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 Some great ones living yet, and others dead, Whose issue might be question'd. For your

bounty, Royal magnificence to him that seeks it, We vow hereafter to demean ourself, As if we were your own and natural brother; Omitting no occasion in our person, 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. Take this for answer; be whate'er thou art, Thou never shalt repent that thou hast put Thy cause and person into my protection. Cousin of York, thus once more we embrace thee; Welcome to James of Scotland! for thy safety, Know, such as love thee not shall never wrong

thee. Come, we will taste a while our court-delights, Dream hence afflictions past, and then proceed To high attempts of honour. On, lead on! Both thou and thine are ours, and we will guard

you. Lead on

[Exeunt all but the ladies. Countess. I have not seen a gentleman Of a more brave aspect, 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 pre

sence instantly,
For entertainment of the duke.

Kath. 6. 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, Dur

HAM, 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
Of his conspiracy prest him so nearly,
That it drew from him free confession,
Without an importunity.

K. Hen. Oh, lord bishop,
This argued shame and sorrow for his folly,
And must not stand in evidence against
Our mercy, and the softness of our nature;
The rigour and extremity of law
Is sometimes too too bitter; but we carry
A Chancery of pity in our bosom.
I hope we may reprieve him from the sentence
Of death; I hope we may.

Dur. You may, you may;
And so persuade your subjects that the title
Of York is better, nay, more just and lawful,
Than yours of Lancaster! so Stanley holds :
Which if it be not treason in the highest,
Then we are traitors all, perjured, and false,
Who have took oath to Henry, and the justice
Of Henry's title; Oxford, Surrey, Dawbeney,
With all your other peers of state and church,
Forsworn, and Stanley true alone to Heaven,
And England's lawful heir !

Oxf. By Vere's old honours,
I'll cut his throat dares speak it.

Sur. 'Tis a quarrel 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

S

Stanley was once my friend, fc.] 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

a

To save my life; yet, to say truth, my lords,
The man staid long enough t' endanger it:
But I could see no more into his heart,
Than what his outward actions did present;
And for them have rewarded him so fully,
As that there wanted nothing in our gift
To gratify his merit, as I thought,
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
Proceed in execution, whilst I mourn
The loss of one whom I esteem'd a friend.

Dur. Sir, he is coming this way.

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

pray

for: That done, it doth concern us to consult Of other following troubles.

[Exit. Oxf. I am glad He's gone; upon my life he would have pardon'd The traitor, had he seen him.

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
That he commends his mercy to your thoughts;
Wishing the laws of England could remit
The forfeit of your life, as willingly
As he would, in the sweetness of his nature,
Forget your trespass : but howe'er your body
Fall into dust, he vows, the king himself
Doth vow, to keep a requiem for your soul,
As for a friend, close treasured in his bosom.

Oxf. 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 Of my last prayers. My grave lord of Durham, My lords of Oxford, Surrey, Dawbeney, all, Accept from a poor dying man a farewell. I was, as you are, once, great, and stood hopeful