As they were living; think you see them great, ACT I. SCENE I. London. An Antechamber in the Palace. Enter the DUKE of NORFOLK, at one door; at the other, the DUKE of BUCKINGHAM, and the Lord ABERGAVENNY.1 Buckingham. GOOD morrow, and well met. How have you done, Since last we saw in France? Nor. I thank your grace; Buck. An untimely ague Stayed me a prisoner in my chamber, when Nor. 3 'Twixt Guynes and Arde: 2 I was then present, saw them salute on horseback; Such a compounded one? 1 George Nevill, who married Mary, daughter of Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham. 2 Guynes then belonged to the English, and Arde (Ardres) to the French; they are towns of Picardy. The valley where Henry VIII. and Francis I. met lies between them. 3 As for as if. Buck. I was my chamber's prisoner. All the whole time Then you lost Nor. As When these suns (For so they phrase them) by their heralds challenged The noble spirits to arms, they did perform Beyond thought's compass; that former fabulous story, Being now seen possible enough, got credit, That Bevis2 was believed. O, you go far. Buck. Which action's self was tongue to. All was royal; Order gave each thing view; the office did Buck. 1 i. e. glittering, shining. Who did guide, 2 The old romantic legend of Bevis of Hampton. I mean, who set the body and the limbs Buck. I pray you, who, my lord? Nor. All this was ordered by the good discretion Of the right reverend cardinal of York. Buck. The devil speed him! No man's pie is freed From his ambitious finger. What had he To do in these fierce 2 vanities? I wonder Surely, sir, Nor. Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note, Aber. I cannot tell What Heaven hath given him; let some graver eye Peep through each part of him. Whence has he that? Or has given all before, and he begins A new hell in himself. Buck. Why the devil, Upon this French going-out, took he upon him, Without the privity o' the king, to appoint Who should attend on him? He makes up the file1 1 No initiation, no previous practice. 2 Fierce is here used, like the French fier, for proud. 3 A round lump of fat. The prince calls Falstaff tallow-keech in the First Part of King Henry IV. It has been thought that there was some allusion here to the cardinal, being reputed the son of a butcher. 4 List. Of all the gentry; for the most part such, Aber. I do know Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have Buck. O, many Have broke their backs with laying manors on them Grievingly I think, The peace between the French and us not values Buck. Nor. Which is budded out; For France hath flawed the league, and hath attached Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux. Aber. The ambassador is silenced ?3 Nor. Is it therefore Marry, is't. Aber. A proper title of a peace, and purchased At a superfluous rate! Buck. Why, all this business Our reverend cardinal carried. 1 He papers, a verb; i. e. his own letter, by his own single authority, and without the concurrence of the council, must fetch him in whom he papers down. 2 Monday the xviii of June was such an hideous storme of winde and weather, that many conjectured it did prognosticate trouble and hatred shortly after to follow between princes."-Holinshed. The French ambassador, being refused an audience, may be said to be silenced. Nor. 'Like it your grace, The state takes notice of the private difference Betwixt you and the cardinal. (And take it from a heart that wishes towards you What his high hatred would effect, wants not You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that rock, Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, (the purse borne before him,) certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries with papers. The CARDINAL, in his passage, fixeth his eye on BUCKINGHAM, and BUCKINGHAM on him, both full of disdain. Wol. The duke of Buckingham's surveyor? ha? Where's his examination? 1 Secr. Here, so please you. Wol. Is he in person ready? 1 Secr. Ay, please your grace. Wol. Well, we shall then know more; and Buck ingham Shall lessen this big look. [Exeunt WOLSEY and Train. Buck. This butcher's cur is venom-mouthed, and I Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore, best Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book Nor. What, are you chafed? Ask God for temperance; that's the appliance only, Which your disease requires. 1 That is, the literary qualifications of a bookish beggar are more prized than the high descent of hereditary greatness. |