At any time, to grace my stratagems.

But what, is Catesby gone?

Glou. He is; and, see, he brings the Mayor along.

Enter the Mayor and Catesby.

Buck. Lord Mayor

Glou. Look to the drawbridge there!

Buck. Hark! a drum.

Glou. Catesby, o'erlook the walls.

Buck. Lord Mayor, the reason we have sent
Glou. Look back, defend thee, here are enemies.
Buck. God and our innocency defend and guard us !

Enter Lovel and Ratcliff, with Hastings' head.

15

19

Glou. Be patient, they are friends, Ratcliff and Lovel. Lov. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,

The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings. Glou. So dear I lov'd the man, that I must weep. I took him for the plainest harmless creature That breath'd upon the earth a Christian; Made him my book, wherein my soul recorded The history of all her secret thoughts.

25

So smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue
That, his apparent open guilt omitted,

I mean his conversation with Shore's wife,

He liv'd from all attainder of suspects.

30

Buck. Well, well, he was the covert'st shelt'red

traitor

That ever liv'd.

Would you imagine, or almost believe,
Were't not that, by great preservation,
We live to tell it, that the subtle traitor
This day had plotted, in the council-house

To murder me and my good lord of Gloucester ? May. Had he done so ?

Glou. What, think you we are Turks or infidels ?
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,

35

40

The peace of England, and our persons' safety 45
Enforc'd us to this execution?

May. Now, fair befall you! he deserv'd his death;

50

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. Glou. Yet had we not determin'd he should die, Until your lordship came to see his end; Which now the loving haste of these our friends, Something against our meanings, have prevented; Because, my lord, I would have had you heard 56 The traitor speak, and timorously confess The manner and the purpose of his treasons; That you might well have signifi'd the same Unto the citizens, who haply may Misconstrue us in him and wail his death.

60

May. But, my good lord, your Grace's words shall

serve

65

As well as I had seen and heard him speak; And do not doubt, right noble princes both, That I'll acquaint our duteous citizens With all your just proceedings in this case. Glou. And to that end we wish'd your lordship here, To avoid the censures of the carping world. Buck. But since you come too late of our intent, Yet witness what you hear we did intend. And so, my good Lord Mayor, we bid farewell. Exit Mayor.

70

75

Glou. Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.
The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post.
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 ;

80

Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters,

wives,

Even where his raging eye or savage heart,
Without control, lusted to make a prey.

Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person: 85
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. Glou. 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.

101

Exit.

Glou. 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. 105
Exeunt [all but Gloucester].

Now will I go to take some privy order,
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;
And to give notice, that no manner person
Have any time recourse unto the princes.

Exit.

SCENE VI

[The same. A street.]

Enter a Scrivener with a paper in his hand.

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've spent to write it over,
For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me;
The precedent was full as long a-doing;
And yet within these five hours Hastings liv'd,
Untainted, unexamin'd, 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

[Baynard's Castle.]

5

11

Exit.

Enter Gloucester and Buckingham, at several doors.

Glou. 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.