506

Too ceremonious, and traditional:

Glo. He may command me as my sovereign,
Weigh it but with the goodness of his age,

But
you
have

power o'er me as a kinsman.
You break not sanctuary in seizing him.

York. I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.
The benefit thereof is always granted

Glo. My dagger, little cousin ? with all my

heart.
To those whose dealings have deserv'd the place, Prince. A beggar, brother?
And those who have the wit to claim the place : York. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give ;
This prince hath neither claim'd it, nor deserv'd it; And, being but a toy, which is no grief to give.
Therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it:

Glo. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.
Then, taking him from thence, that is not there, York. A greater gift? O! that's the sword to it.
You break no privilege nor charter there.

Glo. Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough.
Oft have I heard of sanctuary men,

York. Ó! then, I see, you'll part but with light gifts :
But sanctuary children, ne'er till now.

In weightier things you'll say a beggar, nay.
Card. My lord, you shall o'er-rule my mind for once.- Glo. It is too weighty for your grace to wear.
Come on, lord Hastings; will you go with me?

York. I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.
Hast. I go, my lord.

Glo. What! would you have my weapon, little lord ?
Prince. Good lords, make all the speedy haste you York. I would, that I might thank you as you call me.

may. [Exeunt Cardinal and Hastings. Glo. How?
Say, uncle Gloster, if our brother come,

York. Little,
Where shall we sojourn till our coronation ?

Prince. My lord of York will still be cross in
Glo. Where it seems best unto your royal self.

talk.-
If I may counsel you, some day, or two,

Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.
Your highness shall repose you at the Tower:

York. You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me.-
Then, where you please, and shall be thought most fit Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me:
For your best health and recreation.

Because that I am little, like an ape,
Prince. I do not like the Tower, of any place.- He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.
Did Julius Cæsar build that place, my lord ?

Buck. With what a sharply pointed wit he reasons :
Buck. He did, my gracious lord, begin that place, To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle,
Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified. He prettily and aptly taunts himself.
Prince. Is it upon record, or else reported

So cunning, and so young, is wonderful.
Successively from age to age, he built it?

Glo. My lord, will't please your grace to pass along?
Buck. It is upon record, my gracious lord. Myself, and my good cousin Buckingham,
Prince. But say, my lord, it were not register'd, Will to your mother, to entreat of her
Methinks, the truth should live from age to age, To meet you at the Tower, and welcome you.
As 'twere retail'd to all posterity,

York. What! will you go unto the Tower, my

lord ? Even to the general all-ending day.

Prince. My lord protector needs will have it so. Glo. So wise so young, they say, do ne'er live long. York. I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.

[ Aside. Glo. Why, what should you fear?
Prince. What say you, uncle?

York. Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost :
Glo. I say without characters fame lives long. My grandam told me, he was murder'd there.
Thus, like the formal Vice, Iniquity, (Aside. Prince. I fear no uncles dead.
I moralize two meanings in one word.

Glo. Nor none that live, I hope.
Prince. That Julius Cæsar was a famous man: Prince. An if they live, I hope, I need not fear.
With what his valour did enrich his wit,

But come, my lord, and, with a heavy heart,
His wit set down to make his valour live :

Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.
Death makes no conquest of his conqueror,

(A sennet. Exeunt Prince, York, Hastings, For now he lives in fame, though not in life.

Cardinal, and Attendants.
I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham.

Buck. Think you, my lord, this little prating York
Buck. What, my gracious lord ?

Was not incensed by his subtle mother
Prince. An if I live until I be a man,

To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?
I'll win our ancient right in France again,

Glo. No doubt, no doubt. O! 'tis a perilous boy;
Or die a soldier, as I liv'd a king.

Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable :
Glo. Short summers lightly have a forward spring. He's all the mother's from the top to toe.

[Aside. Buck. Well, let them rest.—Come hither, Catesby.
Enter York, Hastings, and the Cardinal. Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend,
Buck. Now, in good time here comes the duke of As closely to conceal what we impart.
York.

Thou know'st our reasons urg'd upon

the

way :Prince. Richard of York! how fares our noble What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter brother?

To make William lord Hastings of our mind,
York. Well, my dread lord ; so must I call you now. For the instalment of this noble duke
Prince. Ay, brother; to our grief, as it is yours. In the seat royal of this famous isle ?
Too late he died, that might have kept that title, Cate. He for his father's sake so loves the prince,
Which by his death hath lost much majesty.

That he will not be won to aught against him.
Glo. How fares our cousin, noble lord of York? Buck. What think'st thou then of Stanley? will
York. I thank you, gentle uncle. O! my lord,

not he?
You said, that idle weeds are fast in growth :
The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.

Cate. He will do all in all as Hastings doth.

Buck. Well then, no more but this. Go, gentle
Glo. He hath, my lord.

Catesby,
And therefore is he idle? And, as it were far off, sound thou lord Hastings,
Glo. O! my fair cousin, I must not say so.

How he doth stand affected to our purpose;
York. Then he is more beholding to you, than I. And summon him to-morrow to the Tower,

York.

To sit about the coronation.

Mess. I'll go, my lord, and tell him what you say.
If thou dost find him tractable to us,

[Exit.
Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons :

Enter CATESBY.
If he be leaden, icy, cold, unwilling,

Cate. Many good morrows to my noble lord !
Be thou so too, and so break off the talk,

Hast. Good morrow, Catesby: you are early stirring.
And give us notice of his inclination ;

What news, what news, in this our tottering state ?
For we to-morrow hold divided councils,

Cate. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord;
Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd.

And, I believe, will never stand upright,
Glo. Commend me to lord William: tell him, Till Richard wear the garland of the realm.
Catesby,

Hast. How? wear the garland ! dost thou mean the
His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries

crown?
To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle ;

Cate. Ay, my good lord.
And bid my lord, for joy of this good news,

Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my
Give mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more.

shoulders,
Buck. Good Catesby, go: effect this business soundly. Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd.
Cate. My good lords both, with all the heed I can. But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?
Glo. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep? Cate. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you forward
Cate. You shall, my lord.

Upon his party for the gain thereof:
Glo. At Crosby-place, there shall you find us both. And thereupon he sends you this good news,-

[Exit Catesby. That this same very day your enemies,
Buck. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we per- The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.
ceive

Hast. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,
Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots ? Because they have been still my adversaries ;
Glo. Chop off his head, man ;-somewhat we will But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,
do:

To bar my master's heirs in true descent,
And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me God knows, I will not do it, to the death.
The earldom of Hereford, and all the moveables Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind.
Whereof the king, my brother, was possess'd.

Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month
Buck. I'll claim that promise at your grace's hand. hence,

Glo. And look to have it yielded with all kindness. That they which brought me in my master's hate,
Come, let us sup betimes, that afterwards

I live to look upon their tragedy.
We may digest our complots in some form. (Exeunt. Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older,
SCENE II.-Before Lord Hastings' House.

I'll send some packing that yet think not on't.

Cate. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,
Enter a Messenger.

When men are unprepar'd, and look not for it.
Mess. My lord ! my lord !- [Knocking at the door. Hast. O monstrous, monstrous ! and so falls it out
Hast. [Within.]-Who knocks?

With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey; and so 'tu ill do
Mess. One from the lord Stanley.

With some men else, who think themselves as safe
Hast. (Within.] What is't o'clock ?

As thou, and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear
Mess. Upon the stroke of four.

To princely Richard, and to Buckingham.
Enter HASTINGS.

Cate. The princes both make high account of you;
Hast. Cannot lord Stanley sleep these tedious nights ? For they account his head upon the bridge,

[Aside.
Mess. So it appears by that I have to say.

Hast. I know they do, and I have well deserv'd it.
First, he commends him to your noble self.

Enter STANLEY.
Hast. What then?

Come on, come on; where is your boar-spear, man?
Mess. Then certifies your lordship, that this night Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided?
He dreamt the boar had rased off his helm :

Stan. My lord, good morrow:-- good morrow,
Besides, he says, there are two councils kept;

Catesby.-
And that may be determin’d at the one,

You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,
Which may make you and him to rue at th' other. I do not like these several councils, I.
Therefore, he sends to know your lordship's plea- Hast. My lord, I hold my life as dear as yours;
sure,

And never, in iny days, I do protest,
If you will presently take horse with him,

Was it so precious to me as 'tis now.
And with all speed post with him toward the north, Think you, but that I know our state secure,
To shun the danger that his soul divines.

I would be so triumphant as I am ?
Hast. Go, fellow, go; return unto thy lord.

Stan. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from
Bid him not fear the separated council :

London, His honour and myself are at the one,

Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure, And at the other is my good friend Catesby; And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust; Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us,

But yet, you see, how soon the day o'er-cast.
Whereof I shall not have intelligence.

This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt:
Tell him, his fears are shallow, without instance : Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward !
And for his dreams I wonder he's so simple What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent.
To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers.

Hast. Come, come, have with you.--Wot you what,
To fly the boar, before the boar pursues,
Were to incense the boar to follow us,

To-day, the lords you talk of are beheaded.
And make pursuit, where he did mean no chase. Stan. They for their truth might better wear their
Go, bid thy master rise and come to me;

heads, And we will both together to the Tower,

Than some that have accus'd them wear their hats. Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly. But come, my lord, let's away.

my lord ?

Enter a Pursuivant.

SCENE IV.-London. A Room in the Tower. Hast. Go on before ; I'll talk with this good fellow. [Exeunt Stanley and Catesby.

Buckingham, STANLEY, Hastings, the Bishop of Ely, How now, sirrah ! how goes the world with thee?

Catesby, Lovel, and others, sitting at a Table : Purs. The better, that your lordship please to ask.

Officers of the Council attending. Hast. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now, Hast. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met Than when thou met'st me last, where now we meet: Is to determine of the coronation : Then, was I going prisoner to the Tower,

In God's name, speak, when is this royal day? By the suggestion of the queen's allies ;

Buck. Are all things ready for the royal time? But now, I tell thee, (keep it to thyself)

Stan. They are ; and want but nomination. This day those enemies are put to death,

Ely. To-morrow, then, I judge a happy day. And I in better state than ere I was.

Buck. Who knows the lord protector's mind herein ? Purs. God hold it to your honour's good content. Who is most inward with the noble duke? Hast. Gramercy, fellow. There, drink that for me. Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest know his

[Throwing his Purse. mind. Purs. I thank your honour. [Exit Pursuivant. Buck. We know each other's faces; for our hearts, Enter a Priest.

He knows no more of mine, than 1 of yours; Pr. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour. Nor I of his, my lord, than you of mine. Hast. I thank thee, good sir John, with all my Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love. heart.

Hast. I thank his grace, I know he loves me well; I'm in your debt for your last exercise ;

But for his purpose in the coronation,
Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you. I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd
Pr. I'll wait upon your lordship.

His gracious pleasure any way therein :
Enter BUCKINGHAM.

But you, my honourable lords, may name the time;
Buck. What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain ! And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice,
Your friends at Pornfret, they do need the priest: Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part.
Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.

Enter Gloster. Hast. 'Good faith, and when I met this holy man, Ely. In happy time here comes the duke himself. The men you talk of came into my mind.

Glo. My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow. What, go you toward the Tower?

I have been long a sleeper; but, I trust, Buck. I do, my lord; but long I cannot stay there : My absence doth neglect no great design, I shall return before your lordship thence.

Which by my presence might have been concluded. Hast. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there. Buck. Had you not come upon your cue, my lord, Buck. And supper too, although thou know'st it not. William lord Hastings had pronounc'd your part,

[Aside. I mean, your voice, for crowning of the king. Come, will you go?

Glo. Than my lord Hastings, no man might be Hast. I'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt. bolder: SCENE III.-Pomfret. Before the Castle.

His lordship knows me well, and loves me well. Enter Ratcliff, with a Guard, conducting Rivers,

My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn,

I saw good strawberries in your garden there;
Grey, and VAUGHAN, to execution.

I do beseech you, send for some of them.
Riv. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this :- Ely. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart.
To-day shalt thou behold a subject die

Érit ELY. For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.

Glo. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you. Grey. God bless the prince from all the pack of you ! A knot you are of damned blood-suckers.

Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business, Vaugh. You live, that shall cry woe for this here- And finds the testy gentleman so hot, after.

That he will lose his head, ere give consent, Rat. Despatch! the limit of your lives is out. His master's child, as worshipfully he terms it,

Riv. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O, thou bloody prison, Shall lose the royalty of England's throne. Fatal and ominous to noble peers !

Buck. Withdraw yourself awhile; I'll go Within the guilty closure of thy walls,

[Exeunt Gloster and BuckingHAM. Richard the Second here was hack'd to death :

Slan. We have not yet set down this day of triumph. And, for more slander to thy dismal seat,

To-morrow, in my judgment, is too sudden; We give to thee our guiltless blood to drink.

For I myself am not so well provided, Grey. Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon our As else I would

be, were the day prolong'd. heads,

Re-enter Bishop of Ely. When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and me, Ely. Where is my lord, the duke of Gloster? For standing by when Richard stabb’d her son. I have sent for these strawberries. Riv. Then curs'd she Richard, then curs'd she Buck- Hast. His grace looks cheerfully and smooth this ingham,

morning: Then curs'd she Hastings.—0, remember, God, There's some conceit or other likes him well, To hear her prayer for them, as now for us !

When that he bids good morrow with such spirit

. And for my sister, and her princely sons,

I think, there's never a man in Christendom Be satisfied, dear God, with our true blood,

Can lesser hide his love, or hate, than he ; Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt. For by his face straight shall you know his heart.

Rat. Make haste : the hour of death is expiate. Stan. What of his heart perceive you in his face, Riv. Come, Grey,—come, Vaughan ;-let us here By any livelihood he show'd to-day?

embrace : Farewell, until we meet again in heaven.

Hast. Marry, that with no man here he is offended; [Exeunt. For, were he, he had shown it in his looks.

[Taking him aside.

with you. Re-enter Gloster and BUCKINGHAM.

Enter the Lord Mayor and Catesby.
Glo. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve, Buck. Lord Mayor,-
That do conspire my death with devilish plots

Glo. Look to the drawbridge there !
Of damned witchcraft ? and that have prevail'd

Buck,

Hark! a drum.
Upon my body with their hellish charms?

Glo. Catesby, o'erlook the walls.
Hast. The tender love I bear your grace, my lord, Buck. Lord Mayor, the reason we have sent,-
Makes me most forward in this princely presence Glo. Look back, defend thee: here are enemies.
To doom th' offenders: whosoe'er they be,

Buck. God and our innocency defend and guard us !
I say, my lord, they have deserved death.

Enter Lovel and Ratcliff, with Hastings' Head, on Glo. Then, be your eyes the witness of their evil.

a Spear. Look how I am bewitch'd ; behold mine arm

Glo. Be patient, they are friends; Ratcliff, and Lovel. Is like a blasted sapling wither'd up:

Lov. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor, And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch, The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings. Consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore,

Glo. So dear I lov'd the man, that I must weep. That by their witchcraft thus have marked me. I took him for the plainest harmless creature,

Hast. If they have done this deed, my noble lord, — That breath'd upon the earth a Christian;

Glo. If! thou protector of this damned strumpet, Made him my book, wherein my soul recorded Talk'st thou to me of ifs ?- Thou art a traitor :- The history of all her secret thoughts : Off with his head !--now, by Saint Paul I swear, So smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue, I will not dine until I see the same.

That, his apparent open guilt omitted, Lovel, and Ratcliff, look that it be done :

I mean his conversation with Shore's wife, The rest, that love me, rise, and follow me.

He liv'd from all attainder of suspects. [Exeunt Council, with Gloster and BUCKINGHAM. Buck. Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd Hast. Woe, woe, for England ! not a whit for me;

traitor For I, too fond, might have prevented this.

That ever liv'd.--
Stanley did dream the boar did rase his helm; Would you imagine, or almost believe,
And I did scorn it, and disdained to fly.

Were't not that by great preservation
Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble, We live to tell it, that the subtle traitor
And started when he look 'd upon the Tower,

This day had plotted, in the council house, As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.

To murder me, and my good lord of Gloster? 0! now I need the priest that spake to me:

May. Had he done so? I now repent I told the pursuivant,

Glo. What! think you we are Turks, or infidels ? As too triumphing, how mine enemies,

Or that we would, against the form of law, To-day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,

Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death, And I myself secure in grace and favour.

But that the extreme peril of the case, 0, Margaret, Margaret! now thy heavy curse The peace of England, and our persons' safety, Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head.

Enforc'd us to this execution ? Rat. Come, come ; despatch, the duke would be at May. Now, fair befal you! he deserv’d his death ; dinner:

And your good graces both have well proceeded, Make a short shrift; he longs to see your head. To warn false traitors from the like attempts. Hast. O, momentary grace of mortal men,

Buck. I never look'd for better at his hands,
Which we more hunt for than the grace of God! After he once fell in with mistress Shore;
Who builds his hope in air of your good looks, Yet had we not determin'd he should die,
Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast;

Until your lordship came to see his end,
Ready with every nod to tumble down

Which now the loving haste of these our friends, Into the fatal bowels of the deep.

Something against our meanings, hath prevented : Lov. Come, come, despatch : 'tis bootless to exclaim. Because, my lord, I would have had

you

hear Hast. O, bloody Richard !-miserable England ! The traitor speak, and timorously confess I prophesy the fearfull'st time to thee,

The manner and the purpose of his treasons ;
That ever wretched age hath look'd upon.

That you might well have signified the same
Come, lead me to the block; bear him my head : Unto the citizens, who, haply, may
They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead. [Exeunt. Misconstrue us in him, and wail his death.

SCENE V.-The Same. The Tower Walls. May. But, my good lord, your grace's words shall
Enter Gloster and BUCKINGHAM, in rusty armour,

serve,

As well as I had seen, and heard him speak:
marvellous ill-favoured, and in haste.

And do not doubt, right noble princes both,
Glo. Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens
thy colour,

With all your just proceedings in this case.
Murder thy breath in middle of a word,

Glo. And to that end we wish'd your lordship here, And then again begin, and stop again,

To avoid the censures of the carping world. As if thou wert distraught, and mad with terror? Buck. But since you come too late of our intent,

Buck. Tut! I can counterfeit the deep tragedian; Yet witness what you hear we did intend : Speak and look back, and pry on every side, And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell. Tremble and start at wagging of a straw,

[Exit Lord Mayor. Intending deep suspicion : ghastly looks

Glo. Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham. Are at my service, like enforced smiles;

The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post : And both are ready in their offices,

There, at your meetest vantage of the time, At any time to grace my stratagems.

Infer the bastardy of Edward's children:
But what, is Catesby gone?

Tell them, how Edward put to death a citizen,
Glo. He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along. Only for saying-he would make his son

hurl'd up

T

C

Heir to the crown; meaning, indeed, his house, Both in your form and nobleness of mind :
Which by the sign thereof was termed so.

Laid
open

all your victories in Scotland,
Moreover, urge his bateful luxury,

Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace,
And bestial appetite in change of lust;

Your bounty, virtue, fair humility ;
Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters, wives, Indeed, left nothing fitting for your purpose
Even where his raging eye, or savage heart,

Untouch'd, or slightly handled in discourse :
Without controul lusted to make a prey.

And, when my oratory drew toward end,
Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person.;

I bade them that did love their country's good,
Tell them, when that my mother went with child Cry"

-“ God save Richard, England's royal king!"
Of that insatiate Edward, noble York,

Glo. And did they so?
My princely father, then had wars in France;

Buck. No, so God help me, they spake not a word;
And by true computation of the time,

But, like dumb statues, or breathing stones,
Found that the issue was not his begot;

Star'd each on other, and look'd deadly pale.
Which well appeared in his lineaments,

Which when I saw, 1 reprehended them,
Being nothing like the noble duke my father. And ask'd the mayor, what meant this wilful silence ?
Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off;

His answer was, the people were not us’d
Because, my lord, you know, my mother lives. To be spoke to, but by the recorder.

Buck. Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator, Then, he was urg'd to tell my tale again :-
As if the golden fee, for which I plead,

“ Thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferr'd;"
Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu.

But nothing spoke in warrant from himself.
Glo. If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's castle, When be had done, some followers of mine own,
Where you shall find me well accompanied,

At lower end of the hall,

their

caps,
With reverend fathers, and well-learned bishops. And some ten voices cried, “God save king Richard!"

Buck. I go; and, towards three or four o'clock, And thus I took the vantage of those few,-
Look for the news that the Guildhall affords.

Thanks, gentle citizens, and friends," quoth I;

[Exit Buckingham." This general applause, and cheerful shout,
Glo. Go, Lovel, with all speed to doctor Shaw;- Argues your wisdom, and your love to Richard :"
Go thou [ To Cat.) to friar Penker :-bid them both And even here brake off, and came away.
Meet me within this hour at Baynard's castle.

Glo. What tongueless blocks were they ! would they
[Exeunt Lovel and Catesby. not speak?
Now will I go, to take some privy order,

Will not the mayor, then, and his brethren, come?
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;

Buck. The mayor is here at hand. Intend some fear;
And to give order, that no manner person

Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit:
Have any
time recourse unto the princes. [Exit. And look you get a prayer-book in your hand,

And stand between two churchmen, good my lord ;
SCENE VI.-A Street.

For on that ground I'll make a holy descant:
Enter a Scrivener, with a writing.

And be not easily won to our requests;
Scriv. Here is the indictment of the good lord Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it.
Hastings ;

Glo. I go; and if you plead as well for them,
Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd,

As I can say nay to thee for myself,
That it may be to-day read o'er in Paul's :

No doubt we bring it to a happy issue. [Knocking heard.
And mark how well the sequel hangs together.

Buck. Go, go, up to the leads! the lord mayor
Eleven hours I have spent to write it over,

knocks.

[Exit GLOSTER.
For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me.

Enter the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens.
The precedent was full as long a doing;

Welcome, my lord : I dance attendance here;
And yet within these five hours Hastings liv'd, I think the duke will not be spoke withal.--
Untainted, unexamin'd, free, at liberty.

Enter from the Castle, Catesby.
Here's a good world the while !-Who is so gross, Now, Catesby! what says your lord to my request ?
That cannot see this palpable device?

Cate. He doth entreat your grace, my 'noble lord,
Yet who so bold, but says he sees it not?

To visit him to-morrow, or next day.
Bad is the world; and all will come to nought, He is within, with two right reverend fathers,
When such ill dealing must be seen or thought. [Exit. Divinely bent to meditation;
SCENE VII.— The Same. The Court of Baynard's And in no worldly suits would he be mov'd,
Castle.

To draw him from his holy exercise.
Enter Gloster at one Door, and BUCKINGHAM at

Buck. Return, good Catesby, to the gracious duke:

Tell him, myself, the mayor and aldermen,
another.

In deep designs, in matter of great moment,
Glo. How now, how now! what say the citizens? No less importing than our general good,

Buck. Now by the holy mother of our Lord, Are come to have some conference with his grace.
The citizens are mum, say not a word.

Cate. I'll signify so much unto him straight. [Exit.
Glo. Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children?

Buck. Ah, ha! my lord, this prince is not an Edward :
Buck. I did ; with his contract with Lady Lucy, He is not lulling on a lewd love-bed,
And his contract by deputy in France:

But on his knees at meditation;
Th’insatiate greediness of his desires,

Not dallying with a brace of courtezans,
And his enforcement of the city wives;

But meditating with two deep divines ;
His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy,

Not sleeping to engross his idle body,
As being got, your father then in France ;

But praying to enrich his watchful soul.
And dis-resemblance, being not like the duke. Happy were England, would this virtuous prince
Withal I did infer your lineaments,

Take on his grace the sovereignty thereof;
Being the right idea of your father,

But sore I fear, we shall not win him to it.