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, 2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear himself? 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar, to hear His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd No doubt he will requite it. This is noted, 2 Gent. The mirror of all courtesy. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tipstaves before him; the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side; accompanied with Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common people. 2 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, Be what they will, I heartily forgive them : men; For then my guiltless blood must cry against them. For further life in this world I ne'er hope, And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, Go with me, like good angels, to my end; Yet are the king's; and, till my soul forsake, a These short lines are not introduced without a meaning. With those pauses in the delivery that properly belong to one speaking under such circumstances they add to the pathos. The three lines, beginning "Gainst me,' ordinarily printed as two. The original has make my grave, which Warburton altered to mark my grave. are "Gainst me I can't take peace with: no black envy Shall make my grave. Commend me to his grace." b Rowe here stuck in me-"till my soul forsake me." IL is not difficult to see that Shakspere had a different metaphysical notion from that of his editor: the me places the individuality in the body alone. Longer than I have time to tell his years! Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace; Then give my charge up to sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end. Vaux. Prepare there, The duke is coming; see the barge be ready; And fit it with such furniture as suits The greatness of his person. Nay, sir Nicholas, Buck. Let it alone; my state 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 base accusers, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; And with that blood will make them one day groan for 't. My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Henry the seventh succeeding, truly pitying son, Henry the eighth, life, honour, name, and all me A little happier than my wretched father: A most unnatural and faithless service! Be sure you be not loose; for those you make friends, And give your hearts to, when they once per ceive The least rub in your fortunes, fall away You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear Between the king and Katharine ? 1 Gent. Yes, but it held not: For when the king once heard it, out of anger He sent command to the lord mayor, straight To stop the rumour, and allay those tongues That durst disperse it. 2 Gent. But that slander, sir, 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 1 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. 2 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. 1 Gent. 'Tis woeful. SCENE II.-An Antechamber 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 furnished. 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 lol cardinal's, by commission and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason,-His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king; which stopped our mouths, sir.' I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them: Enter the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFolk. I left him private. Has crept too near his conscience. Suf. No, his conscience Has crept too near another lady. Nor. "T is so : This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he list. The king will know him one day. Suf. Pray God he do! he'll never know him self else. Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! For now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew: He dives into the king's soul; and there scatters Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, Fears, and despairs, and all these for his marriage : And out of all these to restore the king, He counsels a divorce: a loss of her a Good-"my good lord chamberlain "- was here thrust into the text. Nor. We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all a From princes into pages: all men's honours Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd Into what pitch he please. a Such is the punctuation of the folio. It is ordinarily printed, "I'll venture one have-at-him. Have at you, as Douce properly says, is a cominon phrase; and it is used in two other passages of this play. But in following the old punctuation it is not less a common phrase. It appears to us that Norfolk means by "I'll venture one"-I'll risk myself; and that Suffolk is ready to encounter the same danger-"I another." Steevens reads, "I'll venture one heare at him "-a metaphor of the wharfs. By a great freedom of construction the verb sent applies to this first member of the sentence, as well as to the second. Mr. White prints "Gave their free voices." This just and learned priest, cardinal Campeius; Whom, once more, I present unto your high ness. K. Hen. And, once more, in mine arms I bid him welcome, And thank the holy conclave for their loves; They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for. Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves, You are so noble: To your highness' hand I tender my commission; by whose virtue, (The court of Rome commanding,) you, my lord Cardinal of York, are join'd with me their servant, In the unpartial judging of this business. K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted, Forthwith, for what you come :-Where's Gardiner ? Wol. I know your majesty has always lov'd her So dear in heart, not to deny her that K. Hen, Ay, and the best she shall have; and my favour To him that does best; God forbid else. Cardinal, Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary; I find him a fit fellow. [Exit WOLSEY. Old L. Beshrew me, I would, And venture maidenhead for 't; and so would you, For all this spice of your hypocrisy : Which, to say sooth, are blessings and which gifts (Saving your mincing) the capacity Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive, If you might please to stretch it. Anne. |