Of my conveyance next, of my life since, The means, and persons who were instruments, Great sir, 'tis fit I over-pass in silence; Reserving the relation to the secrecy Of your own princely ear, since it concerns Royal magnificence to him that seeks it, We vow hereafter to demean ourself, As if we were your own and natural brother; To express a gratitude beyond example. K. Ja. He must be more than subject who can utter The language of a king, and such is thine. Come, we will taste a while our court-delights, Lead on [Exeunt all but the ladies. Countess. I have not seen a gentleman Of a more brave aspéct, or goodlier carriage; His fortunes move not him-Madam, you are passionate.+ Kath. Beshrew me, but his words have touch'd me home, As if his cause concern'd me; I should pity him, If he should prove another than he seems, Enter CRAWFORD. Craw. Ladies, the king commands your presence instantly, For entertainment of the duke. Kath. "The duke" Must then be entertain'd, the king obey'd; It is our duty. Countess. We will all wait on him. [Exeunt. SCENE II. London.-The Tower. A Flourish.-Enter King HENRy, Oxford, DurHAM, SURREY. K. Hen. Have ye condemn'd my chamberlain? Dur. His treasons Condemn'd him, sir; which were as clear and manifest, As foul and dangerous: besides, the guilt Without an importunity. 4 Madam, you are passionate.] i. e. distressed, deeply affected: the Countess had observed Katherine weeping. K. Hen. Oh, lord bishop, This argued shame and sorrow for his folly, Our mercy, and the softness of our nature; The rigour and extremity of law Is sometimes too too bitter; but we carry I hope we may reprieve him from the sentence Dur. You may, you may; And so persuade your subjects that the title Oxf. By Vere's old honours, I'll cut his throat dares speak it. To engage a soul in. K. Hen. What a coil is here To keep my gratitude sincere and perfect! Stanley was once my friend,' and came in time 5 Stanley was once my friend, &c.] Much of this is from the noble historian. The king certainly holds a very different language from that which we had in a former page; but it is characteristic of his close, cold, and selfish nature. "As a little leaven (Bacon To save my life; yet, to say truth, my lords, Unless I should divide my crown with him, And give him half; though now I well perceive 'Twould scarce have serv'd his turn, without the whole. But I am charitable, lords; let justice K. Hen. If he speak to me, I could deny him nothing; to prevent it, I must withdraw. Pray, lords, commend my fa vours To his last peace, which, with him, I will Of other following troubles. Orf. I am glad He's gone; upon my life he would have pardon'd The traitor, had he seen him. says) of new distaste doth commonly sour the whole lump of former merit, the king's wit began now to suggest unto his passion, that Stanley at Bosworth-field, though he came in time to save his life, yet he staid long enough to endanger it." After all, the writer hints, as broadly as he dared, that Stanley's main guilt lay in his vast accumulations, which Henry viewed with too greedy an eye. Sur. "Tis a king Composed of gentleness. Dur. Rare and unheard of: But every man is nearest to himself, And that the king observes; 'tis fit he should. Enter STANLEY, Executioner, Confessor, URSWICK and DAWBENEY. Stan. May I not speak with Clifford, ere I shake This piece of frailty off? Daw. You shall; he's sent for. Stan. I must not see the king? Dur. From him, sir William, These lords, and I am sent; he bade us say As he would, in the sweetness of his nature, Orf. Without remembrance of your errors past, I come to take my leave, and wish you heaven. Sur. And I; good angels guard you! Stan. Oh, the king, Next to my soul, shall be the nearest subject |