BUCKINGHAM

G Ood morrow, and well met. How have you done Since last we saw in France? And untimely Ague Stayed me a Prisoner in my Chamber, when Those Suns of Glory, those two Lights of Men Met in the vale of Andren. All the whole time I was my Chambers Prisoner. Sir, I am thankful to you, and I'll go along By your prescription: but this top-proud fellow, Whom from the flow of gall I name not, but From sincere motions, by Intelligence, And proofs as clear as Founts in July, when We see each grain of gravel; I do know To be corrupt and treasonous. To the King I'll say't, & make my vouch as strong As shore of Rock: attend. This holy Fox, Or Wolf, or both (for he is equal ravenous As he is subtle, and as prove to mischief, As able to perform't) his mind, and place Infecting one another, yea reciprocally, Only to show his pomp, as well in France, As here at home, suggests the King our Master To this last costly Treaty: the interview, That swallowed so much treasure, and Like a glass Did break ith' wrenching. Pray give me favour Sir: This cunning Cardinal The Articles of the Combination drew As himself pleased; and they were ratified As he cried thus let be, to as much end, As give a Crutch to the dead. But our Count-Cardinall Has done this, and 'tis well: for worthy Wolsey (Who cannot err) he did it. Now this follows, (Which as I take it, is a kind of Puppy To the old dam Treason) Charles the Emperor, Under pretence to see the Queen his Aunt, (For it indeed his colour, but he came To whisper Wolsey ) here makes visitation, His fears were that the Interview betwixt England and France, might through their amity Breed him some prejudice; for from this League, Peeped harms that menaced him. Privily Deals with our Cardinal, and as I troa Which I do well; for I am sure the Emperor Paid ere he promised, whereby his Suit was granted Ere it was asked. But when the way was made And paved with gold: the Emperor thus desired, Than he would please to altar the Kings course, And break the foresaid peace. Let the King know (As soon he shall by me) that thus the Cardinal Does buy and fell his Honour as he pleases, And for his own advantage. No, not a sillable: I do pronounce him in that very shape He shall appear in proof. Lo you my Lord, The net has fallen upon me, I shall perish Under device, and practice: It will help me nothing To plead mine Innocence; for that die is on me Which makes my whitest partly, black. The will of Heaven Be done in this and all things: I obey. Oh my Lord Aburgany : Fare you well. So, so; These are the limbs of the Plot: no more I hope. My Surveyor is falce: The ore-great Cardinal Hath showed him gold; my life is spand already: I am the shadow of poor Buckingham, Whose Figure even this instant Cloud puts on, By Darkening my clear Sun. My Lords farewell. Sir Thomas Lovel, I as free forgive you As I would be forgiven: I forgive all. There cannot be those numberless offences Gainst me, that I cannot take peace with: No black Envy shall make my Grave. Commend me to his Grace: And if he speak of Buckingham ; pray tell him, You met him half in Heaven: my vows and prayers Yet are the Kings; and till my Soul forsake, Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live Longer then I have time to tell his years; Ever beloved and loving, may his Rule be; And when old Time shall led him to his end, Goodness and he, fill up one Monument. Nay, Sir Nicholas, Let it alone; my State now will but mock me. When I came hither, I was Lord High Constable, And Duke of Buckingham: now, poor Edward Bohun ; Yet I am richer then my base Accusers, That never knew what Truth meant: I now seal it; And with that blood will make'em one day groan for't. My noble Father Henry of Buckingham, Who first raised head against Usurping Richard, Flying for succour to his Servant Banister, Being distressed; was by that wretch betrayed, And without Trial, fell; Gods peace be with him. Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying My Father's lose; Like a most Royal Prince Restored me to my Honours: and out of ruins Made my Name once more Noble. Now his Son, Henry the Eight, Life, Honour, Name and all That made me happy; at one stroke ha taken For ever from the World. I had my Trial, And must needs say a Noble one; which makes me A little happier then my wretched Father: Yet thus far we are one in Fortune's; both Fell by our Servants, by those Men we loved most: A most unnatural and faithless Service. Heaven ha and end in all: yet, you that hear me, This from a dying man receive as certain: Where you are liberal of your loves and Counsels, Be sure you be not lose; for those you make friends, And give your hearts to; when they once perceive The least rub in your Fortune's, fallen away Like water from you, never found again But where they mean to sink you: all good people Pray for me, I must now forsake you; the last hour Of my long weary life is come upon me: Farewell; and when you would say something that is sad, Speak how I fell. I have done; and God forgive me. O you go far. All was Royal, To the disposing of it nought rebelled, Order gave each thing view. The Office did Distinctly his full Function: who did guide, I mean who set the Body, and the Limbs Of this great Sport together? I pray you who, my Lord? The devil speed him: No men Pie is freed From his Ambitious finger. What had he To do in these fierce Vanities? I wonder, That such a Keech can with his very bulk Take up the Rays of the beneficial Sun, And keep it from the Earth. Why the Devil, Upon this French going out, took he upon him (Without the privity of the King) t'appoint Who should attend on him? He makes up the File Of all the Gentry; for the most partly such To whom as great a Charge, as little Honour He meant to lay upon: and his own Letter The Honourable Board of Council, out Must fetch him in, he Papers. Oh many Have broke their backs with laying Manors on they For this great Journey. What did this vanity But minister communication of A most poor issue. Every man, After the hideous storm that followed, was A thing Inspired, and not consulting, broke Into a general Prophesy; That this Tempest Dashing the Garment of this Peace, aboded The sudden breach on't. Why all this Business Our Reverend Cardinal carried. This Butchers Cur is venom'd-mouth'd, and I Have not the power to muzzle him, therefore best Not wake him in his slumber. A Beggars book, Out-worths a Nobles blood. I read in's looks Matter against me, and his eye reviled Me as his abject object, at this instant He boars me with some trick; He's gone to the King: I'll follow, and outstare him. I'll to the King, And from a mouth of Honour, quite cry down This Ipswich fellows insolence; or proclaim, There's difference in no persons. Oh Michael Hopkins ? All good people, You that thus far have come to pity me; Hear what I say, and then go home and loose me. I have this day received a Traitors judgement, And by that name must die; yet Heaven bear witness, And if I have a Conscience, let it sink me, Even as the Axe falls, if I be not faithful. The Law I bear no malice for my death, to has done upon the premises, but Justice: But those that sought it, I could wish more Christians: (Be what they will) I heartily forgiue'em; Yet let they look they glory not in mischief; Nor built their evils on the graves of great men; For then, my guiltless blood must cry against they. For further life in this world I never hope, Nor will I sue, although the King have mercy More then I dare make faults. You few that loved me, And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham, His Noble Friends and Fellows; whom to leave Is only bitter to him, only dying: Go with me Like good Angels to my end, And as the long divorce of Steel falls on me, Make of your Prayers one sweet Sacrifice, And lift my Soul to Heaven. Led on a Gods name.