My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Who first rais'd head against usurping Richard, And, must needs say, a noble one; which makes me Fell by our servants, by those men we lov'd most; Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me, And give your hearts to, when they once perceive Like water from ye, never found again But where they mean to sink ye. All good people, Pray for me! I must now forsake ye; the last hour Of my long weary life is come upon me. 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, "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. I do not talk much. 2 Gent. Let me have it; I am confident; You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear A buzzing, of a separation Between the king and Katharine ? Yes, but it held not : 1 Gent. 2 Gent. But that slander, sir, 6 Great fidelity. 1 Gent. 'Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor, 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; SCENE II. 'Tis woful. An Ante-chamber in the Palace. [Exeunt. 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 Suf. How is the king employ'd? Full of sad thoughts and troubles. Nor. I left him private, What's the cause ? Cham. It seems, the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suf. Has crept too near another lady. No, his conscience "Tis so; Nor. This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal : That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he lists. The king will know him one day. Suf. Pray God, he do! he'll never know himself else. Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! For, now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great ne phew, He dives into the king's soul; and there scatters Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel! "Tis most true, These news are every where; 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. Nor. We had need And free us from his slavery. pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all Suf. If the king please; his curses and his blessings. Nor. Let's in; And, with some other business, put the king him : My lord, you'll bear us company? Excuse me; Cham. 7 High or low. |