Such a compounded one?
Buck. All the whole time
I was my chamber's prifoner.
Nor. Then you loft
The view of earthly glory: men might fay
'Till this time pomp was single, but now marry'd
To one above it felf. Each following day
Became the next day's master, 'till the laft
Made former wonders, its. To-day the French,
All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,
Shone down the English; glish; and to-morrow they
Made Britain, India: every man that stood,
Shew'd like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were
As Cherubins, all gilt, the Madams too,
Not us'd to toil, did almost sweat to bear
The pride upon them, that their very labour
Was to them as a painting. Now this mask
Was cry'd incomparable; and th'enfuing night
Made it a fool and beggar. The two Kings
Equal in luftre, were now best, now worst,
As prefence did present them; him in eye,
Still him in praise; and being present both,
'Twas faid they saw but one, and no difcerner
Durst wag his tongue in cenfure. When these suns,
(For so they phrafe 'em) by their heralds, challeng'd
The noble spirits to arms, they did perform
Beyond thought's compass, that old fabulous story
(Being now seen possible enough) got credit;
That † Bevis was believ'd.
Buck. Oh, you go far!
Nor. As I belong to worship, and affect
In honour, honesty; the tract of every thing
Would by a good discourser lose some life,
Which action's self was tongue to.
Buck. All was royal;
To the disposing of it nought rebell'd,
Order gave each thing view. The office did
Distinctly his full function. Who did guide,
I mean, who set the body and the limbs
† The old romantic legend of Bevis of Southampton.
Of this great sport together, as you guess ?
Nor. One fure, that promises no element
In such a business.
Buck. Pray you, who, my lord?
Nor. All this was order'd by the good difcretion Of the right rev'rend Cardinal of York.
Buck. The devil speed him: no man's pye is freed
From his ambitious finger. What had he
To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder
That fuch a † ketch can with his very bulk
Take up the rays o'th' beneficial fun,
And keep it from the earth.
There's in him stuff that puts him to these ends:
For being not propt by ancestry, whose grace
Chalks successors their way; nor call'd upon
For high feats done to th' crown; neither ally'd
To eminent affistants; but spider-like,
Out of his felf-drawn web; this gives us note,
The force of his own merit makes his way,
A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys
A place next to the King.
What heav'n hath giv'n him; let some graver eye
Pierce into that: but I can see his pride
Peep through each part of him; whence has he that,
If not from hell, the devil is a niggard,
Or has giv'n all before, and he begins
A new hell in himself.
Upon this French going out, took he upon him,
Without the privity o'th' King, t'appoint
Who should attend him? he makes up the file
Of all the gentry; for the most part fuch
To whom as great a charge as little honour
He meant to lay upon: And his own letter
(The honourable board of council out)
no rudiment or beginning.
† ketch, from the Italian Caicchio, fignifyng a Tub, Barrel, er Hogshead. Skinner,
Must fetch in him he * papers.
Aber. I do know
Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have
By this so ficken'd their estates, that never
They shall abound as formerly.
Have broke their backs with laying mannors on 'em For this great journey. What did this great vanity, But minifter communication of
A most poor issue?
Nor. Grievingly, I think,
The peace between the French and us, not values
The cost that did conclude it.
After the hideous storm that follow'd, was
A thing inspir'd; and not confulting, broke
Into a general prophesie; that this tempest,
Dashing the garment of this peace, aboaded
The fudden breach on't.
Nor. Which is budded out:
For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'd Our merchants goods at Bourdeaux.
Aber. Is it therefore
Th'ambaffador is silenc'd?
Nor. Marry is't.
Aber. A proper title of a peace, and purchas'd
At a fuperfluous rate!
Buck. Why, all this business
Our rev'rend Cardinal carry'd.
Nor. Like it your Grace,
The state takes notice of the private difference
Betwixt you and the Cardinal. I advise you
(And take it from a heart that wishes you
Honour and plenteous safety) that you read
The Cardinal's malice and his potency
Together: to confider further, that
* he papers, a verb ; His own letter, By bis own fingle authovity, and without the concurrence of the Council, must fetch in Him whom he papers down, I don't understand it, unless this be the meaning.
What his high hatred would affect, wants not
A minister in his pow'r. You know his nature,
That he's revengeful, and I know his sword
Hath a sharp edge: it's long, and't may be said,
It reaches far; and where 'twill not extend,
Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel,
You'll find it wholsome. Lo, where comes that rock
That I advise your shunning.
Enter Cardinal Wolsey, the purse born before him, cer tain of the guard, and two secretaries with papers 5 the Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on Bucking ham, and Buckingham on him, both full of disdain. Wol. The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor? ha!
Where's his examination?
Secr. Here, so please you.
Wol. Is he in person ready?
Secr. Ay, an't please your Grace.
Wol. Well, we shall then know more,
And Buckingham shall lessen this big look.
[Exeunt Cardinal and his train.
Buck. This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd, and I Have not the pow'r to muzzle him, therefore best Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book Out-worths a noble's blood.
Nor. What, are you chaf'd?
Ask God for temperance, that's th'appliance only
Which your disease requires.
Buck. I read in's looks
Matter against me, and his eye revil'd
Me as his abject object; at this instant
He børes me with fome trick, he's gone to th' King 1
I'll follow and out-stare him.
Nor. Stay, my lord,
And let your reason with your choler question
What 'tis you go about. To climb steep hills
Requires flow pace at first. Anger is like
A full-hot horse, who being allow'd his way,
Self-mettle tires him: Not a man in England
Can advise me, like you: be to your self
As you would to your friend.
Buck. I'll to the King,
And from a mouth of honour quite cry down
This Ipswich fellow's insolence, or proclaim
There's diff 'rence in no persons.
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot
That it do finge your self. We may out-run,
By violent swiftness, that which we run at;
And lose by over-running: know you not,
The fire that mounts the liquor 'till't run o'er,
In seeming to augment it, wastes it: be
Advis'd I say again, there is no English
Soul stronger to direct you than your felf,
If with the sap of reason you would quench,
Or but allay the fire of paffion.
I'm thankful to you, and I'll go along
By your prefe
Whom from the flow of gall I name not, but
From fincere motions; by intelligence
And prrofs as clear as founts in July, when
We fee each grain of gravel, I do know
prescription ; but this top-proud fellow,
To be corrupt and treasonous.
Nor. Say not, treasonous.
Buck. To th' King I'll say't, and make my vouch as
As shore of rock attend. This holy fox,
Or wolf, or both (for he is equal rav'nous
As he is fubtle, and as prone to mischief
As able to perform't) his mind and place
Infecting one another; yea, reciprocally,
Only to shew his pomp, as well in France
As here at home, suggests the King our master
To this last costly treaty, th' interview,
That swallow'd fo much treasure, and like a glass
Did break i'th' rinfing.
Nor. Faith, and so it did.
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