ACT II. SCENE I. A Street. Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1 Gent. Whither away so fast? 2 Gent. Even to the hall, to hear what shall become 0,—God save you! I'll fave you Of the great duke of Buckingham. 1 Gent. That labour, fir. All's now done, but the ceremony Of bringing back the prisoner. 2 Gent. 1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gent. Were you there? Pray, fpeak, 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 forry for't. Gent. So are a number more. 2 Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it? ■ Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke Came to the bar; where, to his accufations, He pleaded still, not guilty, and alledg'd At which appear'd against him, his furveyor; Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor; and John Court, Hopkins, that made this mischief. Would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not : Have found him guilty of high treason. Much 2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear himfelf? 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar,—to hear His knell rung out, his judgement, he was stirr'd With fuch an agony, he sweat extremely, And fomething spoke in choler, ill, and hasty: In all the reft fhow'd a inolt noble patience. He never was fo womanifh; the caufe Sure, he does not, 'Tis likely, By all conjectures: First, Kildare's attainder, Earl Surrey was fent thither, and in hafte too, 2 Gent. Was a deep envious one. 1 Gent. That trick of state At his return, No doubt, he will requite it. This is noted, And And generally; whoever the king favours, All the commons 2 Gent. Hate him perniciously, and, o' my confcience, With 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, fir, And fee the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tipftaves before bim, the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each fide: with him, Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common people. 2 Gent. Let's stand close, and behold him. Buck. You that thus far have come to pity me, All good people, Hear what I fay, and then go home and lose me. I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgement, And by that name muft die; Yet, heaven bear witness, And, if I have a confcience, let it fink me, Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful! The law I bear no malice for my death, But thofe, that fought it, I could with more christians: Yet let them look they glory not in mischief, me, And And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, Go with me, like good angels, to my end; And, as the long divorce of steel falls on me, If ever any malice in your heart Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. Ever belov'd, and loving, may his rule be! Lov. To the water fide I must conduct your grace; Who undertakes you to your end. Vaux. Prepare there, The duke is coming fee, the barge be ready; The greatness of his perfon. Buck. Nay, fir Nicholas, Let it alone; my ftate now will but mock me. When I came hither, I was lord high constable, And duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun : Ye Yet I am richer than my base accufers, That never knew what truth meant: I now feal it ; And with that blood will make them one day groan for't. My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Who first rais'd head against ufurping Richard, Flying for fuccour to his fervant Banister, Fell by our fervants, by those men we lov'd most; Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me, Like water from ye, never found again All good people, Pray for me! I must now forsake ye; the laft hour Farewell: And when you would say something that is fad, Speak how I fell.—I have done; and God forgive me! [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and Train. i Gent. |