heraldryofyorkmi01custuoft

244 THE HERALDRY OF YORK MINSTER.
And being summoned from Tonbridge, he was, on entering London,
arrested in his barge on the Thames by Sir Thomas Marney ;
were dismissed
vol. ii., p. 355).
his attendants
and led on foot to the Tower (Arch. Can. Tmver of London,
At his trial, Shakespeare says this was confirmed by
" Sir Gilbert Peck, his chancellor, and John Court
Confessor to him ;
with that devil monk
Hopkins, which made this mischief."*
Hopkins is said to have repented in the part he took, and to have
died of grief.
Buckingham does not seem to have denied this, though he imputes
bribery in the betrayal of his confidence : " My surveyor
is false : the o'er
"great Cardinal hath showed him gold;"f and hearing his sentence passed
upon him with much feeling by the Duke of Norfolk (Act II. Sc. i),
Shakespeare says: "He shewed a most noble patience;" and Dugdale
records this touching speech from him " :
My Lord of Norfolk, you have
"said as a traitor should be said to; but I was never one. I nothing
" malign you for what you have done for me
;
but the eternal God forgive
"you my death, as I do. I shall never sue to the King for life, howbeit
"he is a gracious prince, and more grace may come from him than I
" desire. I beseech you, my Lord, and all
my fellows, to pray for me."
Shakespeare represents his passage from the hall of judgment to
execution, and fills his mouth with sentiments in harmony therewith. He
condemns no one. He forgives all. He desires the prayers of all.
"You few that loved me,
And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham :
His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave
Is only bitter to him, only dying ;
Go with me, like good angels, to my end,
And as the long divorce of steel falls on me,
Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice,
And lift my soul to heaven."!
He speaks of himself as "half in heaven," and utters this noble
aspiration for the King
:
" May he live
Longer than I have time to tell his years :
Ever beloved, and loving, may his rule be;
And when Old Time shall lead him to his end,
Goodness and he fill
up one monument."
After attending service in the chapel, he was led to the scaffold,
and died calmly, August i?th, 1520, amidst the regrets
of all.
* Act II. Sc. I. t Act I. Sc. I. } Act II. Sc. i.