Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor; and John Court,

Confessor to him; with that devil-monk

Hopkins, that made this mischief.

2 Gen. That was he,

That fed him with his prophecies?

1 Gen. The same.

All these accus'd him strongly; which he fain

30

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 learnedly, for life; but all
Was either pitied in him, or forgotten.

2 Gen. After all this, how did he bear himself?
1 Gen. 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 :
But he fell to himself again, and, sweetly,
In all the rest shew'd a most noble patience.

2 Gen. I do not think he fears death.

1 Gen. Sure, he does not,

He never was so womanish; the cause

He may a little grieve at.

2 Gen. Certainly,

The cardinal is the end of this.

41

50

1 Gen.. 'Tis likely,

By all conjectures: First, Kildare's attainder,

Then deputy of Ireland; who remov'd,

Earl

Earl Surrey was sent hither, and in haste too,
Lest he should help his father.

2 Gen. That trick of state

Was a deep envious one.

1 Gen. 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.

2 Gen. All the commons

Hate him perniciously, and, o'ny conscience,
Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke ás much

60

They love and doat on; call him, bounteous Buck

ingham,

The mirror of all courtesy ;

1 Gen. 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 toward him; Halberds on each Side), accompanied with Sir THOMAS LOVEL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common People, &c.

2 Gen. Let's stand close, and behold him.

70

Buck. 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 receiv'd a traitor's judgment,

And by that name must die; Yet heaven bear wit

ness,

And,

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 Chris

tians:

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;

10

For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em.

80

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 lov'd

me,

And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,

His noble friends, and fellows, whom to leave

Is only bitter to him, only dying,

90

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.

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 Lovel, I as free forgive you,

As I would be forgiven: I forgive all;

There cannot be those numberless offences

100

'Gainst me, that I can't take peace with no black

Shall make my grave. --Commend me to his grace;
And, if he speak 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 me,
Shall cry for blessings on him: May he live
Longer than I have time to tell his years!
Ever belov'd, and loving, may his rule be!
And, when old time shall lead him to his end,
Goodness and he fill up one monument !

110

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 person.

Buck. Nay, Sir Nicholas,

Let it alone; my state now will but mock me.
When I came hither, I was lord high constable, 120
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 rais'd head against usurping Richard,
Flying for succour to his servant Banister,

Being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd,
And without trial fell; God's peace be with him!

Henry 130

Henry the seventh succeeding, truly pitying
My father's loss, like a most royal prince,
Restor'd 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 lov'd most;
A most unnatural and faithless service!

141

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 you; the last hour
Of my long weary life is come upon me.

Farewel:

151

And when you would say something that is sad, Speak how I fell.-I have done; and God forgive

me! [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM, and Train.

1 Gen. O, this is full of pity!--Sir, it calls, I fear, too many curses on thei Leads, That were the authors.