To every county, The air will drink the sap. Free pardon to each man that bas denied Wol. A word with you. [To the SECRETARY. Let there be letters writ to commons Hardly conceived of me; let it be nois'd, [Exit SECRETARY. Enter SURVEYOR. The duke being at the Rose, within the pe Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand 'Twould prove the verity of certain words Q. Kath. I am sorry that the duke of Buck- To me, should utter, with demure confidence ingham day It would infect his speech, That if the king Wol. Please your highness, note Q. Kath. My learn'd lord cardinal, This pausingly ensu'd,-Neither the king, nor his heirs, (Tell you the duke) shall prosper: bid him To gain the love of the commonalty; the duke Q. Kath. If I know you well, You were the duke's surveyor, and lost your office On the complaint o'the tenants: Take good You charge not in your spleen a noble person, K. Hen. Let him on :- Surv. On my soul, I'll speak but truth. sions The monk might be deceiv'd; and that 'twas dang'rous for him, To ruminate on this so far, until It forg'd him some design, which, being be- It was much like to do: He answer'd, Tush! K. Hen. Ha! what, so rank? Ah, ba! There's mischief in this man:--Canst thou say further? Surv. I cau, my liege. K. Hen. Proceed. Surv. Being at Greenwich, After your highness had reprov'd the duke K. Hen. I remember, Of such a time :-Being my servant sworn, Surv. If, quoth he, I for this had been As to the Tower, I thought,-I would have The part my father meant to act upon bury, Made suit to come in his presence; which if granted • Now Merchant Taylors' School. As he made semblance of his duty, would K. Hen. A giant traitor! Wol. Now, madam, may his highness live in freedom, And this man out of prison? Q. Kath. God mend all! K. Hen. There's something more would out of thee; What say'st? Surv. After the duke his father,―with the knife, He stretch'd him, and, with one hand on his dagger, Another spread on his breast, mounting his eyes, K. Hen. There's his period, He is attach'd ; To sheath his knife in us. ones; For when they hold them, you would swear directly, Their very noses had been counsellors That never saw them pace before, the spavin, Cham. Death! my lord, Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too, That, sure, they have worn out Christendom. How now? What news, Sir Thomas Lovell ? Enter Sir THOMAS LOVELL. Lov. 'Faith, my lord, I hear of none but the new proclamation Cham. What is't for ? Lov. The reformation of our travell'd gallants, That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors. Cham. I am glad, 'tis there; now I would pray our monsieurs To think an English courtier may be wise, Lov. They must either (For so run the conditions,) leave these remnants Of fool and feather, that they got in France, With all their honourable points of ignorance, Pertaining thereunto, (as fights, and fireworks; Abusing better men than they can be, Out of a foreign wisdom,) renouncing clean The faith they have in tennis, and tall stockings, Short blister'd breeches, and those types of travel, And understand again like honest men; Or pack to their old playfellows: there I take it, They may, cum privilegio,* wear away The lag end of their lewdness, and be laugh'a at. Sands. 'Tis time to give them physic, their Are grown so catching. [diseases Cham. What a loss our ladies Will have of these trim vanities! Lov. Ay, marry, There will be woe indeed, lords; the sly whore sons Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies; (For, sure, there's no converting of them ;) now An honest country lord, as I am, beaten A long time out of play, may bring his plain song, And have an hour of hearing; and, by'r-lady, Cham, Well said, lord Sands; Sands, No, my lord; Nor shall not, while I have a stump. Whither were you a-going? Lov. To the cardinal's; Your lordship is a guest too. Cham, Oh! 'tis true; This night he makes a supper, and a great one, Lov. That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed, A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us: Cham. No doubt, he's noble ; He had a black mouth that said other of him. Sands. He may, my lord, he has wherewithal; in bim, Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine : Men of his way should be most liberal, Cham. True, they are so; But few now give so great ones. My barge stays; + Your lordship shall along:-Come, good Sir Thomas, We shall be late else, which I would not be. For I was spoke to, with Sir Henry Guildford, This night to be comptrollers. Sands. I am your lordship's. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-The Presence-Chamber in York Place. Hautboys. A small table under a state for the CARDINAL, a longer table for the guests. Enter at one door ANNE BULLEN, and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as guests; at another door, enter Sir HENRY GUILDFORD. Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes ye all: This night he dedicates To fair content and you: none here, he hopes, In all this noble bevy, has brought with her One care abroad; he would have all as merry As first-good, company, good wine, good wel Sands. Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal But half my lay-thoughts in him, some of these Should find a running banquet, ere they rested, I think would better please them: By my life, They are a sweet society of fair ones. Lov. Oh! that your lordship were but now confessor To one or two of these ! Sands. I would I were; They should find easy penance. Lov. 'Faith, how easy? Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it. Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry, Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this: His grace is ent'ring.-Nay, you must not freeze; Two women plac'd together makes cold weather: My lord Sands, you are one will keep them waking; Pray, sit between these ladies. Sands. By my faith, And thank your lordship.-By your leave, sweet ladies: [Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN and If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me; Anne. Was he mad, Sir? Sands. Oh! very mad, exceeding mad, in love For so they seem: they have left their barge, and landed; And hither make, as great ambassadors Wol. Good lord chamberlain, Go, give them welcome, you can speak the French tongue; And pray receive them nobly, and conduct them Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty Shall shine at full upon them :-Some attend him. [Exit CHAMBERLAIN, attended. All arise, and Tables removed. You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it. A good digestion to you all: and, once more, I shower a welcome on you;-Welcome all. Hautboys.-Enter the KING, and twelve others, as Maskers, habited like Shepherds, with sixteen Torch-bearers; ushered by the Lord CHAMBERLAIN. They pass di rectly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him. A noble company! what are their pleasures? Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd To tell your grace ;-That, having heard by fame Of this so noble and so fair assembly This night to meet here, they could do no duct, Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat Wol. Say, lord chamberlain, They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay theni A thousand thanks, and pray them take their pleasures. [Ladies chosen for the dance. The KING chooses ANNE BULLEN. K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O • Chair. Choose my game. 1 Small cannon. remony Of bringing back the prisoner. 2 Gent. Were you there ? 1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gent. Pray, speak, what has happen'd? 1 Gent. You may guess quickly what. 2 Gent. Is he found guilty? 1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon it. 2 Gent. I am sorry for't. 1 Gent. So are a number more. 2 Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it? 1 Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke Came to the bar; where, to his accusations, Urg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessions, Court, Confessor to bim; with that devil-monk, Hopkins, that made this mischief. 2 Gent. That was he, That fed him with his prophecies ? 1 Gent. The same. 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, Have found him guilty of high treason. He spoke, and learnedly, for life but all Was either pitied in bim, or forgotten. Much 2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear himself? 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar,- to hear His knell wrung out, his judgment,-he was stirr'd With such an agony, he sweat extremely, And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty : But he fell to himself again, and, sweetly, In all the rest show'd a most noble patience. 2 Gent. I do not think he fears death. 1 Gent. Sure, he does not, • Denco. He never was so womanish; the cause He may a little grieve at. 2 Gent. Certainly, The cardinal is the end of this. 1 Gent. 'Tis likely, By all conjectures: First, Kildare's attainder Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste tog 2 Gent. That trick of state Was a deep envious one. 1 Gent. At his return, No doubt he will requite it. This is noted, 2 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 ;1 Gent. Stay there, Sir, And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tip-staves before him, the axe with the edge towards him; halberts on each side: with him, Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common people. 2 Gent. Let's stand close, and behold him. You that thus far have come to pity me, witness, And if I have a conscience, let it sink me, It has done, upon the premises, but justice : Be what they will, I heartily forgive them : men; For then my guiltless Flood must cry against them. For further life in this world I ne'er hope, lov'd me, And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, Go with me, like good angels, to my end; name. Lov. I do beseech your grace, for charity, If ever any malice in your heart Were hid against ine, now to forgive me frankly. Buck. Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you, As I would be forgiven: I forgive all : There cannot be those numberless offences 'Gainst me, I can't take peace with: no black envy Shall make my grave.-Commend me to his grace; And, if he speak of Buckingham, pray, tell him, You met him half in heaven: my vows and prayers Yet are the king's; and, till my soul forsake me, 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; Buck. Nay, Sir Nicholas, 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: 1 now seal it ; And with that blood will make them one day groan for't. My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Is found a truth now: for it grows again 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 archbishoprick 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. We are too open here to argue this; [Exeunt. And without trial fell: God's peace be with SCENE II.-An Ante-chamber in the Pa 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 people, All good Pray for me! I must now forsake ye; the last hour Of my long weary life is come upon me. 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. Oh! 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, 'Tis 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! Where may it be? You do not doubt my faith, Sir? 2 Gent. This secret is so weighty, 'twill require A strong faith to conceal it. 1 Gent. Let me have it; I do not taik much. 2 Gent. I am confident; 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, • Great fidelity. lace. 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 lord 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. He will have all, I think. Enter the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Nor. Well met, my good Lord Chamberlain. Cham. Good day to both your graces. Full of sad thoughts and troubles. Cham. It seems, the marriage with bis brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Has crept too near another lady. This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the eldest son of for tune, Turns what be lists. 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 busi |