He liv'd from all attainder of suspect. Buck. Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor That ever liv'd.-Look you, my lord mayor, Would you imagine, or almost believe, (Wer't not, that by great preservation To murder me, and my good lord of Gloster ? Glo. What! think you we are Turks or infidels ? The peace of England, and our persons' safety, May. Now, fair befal you! he deserv'd his death; Buck. Yet had we not determin'd he should die, Misconstrue 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 intent, [Exit Lord Mayor. Glo. Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham. The mayor towards Guild-hall hies him in all post :— Tell them, how Edward put to death a citizen, Heir to the crown; meaning, indeed, his house, And bestial appetite in change of lust; Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters, wives, Even where his raging eye, or savage heart, Without control, listed to make his prey. Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person :- My princely father, then had wars in France; 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. Look for the news that the Guild-hall affords. [Exit BUCKINGHAM. Glo. Go, Lovel, with all speed to doctor Shaw,Go thou [To CAT.] to friar Penker ;—bid them both Meet me, within this hour, at Baynard's castle. [Exeunt LovEL and CATESBY. Now will I in, to take some privy order To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight; And to give notice, that no manner of person Have, any time, recourse unto the princes. SCENE VI. A Street. Enter a Scrivener. [Exit. Scri. 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 yesternight by Catesby was it sent me ; Here's a good world the while :-Who is so gross, Yet who so bold, but says-he sees it not? Bad is the world; and all will come to nought, When such bad dealing must be seen in thought.3 [Exit. SCENE VII. The same. Court of Baynard'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? I bade them, that did love their country's good, Buck. No, so God help me, they spake not a word; Star'd on each other, and look'd deadly pale. And ask'd the mayor, what meant this wilful silence : To be spoke to, but by the recorder. [3] That is, seen in silence, without notice or detection. JOHNS. Then he was urg'd to tell my tale again ;- Glo. What tongueless blocks were they; would they not speak? Will not the mayor then, and his brethren, come? And look you get a prayer-book in your hand, And be not easily won to our requests; Play the maid's part, still answer Nay, and take it. 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, Enter, from the Castle, CATESBY. -Now, Catesby what says your lord to my request? Cate. He doth intreat your grace, my noble lord, To visit him to-morrow, or next day: He is within, with two right reverend fathers, Divinely bent to meditation; And in no worldly suit would he be mov'd, Todraw him from his holy exercise. Buck. Return, good Catesby, to the gracious duke ; Tell him, myself, the mayor, and aldermen, In deep designs, in matter of great moment, [4] Perhaps, pretend; though intend will stand in the sense of giving at, tention. JOHNS 153 Buckingham is to plead for the citizens; and if (says Richard) you speak for them as plausibly as I in my own person, or for my own purposes, shall seem to deny your suit, there is no doubt but we shall bring all to a happy issue. STEEV. No less importing than our general good, Are come to have some conference with his grace. [Exit. Buck. Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward! He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed, But on his knees at meditation; Not dallying with a brace of courtezans, Happy were England, would this virtuous prince But, sure, I fear, we shall ne'er win him to it. May. Marry, God defend, his grace should say us nay! Buck. I fear, he will: here Catesby comes again ; Re-enter CATESBY. -Now, Catesby, what says his grace? Cate. He wonders to what end you have assembled Such troops of citizens to come to him, His grace not being warn'd thereof before, He fears, my lord, you mean no good to him. And so once more return and tell his grace. [Ex.CATE. Are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw them thence; Enter GLOSTER in a Gallery above, between two Bishops CATESBY returns. May. See, where his grace stands 'tween two clergygymen !7 Buck. Two props of virtue for a Christian prince, And, see, a book of prayer in his hand; Of thy devotion, and right-christian zeal. [6] To fatten : to pamper. JOHNS. [7] This pious and courtly Mayor was Edmund Shaw, brother to Doctor Shaw whom Richard had employed to prove his title to the crown, from the pulpit at Saint Paul's Cross.. MAL. |