To save my life; yet, to say truth, my lords, 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 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. Oxf. I am glad [Exit. He's gone; upon my life he would have pardon'd The traitor, had he seen him. says) of new distaste doth commonly sour the whole lump of former merit, the king's wit began now to suggest unto his passion, that Stanley at Bosworth-field, though he came in time to save his life, yet he staid long enough to endanger it." After all, the writer hints, as broadly as he dared, that Stanley's main guilt lay in his vast accumulations, which Henry viewed with too greedy an eye. 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 As he would, in the sweetness of his nature, Orf. 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 many flourishing years; but fate and time Enter CLIFFORD. Daw. Sir Robert Clifford comes, the man, sir William, You so desire to speak with. Dur. Mark their meeting. Clif. Sir William Stanley, I am glad your con science Before your end, hath emptied every burden Which charg'd it, as that you can clearly witness, How far I have proceeded in a duty That both concern'd my truth, and the state's safety. Stan. Mercy, how dear is life to such as hug it! Come hither by this token think on me! [Makes a cross on CLIFFORD's face with Clif. This token? What! am I abus'd? I wet upon your cheeks a holy sign, The cross, the Christian's badge, the traitor's infamy; Wear, Clifford, to thy grave this painted emblem: That gaze upon thy face, shall read there written, Of words; this man and I have used too many. Clif. Shall I be disgraced Without reply? Dur. Give losers leave to talk; His loss is irrecoverable. Stan. Once more, To all a long farewell! The best of greatness him, That I shall stand no blemish to his house, In chronicles writ in another age. My heart doth bleed for him, and for his sighs: Clif. Was I call'd hither by a traitor's breath To be upbraided! Lords, the king shall know it. Re-enter King HENRY with a white staff. K. Hen. The king doth know it, sir; the king hath heard What he or you could say. We have given credit To every point of Clifford's information, 6 Derby, my much griev'd brother.] See p. 15. Lord Stanley had been raised to the dignity of an Earl in October, 1485, a few weeks after the battle of Bosworth. The only evidence 'gainst Stanley's head: K. Hen. No echos: for your service, we dismiss Your more attendance on the court; take ease, And live at home; but, as you love your life, Stir not from London without leave from us. We'll think on your reward; away! Clif. I go, sir. [Exit. K. Hen. Die all our griefs with Stanley! Take this staff Of office, Dawbeney; henceforth be our chamberlain. Daw. I am your humblest servant. K. Hen. We are follow'd By enemies at home, that will not cease Daw. Your army, being muster'd, Consists in all, of horse and foot, at least And loyal in their truths. K. Hen. We know it, Dawbeney: 1 Dawbeney.] 66 This person (Charles Lord D'Aubigny) was a person," Bacon says, "of great sufficiency and valour, the more because he was gentle and modest." Yet he always appears on the side of violent counsels; and more forward with his flattery than any of the courtiers in the king's confidence. |