Queen.
I'm sorry that the Duke of Buckingham
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 noble benefits shall prove
Not well dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt,
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
To-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't so
To make the scepter his. These very words
I've heard him utter to his son-in-law,
Lord Aberganny, 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 ought?

Surv.
He was brought to this,
By a vain prophesie of Nicolas Henton.

King.
What was that Henton?

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 Poultrey, 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 Car my chaplain, a choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment:
Who (after under the commission's seal
He solemnly had sworn, that what he spoke
My chaplain to no creature living but
To me should 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 noble 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
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.

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