Of many flourishing years; but fate and time Enter CLIFFord. Daw. Sir Robert Clifford comes, the man, sir William, You so desire to speak with. Dur. Mark their meeting. Clif. Sir William Stanley, I am glad your con science Before your end, hath emptied every burden Which charg'd it, as that you can clearly witness, How far I have proceeded in a duty That both concern'd my truth, and the state's safety. Stan. Mercy, how dear is life to such as hug it! Come hither by this token think on me! [Makes a cross on CLIFFORD's face with Clif. This token? What! am I abus'd? I wet upon your cheeks a holy sign, The cross, the Christian's badge, the traitor's infamy; Wear, Clifford, to thy grave this painted emblem: Water shall never wash it off, all eyes That gaze upon thy face, shall read there written, A state-informer's character; more ugly, Stamp'd on a noble name, than on a base. The heavens forgive thee!-pray, my lords, no change Of words; this man and I have used too many. Clif. Shall I be disgraced Without reply? Dur. Give losers leave to talk; His loss is irrecoverable. Stan. Once more, To all a long farewell! The best of greatness That I shall stand no blemish to his house, In chronicles writ in another age. My heart doth bleed for him, and for his sighs: Clif. Was I call'd hither by a traitor's breath To be upbraided! Lords, the king shall know it. Re-enter King HENRY with a white staff. K. Hen. The king doth know it, sir; the king hath heard What he or you could say. We have given credit To every point of Clifford's information, 6 Derby, my much griev'd brother.] See p. 15. Lord Stanley had been raised to the dignity of an Earl in October, 1485, a few weeks after the battle of Bosworth. The only evidence 'gainst Stanley's head: K. Hen. No echos: for your service, we dismiss Your more attendance on the court; take ease, And live at home; but, as you love your life, Stir not from London without leave from us. We'll think on your reward; away! Clif. I go, sir. [Exit. K. Hen. Die all our griefs with Stanley! Take this staff Of office, Dawbeney; henceforth be our chamberlain. Daw. I am your humblest servant. K. Hen. We are follow'd By enemies at home, that will not cease Daw. Your army, being muster'd, Consists in all, of horse and foot, at least And loyal in their truths. K. Hen. We know it, Dawbeney : 7 Dawbeney.] "This person (Charles Lord D'Aubigny) was a person, Bacon says, "of great sufficiency and valour, the more because he was gentle and modest." Yet he always appears on the side of violent counsels; and more forward with his flattery than any of the courtiers in the king's confidence. For them we order thus; Oxford in chief, Oxf. I humbly thank your majesty. K. Hen. The next division we assign to Dawbeney: These must be men of action, for on those The fortune of our fortunes must rely.. The last and main, ourself commands in person; K. Hen. But, Surrey, We have employment of more toil for thee: vours. The Scot is young and forward, we must look for The frontiers against an invasion there. SCENE III. Edinburgh.-An Apartment in the Palace. Enter CRAWFORD and DALYELL. Craw. 'Tis more than strange; my reason cannot answer Such argument of fine imposture, couch'd Could cozen truth itself; this dukeling mushroom Dal. He courts the ladies, As if his strength of language chain'd attention By power of prerogative. Craw. It madded My very soul to hear our master's motion; Must of necessity ensue upon A match betwixt some noble of our nation, Dal. "Twill prove too fatal; Wise Huntley fears the threat'ning. Bless the lady From such a ruin! Craw. How the counsel privy Of this young Phaeton do screw their faces Dal. Sure not the hangman's, 'tis bespoke already For service to their rogueships,-silence! |