Is he found guilty?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Yes, truly is he, and condemned upon’t.

SECOND GENTLEMAN I am sorry for’t.

FIRST GENTLEMAN So are a number more.

SECOND GENTLEMAN But pray, how passed it?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

I’ll tell you in a little. The great Duke

Came to the bar, where to his accusations

He pleaded still not guilty, and allegèd

Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.

The King’s attorney, on the contrary,

Urged on the examinations, proofs, confessions,

Of divers witnesses, which the Duke desired

To him brought viva voce to his face—

At which appeared against him his surveyor,

Sir Gilbert Perk his chancellor, and John Car,

Confessor to him, with that devil-monk,

Hopkins, that made this mischief.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

That was he

That fed him with his prophecies.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

The same.

All these accused him strongly, which he fain

Would have flung from him, but indeed he could not.

And so his peers, upon this evidence,

Have found him guilty of high treason. Much

He spoke, and learnedly, for life, but all

Was either pitied in him or forgotten.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

After all this, how did he bear himself?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

When he was brought again to th’ bar to hear

His knell rung out, his judgement, he was stirred

With such an agony he sweat extremely,

And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty;

But he fell to himself again, and sweetly

In all the rest showed a most noble patience.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

I do not think he fears death.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Sure he does not.

He never was so womanish. The cause

He may a little grieve at.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Certainly

The Cardinal is the end of this.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

’Tis likely

By all conjectures: first, Kildare’s attainder,

Then deputy of Ireland, who, removed,

Earl Surrey was sent thither—and in haste, too,

Lest he should help his father.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

That trick of state

Was a deep envious one.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

At his return

No doubt he will requite it. This is noted,

And generally: whoever the King favours,

The Card’nal instantly will find employment—

And far enough from court, too.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

All the commons

Hate him perniciously and, o’ my conscience,

Wish him ten fathom deep. This Duke as much

They love and dote on, call him ‘bounteous

Buckingham,

The mirror of all courtesy’—

Enter the Duke of Buckingham from his arraignment, tipstaves before him, the axe with the edge towards him, halberdiers on each side, accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovell, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir William Sands, and common people

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Stay there, sir,

And see the noble ruined man you speak of.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Let’s stand close and behold him.

They stand apart

BUCKINGHAM (to the common people) All good people,

You that thus far have come to pity me,

Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.

I have this day received a traitor’s 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.

’T has done, upon the premises, but justice.

But those that sought it I could wish more Christians.

Be what they will, I heartily forgive ‘em.

Yet let ’em look they glory not in mischief,

Nor build their evils on the graves of great men,

For then my guiltless blood must cry against ‘em.

For further life in this world I ne’er hope,

Nor will I sue, although the King have mercies

More than 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. (To the guard) Lead on, i’

God’s name.

LOVELL

I do beseech your grace, for charity,

If ever any malice in your heart

Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.

BUCKINGHAM

Sir Thomas Lovell, 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 mark 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 King’s, and, till my soul forsake,

Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live

Longer than I have time to tell his years;

Ever beloved and loving may his rule be;

And, when old time shall lead him to his end,

Goodness and he fill up one monument.

LOVELL

To th’ waterside I must conduct your grace,

Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,

Who undertakes you to your end.

VAUX (to an attendant) Prepare there—

The Duke is coming. See the barge be ready,

And fit it with such furniture as suits

The greatness of his person.