Act 2. Scene I

SCENE I. Westminster. A street.

Enter two Gentlemen, meeting
First Gentleman
Whither away so fast?

Second Gentleman
O, God save ye!
Even to the hall, to hear what shall become
Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

First Gentleman
I'll save you
That labour, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony
Of bringing back the prisoner.

Second Gentleman
Were you there?

First Gentleman
Yes, indeed, was I.

Second Gentleman
Pray, speak what has happen'd.

First Gentleman
You may guess quickly what.

Second Gentleman
Is he found guilty?

First Gentleman
Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't.

Second Gentleman
I am sorry for't.

First Gentleman
So are a number more.

Second Gentleman
But, pray, how pass'd 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 alleged
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 have brought viva voce to his face:
At which appear'd against him his surveyor;
Sir Gilbert Peck 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 the bar, to hear
His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd
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 show'd 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