[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

[K. Edward.] What say you, uncle?

[Gloster.] This say I, royal cousin,

[say, do ne'er live long.

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 must 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, too?-'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 i't 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 :

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,

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.

[ings;

[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 gone:-And now, my lord of Buckingham- [us:

[Buckingham.] What shall we do, my lord, if we perceive Lord Hastings will not yield to our designs?

[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.

[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 business 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.

Well, 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.

:

[me

[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 speaking:

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;