1 Gent.
All's now done, but the ceremony of bringing back the prisoner.

2 Gent.
Were you there?

1 Gent.
Yes, indeed, was I.

2 Gent.
Pray speak, what has happened?

1 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.
The cardinal is at the end of this.

1 Gent.
Stay there, sir,
And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of.

2 Gent.
Let's stand close, and behold him. Enter Buckingham, from his arraignment.(1)8Q0036 R.U.E. Two Tip-staves before him; the axe, with the edge towards him and Guard; with him, Sir Thos. Lovell, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir William Sands. The Duke's Barge discovered with four rowers, at the foot of the steps leading to the water.

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 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;
It has done, upon the premises, but justice:
But those that sought it I could wish more christians:
Be what they will, I heartily forgive them:
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,
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.

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:
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!

Lov.
To th' 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,* ^note
And Duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun;† ^note
Yet I am richer than my base accusers,
That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it.
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 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;
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 Heaven forgive me! [Exit Buckingham, guarded, into Barge, which slowly moves off, L. H. The crowd pass off. R. H., as the scene changes.

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