To warn false traitors from the like attempts. 48
Buck. I never look'd for better at his hands,
After he once fell in with Mistress Shore.
Yet had we not determin'd he should die,
Until your lordship came to see his end; 52
Which now the loving haste of these our friends,
Something against our meanings, have prevented:
Because, my lord, I would have had you heard
The traitor speak, and timorously confess 56
The manner and the purpose of his treasons;
That you might well have signified the same
Unto the citizens, who haply may
Misconster us in him, and wail his death. 60
May. But, my good lord, your Grace's words shall serve,
As well as I had seen and heard him speak:
And do not doubt, right noble princes both,
But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens 64
With all your just proceedings in this case.
Rich. And to that end we wish'd your lordship here,
T' avoid the censures of the carping world.
Buck. Which since you come too late of our intent, 68
Yet witness what you hear we did intend:
And so, my good Lord Mayor, we bid farewell.
Exit [Lord] Mayor.
Rich. Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.
The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post: 72
There, at your meetest vantage of the time,
Infer the bastardy of Edward's children:
Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen,
Only for saying he would make his son 76
Heir to the crown; meaning indeed his house,
49, 50 cf. n.
55 heard: to have heard
60 Misconster: misconstrue
64 duteous: dutiful
67 carping: fault-finding
68 of our intent; cf. n.
72 post: haste
73 meetest vantage: most favorable opportunity
75 a citizen: cf. n.
