visit Francis. The field of the cloth of gold, in the summer of 1520, at which Henry met Francis in person, and where tournaments were held for many successive days with unexampled magnificence, is the fact which ushers us to the opening of the last of Shakspeare's Chronicle Plays. THE COURT OF HENRY VIII. IN WOLSEY'S PLENITUDE OF POWER; HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. Shaks Edward duke of Buckingham was executed in 1521. He inherited the office of lord high constable from the Bohuns, earls of Hereford, which office, after his death, was never revived in England. peare makes him wrongly call himself Bohun:—he was a Stafford. Henry's scruples concerning his marriage were seriously taken up in 1527, at the same period that the beauty of Anne Boleyn made an impression on him. Wolsey, unaware of this attachment, promoted the divorce as a means of seconding his own policy, one point of which was, the marrying of Henry to the sister of Francis I. We are to imagine the dukes of Norfolk and Buckingham meeting in an ante-chamber in the palace. Buckingham is the first speaker. [Bucking.] Good morrow, and well met. How have you done Since last we saw in France? [Norfolk] I thank your grace: Healthful, and an untir'd admirer still [Buckingham.] An untimely ague Stay'd me a priso'ner in my chamber, when [Norfolk.] Nay, then, you lost Each following day outshone the last. The kings, [Buckingham.] Who was it set the body and the limbs [Buckingham.] 'Pray you, who, my lord? [Norfolk.] All this was order'd by the good discretion Of the right reverend cardinal of York. [Buckingham.] The devil speed him! no man's pie is freed Without the privity o' the king, to 'appoint [Norfolk.] The state, my lord, takes notice of the difference Cardinal Wolsey in state passes through the chamber, fixing his eye with disdain on Buckingham, and Buckingham on him: he asks aloud of one of his secretaries, whether the examination of the duke of Buckingham's surveyor is put into writing, and whether the surveyor is ready to attend in person: being answered affirmatively, he moves on, saying— [Wolsey.] Well, we shall soon know more; and Buckingham Shall lessen this big look. [a pause.] [Buckingham.] This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd, and I Have no't the power to muzzle him: at this instant He bores me with some trick: he's gone to the king: I'll follow, and outstare him. [Norfolk.] Stay, my lord, And let your reason question with your anger, [Buckingham.] I'll to the king, And, from a mouth of honour, quite cry down [Norfolk.] Be' advis'd: Heat not a furnace for yourself so hot I say again, there is no English soul That's stronger to direct you than yourself, [Buckingham.] Sir, I a'm thankful to you, and I'll go along By your prescription ;-but this top-proud fellow, [Norfolk.] Say not treasonous. [this cardinal [Buckingham.] To' the king I'll say 't. Doth buy and sell his honour as he And for his own advantage. I'll let him know pleases, Brandon here enters with a serjeant at arms and a guard, and addresses the last speaker. [Brandon.] My lord the duke of Buckingham, and earl Arrest thee of high treason, in the name [Buckingham.] Lo! you, my lord, The net has fallen upon me: I shall perish Which makes my whitest part black: the will of heaven [Brandon.] My lord, you do not go alone. _The king [Buckingham.] So, so; These are the limbs of' the plot: no more, I hope? [Brandon.] A monk of' the Chartreux. [Buckingham.] Oh, Nicholas Hopkins? [Brandon.] He. [Buckingham.] My súrveyor is false: the o'ergreat cardinal Hath shown him gold: my life is spann'd already: I am the shadow of poor Buckingham : My lord, farewell! : We are to imagine a short interval of time, and a change of place to a street in the approach to Westminster Hall: two gentlemen meet each other, and enter into conversation. [First Gent.] Whither away so fast? [Second Gent.] Oh,-heaven save you! Even to the hall, to hear what shall become [First Gent.] I'll save you That labour, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony [Second Gent.] What has happen'd? [First Gent.] He is found guilty, and condemn'd upon it. [Second Gent.] I am sorry for 't. [First Gent.] So are a number more. [Second Gent.] The cardi'nal is the end of this. [First Gent.] 'Tis likely : For mark you this, that on Kildare's attainder, Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too, [Second Gent.] This is noted,-whoever the king favours, [First Gent.] Stay your farther talk, And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Buckingham is brought in from his arraignment: the axe, with the edge towards him, is carried in front; and men with halberds are on each side of him: Sir Thomas Lovell and Sir Nicholas Vaux are the persons who have the conduct of him to the Tower: a multitude of people must enter into the picture which the imagination has to form: Buckingham speaks: [Buckingham.] All good people, You that thus far have come to pity me, |