I have no further gone in this than by A single voice, and that not pass'd me but By learned approbation of the judges. If I am Traduc'd by ignorant tongues, which neither know My faculties nor person, yet will be The chronicles of my doing, let me say 'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake That virtue must go through. We must not stint Our necessary actions, in the fear To cope malicious censurers; which ever, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; We must not rend our subjects from our laws, Wol. To the Secretary. A word with you. Let there be letters writ to every shire, Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd commons Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd That through our intercession this revokement And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you Enter Surveyor. Exit Secretary. Q. Kath. I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham Is run in your displeasure. It grieves many : K. Hen. As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear, Things to strike honour sad. Bid him recount The fore-recited practices; whereof We cannot feel too little, hear too much. Wol. Stand forth; and with bold spirit relate what you, Most like a careful subject, have collected Out of the Duke of Buckingham. K. Hen. Speak freely. Surv. First, it was usual with him, every day It would infect his speech, that if the king 6 Should without issue die, he'll carry it so To make the sceptre his. These very words Lord Abergavenny, to whom by oath he menac'd Wol. Please your highness, note This dangerous conception in this point. Q. Kath. Deliver all with charity. K. Hen. My learn'd lord cardinal, Speak on: How grounded he his title to the crown Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him At any time speak aught? Surv. He was brought to this Sir, a Chartreux friar, By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins. Surv. His confessor, who fed him every minute With words of sovereignty. K. Hen. How know'st thou this? Surv. Not long before your highness sped to France, Whom after under the confession's seal He solemnly had sworn, that what he spoke To me should utter, with demure confidence This pausingly ensu'd: Neither the king nor's heirs, If I know you well, Q. Kath. K. Hen. Go forward. Surv. Let him on. On my soul, I'll speak but truth. I told my lord the duke, by the devil's illusions The monk might be deceiv'd; and that 'twas dangerous for him To ruminate on this so far, until It forg'd him some design, which, being believ'd, After your highness had reprov'd the duke About Sir William Blomer, — K. Hen. I remember Of such a time: being my sworn servant, The duke retain'd him his. But on; what hence? Surv. If,' quoth he, 'I for this had been committed, As, to the Tower, I thought, I would have play'd The part my father meant to act upon The usurper Richard; who, being at Salisbury, Made suit to come in 's presence; which if granted, As he made semblance of his duty, would Have put his knife into him.' K. Hen. A giant traitor! Wol. Now, madam, may his highness live in freedom, And this man out of prison? Q. Kath. God mend all! K. Hen. There's something more would out of thee; what say'st? Surv. After the duke his father,' with 'the knife,' His father by as much as a performance K. Hen. To sheathe his knife in us. There's his period; He is attach'd; Call him to present trial: if he may Find mercy in the law, 'tis his; if none, Let him not seek 't of us by day and night! Exeunt. SCENE III.-A Room in the Palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain and Lord SANDS. Cham. Is 't possible the spells of France should juggle Men into such strange mysteries? |