The Complete Works of William Shakespeare · William Shakespeare
SCENE IV. London. A Room in the Tower
Enter Buckingham, Stanley Earl of Derby, Hastings, the Bishop of Ely, Norfolk, Ratcliffe, Lovell with others, at a table. HASTINGS. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met Is to determine of the coronation. In God’s name speak. When is the royal day? BUCKINGHAM. Is all things ready for that royal time? STANLEY. It is, and wants but nomination. ELY. Tomorrow, then, I judge a happy day. BUCKINGHAM. Who knows the Lord Protector’s mind herein? Who is most inward with the noble Duke? ELY. Your Grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. BUCKINGHAM. We know each other’s faces; for our hearts, He knows no more of mine than I of yours, Or I of his, my lord, than you of mine. Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love. HASTINGS. I thank his Grace, I know he loves me well; But for his purpose in the coronation I have not sounded him, nor he delivered His gracious pleasure any way therein. But you, my honourable lords, may name the time, And in the Duke’s behalf I’ll give my voice, Which I presume he’ll take in gentle part. Enter Richard. ELY. In happy time, here comes the Duke himself. RICHARD. My noble lords and cousins all, good morrow. I have been long a sleeper; but I trust My absence doth neglect no great design Which by my presence might have been concluded.
BUCKINGHAM. Had you not come upon your cue, my lord, William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part— I mean your voice for crowning of the King. RICHARD. Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder. His lordship knows me well and loves me well. My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn I saw good strawberries in your garden there; I do beseech you, send for some of them. ELY. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart. [_Exit._] RICHARD. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you. [_They move aside._] Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business, And finds the testy gentleman so hot That he will lose his head ere give consent His master’s child, as worshipfully he terms it, Shall lose the royalty of England’s throne. BUCKINGHAM. Withdraw yourself awhile. I’ll go with you. [_Exeunt Richard and Buckingham._] STANLEY. We have not yet set down this day of triumph. Tomorrow, in my judgement, is too sudden, For I myself am not so well provided As else I would be, were the day prolonged. Enter Bishop of Ely. ELY. Where is my lord the Duke of Gloucester? I have sent for these strawberries. HASTINGS. His Grace looks cheerfully and smooth this morning. There’s some conceit or other likes him well When that he bids good morrow with such spirit. I think there’s never a man in Christendom Can lesser hide his love or hate than he, For by his face straight shall you know his heart.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.