For we to-morrow hold divided 16 councils, Glo. Commend me to Lord William: tell him, His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries Buck. Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly. Cate. My good lords both, with all the heed I can. Glo. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep? Cate. You shall, my lord. both.. Glo. At Crosby-place, there shall you find us [Exit CATESBY. Buck. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots? Glo. Chop off his head, man;—somewhat we will do: And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me Buck. I'll claim that promise at your grace's hand. [Exeunt. 16 But the protectoure and the duke after they had sent to the lord cardinal, the Lord Stanley, and the Lord Hastings, then lord chamberlaine, with many other noblemen, to commune and devise about the coronation in one place, as fast were they in another place, contriving the contrarie to make the protectoure king.' The Lord Stanley, that was after earle of Darby, wisely mistrusted it, and said unto the Lord Hastings that he much mislyked these two several councels.-Holinshed, from Sir T. More. Hast. [Within.] What is't o'clock? Enter HASTINGS. Hast. Cannot thy master sleep these tedious nights? Mess. So it should seem by that I have to say. First, he commends him to your noble lordship. Hast. And then, Mess. And then he sends you word, he dreamt To-night the boar had rased off his helm: 2 Besides, he says, there are two councils held; Which may make you and him to rue at the other. sure, If presently, you will take horse with him, And with all speed post with him toward the north, To shun the danger that his soul divines. Hast. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord; Bid him not fear the separated councils : 1 Every material circumstance in this scene is from Holinshed, except that it is a knight with whom Hastings converses instead of Buckingham. 2 This term, rased or rashed, is always given to describe the violence inflicted by a boar. Thus in King Lear, 4to. ed.:In his anointed flesh rash boarish fangs.' And in Warner's Albion's England, VII. c. 36: ha, cur avaunt, the bore so rase thy hide.' By the boar, throughout this scene, is meant Gloster, in allusion to his crest. His honour3, and myself, are at the one; Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance*: Enter CATESBY. Cate. Many good morrows to my noble lord! Hast. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring: What news, what news, in this our tottering state? Cate. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord; And, I believe, will never stand upright, Till Richard wear the garland of the realm. Hast. How! wear the garland? dost thou mean the crown? Cate. Ay, my good lord. Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from shoulders, Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac❜d. But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it? my 3 This was the usual address to noblemen in Shakspeare's time; it was indifferently used with your lordship. See any old letter or dedication of that age. 4 Instance is here put for motive, cause. Thus in Hamlet:The instances that second marriage move Are base respects of thrift, but none of love.' 5 Weak, silly. Cate. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you for ward Upon his party, for the gain thereof: And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,- The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret. Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelvemonth hence, That they, who brought me in my master's hate, Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older, Hast. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out Cate. The princes both make high account of you, For they account his head upon the bridge. [Aside. Hast. I know, they do; and I have well deserv'd it. Enter STANLEY. Come on, come on, where is your boar-spear, man? Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided? Stan. My lord, good morrow; and good morrow, Catesby: You may jest on, but, by the holy rood, yours; my life as dear as you do And never, in my life, I do protest, Was it more precious to me than 'tis now: Stan. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure, Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward! what, my lord? you.-Wot 8 To-day, the lords you talk of are beheaded. you Stan. They, for their truth, might better wear their heads, Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their hats. But come, my lord, let's away. Enter a Pursuivant. Hast. Go on before, I'll talk with this good fellow. [Exeunt STAN. and CATESBY. How now, sirrah? how goes the world with thee? Purs. The better, that your lordship please to ask. Hast. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now, Than when thou met'st me last where now we meet: Then I was going prisoner to the Tower, 6 Cross. 7 i. e. suspect it of danger. Thus in King Henry VI. Part III. :— -the bird With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush.' • Know. |