And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust; Pray Heaven, I say, I prove a needless coward! To-day, the lords you talk of are beheaded. Stan. They for their truth, might better wear their heads, Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their hats. But come, my lord, let's away. low. Enter a Pursuivant. Hast. Go on-before, I'll talk with this good fel[Exeunt STAN. and CATESBY. How now, sirrah? how goes the world with thee? Purs. The better, that your lordship please to ask. Hast. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now, Than when thou met'st me last where now we meet : Then was I going prisoner to the Tower, By the suggestion of the queen's allies; But now I tell thee, (keep it to thyself,) This day those enemies are put to death, And I in better state than ere I was. Purs. God hold it, to your honour's good con tent! Hast. Gramercy, fellow: There, drink that for [Throwing him his purse. Purs. I thank your honour. [Exit Pursuivant. me. Enter a Priest. Pr. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour. Hast. I thank thee, good sir John, with all my heart. s Know. I am in your debt for your last exercise; Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you. Enter BUCKINGHAM. Buck. What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain ? Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest; Your honour hath no shriving' work in hand. Hast. 'Good faith, and when I met this holy man, The men you talk of came into my mind. What, go you toward the Tower? Buck. I do, my lord; but long I cannot stay there: I shall return before your lordship thence. Hast. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there. Buck. And supper too, although thou know'st it not. Come, will you go? Hast. [Aside. Enter RATCLIFF, with a guard, conducting RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN, to Execution. Rat. Come, bring forth the prisoners. Riv. Sir Richard Ratcliff let me tell thee this, To-day, shalt thou behold a subject die, For truth, for duty, and for loyalty. Grey. God keep the prince from all the pack of you! Vaugh. You live, that shall cry woe for this here after. Rat. Despatch; the limit of your lives is out. Riv. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison, 6 Confession. Fatal and ominous to noble peers! Within the guilty closure of thy walls, Richard the second here was hack'd to death: When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I, Then curs'd she Richard: O, remember, God, Farewell, until we meet again in heaven. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. London. A Room in the Tower. BUCKINGHAM, STANLEY, HASTINGS, the Bishop of Ely, CATESBY, LOVEL, and Others, sitting at a Table: Officers of the Council attending. Hast. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met Is to determine of the coronation: In God's name, speak, when is the royal day? 7 Expiated, completed. Buck. Who knows the lord protector's mind herein? Who is most inward with the noble duke? Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. Buck. We know each other's faces: for our hearts, He knows no more of mine, than I of yours; Enter GLOSTER. Ely. In happy time, here comes the duke himself. row: I have been long a sleeper; but, I trust, His lordship knows me well, and loves me well. Ely. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart. [Exit ELY. Glo. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you. [Takes him aside. Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business; And finds the testy gentleman so hot, That he will lose his head, ere give consent, To-morrow, in my judgment, is too sudden; Re-enter Bishop of Ely. Ely. Where is my lord protector? I have sent For these strawberries. Hast. His grace looks cheerfully and smooth this morning; There's some conceit or other likes him well, Hast. Marry, that with no man here he is offended; For, were he, he had shown it in his looks. Re-enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM. Glo. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve, That do conspire my death with devilish plots Of damned witchcraft; and that have prevail'd Upon my body with their hellish charms? , Thought. |