And not to kiss you."-A health, gentlemen, Let it go round. Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I'the privy chamber? Lov. Wol. Yes, my lord. Your grace, I fear, with dancing is a little heated. K. Hen. I fear, too much. Wol. In the next chamber. There's fresher air, my lord, K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, every one.-Sweet partner, I must not yet forsake you :-Let's be merry ;Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen healths To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure To lead them once again; and then let's dream Who's best in favour.-Let the musick knock it. [Exeunt, with Trumpets. I'll save you Even to the hall, to hear what shall become Of the great duke of Buckingham. 1 Gent. That labour, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony Of bringing back the prisoner. "I were unmannerly, to take you out, And not to kiss you.] A kiss was anciently the established fee of a lady's partner. 2 Gent. Were you there? 1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gent. 1 Pray, speak, what has happen'd? Gent. You may guess quickly what. 2 Gent. Is he found guilty? 1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon it. 2 Gent. I am sorry for't, 1 Gent. So are a number more. 2 Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it ? At which appear'd against him, his surveyor; 2 Gent. That fed him with his prophecies? 1 Gent. That was he, The same. All these accus'd him strongly; which he fain Would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not: And so his peers, upon this evidence, Much 2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear him self? 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar,-to hear His knell rung out, his judgment,--he was stirr'd With such an agony, he sweat extremely, And something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty : Sure, he does not, He never was so womanish; the cause He may a little grieve at. 2 Gent. The cardinal is the end of this. 1 Gent. Certainly, "Tis likely, By all conjectures: First, Kildare's attainder, Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too, 2 Gent. Was a deep envious one. 1 Gent. That trick of state At his return, No doubt, he will requite it. This is noted, All the commons 2 Gent. Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much They love and dote on; call him, bounteous Buck ingham, The mirror of all courtesy ; 1 Gent. Stay there, sir, And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his Arraignment; Tipstaves before him; the Axe with the Edge towards him; Halberds on each Side; with him, Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common People. 2 Gent. Let's stand close, and behold him. Buck. All good people, You that thus far have come to pity me, Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me. And by that name must die; Yet, heaven bear wit ness, And, if I have a conscience, let it sink mc, Be what they will, I heartily forgive them: Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies me, And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, His noble friends, and fellows, whom to leave Go with me, like good angels, to my end; And lift my soul to heaven.-Lead on, o'God's name. Lov. I do beseech your grace, for charity, If ever any malice in your heart Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. Buck. Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you, As I would be forgiven: I forgive all; There cannot be those numberless offences 'Gainst me, I can't take peace with no black envy Shall make my grave.-Commend me to his grace; no black envy Shall make my grave.] Shakspeare, by this expression, meant And, if he speak of Buckingham, pray, tell him, Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace; Then give my charge up to sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end. Vaux. Prepare there, The duke is coming; see, the barge be ready; And fit it with such furniture, as suits The greatness of his Buck. person. Nay, sir Nicholas, Let it alone; my state now will but mock me. Yet I am richer than my base accusers, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; And with that blood will make them one day groan for't. My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, no more than to make the Duke say, No action expressive of malice shall conclude my life. The sense will then be, (whether quaintly or poetically expressed, let the reader determine) no malicious action shall close my grave, i. e. attend the conclusion of my existence, or terminate my life; the last action of it shall not be uncharitable. STEEVENS. |