STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 187 



I have often studied the tragedy of Richard the Third and its 

 antecedent the Third part of King Henry the Sixth in Shakspeare, 

 to come if possible into the mind of the great dramatist, and find 

 out the secret of Gloster's power over his associates of the court, 

 over whose downfall he was ever scheming to make his bloody and 

 usurping way to the English throne, and yet holding them in 

 action subject to his will, until, one after another, it came their 

 turn to die. Consider him in the scene at the Tower, where the 

 council has been called to take action about the coronation, but 

 which is to culminate in the sudden denunciation, arrest and exe- 

 cution of the unsuspecting and light-hearted Hastings, whom now, 

 at the opening of the council, and before, " My Lord Protector " 

 has, in his own mind, already turned "down the road to dusty 

 death," along with the young prince whom they all but Gloster 

 and his two confederates are soon expecting to bow before as the 

 new-crowned successor of the new-buried king. 



Enter Gloster to his ghastly business. He arrives late. All has 

 been done except to name the day, and this were done had he tar- 

 ried a moment longer, for Hastings has spoken for him — Hastings 

 is sure of Gloster's love, and he may take that liberty. Grloster's 

 secret thought is to break up the council at all hazards and throw 

 the blame on Hastings, who shrinks from following him further in 

 his career of treachery and ambition. How does he disarm sus- 

 picion and screen his own sinister thoughts from penetration of 

 his victims? Was ever such diabolical dissimulation really seen 

 on earth? It seems almost incredible: 



" My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow ; 



I have been a long sleeper; but, I tiust, 



My absence doth neglect no great design, 



Which by my presence, might have been concluded." 



Buckingham replies: ^ 



" 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." 



And Gloster still acquiescent : 



"Than my lord Hastings no man might be bolder. 

 His lordship knows me well, and loves me well." 



Is this irony, or is it sincere? This must be high courtesy. We 

 have mistaken this man. We are all safe with him. This is no 

 dark and cruel Gloster. Look you! Hear him spaak again: 



■'My lord of" Ely, when I was last in Holbern, 

 I saw good strawberries m your garden there, 

 I do beseech you send for some of them. " 



