Glo. What! think you we are Turks or in-
fidels ?
Or that we would, against the form of law,
Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death,
But that the extreme peril of the case,
The peace of England, and our persons' safety,
Enforced us to this execution?
May. Now, fair befall you! he deserves his
death;
And your good graces both have well proceeded,
To warn false traitors from the like attempts.
I never look'd for better at his hands,
After he once fell in with mistress Shore.
Glo. Yet had we not determined he should die,
Until your lordship came to see his end;
Which now the loving haste of these our friends,
Something against our meanings, hath prevented :
Because, my lord, we would have had you
heard
The traitor speak, and timorously confess
The manner and the purpose of his treasons;
That you might well have signified the same
Unto the citizens, who, haply, may
Misconster us in him, and wail his death.
May. But, my good lord, your grace's word shall serve,
As well as I had seen and heard him speak:
And do not doubt, right noble princes both,
But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens
With all your just proceedings in this case.
Glo. And to that end we wish'd your lordship
here,
To avoid the censures of the carping world. Buck. But since you came too late of our intents,
Yet witness what you hear we did intend : And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell. [Exit LORD Mayor.
Glo. Go after, after, cousin Buckingham. The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all
There, at your meetest vantage of the time,
Infer the bastardy of Edward's children:
Tell them, how Edward put to death a citizen,
Only for saying he would make his son
Heir to the crown; meaning, indeed, his house, Which by the sign thereof was termed so. Moreover, urge his hateful luxury,
And bestial appetite in change of lust;
Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters, wives,
Even when his raging eye, or savage heart,
Without control lusted to make a prey.
Nay, for a need, thus far come near my per
Tell them, when that my mother went with child
Of that insatiate Edward, noble York,
My princely father, then had wars in France :
And, by true computation of the time,
Found that the issue was not his begot;
Which well appeared in his lineaments,
Being nothing like the noble duke my father:
Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off;
Because, my lord, you know my mother lives.
Buck. Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator
As if the golden fee for which I plead
Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu.
Glo. If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's castle;
Where you shall find me well accompanied
With reverend fathers, and well-learned bishops.
Buck. I go; and, towards three or four o'clock, Look for the news that the Guildhall affords
Glo Go, Lovel, with all speed to doctor Shaw. [To CATE.] Go thou to friar Penker;-bid them both
Meet me within this hour, at Baynard's castle.
[Exeunt LOVEL and CATESBY.
Now will I go to take some privy order
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;
And to give order, that no manner person
Have, any time, recourse unto the princes.
SCENE VI.-The same. A Street.
Scriv. Here is the indictment of the good lord Hastings;
Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd,
That it may be to-day read o'er in Paul's.
And mark how well the sequel hangs together;
Eleven hours I have spent to write it over,
For yesterday by Catesby was it sent me ;
The precedent was full as long a-doing :
And yet within these five hours Hastings lived.
Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty.
Here's a good world the while! Who is so gross
That cannot see this palpable device?
Yet who so bold but says he sees it not?
Bad is the world; and all will come to nought,
When such ill dealing must be seen in thought.
SCENE VII.-The same. Court of Bayard's Castle.
Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, meeting.
Glo. How now, how now? what say the citizens ?
Buck. Now, by the holy mother of our Lord, The citizens are mum, say not a word.
Glo. Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children?
Buck. I did; with his contract with lady Lucy,
And his contract by deputy in France:
The insatiate greediness of his desire,
And his enforcement of the city wives;
His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy,
As being got, your father then in France;
And his resemblance being not like the duke.
Withal, I did infer your lineaments,
Being the right idea of your father,
Both in your form and nobleness of mind :
Laid open all your victories in Scotland,
Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace,
Your bounty, virtue, fair humility;
Indeed, left nothing fitting for your purpose
Untouch'd, or slightly handled, in discourse.
And, when my oratory grew toward end,
I bade them that did love their country's good
Cry-God save Richard, England's royal king!
Glo. And did they so?
Buck. No, so God help me, they spake not a
But, like dumb statues or breathing stones,
Stared each on other, and look'd deadly pale.
Which when I saw I reprehended them;
And ask'd the mayor, what meant this wilful
His answer was, the people were not used
To be spoke to but by the recorder.
Then he was urged to tell my tale again;-
Thus saith the duke, thus had the duke inferr'd;
But nothing spoke in warrant from himself.
When he had done, some followers of mine own,
At lower end o' the hall, hurl'd up their caps,
And some ten voices cried, God save king Richard!
And thus I took the vantage of those few,-
Thanks, gentle citizens, and friends, quoth I;
This general applause, and cheerful shout,
Argues your wisdom, and your love to Richard:
And even here brake off, and came away.
Glo. What tongueless blocks were they!
would they not speak?
Will not the mayor then and his brethren come? Buck. The mayor is here at hand; intend some fear;
Be not you spoke with but by mighty suit :
And look you, get a prayer-book in your hand,
And stand between two churchmen, good my
For on that ground I'll make a holy descant:
And be not easily won to our requests;
Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it.
Glo. I go and if you plead as well for them
As I can say nay to thee for myself,
No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue.
Buck. Go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor knocks. [Exit GLOSTER.
Enter the LORD MAYOR, Aldermen, and Citizens. Welcome, my lord: I dance attendance here; I think the duke will not be spoke withal.
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