Buckingham.
Good morrow, and well met. How have you done,
Since last we saw in France?

Nor.
I thank your Grace:
Healthful, and ever since a fresh admirer
Of what I saw there.

Buck.
An untimely ague
Staid me a prisoner in my chamber, when
Those suns of glory, those two lights of men,
Met in the vale of Arde.

Nor.
'Twixt Guynes and Arde:
I was then present, saw 'em salute on horse-back,

Beheld them when they lighted, how they clung
In their embracement, as they grew together;
Which had they, what four thron'd ones could have weigh'd
Such a compounded one?

Buck.
All the whole time,
I was my chamber's prisoner.

Nor.
Then you lost
The view of earthly glory: men might say,
^{1 note}
'Till this time Pomp was single, but now marry'd
To one above itself. Each following day
Became the next day's master, 'till the last
^{2 note}Made former wonders, it's. To day the French,
All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,
Shone down the English; and to morrow they
Made Britain, India: every man that stood,
Shew'd like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were
As Cherubins, all gilt; the Madams too,
Not us'd to toil, did almost sweat to bear
The pride upon them; ^{3 note}
that their very labour
Was to them as a painting. Now this mask
Was cry'd, incomparable; and th' ensuing night
Made it a fool and beggar. The two Kings,
Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst,
As presence did present them; him in eye,

Still him in praise; and being present both,
'Twas said, they saw but one; and no discerner
^{4 note}Durst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns
(For so they phrase 'em) by their heralds challeng'd
The noble spirits to arms, they did perform
Beyond thought's compass; that old fabulous story
(Being now seen possible enough) got credit;
That ^{5 note}Bevis was believ'd.

Buck.
Oh, you go far.

Nor.
As I belong to worship, and affect
In honour, honesty; the tract of every thing
Would by a good discourser lose some life,
Which Action's self was tongue to. ^{6 note}All was royal;
To the disposing of it nought rebell'd;
Order gave each thing view; The office did
Distinctly his full function.

Buck.
Who did guide,
I mean, who set the body and the limbs
Of this great sport together, as you guess?

Nor.
One, sure, ^{7 note}that promises no element
In such a business.

Buck.
Pray you, who, my lord?

Nor.
All this was order'd by the good discretion
Of the right rev'rend Cardinal of York.

Buck.
The devil speed him! no man's pye is freed
From his ambitious finger. What had he
To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder,
^{8 note}That such a ketch can with his very bulk

Take up the rays o'th' beneficial sun,
And keep it from the earth.

Nor.
Yet, surely, Sir,
There's in him stuff that puts him to these ends.
For being not propt by ancestry, whose grace
Chalks successors their way; nor call'd upon
For high feats done to th' Crown; neither ally'd
To eminent assistants; but spider-like
Out of his self-drawn web;—this gives us note,
The force of his own merit makes his way;
^{9 note}


A gift that heaven gives; which buys for him
A place next to the King.

Aber.
I cannot tell
What heav'n hath giv'n him; let some graver eye
Pierce into that: but I can see his pride
Peep through each part of him; ^{1 note}
whence has he that?
If not from hell, the devil is a niggard,
Or has given all before; and he begins
A new hell in himself.

Buck.
Why the devil,
Upon this French Going out, took he upon him,
Without the privity o'th' King, t'appoint
Who should attend him? he makes up the file
Of all the gentry: for the most part such,
To whom as great a charge as little honour
He meant to lay upon: And his own letter
(The honourable board of council out)

^{2 note}Must fetch in him he papers.

Aber.
I do know
Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have
By this so sicken'd their estates, that never
They shall abound as formerly.

Buck.
O, many
Have broke their backs with laying mannors on 'em
For this great journey. What did this vanity
But minister communication of
A most poor issue?

Nor.
Grievingly, I think,
The peace between the French and us not values
The cost, that did conclude it.

Buck.
^{3 note}
Every man,
After the hideous storm that follow'd, was
A thing inspir'd; and not consulting, broke
Into a general prophesie, that this tempest,
Dashing the garment of this peace, aboaded
The sudden breach on't.

Nor.
Which is budded out:
For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'd
Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux.

Aber.
Is it therefore
^{4 note}Th' ambassador is silenc'd?

Nor.
Marry, is't.

Aber.
A proper title of a peace, and purchas'd
At a superfluous rate!

Buck.
Why, all this business
Our rev'rend Cardinal carried.

Nor.
Like it your Grace,
The state takes notice of the private difference
Betwixt you and the Cardinal. I advise you,
(And take it from a heart, that wishes tow'rds you
^{5 note}Honour and plenteous safety;) that you read
The Cardinal's malice and his potency
Together: to consider further, that
What his high hatred would effect, wants not
A minister in his pow'r. You know his nature,
That he's revengeful; and, I know, his sword
Hath a sharp edge: it's long, and,'t may be said,
It reaches far; and where 'twill not extend,
Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel,
You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that rock,
That I advise your shunning. SCENE II. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, the purse borne before him, certain of the guard, and two secretaries with Papers; the Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on Buckingham, and Buckingham on him, both full of disdain.

Wol.
The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor? ha?
Where's his examination?

Secr.
Here, so please you.

Wol.
Is he in person ready?

Secr.
Ay, an't please your Grace.

Wol.
Well, we shall then know more;

And Buckingham shall lessen this big look. [Exeunt Cardinal and his train.

Buck.
This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd, and I
Have not the pow'r to muzzle him; therefore best
Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book
Out-worths a noble's blood.

Nor.
What, are you chaf'd?
Ask God for temp'rance; that's th'appliance only,
Which your disease requires.

Buck.
I read in's looks
Matter against me, and his eye revil'd
Me as his abject object; at this instant
He bores me with some trick, he's gone to th' King:
I'll follow and out-stare him.

Nor.
Stay, my lord;
And let your reason with your choler question
What 'tis you go about. To climb steep hills,
Requires slow pace at first. Anger is like
A full-hot horse, who being allow'd his way,
Self-mettle tires him: not a man in England
Can advise me, like you: be to yourself,
As you would to your friend.

Buck.
I'll to the King,
And from a mouth of honour quite cry down
This Ipswich fellow's insolence; or proclaim,
There's diff'rence in no persons.

Nor.
Be advis'd;
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot,
That it do singe yourself. We may out-run
By violent swiftness, that which we run at;
And lose by over-running: know you not,
The fire that mounts the liquor 'till't run o'er,
Seeming t' augment it, wastes it? be advis'd:
I say again, there is no English Soul
More stronger to direct you than yourself;
If with the sap of reason you would quench,
Or but allay, the fire of passion.

Buck.
Sir,
I'm thankful to you, and I'll go along
By your Prescription; but this top-proud fellow,
Whom from the flow of gall I name not, but
^{6 note}From sincere motions; by intelligence,
And proofs as clear as founts in July, when
We see each grain of gravel, I do know
To be corrupt and treasonous.

Nor.
Say not, treasonous.

Buck.
To th' King I'll say't, and make my vouch as strong
As shore of rock.—Attend. This holy fox,
Or wolf, or both, (for he is equal rav'nous,
As he is subtle; and as prone to mischief,
As able to perform't;) ^{7 note}
his mind and place
Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally,
Only to shew his pomp, as well in France
As here at home, ^{8 note}suggests the King our master
To this last costly treaty, th' enterview,
That swallow'd so much treasure, and like a glass
Did break i'th' rinsing.

Nor.
Faith, and so it did.

Buck.
Pray, give me favour, Sir.—This cunning Cardinal
The articles o'th' combination drew,
As himself pleas'd; and they were ratify'd,
As he cry'd, let it be—to as much end,
As give a crutch to th' dead. But our Court-Cardinal
Has done this, and 'tis well—for worthy Wolsey,
Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows,
(Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy

To th' old dam, treason;) Charles the Emperor,
Under pretence to see the Queen his aunt,
(For 'twas indeed his colour, but he came
To whisper Wolsey;) here makes visitation:
His fears were, that the interview betwixt
England and France might through their amity
Breed him some prejudice; for from this league
Peep'd harms, that menac'd him. He privily
Deals with our Cardinal, and, as I trow,
Which I do well—for, I am sure, the Emperor
Paid ere he promis'd, whereby his suit was granted,
Ere it was ask'd. But when the way was made,
And pav'd with gold; the Emp'ror thus desir'd,
That he would please to alter the King's course,
And break the foresaid peace. Let the King know,
(As soon he shall by me) that thus the Cardinal
Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases,
And for his own advantage.

Nor.
I am sorry
To hear this of him; and could wish, you were
Something mistaken in't.

Buck.
No, not a syllable:
I do pronounce him in that very shape,
He shall appear in proof. SCENE III. Enter Brandon, a Serjeant at Arms before him, and two or three of the guard.

Bran.
Your office, Serjeant; execute it.

Serj.
Sir,
My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl
Of Hertford, Stafford, and Northampton, I
Arrest thee of high treason, in the name
Of our most Sov'reign King.

Buck.
Lo you, my lord,
The net has fall'n upon me; I shall perish

Under device and practice.

Bran.
I am sorry
To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on
The business present. 'Tis his Highness' pleasure
You shall to th' Tower.

Buck.
It will help me nothing
To plead mine innocence; for that dye is on me,
Which makes my whit'st part black. The will of heav'n
Be done in this and all things! I obey.
O my lord Aberga'ny, fare ye well.

Bran.
Nay, he must bear you company. The King
Is pleas'd you shall to th' Tower, 'till you know
How he determines further.

Aber.
As the Duke said,
The will of heav'n be done, and the Kings pleasure
By me obey'd!

Bran.
Here is a warrant from
The King, t'attach lord Montague; and the bodies
Of the Duke's confessor, John de la Court
And Gilbert Peck, his chancellor.

Buck.
So, so;
These are the limbs o'th' plot; no more, I hope?

Bran.
A monk o'th' Chartreux.

Buck.
Nicholas Hopkins?

Bran.
He.

Buck.
My surveyor is false, the o'er-great Cardinal
Hath shew'd him gold; my life is spann'd already:
I am the shadow of poor Buckingham,
Whose figure ev'n this instant cloud puts on,
By dark'ning my clear sun. My lord, farewel. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV. Changes to the Council-Chamber. Cornet. Enter King Henry, leaning on the Cardinal's shoulder; the Nobles, and Sir Thomas Lovell; the Cardinal places himself under the King's feet, on his right side.

King.
My life itself, ^{8 note}and the best heart of it,
Thanks you for this great care: I stood i'th level
Of a full-charg'd confed'racy, and give thanks
To you that choak'd it. Let be call'd before us
That gentleman of Buckingham's in person;
I'll hear him his confessions justifie,
And point by point the treasons of his master
He shall again relate. A noise within, crying, Room for the Queen. Enter the Queen usher'd by the Dukes of Norfolk, and Suffolk: she kneels. The King riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses and placeth her by him.

Queen.
Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a suitor.

King.
Arise, and take your place by us; half your suit
Never name to us; you have half our power:
The other moiety, ere you ask, is given;
Repeat your will, and take it.

Queen.
Thank your Majesty.
That you would love yourself, and in that love
Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor

The dignity of your office, is the point
Of my petition.

King.
Lady mine, proceed.

Queen.
I am sollicited, not by a few,
And those of true condition, that your subjects
Are in great grievance. There have been commissions
Sent down among 'em, which have flaw'd the heart
Of all their loyalties; wherein although [To Wolsey.
(My good Lord Cardinal) they vent reproaches
Most bitterly on you, as putter on
Of these exactions; yet the King our master
(Whose honour heav'n shield from soil) ev'n he scapes not
Language unmannerly; yea such, which breaks
The sides of loyalty, and almost appears
In loud rebellion.

Nor.
Not almost appears,
It doth appear; for, upon these taxations,
The clothiers all, not able to maintain
The many to them 'longing, have put off
The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers; who,
Unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger
^{9 note}And lack of other means, in desp'rate manner
Daring th' event to th' teeth, are all in uproar,
^{1 note}And Danger serves among them.

King.
Taxation?
Wherein? and what taxation? my Lord Cardinal,
You, that are blam'd for it alike with us,
Know you of this taxation?

Wol.
Please you, Sir,
I know but of a single part in aught
Pertains to th' state, and front but in that file
Where others tell steps with me.

Queen.
No, my Lord,
You know no more than others: but you frame,
^{2 note}Things that are known alike, which are not wholsome
To those which would not know them, and yet must
Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions
(Whereof my Sov'reign would have note) they are
Most pestilent to th' hearing; and, to bear 'em,
The back is sacrifice to th' load; they say,
They are devis'd by you, or else you suffer
Too hard an exclamation.

King.
Still, exaction!
The nature of it, in what kind let's know
Is this exaction?

Queen.
I am much too vent'rous
In tempting of your patience, but am bolden'd
Under your promis'd pardon. The subjects' grief
Comes through commissions, which compel from each
The sixth part of his substance, to be levy'd
Without delay; and the pretence for this
Is nam'd, your wars in France. This makes bold mouths;
Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze
Allegiance in them; All their curses now
Live where their pray'rs did; and it's come to pass,
That tractable obedience is a slave
To each incensed will. I would, your Highness
Would give it quick consideration, for

^{3 note}

King.
By my life,
This is against our pleasure.

Wol.
And for me,
I have no further gone in this, than by
A single voice; and that not past me, but
By learned approbation of the judges.
If I'm traduc'd by tougues, 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,
As rav'nous fishes do a vessel follow
That is new trimm'd; but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
^{4 note}By sick interpreters, or weak ones, is
Not ours, or not allow'd: what worst, as oft
Hitting a grosser quality, is cry'd up
For our best act: if we stand still, in fear
Our motion will be mock'd or carped at,
We should take root here where we sit:
Or sit state-statues only.

King.
Things done well,
And with a care, exempt themselves from fear:
Things done without example, in their issue
Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent

Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our laws,
And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each!
A trembling contribution!—why, we take
^{5 note}From ev'ry tree, lop, bark, and part o'th' timber:
And though we leave it with a root, thus hackt,
The air will drink the sap. To ev'ry county,
Where this is question'd, send our letters, with
Free pardon to each man that has deny'd
The force of this commission: pray look to't;
I put it to your care.

Wol.
A word with you. [To the Secretary.
Let there be letters writ to ev'ry 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
Further in the proceeding. [Exit Secretary. SCENE V. Enter Surveyor.

Queen.
I'm sorry, that the Duke of Buchingham
Is run in your displeasure.

King.
It grieves many;
The gentleman is learn'd, a most rare speaker,
To nature none more bound; his training such,
That he may furnish and instruct great teachers,
And never seek for aid out of himself.
Yet see, when ^{6 note}noble benefits shall prove
^{7 note}Not well dispos'd, the mind grown once corrupt,

^{8 note}They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly
Than ever they were fair. This man so compleat,
Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,
Almost with list'ning ravish'd, could not find
His hour of speech, a minute; he, my lady,
Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
That once were his; and is become as black,
As if besmear'd in hell. Sit, you shall hear
(This was his gentleman in trust) of him
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.

King.
Speak freely.

Surv.
First, it was usual with him, ev'ry day
It would infect his speech, that if the King
Should without issue die, he'd carry it so
To make the scepter his. These very words
I've heard him utter to his son-in-law,
Lord Aberga'ny, to whom by oath he menac'd
Revenge upon the Cardinal.

Wol.
Please your Highness, note
His dangerous conception in this point:
Not friended by his wish to your high person,
His will is most malignant, and it stretches
Beyond you to your friends.

Queen.
My learn'd Lord Cardinal,
Deliver all with charity.

King.
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,
By a vain prophesy of Nicholas Hopkins.

King.
What was that Hopkins?

Surv.
Sir, a Chartreux Friar,
His confessor, who fed him ev'ry minute
With words of Sov'reignty.

King.
How know'st thou this?

Surv.
Not long before your Highness sped to France,
The Duke being at the Rose, within the parish
St. Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand
What was the speech among the Londoners
Concerning the French journey? I reply'd,
Men fear'd, the French would prove perfidious,
To the King's danger: presently the Duke
Said, 'twas the fear, indeed; and that he doubted,
'Twould prove the verity of certain words
Spoke by a holy Monk; that oft, says he,
Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit
John de la Court, my Chaplain, a choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment:
Whom after under the (a) ^note Confession's seal
He solemnly had sworn, that, what he spoke,
My Chaplain to no creature living, but
To me, shou'd utter; with demure confidence,
Thus pausingly ensu'd;—Neither the King, nor's heirs
(Tell you the Duke) shall prosper; bid him strive
To gain the love o'th' commonalty; the Duke
Shall govern England.—

Queen.
If I know you well,
You were the Duke's surveyor, and lost your office
On the complaint o'th' tenants; take good heed,
You charge not in your spleen a noble person,
And spoil your nobler soul: I say, take heed;
Yes, heartily I beseech you.

King.
Let him on.
Go forward.

Surv.
On my soul, I'll speak but truth.
I told my Lord the Duke, by th' devil's illusions
The Monk might be deceiv'd; and that 'twas dang'rous
For him to ruminate on this, until
It forg'd him some design, which, being believ'd,
It was much like to do: he answer'd, Tush,
It can do me no damage: adding further,
That had the King in his last sickness fail'd,
The Cardinal's and Sir Thomas Lovell's heads
Should have gone off.

King.
Ha! what so rank? ah ha—
There's mischief in this man; canst thou say further?

Surv.
I can, my Liege.

King.
Proceed.

Surv.
Being at Greenwich,
After your Highness had reprov'd the Duke
About Sir William Blomer—

King.
I remember
Of such a time, he 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 plaid
The part my father meant to act upon
Th' 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.

King.
A giant traitor!

Wol.
Now, Madam, may his Highness live in freedom,
And this man out of prison?

Queen.
God mend all!

King.
There's something more would out of thee; what say'st?

Surv.
After the Duke his father with the knife,—
He stretch'd him, and with one hand on his dagger,

Another spread on's breast, mounting his eyes,
He did discharge a horrible oath, whose tenour
Was, were he evil-us'd, he would out-go
His father, by as much as a performance
^{6 note}Does an irresolute purpose.

King.
There's his period,
To sheath his knife in us; he is attach'd,
Call him to present tryal; if he may
Find mercy in the law, 'tis his; if none,
Let him not seek't of us: by day and night,
He's traitor to the height. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. An Apartment in the Palace. Enter Lord Chamberlain, and Lord Sands.

Cham.
^{1 note}