King. By my life,
This is against our pleasure.
Wol. And for me,
I have no further gone in this than by
A single voice, and that not pass'd me but 70
By learned approbation of the judges. If I am[113]
Traduced by ignorant tongues, which neither know[114]
My faculties nor person, yet will be
The chronicles of my doing, let me say
'Tis but the fate of place and the rough brake 75
That virtue must go through. We must not stint
Our necessary actions, in the fear
To cope malicious censurers; which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
That is new-trimm'd, but benefit no further 80
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is[115]
Not ours or not allow'd; what worst, as oft,
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up
For our best act. If we shall stand still,[116] 85
In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at,[117]
We should take root here where we sit, or sit[118][119]
State-statues only.[119]
King. Things done well,[120]
And with a care, exempt themselves from fear;
Things done without example, in their issue 90
Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent[121]
Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our laws,
And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?
A trembling contribution! Why, we take[122] 95
From every tree lop, bark, and part o' the timber,[123]
And though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd,[124]
The air will drink the sap. To every county
Where this is question'd send our letters, with
Free pardon to each man that has denied 100
The force of this commission: pray, look to't;
I put it to your care.
Wol. [To the Secretary] A word with you.[125]
Let there be letters writ to every shire,
Of the king's grace and pardon. The grieved commons[126]
Hardly conceive of me: let it be noised 105
That through our intercession this revokement
And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you
Further in the proceeding. [Exit Secretary.
Enter Surveyor.
Q. Kath. I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham[127]
Is run in your displeasure.
King. It grieves many:[128] 110
The gentleman is learn'd and a most rare speaker;[129]
To nature none more bound; his training such
That he may furnish and instruct great teachers
And never seek for aid out of himself. Yet see,[130]
When these so noble benefits shall prove[131] 115
Not well disposed, the mind growing once corrupt,
They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly
Than ever they were fair. This man so complete,[132]
Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,[133]
Almost with ravish'd listening, could not find[133][134] 120
His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady,
Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
That once were his, and is become as black
As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear—[135]
This was his gentlemen in trust—of him 125
Things to strike honour sad. Bid him recount
The fore-recited practices; whereof[136]
We cannot feel too little, hear too much.
Wol. Stand forth, and with bold spirit relate what you,
Most like a careful subject, have collected 130
Out of the Duke of Buckingham.
King. Speak freely.
Surv. First, it was usual with him, every day[137]
It would infect his speech, that if the king
Should without issue die, he'll carry it so[138]
To make the sceptre his: these very words 135
I've heard him utter to his son-in-law,
Lord Abergavenny, to whom by oath he menaced[139]
Revenge upon the cardinal.