The Illustrated Works of Shakespeare/Illustrated Works of Shakespeare, The (1990)(Animated Pixels)[!][CDTV-PC].iso/shakes/text/15/02_01

Text File | 1991-04-10 | 9KB | 250 lines

Westminster. A Street.
 Enter two GENTLEMEN at several doors.

1st Gentleman    Whither away so fast?

2nd Gentleman                            O, God save ye!
    E'en to the hall, to hear what shall become
    Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

1st Gentleman                                    I'll save you
    That labour sir. All's now done but the ceremony
    Of bringing back the prisoner.

2nd Gentleman                                Were you there?

1st Gentleman    Yes, indeed was I.

2nd Gentleman                        Pray speak what has happened.

1st Gentleman    You may guess quickly what.

2nd Gentleman                                Is he found guilty?

1st Gentleman    Yes, truly is he, and condemned upon't.

2nd Gentleman    I am sorry for't.

1st Gentleman                        So are a number more.

2nd Gentleman    But pray, how passed it?

1st Gentleman    I'll tell you in a little. The great duke
    Came to the bar; where, to his accusations
    He pleaded still not guilty, and allegd
    Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
    The king's attorney on the contrary
    Urged on the examinations, proofs, confessions
    Of divers witnesses, which the duke desired
    To have brought, viva voce, to his face;
    At which appeared against him his surveyor,
    Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor, and John Car,
    Confessor to him, with that devil monk,
    Hopkins, that made this mischief.

2nd Gentleman                                    That was he
    That fed him with his prophecies.

1st Gentleman                                    The same.
    All these accused him strongly, which he fain
    Would have flung from him; but, indeed he could not,
    And so his peers, upon this evidence,
    Have found him guilty of high treason. Much
    He spoke, and learndly, for life; but all
    Was either pitied in him or forgotten.

2nd Gentleman    After all this, how did he bear himself?

1st Gentleman    When he was brought again to th' bar to hear
    His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirred
    With such an agony, he sweat extremely,
    And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty;
    But he fell to himself again, and sweetly
    In all the rest showed a most noble patience.

2nd Gentleman    I do not think he fears death.

1st Gentleman                                    Sure he does not;
    He never was so womanish; the cause
    He may a little grieve at.

2nd Gentleman                                Certainly
    The cardinal is the end of this.

1st Gentleman                                    'Tis likely
    By all conjectures: first, Kildare's attainder,
    Then deputy of Ireland, who, removed,
    Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,
    Lest he should help his father.

2nd Gentleman                                That trick of state
    Was a deep envious one.

1st Gentleman                            At his return,
    No doubt he will requite it; this is noted,
    And generally, whoever the king favours,
    The cardinal instantly will find employment,
    And far enough from court too.

2nd Gentleman                                All the commons
    Hate him perniciously, and o'my conscience,
    Wish him ten fathom deep. This duke as much
    They love and dote on; call him bounteous Buckingham,
    The mirror of all courtesy-

1st Gentleman                                Stay there, sir,
    And see the noble ruined man you speak of.

 Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment, TIPSTAVES before him, the axe
            with the edge towards him, HALBERDS on each side;
          accompanied with SIR THOMAS LOVELL, SIR NICHOLAS VAUX,
                 SIR WALTER SANDS, and COMMON PEOPLE &c.

2nd Gentleman    Let's stand close, and behold him.
                                            [GENTLEMEN stand apart.

Buckingham                                    All good people,
    You that thus far have come to pity me,
    Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.
    I have this day received a traitor's judgment,
    And by that name must die; yet, heaven bear witness,
    And if I have a conscience, let it sink me,
    Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful.
    The law I bear no malice for my death,
    'T has done upon the premises but justice;
    But those that sought it I could wish more Christians:
    Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em;
    Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief,
    Nor build their evils on the graves of great men,
    For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em.
    For further life in this world I ne'er hope,
    Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies
    More than I dare make faults. You few that loved me,
    And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,
    His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave
    Is only bitter to him, only dying,
    Go with me, like good angels, to my end,
    And as the long divorce of steel falls on me,
    Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice,
    And lift my soul to heaven. Lead on, o'God's name.

Lovell    I do beseech your grace, for charity,
    If ever any malice in your heart
    Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.

Buckingham    Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you
    As I would be forgiven. I forgive all.
    There cannot be those numberless offences
    'Gainst me that I cannot take peace with: no black envy
    Shall make my grave. Commend me to his grace,
    And if he speaks of Buckingham, pray tell him
    You met him half in heaven. My vows and prayers
    Yet are the king's, and, till my soul forsake,
    Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live
    Longer than I have time to tell his years!
    Ever beloved and loving may his rule be,
    And when old time shall lead him to his end,
    Goodness and he fill up one monument!

Lovell    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 person.

Buckingham                                Nay, Sir Nicholas,
    Let it alone; my state now will but mock me.
    When I came hither I was Lord High Constable
    And Duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun;
    Yet I am richer than my base accusers,
    That never knew what truth meant. I now seal it,
    And with that blood will make 'em one day groan for't.
    My noble father Henry of Buckingham,
    Who first raised head against usurping Richard,
    Flying for succour to his servant Banister,
    Being distressed, was by that wretch betrayed,
    And without trial fell: God's peace be with him!
    Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying
    My father's loss, like a most royal prince,
    Restored me to my honours, and out of ruins
    Made my name once more noble. Now his son,
    Henry the Eighth, life, honour, name, and all
    That made me happy, at one stroke has taken
    For ever from the world. I had my trial,
    And must needs say, a noble one; which makes me
    A little happier than my wretched father;
    Yet thus far we are one in fortunes; both
    Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most:
    A most unnatural and faithless service!
    Heaven has an end in all; yet, you that hear me,
    This from a dying man receive as certain:
    Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels,
    Be sure you be not loose; for those you make friends
    And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
    The least rub in your fortunes, fall away
    Like water from ye, never found again
    But where they mean to sink ye. All good people,
    Pray for me; I must now forsake ye; the last hour
    Of my long weary life is come upon me.
    Farewell;
    And when you would say something that is sad,
    Speak how I fell. I have done, and God forgive me!
                                    [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and TRAIN.

1st Gentleman    [Advancing with 2nd GENTLEMAN.]
    O, this is full of pity! Sir, it calls,
    I fear, too many curses on their heads
    That were the authors.

2nd Gentleman                            If the duke be guiltless,
    'Tis full of woe; yet I can give you inkling
    Of an ensuing evil, if it fall,
    Greater than this.

1st Gentleman                        Good angels keep it from us!
    What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir?

2nd Gentleman    This secret is so weighty, 'twill require
    A strong faith to conceal it.

1st Gentleman                                    Let me have it;
    I do not talk much.

2nd Gentleman                        I am confident;
    You shall, sir. Did you not of late days hear
    A buzzing of a separation
    Between the king and Katharine?

1st Gentleman                                Yes, but it held not;
    For when the king once heard it, out of anger
    He sent command to the lord mayor straight
    To stop the rumour, and allay those tongues
    That durst disperse it.

2nd Gentleman                            But that slander, sir,
    Is found a truth now; for it grows again
    Fresher than e'er it was, and held for certain
    The king will venture at it. Either the cardinal,
    Or some about him near, have, out of malice
    To the good queen, possessed him with a scruple
    That will undo her. To confirm this too,
    Cardinal Campeius is arrived, and lately,
    As all think, for this business.

1st Gentleman                                    'Tis the cardinal;
    And merely to revenge him on the emperor
    For not bestowing on him, at his asking,
    The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purposed.

2nd Gentleman    I think you have hit the mark; but is't not cruel
    That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal
    Will have his will, and she must fall.

1st Gentleman                                    'Tis woeful.
    We are too open here to argue this;
    Let's think in private more.
                                            [Exeunt.