let vs here embrace.Farewell, vntill we meet againe in Heauen.
Exeunt.
Scaena Quarta.
Enter Buckingham, Darby, Hastings, Bishop of Ely, Norfolke,Ratcliffe,Louell, with others, at a Table.
Hast. Now Noble Peeres, the cause why we are met,Is to determine of the Coronation:In Gods Name speake, when is the Royall day?Buck. Is all things ready for the Royall time?Darb. It is, and wants but nomination
Ely. To morrow then I iudge a happie day
Buck. Who knowes the Lord Protectors mind herein?Who is most inward with the Noble Duke?Ely. Your Grace, we thinke, should soonest know hisminde
Buck. We know each others Faces: for our Hearts,He knowes no more of mine, then I of yours,Or I of his, my Lord, then you of mine:Lord Hastings, you and he are neere in loue
Hast. I thanke his Grace, I know he loues me well:But for his purpose in the Coronation,I haue not sounded him, nor he deliuer'dHis gracious pleasure any way therein:But you, my Honorable Lords, may name the time,And in the Dukes behalfe Ile giue my Voice,Which I presume hee'le take in gentle part.Enter Gloucester.
Ely. In happie time, here comes the Duke himselfe
Rich. My Noble Lords, and Cousins all, good morrow:I haue beene long a sleeper: but I trust,My absence doth neglect no great designe,Which by my presence might haue beene concluded
Buck. Had you not come vpon your Q my Lord,William, Lord Hastings, had pronounc'd your part;I meane your Voice, for Crowning of the King
Rich. Then my Lord Hastings, no man might be bolder,His Lordship knowes me well, and loues me well.My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborne,I saw good Strawberries in your Garden there,I doe beseech you, send for some of them
Ely. Mary and will, my Lord, with all my heart.
Exit Bishop.
Rich. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our businesse,And findes the testie Gentleman so hot,That he will lose his Head, ere giue consentHis Masters Child, as worshipfully he tearmes it,Shall lose the Royaltie of Englands Throne
Buck. Withdraw your selfe a while, Ile goe with you.
Exeunt.
Darb. We haue not yet set downe this day of Triumph:To morrow, in my iudgement, is too sudden,For I my selfe am not so well prouided,As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.Enter the Bishop of Ely.
Ely. Where is my Lord, the Duke of Gloster?I haue sent for these Strawberries
Ha. His Grace looks chearfully & smooth this morning,There's some conceit or other likes him well,When that he bids good morrow with such spirit.I thinke there's neuer a man in ChristendomeCan lesser hide his loue, or hate, then hee,For by his Face straight shall you know his Heart
Darb. What of his Heart perceiue you in his Face,By any liuelyhood he shew'd to day?Hast. Mary, that with no man here he is offended:For were he, he had shewne it in his Lookes.Enter Richard, and Buckingham.
Rich. I pray you all, tell me what they deserue,That doe conspire my death with diuellish PlotsOf damned Witchcraft, and that haue preuail'dVpon my Body with their Hellish Charmes
Hast. The tender loue I beare your Grace, my Lord,Makes me most forward, in this Princely presence,To doome th' Offendors, whosoe're they be:I say, my Lord, they haue deserued death
Rich. Then be your eyes the witnesse of their euill.Looke how I am bewitch'd: behold, mine ArmeIs like a blasted Sapling, wither'd vp:And this is Edwards Wife, that monstrous Witch,Consorted with that Harlot, Strumpet Shore,That by their Witchcraft thus haue marked me
Hast. If they haue done this deed, my Noble Lord
Rich. If? thou Protector of this damned Strumpet,Talk'st thou to me of Ifs: thou art a Traytor,Off with his Head; now by Saint Paul I sweare,I will not dine, vntill I see the same.Louell and Ratcliffe, looke that it be done:
Exeunt.
The rest that loue me, rise, and follow me.
Manet Louell and Ratcliffe, with the Lord Hastings.
Hast. Woe, woe for England, not a whit for me,For I, too fond, might haue preuented this:Stanley did dreame, the Bore did rowse our Helmes,And I did scorne it, and disdaine to flye:Three times to day my Foot-Cloth-Horse did stumble,And started, when he look'd vpon the Tower,As loth to beare me to the slaughter-house.O now I need the Priest, that spake to me:I now repent I told the Pursuiuant,As too triumphing, how mine EnemiesTo day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,And I my selfe secure, in grace and fauour.Oh Margaret, Margaret, now thy heauie CurseIs lighted on poore Hastings wretched Head
Ra. Come, come, dispatch, the Duke would be at dinner:Make a short Shrift, he longs to see your Head
Hast. O momentarie grace of mortall men,Which we more hunt for, then the grace of God!Who builds his hope in ayre of your good Lookes,Liues like a drunken Sayler on a Mast,Readie with euery Nod to tumble downe,Into the fatall Bowels of the Deepe
Lou. Come, come, dispatch, 'tis bootlesse to exclaime
Hast. O bloody Richard: miserable England,I prophecie the fearefull'st time to thee,That euer wretched Age hath look'd vpon.Come, lead me to the Block, beare him my Head,They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead.
Exeunt.
Enter Richard, and Buckingham, in rotten Armour, maruellous ill-fauoured.
Richard. Come Cousin,Canst thou quake, and change thy colour,Murther thy breath in middle of a word,And then againe begin, and stop againe,As if thou were distraught, and mad with terror?Buck. Tut, I can counterfeit the deepe Tragedian,Speake, and looke backe, and prie on euery side,Tremble and start at wagging of a Straw:Intending deepe suspition, gastly LookesAre at my seruice, like enforced Smiles;And both are readie in their Offices,At any time to grace my Stratagemes.But what, is Catesby gone?Rich. He is, and see he brings the Maior along.Enter the Maior, and Catesby.
Buck. Lord Maior
Rich. Looke to the Draw-Bridge there
Buck. Hearke, a Drumme
Rich. Catesby, o're-looke the Walls
Buck. Lord Maior, the reason we haue sent
Rich. Looke back, defend thee, here are Enemies
Buck. God and our Innocencie defend, and guard vs.Enter Louell and Ratcliffe, with Hastings Head.
Rich. Be patient, they are friends: Ratcliffe, and Louell
Louell. Here is the Head of that ignoble Traytor,The dangerous and vnsuspected Hastings
Rich. So deare I lou'd the man, that I must weepe:I tooke him for the plainest harmelesse Creature,That breath'd vpon the Earth, a Christian.Made him my Booke, wherein my Soule recordedThe Historie of all her secret thoughts.So smooth he dawb'd his Vice with shew of Vertue,That his apparant open Guilt omitted,I meane, his Conuersation with Shores Wife,He liu'd from all attainder of suspects
Buck. Well, well, he was the couertst sheltred TraytorThat euer liu'd.Would you imagine, or almost beleeue,Wert not, that by great preseruationWe liue to tell it, that the subtill TraytorThis day had plotted, in the Councell-House,To murther me, and my good Lord of Gloster
Maior. Had he done so?Rich. What? thinke you we are Turkes, or Infidels?Or that we would, against the forme of Law,Proceed thus rashly in the Villaines death,But that the extreme perill of the case,The Peace of England, and our Persons safetie,Enforc'd vs to this Execution
Maior. Now faire befall you, he deseru'd his death,And your good Graces both haue well proceeded,To warne false Traytors from the like Attempts
Buck. I neuer look'd for better at his hands,After he once fell in with Mistresse Shore:Yet had we not determin'd he should dye,Vntill your Lordship came to see his end,Which now the louing haste of these our friends,Something against our meanings, haue preuented;Because, my Lord, I would haue had you heardThe Traytor speake, and timorously confesseThe manner and the purpose of his Treasons:That you might well haue signify'd the sameVnto the Citizens, who haply mayMisconster vs in him, and wayle his death
Ma. But, my good Lord, your Graces words shal serue,As well as I had seene, and heard him speake:And doe not doubt, right Noble Princes both,But Ile acquaint our dutious CitizensWith all your iust proceedings in this case
Rich. And to that end we wish'd your Lordship here,T' auoid the Censures of the carping World
Buck. Which since you come too late of our intent,Yet witnesse what you heare we did intend:And so, my good Lord Maior, we bid farwell.
Exit Maior.
Rich. Goe after, after, Cousin Buckingham.The Maior towards Guild-Hall hyes him in all poste:There, at your meetest vantage of the time,Inferre the Bastardie of Edwards Children:Tell them, how Edward put to death a Citizen,Onely for saying, he would make his SonneHeire to the Crowne, meaning indeed his House,Which, by the Signe thereof, was tearmed so.Moreouer, vrge his hatefull Luxurie,And beastiall appetite in change of Lust,Which stretcht vnto their Seruants, Daughters, Wiues,Euen where his raging eye, or sauage heart,Without controll, lusted to make a prey.Nay, for a need, thus farre come neere my Person:Tell them, when that my Mother went with ChildOf that insatiate Edward; Noble Yorke,My Princely Father, then had Warres in France,And by true computation of the time,Found, that the Issue was not his begot:Which well appeared in his Lineaments,Being nothing like the Noble Duke, my Father:Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere farre off,Because, my Lord, you know my Mother liues
Buck. Doubt not, my Lord, Ile play the Orator,As if the Golden Fee, for which I plead,Were for my selfe: and so, my Lord, adue
Rich. If you thriue wel, bring them to Baynards Castle,Where you shall finde me well accompaniedWith reuerend Fathers, and well-learned Bishops
Buck. I goe, and towards three or foure a ClockeLooke for the Newes that the Guild-Hall affoords.
Exit Buckingham.
Rich. Goe Louell with all speed to Doctor Shaw,Goe thou to Fryer Penker, bid them bothMeet me within this houre at Baynards Castle.Enter.
Now will I goe to take some priuie order,To draw the Brats of Clarence out of sight,And to giue order, that no manner personHaue any time recourse vnto the Princes.
Exeunt.
Enter a Scriuener
Scr. Here is the Indictment of the good Lord Hastings,Which in a set Hand fairely is engross'd,That it may be to day read o're in Paules.And marke how well the sequell hangs together:Eleuen houres I haue spent to write it ouer,For yester-night by Catesby was it sent me,The Precedent was full as long a doing,And yet within these fiue houres Hastings liu'd,Vntainted, vnexamin'd, free, at libertie.Here's a good World the while.Who is so grosse, that cannot see this palpable deuice?Yet who so bold, but sayes he sees it not?Bad is the World, and all will come to nought,When such ill dealing must be seene in thought.Enter.
Enter Richard and Buckingham at seuerall Doores.
Rich. 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
Rich. Toucht you the Bastardie of Edwards Children?Buck. I did, with his Contract with Lady Lucy,And his Contract by Deputie in France,Th' vnsatiate greedinesse of his desire,And his enforcement of the Citie Wiues,His Tyrannie for Trifles, his owne Bastardie,As being got, your Father then in France,And his resemblance, being not like the Duke.Withall, I did inferre your Lineaments,Being the right Idea of your Father,Both in your forme, and Noblenesse of Minde:Layd open all your Victories in Scotland,Your Discipline in Warre, Wisdome in Peace,Your Bountie, Vertue, faire Humilitie:Indeed, left nothing fitting for your purpose,Vntoucht, or sleightly handled in discourse.And when my Oratorie drew toward end,I bid them that did loue their Countries good,Cry, God saue Richard, Englands Royall King
Rich. And did they so?Buck. No, so God helpe me, they spake not a word,But like dumbe Statues, or breathing Stones,Star'd each on other, and look'd deadly pale:Which when I saw, I reprehended them,And ask'd the Maior, what meant this wilfull silence?His answer was, the people were not vsedTo be spoke to, but by the Recorder.Then he was vrg'd to tell my Tale againe:Thus sayth the Duke, thus hath the Duke inferr'd,But nothing spoke, in warrant from himselfe.When he had done, some followers of mine owne,At lower end of the Hall, hurld vp their Caps,And some tenne voyces cry'd, God saue King Richard:And thus I tooke the vantage of those few.Thankes gentle Citizens, and friends, quoth I,This generall applause, and chearefull showt,Argues your wisdome, and your loue to Richard:And euen here brake off, and came away
Rich. What tongue-lesse Blockes were they,Would they not speake?Will not the Maior then, and his Brethren, come?Buck. The Maior is here at hand: intend some feare,Be not you spoke with, but by mightie suit:And looke you get a Prayer-Booke in your hand,And stand betweene two Church-men, good my Lord,For on that ground Ile make a holy Descant:And be not easily wonne to our requests,Play the Maids part, still answer nay, and take it
Rich. I goe: and if you plead as well for them,As I can say nay to thee for my selfe,No doubt we bring it to a happie issue
Buck. Go, go vp to the Leads, the Lord Maior knocks.Enter the Maior, and Citizens.
Welcome, my Lord, I dance attendance here,I thinke the Duke will not be spoke withall.Enter Catesby.
Buck. Now Catesby, what sayes your Lord to myrequest?Catesby. He doth entreat your Grace, my Noble Lord,To visit him to morrow, or next day:He is within, with two right reuerend Fathers,Diuinely bent to Meditation,And in no Worldly suites would he be mou'd,To draw him from his holy Exercise
Buck. Returne, good Catesby, to the gracious Duke,Tell him, my selfe, the Maior and Aldermen,In deepe designes, in matter of great moment,No lesse importing then our generall good,Are come to haue some conference with his Grace
Catesby. Ile signifie so much vnto him straight.Enter.
Buck. Ah ha, my Lord, this Prince is not an Edward,He is not lulling on a lewd Loue-Bed,But on his Knees, at Meditation:Not dallying with a Brace of Curtizans,But meditating with two deepe Diuines:Not sleeping, to engrosse his idle Body,But praying, to enrich his watchfull Soule.Happie were England, would this vertuous PrinceTake on his Grace the Soueraigntie thereof.But sure I feare we shall not winne him to it