[K. Edward.] But were it not recorded, 'tis a truth

That ought, methinks, to live from age to age,

Even to the general, all-ending day. [Gloster in an under tone, as aside.] So wise so young, they

[say, do ne'er live long. [K. Edward.] What say you, uncle? [Gloster.] This say I, royal cousin,

Though wanting characters, yet fame lives long.
-But, see another train this way approaches;
It is the cardinal return'd; and with him
Comes, in good time, your brother's

grace

of York.

[a pause.] [K. Edw.] Richard of York! how fares our dearest brother? [D. of York.] O my dear lord, -and king: so you are now. [K. Edward.] Ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours :

Too soon he died, who might have better worn

That title, which in me will lose its majesty. [Gloster.] How fares our gentle cousin, lord of York? [D. of York.] I thank you, gentle uncle. O my lord,

You said that idle weeds are fast in growth;

The king my brother hath outgrown me far. [Gloster.] He hath, my lord. [D. of York.] And therefore is he idle ? [Gloster.] O pretty cousin, I inust not say so. [D. of York.] Nay, uncle', I don't believe the saying's true;

For if it were, you'd be an idle weed. [Gloster.] How so, cousin ? [D. of York.] Because I 've heard folks say, you grew so fast,

Your teeth would gnaw a crust at two hours old :

Now 'twas two years ere I could get a tooth. [Gloster in an under tone as aside.] Indeed! I find the brat

[is taught his lesson. (Loud.] Who told thee this, my pretty, merry cousin ?

[D. of York.] Why, your nurse, uncle. [Glost.] My nurse ? why, she was dead 'fore thou wast born. [D. of York.] If 'twas not she, I cannot tell who told me. [Gloster in an under tone.] So subtle, 100 ?—'tis pity thou’rt

[short-liv’d. [K. Edward.] Uncle, my brother will be cross in talk. [Gloster.] Oh, do not fear, my lord: we shall not quarrel. [K. Edward.] I hope your grace knows how to bear with him. [D. of York.] You mean to bear me, not bear with me:

Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me;
Because that I am little like an ape,

He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulder. [K. Edward.] Fie, brother! I have no such meaning: fie!

Uncle, will you direct our present course ? [Gloster.] My lord, will it please you pass with these along ?

Myself, and my good cousin here of Buckingham,
Will to your mother, to entreat of her

To meet and bid you welcome at the Tower. [calls.] Lead on, in front! [lower.] What says my little

-He shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower?- [cousin ?

What should you fear, my pretty lord of York ? [D. of York.] My uncle Clarence' ghost: for I've been told

-Grandmother told me so that he was kill'd there. [K. Edward.] I fear no uncles dead : but come, my lords;

If so it must be, let us to the Tower. The several groups pass on, leaving Gloster, Buckingham, and one Sir William Catesby, a lawyer, behind : Buckingham speaks : [Buckingham.] Think you, my lord, this little prating York

Was not instructed by his subtle mother
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?

[Gloster.] No doubt, no doubt: oh, 'tis a shrewd young

Stubborn, bold, quick, forward, and capable; (master,
He i’s all the mother from the top to toe : i
But let them rest :-go, speak with Catesby there :
I have detain’d him for our purposes.

[sworn [Buckingham.] I will, my lord :-now, Catesby, thou art

As deeply to effect what we intend,
As closely to conceal what we impart.-
Thou know'st our reasons urg'd upon the

way;
What think'st thou ?—is it not an easy matter
To make lord Hastings join with us in mind,

In seating this great duke upon the throne ? [Catesby.] I fear, my lord, that he will not be won. [Buckingham.] Yet go : and, as it were far off, sound HastIf thou dost find him tractable to us,

[ings;
Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons :
If he be leaden, icy, cold, unwilling,
Be thou so too, and so break off the talk,
And give us notice of his inclination :
For we to-morrow hold divided councils,

Wherein thyself shall highly be employ'd. [Gloster, as from some little distance.] Commend me to lord

[William: tell him, Catesby,
His ancient knot of dangerous enemies,
Rivers, and Grey, and Vaughan,
To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret castle ;
And bid my friend, for joy of this good news,
Give gentle mistress Shore one kiss the more.

Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep? [Catesby.] You shall, my lord. [Gloster.] At Crosby place—you know where you shall find He's

now, my lord of Buckingham.- [us : [Buckingham.] What shall we do, my lord, if we perceive

Lord Hastings will not yield to our designs ?

gone : And

[Gloster.] Chop off his head, man: something we will do.

Cousin of Buckingham, let ’s lose no time :
The mayo'r and citizens returning hence,
Have reach'd Guildhall. Thither I'd have you haste,
And at your meetest vantage of the time,
Improve those hints I gave you late to speak of;
But, above all, infer the bastardy

Of Edward's children.
[Buckingham.] I fly, my lord, to serve you.

I
[Gloster.] To serve yourself, my cousin :

For look, when I am king, claim thou of me
The earldom of Hereford, and the movables

Whereof the king my brother was possess’d. [Buckingham.] I shall remember that your grace was boun

[tiful. [Gloster.] Return, that we may sup betimes; and then

Digest our busi’ness for to-morrow morning. Suppose the morrow arrived, and that we have before us the council-chamber at an earlier moment than the members have generally entered or taken their seats. Hastings is one of the earliest ; and, as we may imagine, begins a conversation with Catesby : [Hastings.] Didst thou not tell me, Catesby, yesterday,

That, on this very day, my enemies,

The kindred of the queen, should die at Pomfret ?
[Catesby.] Ay, my lord.
[Hastings.] Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,

Because they have been still mine enemies :
But for that other matter you suggested,
Touching my voice for changing the succession,
And so to bar the heirs in true descent,

Heaven knows I will not do it, to the death. [Catesby. Heaven keep your lordship in that gracious

[Hastings.) But I shall laugh at this a twelvemonth hence,

That—they who brought king Edward's frown upon
I live to look upon their tragedy.

[meWell, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older,

I'll send some packing that yet think not of it. [Catesby.] 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,

When men are unprepar'd, and look not for it. [Hastings.] Oh, monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out

With Rivers, Vaughan, and Grey: and so 'twill do
With some men else, who think themselves as safe
As thou and I. But here lord Stanley comes :
It seems, my good lord Stanley, that you fear
These separated councils : Fear you not.
My lord protector is to be at this,
And Catesby, my good friend, goes to the other,
Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us
Whereof I shall not have intelligence :
Think

you

but that I know our state secure, I should be so triumphant as I am ?

Catesby, farewell : for we must take our seats.
Among the councillors present, beside Hastings and
Stanley, are Buckingham, the bishop of Ely, and lord
Lovel : Hastings, having taken his place, continues speak-
ing :

Now, noble peers, the cause that we are met,
Is the approaching coronation :
In heaven's name, speak, when is the royal day?

Buckingham speaks : [Buckingham.] Who knows the lord protector's mind herein? Who is most intimate, and has his counsels ?

The bishop of Ely answers : [Ely.) Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. [Buckingham.] We know each other's faces : as for hearts,

He knows no more of mine, than I of yours;