York. Little. Prince. My lord of York will still be cross in talk ;— Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.` York. You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:- He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders. So cunning, and so young, is wonderful. Glo. My gracious lord, will't please you pass along? Myself, and my good cousin, Buckingham, Will to your mother; to entreat of her, To meet you at the Tower, and welcome you. York. What, will you go into the Tower, my lord? York. Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost; Glo. Nor none that live, I hope. Prince. An if they live, I hope, I need not fear. But come, my lord, and, with a heavy heart, Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower. [Exeunt Prince, YORK, HASTINGS, Cardinal, and Attendants. Buck. Think you, my lord, this little prating York Was not incensed by his subtle mother, To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously? Glo. No doubt, no doubt: O, 'tis a parlous boy; Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable; Come hither, gentle Catesby; thou art sworn As closely to conceal what we impart : Thou know'st our reasons urg'd upon the way; In the seat royal of this famous isle? Cate. He for his father's sake so loves the prince, That he will not be won to aught against him. Buck. What think'st thou then of Stanley? will not he? Cate. He will do all in all as Hastings doth. Buck. Well then, no more but this: Go, gentle And, as it were far off, sound thou lord Hastings, And summon him to-morrow to the Tower, If thou dost find him tractable to us, Glo. Commend me to lord William: tell him, Catesby, His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle; And bid my friend, for joy of this good news, Buck. Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly. Cate. My good lords both, with all the heed I can. Glo. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep? Cate. You shall, my lord. Glo. At Crosby-place, there shall you find us both. [Exit CATESBY. Buck. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots? Glo. Chop off his head, man;-somewhat we will And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me Buck. I'll claim that promise at your grace's hand. Glo. And look to have it yielded with all kindness. Come, let us sup betimes; that afterwards We may digest our complots in some form. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Before Lord HASTINGS' House. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord, my lord, Hast. [Within.] Who knocks? Mess. One from lord Stanley. Hast. [Within.] What is't o'clock? Mess. Upon the stroke of four. Enter HASTINGS. [Knocking. Hast. Cannot thy master sleep the tedious nights? 3 Mess. So it should seem by that I have to say. Mess. And then he sends you word, he dreamt Which may make you and him to rue the other. Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,— If presently you will take horse with him, And with all speed post with him toward the north, Hast. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord; Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance: And make pursuit, where he did mean no chase. Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly. Enter CATESBY. Cate. Many good morrows to my noble lord! Hast. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring: What news, what news, in this our tottering state? Cate. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord; And, I believe, will never stand upright, Till Richard wear the garland of the realm. Hast. How! wear the garland? dost thou mean the crown? Cate. Ay, my good lord. Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders, Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd. But canst thou guess, that he doth aim at it? Cate. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you forward, Upon his party, for the gain thereof: And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,-- Cate. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind! Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence, That they, who brought me in my master's hate, Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older, Hast. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out |