Lov. I do beseech your grace, for charity, If ever any malice in your heart Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. There cannot be those numberless offences And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him, Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace: 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. Buck. Nay, sir Nicholas, Let it alone; my state now will but mock me. When I came hither I was lord high constable, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; for 't. My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Who first rais'd head against usurping Richard, Henry the seventh succeeding, truly pitying Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me, Like water from ye, never found again But where they mean to sink ye. All good people, 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. 1 Gent. O, this is full of pity!-Sir, it calls, I fear, too many curses on their heads That were the authors. 2 Gent. If the duke be guiltless, 'T is full of woe: yet I can give you inkling Of an ensuing evil, if it fall, Greater than this. 1 Gent. Good angels keep it from us! What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir? 2 Gent. This secret is so weighty, 't will require A strong faith to conceal it. 1 Gent. Let me have it: I do not talk much. 2 Gent. I am confident; You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear A buzzing, of a separation 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, Fresher than e'er it was; and held for certain 1 Gent. 'T is the cardinal; 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. We are too open here to argue this; *T is woful. [Excunt. 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 nortli. 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 stopped our months, sir." I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them: Enter the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Full of sad thoughts and troubles. I left him private, What's the canse? Nor. Cham. It seems the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suf. No, his conscience "T is so: Has crept too near another lady. That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Nor. How holily he works in all his business! That when the greatest stroke of fortune falls Will bless the king: And is not this course pious? Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'T is most true These news are everywhere; every tongue speaks them, And every true heart weeps for 't: All that dare The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open This bold bad man. Suf. And free us from Iris slavery. Nor. We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all Suf Nor. him: My lord, you'll bear us company? : Excuse me Cham. Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. |