ACT II. SCENE I.-A Street. Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1 Gent. Whither away so fast? 2 Gent. O,-God save you! Even to the hall, to hear what shall become Of the great duke of Buckingham. 1 Gent. I'll save you That labour, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony 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, He pleaded still, not guilty, and alleg'd To him brought, vivâ voce, to his face: At which appear'd against him, his surveyor; Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor; and John Court, 2 Gent. That was he, That fed him with his prophecies? 1 Gent. The same. All these accus'd him strongly; which he fain Have found him guilty of high treason. Much Was either pitied in him, or forgotten. 2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear himself? 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar,— His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd 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 too, 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, 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; Tipstaves before him; the Axe with the Edge towards him; Halberds 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. Buck. All good people, You, that thus far have come to pity me, Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me. 1 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, Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful! The law I bear no malice for my death; It has done, upon the premises, but justice: Yet let them look they glory not in mischief, Go with me, like good angels, to my end; And lift my soul to heaven.—Lead on, o'God's name. If ever any malice in your heart Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. Buck. Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you, Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace; Then give my charge up to sir Nicholas Vaux, Vaur. 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. And duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun: 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, And, must needs say, a noble one; which makes me Yet thus far we are one in fortunes,-Both Fell by our servants, by those men we lov'd most; A most unnatural and faithless service! |