Sec. Gent. All the commons Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much They love and dote on; call him bounteous Buckingham,

The mirror of all courtesy,

52

First Gent. Stay there, sir, And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of.

Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; tipstaves before him; the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side: with him SIR THOMAS LOVELL, SIR NICHOLAS VAUX, SIR WILLIAM SANDS, and common people.

Sec. Gent. 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 must die: yet, heaven bear
witness,

And if I have a conscience, let it sink me, 60
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
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 guiltless 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

111

My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,
Who first rais'd head 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 royal prince,
Restor❜d me to 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

119

A most unnatural and faithless service! Heaven has an end in all: yet, you that hear me, This from a dying man receive as certain: Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels

Be sure you be not loose;1 for those you make friends

And give your hearts to, when they once perceive

The least rub2 in your fortunes, fall away Like water from ye, never found again 130 But where they mean to sink ye. All good people,

Pray for me! I must now forsake ye: the last hour

Of my long weary life is come upon me.
Farewell:

And when you would say something that is sad, Speak how I fell. I have done; and God forgive me!

[Exeunt Buckingham and Train. [First Gent. O, this is full of pity! Sir, it calls,

I fear, too many curses on their heads
That were the authors.

Sec. Gent.
If the duke be guiltless,
'Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling
Of an ensuing evil, if it fall,
Greater than this.

141

First Gent. Good angels keep it from us! What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir?

Sec. Gent. This secret is so weighty, 't will require

A strong faith to conceal it.

But that slander, sir,

Sec. Gent. Is found a truth now: for it grows again Fresher than e'er it was; and held for certain? The king will venture at it. Either the cardinal, Or some about him near, have, out of malice To the good queen, possess'd him with a scruple? That will undo her: to confirm this too, Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd, and lately; 160 As all think, for this business. First Gent.

'Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor For not bestowing on him, at his asking, The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purpos'd. Sec. Gent. I think you have hit the mark: but is 't not cruel

That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal

Will have his will, and she must fall.

SCENE II. The same.

An ante-chamber in the palace.

Enter the LORD CHAMBERLAIN, reading a letter. Cham. "My lord,-The horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnish'd. They were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason,-His master would be serv'd before a subject, if not before the king; which stopp'd our mouths, sir."

10

I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them: He will have all, I think.

Enter the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFolk.

Has crept too near another lady. Nor.