Good my lord Cardinal: I have a dozen healths
To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
To lead them once again, and then let's dream
Who's beft in favour. Let the musick knock it,

[Exeunt with Trumpets.

ACT II. SCENE 1.

Enter two Gentlemen at several Doors.

I GENTLEMAN.

B

come

HITHER away so fast ?

2 Gen. O Sir, God save ye:
Ey'n to the hall, to hear what fhall be.
Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

1 Gen, I'll save you
That labour, Sir. All's now done, buc

the ceremony Of bringing back the pris'ner.

2 Gen. Were you there?
i Gen. Yes indeed was I.
2 Gen. Pray speak what has happen'd?
1 Gen. You may guess quickly what.
2 Gen. Is he found guilty ?
1 Gen. Yes, truly is he, and condemn’d upon't.
2 Gen. I'm sorry for't.
I Gen. So are a number more.
2 Gen. But pray how paft it?

i Gen. I'll tell you in a little. The great Duke
Came to the Bar; where, to his Accusations
He pleaded still not guilty, and alledg'd
Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
The King's Attorney, on the contrary,
Urgid on examinations, proofs, confessions

Of

of divers witnesses, which the Duke desir'd
To have brought viva voice to his Face ;
At which appear'd against him, his surveyor,
Sir Gilbert Pecke his chancellor, and John Cat
Confessor to him, with that devil monk
Hopkins, that made this mischief,

Ž Gen. That was he
That fed him with his prophecies.

1 Gen. 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 Gen. After all this, how did he bear himself?
1 Gen. When he was brought again to th' bar, te

hear
His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirrid
With such an agony, he sweat extremely,
And something (poke in choler, ill and hasty;
But he fell to himself again, and sweetly
In all the reft shew'd a most noble patience.

2 Gen, I do not think he fears death.

1 Gen. Sure he does not, He never was so womanish;

the cause He may a little grieve at,

2 Gen. Certainly,
The Cardinal is the end of this.

i Gen. '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,
Left he should help his father,

2 Gen. That trick of ftate Was a deep envious one.

I Gen. At his return,
No doubt he will requite it; this is noted,
And gen'rally, who-ever the King favours,
The Cardinal instantly will find employment for,

And

В 2

And far enough from court too.

2 Gen. All the commons Hate himn perniciously, and o* my conscience Wish him ten fathom deep: this Duke as much They love and doat on, call him bounteous Buckingham, The Mirror of all courtesie

SCENE II. Enter Buckingham from his Arraignment. Tipstaves be

. fore him, the Axe with the edge towards him. Halberds on each side, accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovel, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Walter Sands, and common People, &c.

1 Gen. Stay there, Sir, And see the noble ruin'd Man you fpeak of.

2 Gen. 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 muft die; yet heav'n bear witness, And if I have a conscience let it fink me Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful. To th' 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 christians; Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief, Nor build their evils on the graves of great men; For then, my guildless blood must cry against 'em. 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 loy'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

And lift, my foul to heav'n. Lead on a God's name.

Lov. 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 thore numberless offences
'Gainst me, 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 heav'n: my vows and pray'rs
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 beloy'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 th’ water-lide I must conduct your Grace,
Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,
Who undertakes you to your

end.
Vaux. Preparc 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; ny ftate now will but mock me
When I came hither, I was Lord high constable,
And Duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun.
Yet I am richer than

my bare accusers, That never knew what truth meant; I now seal it; And with that blood will make 'em one day groan før't, My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Who first rais'd head against alusping Richard, Flying for succour to his servant Banister, Being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd, And without tryal fell; God's peace be with him! Henry the Sev'nth succeeding, truly pitying My father's loís, like a moft royal Prince Restor’d to me my honours; and from ruins, Made my name once more noble. Now his son,

Henrig

в 3

my tryal,

Henry the Eight, a name, honour, life, and all
That make me happy, at one stroąk has taken
For ever from the world. I had
And must needs say, a noble one; which makes mez
A little bappier than my wretched father :
Yet thus far we are one in fortune, both
Fell by our servants, by those men we lov'd.
A moft unnatural and faithless service!
Heav'n has an end in all : yet, you that hear me,'
This from a dying man receive as certain;
Where you are lib'ral of your

loves and counsels,
Be sure you be not loose; those you make friends,
And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
The least rub in your fortunes, fall away
Like water from ye, never found again,
But where they mean to sink ye. All good people
Pray for me! I must leave ye; the laft hour
Of my long weary life is come upon me:
Farewel; and when you would say something sad,
Speak how I fell - I've done; and God forgive me.

(Exeunt Buckingham and Traine
1 Gen. O, this is full of piry; Sir, it calls,
I fear, too many curses on their heads,
That were the authors,

2 Gen. If the Duke be guiltless, 'Tis full of woe; yet I can give you inkling of an ensuing eyil, if it fall, Greater than this.

1 Gen. Good angels keep it from us : What may it be; you do not doubt my faith, Sira

2 Gen. This secret is so weighty, 'will require A strong faith to conceal it.

I Gen. Let me have it;
I do not talk much.

2 Gen. I am confident;
You thall, Sir ; did you not of late days hear
A buzzing of a separation
Between the King and Kath'rine ?
I Gen. Yes, but it held not ;

For
• life, honour, name, and all.