Folger Shakespeare Library
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Contents
Front
Matter
From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare
Library
Textual Introduction
Synopsis
Characters in the Play
Prologue
ACT 1
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
ACT 2
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
ACT 3
Scene 1
Scene 2
ACT 4
Scene 1
Scene 2
ACT 5
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Epilogue
From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library
It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their
composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems
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Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process
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The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis
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I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul
Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s
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richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers
who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow
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resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend
to you these words, and hope that they inspire.
Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library
Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine
Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in
search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content
primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a latenineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many
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Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the
way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single,
authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in
multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and
by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called
the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different
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Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar
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example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to
chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest,
1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not
take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare
editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her
father, Prospero.
The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long
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Synopsis
Two stories dominate Henry VIII: the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, Henry’s
powerful advisor, and Henry’s quest to divorce Queen Katherine, who
has not borne him a male heir, and marry Anne Bullen (Boleyn).
First, the Duke of Buckingham questions Wolsey’s costly staging of a
failed meeting with the French king. Wolsey arrests Buckingham and
accuses him of treason; testimony from a bribed witness leads to
Buckingham’s execution. Queen Katherine takes a stand against
Wolsey. Wolsey gives a party at which Henry meets Anne.
Henry falls in love with Anne and seeks to divorce Katherine, but
Katherine refuses to be judged by Wolsey and other church officials.
The king secretly marries Anne and then has her crowned queen.
Meanwhile, Henry discovers Wolsey’s treachery against him. Wolsey,
arrested, falls sick and dies. Katherine also sickens and dies.
Cranmer, the new archbishop of Canterbury, comes under attack, but
receives the king’s support. Anne gives birth to a daughter, the future
Queen Elizabeth. Cranmer prophesies marvelous reigns for her and
her unnamed successor, James.
Characters in the Play
KING
Henry the Eighth
Duke of NORFOLK
Duke of SUFFOLK
Cardinal WOLSEY, Archbishop of Canterbury
SECRETARIES to Wolsey
CROMWELL, servant to Wolsey, later secretary to the Privy Council
Cardinal CAMPEIUS, Papal Legate
GARDINER, secretary to the king, later Bishop of Winchester
PAGE to Gardiner
QUEEN KATHERINE,
Henry’s first wife, later Princess Dowager
GRIFFITH, attendant on Katherine
PATIENCE, woman to Katherine
Queen’s GENTLEMAN USHER
CAPUCHIUS, ambassador from the Emperor Charles
Duke of BUCKINGHAM
Lord ABERGAVENNY, Buckingham’s son-in-law
Earl of SURREY, Buckingham’s son-in-law
Sir Nicholas VAUX
Knevet, former SURVEYOR to Buckingham
BRANDON
SERGEANT
at Arms
FIRST GENTLEMAN
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Bullen, Katherine’s lady-in-waiting, later Henry’s
second wife and queen
OLD LADY, with Anne Bullen
Lord CHAMBERLAIN
Lord SANDS (also Sir Walter SANDS)
Sir Thomas LOVELL
Sir Henry GUILFORD
ANNE
Bishop of LINCOLN
CRANMER, later Archbishop of Canterbury
Lord CHANCELLOR
GARTER King of Arms
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Sir Anthony DENNY
Doctor BUTTS
KEEPER
PORTER
and his MAN
SCRIBES
CRIER
PROLOGUE
EPILOGUE
Spirits, Princess Elizabeth as an infant, Duchess of Norfolk, Marquess
and Marchioness of Dorset, Lords, Nobles, Countesses, Bishops,
Judges, Priests, Ladies, Gentlemen, Gentlemen Ushers, Lord Mayor,
Four Representatives of the Cinque Ports, Aldermen, Women,
Musicians, Choristers, Guards, Tipstaves, Halberds, Vergers,
Attendants, Servants, Messenger, Pages, Footboys, Grooms
Enter Prologue.
PROLOGUE
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I come no more to make you laugh. Things now
That bear a weighty and a serious brow,
Sad, high, and working, full of state and woe,
Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,
We now present. Those that can pity here
May, if they think it well, let fall a tear;
The subject will deserve it. Such as give
Their money out of hope they may believe
May here find truth too. Those that come to see
Only a show or two, and so agree
The play may pass, if they be still and willing,
I’ll undertake may see away their shilling
Richly in two short hours. Only they
That come to hear a merry, bawdy play,
A noise of targets, or to see a fellow
In a long motley coat guarded with yellow,
Will be deceived. For, gentle hearers, know
To rank our chosen truth with such a show
As fool and fight is, besides forfeiting
Our own brains and the opinion that we bring
To make that only true we now intend,
Will leave us never an understanding friend.
Therefore, for goodness’ sake, and as you are known
The first and happiest hearers of the town,
Be sad, as we would make you. Think you see
The very persons of our noble story
As they were living. Think you see them great,
And followed with the general throng and sweat
Of thousand friends. Then, in a moment, see
How soon this mightiness meets misery.
And if you can be merry then, I’ll say
A man may weep upon his wedding day.
He exits.
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ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter the Duke of Norfolk at one door; at the other, the
Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Abergavenny.
BUCKINGHAM
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Good morrow, and well met. How have you done
Since last we saw in France?
NORFOLK
I thank your Grace,
Healthful, and ever since a fresh admirer
Of what I saw there.
BUCKINGHAM
An untimely ague
Stayed me a prisoner in my chamber when
Those suns of glory, those two lights of men,
Met in the vale of Andren.
NORFOLK
’Twixt Guynes and Arde.
I was then present, saw them salute on horseback,
Beheld them when they lighted, how they clung
In their embracement, as they grew together—
Which had they, what four throned ones could have
weighed
Such a compounded one?
BUCKINGHAM
All the whole time
I was my chamber’s prisoner.
NORFOLK
Then you lost
The view of earthly glory. Men might say
Till this time pomp was single, but now married
To one above itself. Each following day
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 1
Became the next day’s master, till the last
Made former wonders its. Today the French,
All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,
Shone down the English, and tomorrow they
Made Britain India: every man that stood
Showed like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were
As cherubins, all gilt. The madams too,
Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear
The pride upon them, that their very labor
Was to them as a painting. Now this masque
Was cried incomparable; and th’ ensuing night
Made it a fool and beggar. The two kings,
Equal in luster, were now best, now worst,
As presence did present them: him in eye
Still him in praise; and being present both,
’Twas said they saw but one, and no discerner
Durst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns—
For so they phrase ’em—by their heralds challenged
The noble spirits to arms, they did perform
Beyond thought’s compass, that former fabulous story,
Being now seen possible enough, got credit
That Bevis was believed.
BUCKINGHAM
O, you go far.
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NORFOLK
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As I belong to worship, and affect
In honor honesty, the tract of everything
Would by a good discourser lose some life
Which action’s self was tongue to. All was royal;
To the disposing of it naught rebelled.
Order gave each thing view. The office did
Distinctly his full function.
BUCKINGHAM
Who did guide,
I mean who set the body and the limbs
Of this great sport together, as you guess?
NORFOLK
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One, certes, that promises no element
In such a business.
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BUCKINGHAM
Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 1
I pray you who, my lord?
NORFOLK
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All this was ordered by the good discretion
Of the right reverend Cardinal of York.
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BUCKINGHAM
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The devil speed him! No man’s pie is freed
From his ambitious finger. What had he
To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder
That such a keech can with his very bulk
Take up the rays o’ th’ beneficial sun
And keep it from the Earth.
NORFOLK
Surely, sir,
There’s in him stuff that puts him to these ends;
For, being not propped by ancestry, whose grace
Chalks successors their way, nor called upon
For high feats done to th’ crown, neither allied
To eminent assistants, but spiderlike,
Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note
The force of his own merit makes his way—
A gift that heaven gives for him which buys
A place next to the King.
ABERGAVENNY
I cannot tell
What heaven hath given him—let some graver eye
Pierce into that—but I can see his pride
Peep through each part of him. Whence has he that?
If not from hell, the devil is a niggard,
Or has given all before, and he begins
A new hell in himself.
BUCKINGHAM
Why the devil,
Upon this French going-out, took he upon him,
Without the privity o’ th’ King, t’ appoint
Who should attend on him? He makes up the file
Of all the gentry, for the most part such
To whom as great a charge as little honor
He meant to lay upon; and his own letter,
The honorable board of council out,
Must fetch him in he papers.
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 1
I do know
Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have
By this so sickened their estates that never
They shall abound as formerly.
BUCKINGHAM
O, many
Have broke their backs with laying manors on ’em
For this great journey. What did this vanity
But minister communication of
A most poor issue?
NORFOLK
Grievingly I think
The peace between the French and us not values
The cost that did conclude it.
BUCKINGHAM
Every man,
After the hideous storm that followed, was
A thing inspired and, not consulting, broke
Into a general prophecy: that this tempest,
Dashing the garment of this peace, aboded
The sudden breach on ’t.
NORFOLK
Which is budded out,
For France hath flawed the league and hath attached
Our merchants’ goods at Bordeaux.
ABERGAVENNY
Is it therefore
Th’ ambassador is silenced?
NORFOLK
Marry, is ’t.
ABERGAVENNY
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ABERGAVENNY
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A proper title of a peace, and purchased
At a superfluous rate!
BUCKINGHAM
Why, all this business
Our reverend cardinal carried.
NORFOLK
Like it your Grace,
The state takes notice of the private difference
Betwixt you and the Cardinal. I advise you—
And take it from a heart that wishes towards you
Honor and plenteous safety—that you read
The Cardinal’s malice and his potency
Together; to consider further that
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 1
What his high hatred would effect wants not
A minister in his power. You know his nature,
That he’s revengeful, and I know his sword
Hath a sharp edge; it’s long, and ’t may be said
It reaches far, and where ’twill not extend,
Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel;
You’ll find it wholesome. Lo where comes that rock
That I advise your shunning.
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Enter Cardinal Wolsey, the purse borne before him,
certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries with papers.
The Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on Buckingham,
and Buckingham on him, both full of disdain.
WOLSEY ,
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aside to a Secretary
The Duke of Buckingham’s surveyor, ha?
Where’s his examination?
SECRETARY
Here, so please you.
He hands Wolsey a paper.
WOLSEY
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Is he in person ready?
SECRETARY
Ay, please your Grace.
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WOLSEY
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Well, we shall then know more, and Buckingham
Shall lessen this big look.
Cardinal Wolsey and his train exit.
BUCKINGHAM
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This butcher’s cur is venomed-mouthed, and I
Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore best
Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar’s book
Outworths a noble’s blood.
NORFOLK
What, are you chafed?
Ask God for temp’rance. That’s th’ appliance only
Which your disease requires.
BUCKINGHAM
I read in ’s looks
Matter against me, and his eye reviled
Me as his abject object. At this instant
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 1
He bores me with some trick. He’s gone to th’ King.
I’ll follow and outstare him.
NORFOLK
Stay, my lord,
And let your reason with your choler question
What ’tis you go about. To climb steep hills
Requires slow pace at first. Anger is like
A full hot horse who, being allowed his way,
Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England
Can advise me like you; be to yourself
As you would to your friend.
BUCKINGHAM
I’ll to the King,
And from a mouth of honor quite cry down
This Ipswich fellow’s insolence, or proclaim
There’s difference in no persons.
NORFOLK
Be advised.
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot
That it do singe yourself. We may outrun
By violent swiftness that which we run at
And lose by overrunning. Know you not
The fire that mounts the liquor till ’t run o’er
In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advised.
I say again there is no English soul
More stronger to direct you than yourself,
If with the sap of reason you would quench
Or but allay the fire of passion.
BUCKINGHAM
Sir,
I am thankful to you, and I’ll go along
By your prescription. But this top-proud fellow—
Whom from the flow of gall I name not, but
From sincere motions—by intelligence,
And proofs as clear as founts in July when
We see each grain of gravel, I do know
To be corrupt and treasonous.
NORFOLK
Say not “treasonous.”
BUCKINGHAM
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To th’ King I’ll say ’t, and make my vouch as strong
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 1
As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox,
Or wolf, or both—for he is equal rav’nous
As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief
As able to perform ’t, his mind and place
Infecting one another, yea reciprocally—
Only to show his pomp as well in France
As here at home, suggests the King our master
To this last costly treaty, th’ interview
That swallowed so much treasure and like a glass
Did break i’ th’ rinsing.
NORFOLK
Faith, and so it did.
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BUCKINGHAM
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Pray give me favor, sir. This cunning cardinal
The articles o’ th’ combination drew
As himself pleased; and they were ratified
As he cried “Thus let be,” to as much end
As give a crutch to th’ dead. But our Count Cardinal
Has done this, and ’tis well, for worthy Wolsey,
Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows—
Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy
To th’ old dam treason: Charles the Emperor,
Under pretense to see the Queen his aunt—
For ’twas indeed his color, but he came
To whisper Wolsey—here makes visitation;
His fears were that the interview betwixt
England and France might through their amity
Breed him some prejudice, for from this league
Peeped harms that menaced him; privily
Deals with our cardinal and, as I trow—
Which I do well, for I am sure the Emperor
Paid ere he promised, whereby his suit was granted
Ere it was asked. But when the way was made
And paved with gold, the Emperor thus desired
That he would please to alter the King’s course
And break the foresaid peace. Let the King know—
As soon he shall by me—that thus the Cardinal
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 1
Does buy and sell his honor as he pleases
And for his own advantage.
NORFOLK
I am sorry
To hear this of him, and could wish he were
Something mistaken in ’t.
BUCKINGHAM
No, not a syllable.
I do pronounce him in that very shape
He shall appear in proof.
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Enter Brandon, a Sergeant-at-Arms before him, and two
or three of the Guard.
BRANDON
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Your office, Sergeant: execute it.
SERGEANT, to Buckingham
Sir,
My lord the Duke of Buckingham and Earl
Of Hertford, Stafford, and Northampton, I
Arrest thee of high treason, in the name
Of our most sovereign king.
BUCKINGHAM , to Norfolk
Lo you, my lord,
The net has fall’n upon me. I shall perish
Under device and practice.
BRANDON
I am sorry
To see you ta’en from liberty, to look on
The business present. ’Tis his Highness’ pleasure
You shall to th’ Tower.
BUCKINGHAM
It will help me nothing
To plead mine innocence, for that dye is on me
Which makes my whit’st part black. The will of heaven
Be done in this and all things. I obey.
O my Lord Abergavenny, fare you well.
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BRANDON
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Nay, he must bear you company.—The King
Is pleased you shall to th’ Tower, till you know
How he determines further.
ABERGAVENNY
As the Duke said,
The will of heaven be done, and the King’s pleasure
By me obeyed.
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 2
Here is a warrant from
The King t’ attach Lord Mountacute, and the bodies
Of the Duke’s confessor, John de la Car,
One Gilbert Peck, his counselor—
BUCKINGHAM
So, so;
These are the limbs o’ th’ plot. No more, I hope.
BRANDON
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BRANDON
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A monk o’ th’ Chartreux.
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BUCKINGHAM
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BRANDON
O, Michael Hopkins?
He.
BUCKINGHAM
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My surveyor is false. The o’ergreat cardinal
Hath showed him gold. My life is spanned already.
I am the shadow of poor Buckingham,
Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on
By dark’ning my clear sun. To Norfolk. My lord,
farewell.
They exit.
265
Scene 2
Cornets. Enter King Henry, leaning on the Cardinal’s
shoulder, with the Nobles, Sir Thomas Lovell, and
Attendants, including a Secretary of the Cardinal.
The Cardinal places himself under the King’s feet on
his right side.
KING ,
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to Wolsey
My life itself, and the best heart of it,
Thanks you for this great care. I stood i’ th’ level
Of a full-charged confederacy, and give thanks
To you that choked it.—Let be called before us
That gentleman of Buckingham’s; in person
I’ll hear him his confessions justify,
And point by point the treasons of his master
He shall again relate.
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 2
A noise within crying “Room for the Queen!” Enter the
Queen Katherine, ushered by the Duke of Norfolk, and
the Duke of Suffolk. She kneels. The King riseth from
his state.
QUEEN KATHERINE
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Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a suitor.
KING
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Arise, and take place by us.
He takes her up, kisses and placeth her by him.
Half your suit
Never name to us; you have half our power.
The other moiety ere you ask is given;
Repeat your will, and take it.
QUEEN KATHERINE
Thank your Majesty.
That you would love yourself, and in that love
Not unconsidered leave your honor nor
The dignity of your office, is the point
Of my petition.
KING
Lady mine, proceed.
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QUEEN KATHERINE
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I am solicited, not by a few,
And those of true condition, that your subjects
Are in great grievance. There have been commissions
Sent down among ’em which hath flawed the heart
Of all their loyalties, wherein, although
My good Lord Cardinal, they vent reproaches
Most bitterly on you as putter-on
Of these exactions, yet the King our master,
Whose honor heaven shield from soil, even he
escapes not
Language unmannerly—yea, such which breaks
The sides of loyalty and almost appears
In loud rebellion.
NORFOLK
Not “almost appears”—
It doth appear. For, upon these taxations,
The clothiers all, not able to maintain
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 2
The many to them longing, have put off
The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who,
Unfit for other life, compelled by hunger
And lack of other means, in desperate manner
Daring th’ event to th’ teeth, are all in uproar,
And danger serves among them.
KING
Taxation?
Wherein? And what taxation? My Lord Cardinal,
You that are blamed for it alike with us,
Know you of this taxation?
WOLSEY
Please you, sir,
I know but of a single part in aught
Pertains to th’ state, and front but in that file
Where others tell steps with me.
QUEEN KATHERINE
No, my lord?
You know no more than others? But you frame
Things that are known alike, which are not wholesome
To those which would not know them, and yet must
Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions
Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are
Most pestilent to th’ hearing, and to bear ’em
The back is sacrifice to th’ load. They say
They are devised by you, or else you suffer
Too hard an exclamation.
KING
Still exaction!
The nature of it? In what kind, let’s know,
Is this exaction?
QUEEN KATHERINE
I am much too venturous
In tempting of your patience, but am boldened
Under your promised pardon. The subjects’ grief
Comes through commissions which compels from
each
The sixth part of his substance, to be levied
Without delay, and the pretense for this
Is named your wars in France. This makes bold
mouths.
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Henry VIII
Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze
Allegiance in them. Their curses now
Live where their prayers did; and it’s come to pass
This tractable obedience is a slave
To each incensèd will. I would your Highness
Would give it quick consideration, for
There is no primer baseness.
KING
By my life,
This is against our pleasure.
WOLSEY
And for me,
I have no further gone in this than by
A single voice, and that not passed me but
By learnèd approbation of the judges. If I am
Traduced by ignorant tongues, which neither know
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
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 trimmed, but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
Not ours or not allowed; what worst, as oft,
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up
For our best act. If we shall stand still
In fear our motion will be mocked or carped at,
We should take root here where we sit,
Or sit state-statues only.
KING
Things done well,
And with a care, exempt themselves from fear;
Things done without example, in their issue
Are to be feared. Have you a precedent
Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our laws
ACT 1. SC. 2
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 2
And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?
A trembling contribution! Why, we take
From every tree lop, bark, and part o’ th’ timber,
And though we leave it with a root, thus hacked,
The air will drink the sap. To every county
Where this is questioned send our letters with
Free pardon to each man that has denied
The force of this commission. Pray look to ’t;
I put it to your care.
WOLSEY , aside to his Secretary
A word with you.
Let there be letters writ to every shire
Of the King’s grace and pardon. The grievèd commons
Hardly conceive of me. Let it be noised
That through our intercession this revokement
And pardon comes. I shall anon advise you
Further in the proceeding.
Secretary exits.
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120
Enter Buckingham’s Surveyor.
QUEEN KATHERINE ,
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to the King
I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham
Is run in your displeasure.
KING
It grieves many.
The gentleman is learnèd and a most rare speaker;
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,
When these so noble benefits shall prove
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,
Who was enrolled ’mongst wonders, and when we
Almost with ravished list’ning could not find
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 besmeared in hell. Sit by us. You shall hear—
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 2
This was his gentleman in trust—of him
Things to strike honor sad.—Bid him recount
The fore-recited practices, whereof
We cannot feel too little, hear too much.
145
WOLSEY
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Stand forth, and with bold spirit relate what you
Most like a careful subject have collected
Out of the Duke of Buckingham.
KING
Speak freely.
SURVEYOR
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First, it was usual with him—every day
It would infect his speech—that if the King
Should without issue die, he’ll carry it so
To make the scepter his. These very words
I’ve heard him utter to his son-in-law,
Lord Abergavenny, to whom by oath he menaced
Revenge upon the Cardinal.
WOLSEY
Please your Highness, note
This dangerous conception in this point:
Not friended by his wish to your high person,
His will is most malignant, and it stretches
Beyond you to your friends.
QUEEN KATHERINE
My learnèd Lord Cardinal,
Deliver all with charity.
KING , to Surveyor
Speak on.
How grounded he his title to the crown
Upon our fail? To this point hast thou heard him
At any time speak aught?
SURVEYOR
He was brought to this
By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Henton.
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KING
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What was that Henton?
Sir, a Chartreux friar,
His confessor, who fed him every minute
With words of sovereignty.
SURVEYOR
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KING
Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 2
How know’st thou this?
SURVEYOR
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Not long before your Highness sped to France,
The Duke being at the Rose, within the parish
Saint Laurence Poultney, did of me demand
What was the speech among the Londoners
Concerning the French journey. I replied
Men fear the French would prove perfidious,
To the King’s danger. Presently the Duke
Said ’twas the fear indeed, and that he doubted
’Twould prove the verity of certain words
Spoke by a holy monk “that oft,” says he,
“Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit
John de la Car, my chaplain, a choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment;
Whom after under the confession’s seal
He solemnly had sworn that what he spoke
My chaplain to no creature living but
To me should utter, with demure confidence
This pausingly ensued: ‘Neither the King, nor ’s heirs—
Tell you the Duke—shall prosper. Bid him strive
To gain the love o’ th’ commonalty; the Duke
Shall govern England.’”
QUEEN KATHERINE
If I know you well,
You were the Duke’s surveyor, and lost your office
On the complaint o’ th’ tenants. Take good heed
You charge not in your spleen a noble person
And spoil your nobler soul. I say, take heed—
Yes, heartily beseech you.
KING
Let him on.—
Go forward.
SURVEYOR
On my soul, I’ll speak but truth.
I told my lord the Duke, by th’ devil’s illusions
The monk might be deceived, and that ’twas dangerous
For him to ruminate on this so far until
It forged him some design, which, being believed,
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 2
It was much like to do. He answered “Tush,
It can do me no damage,” adding further
That had the King in his last sickness failed,
The Cardinal’s and Sir Thomas Lovell’s heads
Should have gone off.
KING
Ha! What, so rank? Ah ha!
There’s mischief in this man! Canst thou say further?
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SURVEYOR
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I can, my liege.
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KING
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SURVEYOR
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Proceed.
Being at Greenwich,
After your Highness had reproved the Duke
About Sir William Blumer—
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KING
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I remember of such a time, being my sworn servant,
The Duke retained him his. But on. What hence?
SURVEYOR
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“If,” quoth he, “I for this had been committed,”
As to the Tower, I thought, “I would have played
The part my father meant to act upon
Th’ usurper Richard, who, being at Salisbury,
Made suit to come in ’s presence; which if granted,
As he made semblance of his duty, would
Have put his knife into him.”
KING
A giant traitor!
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WOLSEY
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Now, madam, may his Highness live in freedom
And this man out of prison?
QUEEN KATHERINE
God mend all.
KING , to Surveyor
There’s something more would out of thee. What sayst?
SURVEYOR
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After “the Duke his father” with “the knife,”
He stretched him, and with one hand on his dagger,
Another spread on ’s breast, mounting his eyes,
He did discharge a horrible oath whose tenor
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 3
Was, were he evil used, he would outgo
His father by as much as a performance
Does an irresolute purpose.
KING
There’s his period,
To sheathe his knife in us! He is attached.
Call him to present trial. If he may
Find mercy in the law, ’tis his; if none,
Let him not seek ’t of us. By day and night,
He’s traitor to th’ height!
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They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Lord Chamberlain and Lord Sands.
CHAMBERLAIN
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Is ’t possible the spells of France should juggle
Men into such strange mysteries?
SANDS
New customs,
Though they be never so ridiculous—
Nay, let ’em be unmanly—yet are followed.
5
CHAMBERLAIN
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As far as I see, all the good our English
Have got by the late voyage is but merely
A fit or two o’ th’ face; but they are shrewd ones,
For when they hold ’em, you would swear directly
Their very noses had been counselors
To Pepin or Clotharius, they keep state so.
10
SANDS
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They have all new legs and lame ones; one would
take it,
That never see ’em pace before, the spavin
Or springhalt reigned among ’em.
CHAMBERLAIN
Death! My lord,
Their clothes are after such a pagan cut to ’t,
That, sure, they’ve worn out Christendom.
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 3
Enter Sir Thomas Lovell.
How now?
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What news, Sir Thomas Lovell?
20
Faith, my lord,
I hear of none but the new proclamation
That’s clapped upon the court gate.
CHAMBERLAIN
What is ’t for?
LOVELL
LOVELL
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The reformation of our traveled gallants
That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors.
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CHAMBERLAIN
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I’m glad ’tis there; now I would pray our monsieurs
To think an English courtier may be wise
And never see the Louvre.
LOVELL
They must either—
For so run the conditions—leave those remnants
Of fool and feather that they got in France,
With all their honorable points of ignorance
Pertaining thereunto, as fights and fireworks,
Abusing better men than they can be
Out of a foreign wisdom, renouncing clean
The faith they have in tennis and tall stockings,
Short blistered breeches, and those types of travel,
And understand again like honest men,
Or pack to their old playfellows. There, I take it,
They may cum privilegio “oui” away
The lag end of their lewdness and be laughed at.
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SANDS
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’Tis time to give ’em physic, their diseases
Are grown so catching.
CHAMBERLAIN
What a loss our ladies
Will have of these trim vanities!
LOVELL
Ay, marry,
There will be woe indeed, lords. The sly whoresons
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 3
Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies.
A French song and a fiddle has no fellow.
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SANDS
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The devil fiddle ’em! I am glad they are going,
For sure there’s no converting of ’em. Now
An honest country lord, as I am, beaten
A long time out of play, may bring his plainsong,
And have an hour of hearing, and, by ’r Lady,
Held current music too.
CHAMBERLAIN
Well said, Lord Sands.
Your colt’s tooth is not cast yet?
SANDS
No, my lord,
Nor shall not while I have a stump.
CHAMBERLAIN
Sir Thomas,
Whither were you a-going?
LOVELL
To the Cardinal’s.
Your Lordship is a guest too.
CHAMBERLAIN
O, ’tis true.
This night he makes a supper, and a great one,
To many lords and ladies. There will be
The beauty of this kingdom, I’ll assure you.
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LOVELL
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That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed,
A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us.
His dews fall everywhere.
CHAMBERLAIN
No doubt he’s noble;
He had a black mouth that said other of him.
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SANDS
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He may, my lord. ’Has wherewithal. In him,
Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine.
Men of his way should be most liberal;
They are set here for examples.
CHAMBERLAIN
True, they are so,
But few now give so great ones. My barge stays.
Your Lordship shall along.—Come, good Sir Thomas,
We shall be late else, which I would not be,
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 4
For I was spoke to, with Sir Henry Guilford
This night to be comptrollers.
SANDS
I am your Lordship’s.
They exit.
Scene 4
Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a
longer table for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen and
divers other ladies and gentlemen as guests at one door;
at another door enter Sir Henry Guilford.
GUILFORD
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Ladies, a general welcome from his Grace
Salutes you all. This night he dedicates
To fair content and you. None here, he hopes,
In all this noble bevy has brought with her
One care abroad. He would have all as merry
As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome
Can make good people.
5
Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and
Sir Thomas Lovell.
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O, my lord, you’re tardy!
The very thought of this fair company
Clapped wings to me.
CHAMBERLAIN
You are young, Sir Harry Guilford.
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SANDS
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Sir Thomas Lovell, had the Cardinal
But half my lay thoughts in him, some of these
Should find a running banquet, ere they rested,
I think would better please ’em. By my life,
They are a sweet society of fair ones.
LOVELL
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O, that your Lordship were but now confessor
To one or two of these!
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 4
I would I were.
They should find easy penance.
LOVELL
Faith, how easy?
SANDS
20
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As easy as a down bed would afford it.
CHAMBERLAIN
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Sweet ladies, will it please you sit?—Sir Harry,
Place you that side; I’ll take the charge of this.
The guests are seated.
His Grace is ent’ring. Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women placed together makes cold weather.
My Lord Sands, you are one will keep ’em waking.
Pray sit between these ladies.
SANDS
By my faith,
And thank your Lordship.—By your leave, sweet ladies.
He sits between Anne Bullen and another lady.
If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;
I had it from my father.
ANNE
Was he mad, sir?
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SANDS
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O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too;
But he would bite none. Just as I do now,
He would kiss you twenty with a breath.
35
He kisses Anne.
Well said,
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CHAMBERLAIN
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my lord.
So, now you’re fairly seated, gentlemen,
The penance lies on you if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.
SANDS
For my little cure,
Let me alone.
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Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, with Attendants and
Servants, and takes his state.
WOLSEY
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You’re welcome, my fair guests. That noble lady
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 4
Or gentleman that is not freely merry
Is not my friend. This to confirm my welcome,
And to you all good health.
He drinks to them.
SANDS
Your Grace is noble.
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks
And save me so much talking.
WOLSEY
My Lord Sands,
I am beholding to you. Cheer your neighbors.—
Ladies, you are not merry.—Gentlemen,
Whose fault is this?
SANDS
The red wine first must rise
In their fair cheeks, my lord. Then we shall have ’em
Talk us to silence.
ANNE
You are a merry gamester,
My Lord Sands.
SANDS
Yes, if I make my play.
Here’s to your Ladyship, and pledge it, madam,
He drinks to her.
For ’tis to such a thing—
ANNE
You cannot show me.
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SANDS
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I told your Grace they would talk anon.
Drum and Trumpet. Chambers discharged.
WOLSEY
What’s that?
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CHAMBERLAIN
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Look out there, some of you.
Servants exit.
WOLSEY
What warlike voice,
And to what end, is this?—Nay, ladies, fear not.
By all the laws of war you’re privileged.
Enter a Servant.
CHAMBERLAIN
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How now, what is ’t?
A noble troop of strangers,
For so they seem. They’ve left their barge and landed,
And hither make, as great ambassadors
From foreign princes.
SERVANT
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 4
Good Lord Chamberlain,
Go, give ’em welcome—you can speak the French
tongue—
And pray receive ’em nobly, and conduct ’em
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.
Lord Chamberlain exits, with Attendants.
All rise, and tables removed.
You have now a broken banquet, but we’ll mend it.
A good digestion to you all; and once more
I shower a welcome on you. Welcome all!
WOLSEY
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Hautboys. Enter King and others as masquers, habited
like shepherds, ushered by the Lord Chamberlain.
They pass directly before the Cardinal and gracefully
salute him.
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A noble company! What are their pleasures?
CHAMBERLAIN
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Because they speak no English, thus they prayed
To tell your Grace: that, having heard by fame
Of this so noble and so fair assembly
This night to meet here, they could do no less,
Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,
But leave their flocks and, under your fair conduct,
Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat
An hour of revels with ’em.
WOLSEY
Say, Lord Chamberlain,
They have done my poor house grace, for which I
pay ’em
A thousand thanks and pray ’em take their pleasures.
The masquers choose Ladies. The
King chooses Anne Bullen.
KING
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The fairest hand I ever touched! O beauty,
Till now I never knew thee.
Music, Dance.
WOLSEY
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My lord!
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 4
Your Grace?
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CHAMBERLAIN
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WOLSEY
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from me:
There should be one amongst ’em by his person
More worthy this place than myself, to whom,
If I but knew him, with my love and duty
I would surrender it.
CHAMBERLAIN
I will, my lord.
Whisper with the masquers.
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Pray tell ’em thus much
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WOLSEY
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What say they?
Such a one they all confess
There is indeed, which they would have your Grace
Find out, and he will take it.
WOLSEY
Let me see, then.
He leaves his state.
By all your good leaves, gentlemen.
He bows before the King.
Here I’ll make
My royal choice.
KING , unmasking
You have found him, cardinal.
You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord.
You are a churchman, or I’ll tell you, cardinal,
I should judge now unhappily.
WOLSEY
I am glad
Your Grace is grown so pleasant.
KING
My Lord Chamberlain,
Prithee come hither. What fair lady’s that?
CHAMBERLAIN
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CHAMBERLAIN
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An ’t please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter,
The Viscount Rochford, one of her Highness’ women.
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KING
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By heaven, she is a dainty one.—Sweetheart,
I were unmannerly to take you out
And not to kiss you. He kisses Anne. A health,
gentlemen!
Let it go round.
He drinks a toast.
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Henry VIII
ACT 1. SC. 4
WOLSEY
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Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
I’ th’ privy chamber?
LOVELL
Yes, my lord.
WOLSEY
Your Grace,
I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
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KING
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I fear, too much.
There’s fresher air, my lord,
In the next chamber.
WOLSEY
KING
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Lead in your ladies ev’ry one.—Sweet partner,
I must not yet forsake you.—Let’s be merry,
Good my Lord Cardinal. I have half a dozen healths
To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
To lead ’em once again, and then let’s dream
Who’s best in favor. Let the music knock it.
They exit, with Trumpets.
140
ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter two Gentlemen at several doors.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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Whither away so fast?
O, God save you.
E’en to the Hall to hear what shall become
Of the great Duke of Buckingham.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
I’ll save you
That labor, sir. All’s now done but the ceremony
Of bringing back the prisoner.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Were you there?
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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FIRST GENTLEMAN
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Yes, indeed was I.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Pray speak what has happened.
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FIRST GENTLEMAN
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You may guess quickly what.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Is he found guilty?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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Yes, truly, is he, and condemned upon ’t.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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I am sorry for ’t.
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FIRST GENTLEMAN
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SECOND GENTLEMAN
So are a number more.
But pray, how passed it?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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I’ll tell you in a little. The great duke
Came to the bar, where to his accusations
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 1
He pleaded still not guilty and alleged
Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
The King’s attorney on the contrary
Urged on the examinations, proofs, confessions
Of divers witnesses, which the Duke desired
To him brought viva voce to his face;
At which appeared against him his surveyor,
Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor, and John Car,
Confessor to him, with that devil monk,
Hopkins, that made this mischief.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
That was he
That fed him with his prophecies?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
The same.
All these accused him strongly, which he fain
Would have flung from him, but indeed he could not.
And so his peers upon this evidence
Have found him guilty of high treason. Much
He spoke, and learnèdly, for life, but all
Was either pitied in him or forgotten.
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SECOND GENTLEMAN
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After all this, how did he bear himself?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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When he was brought again to th’ bar to hear
His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirred
With such an agony he sweat extremely
And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty.
But he fell to himself again, and sweetly
In all the rest showed a most noble patience.
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SECOND GENTLEMAN
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I do not think he fears death.
Sure he does not;
He never was so womanish. The cause
He may a little grieve at.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Certainly
The Cardinal is the end of this.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
’Tis likely,
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FIRST GENTLEMAN
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 1
By all conjectures; first, Kildare’s attainder,
Then Deputy of Ireland, who, removed,
Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,
Lest he should help his father.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
That trick of state
Was a deep envious one.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
At his return
No doubt he will requite it. This is noted,
And generally: whoever the King favors,
The Card’nal instantly will find employment,
And far enough from court too.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
All the commons
Hate him perniciously and, o’ my conscience,
Wish him ten fathom deep. This duke as much
They love and dote on, call him bounteous
Buckingham,
The mirror of all courtesy.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Stay there, sir,
And see the noble ruined man you speak of.
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Enter Buckingham from his arraignment, Tipstaves before
him, the ax with the edge towards him, Halberds on each
side, accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovell, Sir Nicholas
Vaux, Sir Walter Sands, and Common People, etc.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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Let’s stand close and behold him.
All good people,
You that thus far have come to pity me,
Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.
I have this day received a traitor’s judgment,
And by that name must die. Yet heaven bear witness,
And if I have a conscience, let it sink me
Even as the ax falls, if I be not faithful!
The law I bear no malice for my death;
’T has done, upon the premises, but justice.
But those that sought it I could wish more Christian.
BUCKINGHAM
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 1
Be what they will, I heartily forgive ’em.
Yet let ’em look they glory not in mischief,
Nor build their evils on the graves of great men,
For then my guiltless blood must cry against ’em.
For further life in this world I ne’er hope,
Nor will I sue, although the King have mercies
More than I dare make faults. 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.—Lead on, a’ God’s name.
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LOVELL
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I do beseech your Grace, for charity,
If ever any malice in your heart
Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.
BUCKINGHAM
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Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you
As I would be forgiven. I forgive all.
There cannot be those numberless offenses
’Gainst me that I cannot take peace with. No black
envy
Shall make my grave. Commend me to his Grace.
And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him
You met him half in heaven. My vows and prayers
Yet are the King’s and, till my soul forsake,
Shall cry for blessings on him. 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!
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LOVELL
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To th’ waterside I must conduct your Grace,
Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,
Who undertakes you to your end.
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 1
VAUX,
calling as to Officers offstage
Prepare there!
The Duke is coming. See the barge be ready,
And fit it with such furniture as suits
The greatness of his person.
BUCKINGHAM
Nay, Sir Nicholas,
Let it alone. My state now will but mock me.
When I came hither, I was Lord High Constable
And Duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun.
Yet I am richer than my base accusers,
That never knew what truth meant. I now seal it,
And with that blood will make ’em one day groan for ’t.
My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,
Who first raised head against usurping Richard,
Flying for succor to his servant Banister,
Being distressed, was by that wretch betrayed,
And, without trial, fell. God’s peace be with him.
Henry the Seventh, succeeding, truly pitying
My father’s loss, like a most royal prince
Restored me to my honors and out of ruins
Made my name once more noble. Now his son,
Henry the Eighth, life, honor, name, and all
That made me happy at one stroke has taken
Forever from the world. I had my trial,
And must needs say a noble one, which makes me
A little happier than my wretched father.
Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both
Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most—
A most unnatural and faithless service.
Heaven has an end in all; yet, you that hear me,
This from a dying man receive as certain:
Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels
Be sure you be not loose; for those you make friends
And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
The least rub in your fortunes, fall away
Like water from you, never found again
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 1
But where they mean to sink you. All good people,
Pray for me. I must now forsake you. The last hour
Of my long weary life is come upon me.
Farewell. And when you would say something that
is sad,
Speak how I fell. I have done; and God forgive me.
Duke and train exit.
155
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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O, this is full of pity, sir! It calls,
I fear, too many curses on their heads
That were the authors.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
If the Duke be guiltless,
’Tis full of woe. Yet I can give you inkling
Of an ensuing evil, if it fall,
Greater than this.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Good angels keep it from us!
What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir?
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SECOND GENTLEMAN
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This secret is so weighty ’twill require
A strong faith to conceal it.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Let me have it.
I do not talk much.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I am confident;
You shall, sir. Did you not of late days hear
A buzzing of a separation
Between the King and Katherine?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Yes, but it held not;
For when the King once heard it, out of anger
He sent command to the Lord Mayor straight
To stop the rumor and allay those tongues
That durst disperse it.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
But that slander, sir,
Is found a truth now, for it grows again
Fresher than e’er it was, and held for certain
The King will venture at it. Either the Cardinal,
Or some about him near, have, out of malice
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 2
To the good queen, possessed him with a scruple
That will undo her. To confirm this too,
Cardinal Campeius is arrived, and lately,
As all think, for this business.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
’Tis the Cardinal;
And merely to revenge him on the Emperor
For not bestowing on him at his asking
The archbishopric of Toledo this is purposed.
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SECOND GENTLEMAN
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I think you have hit the mark. But is ’t not cruel
That she should feel the smart of this? The Cardinal
Will have his will, and she must fall.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
’Tis woeful.
We are too open here to argue this.
Let’s think in private more.
They exit.
195
Scene 2
Enter Lord Chamberlain, reading this letter.
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My lord, the horses your Lordship sent
for, with all the care I had I saw well chosen, ridden,
and furnished. They were young and handsome and
of the best breed in the north. When they were ready
to set out for London, a man of my Lord Cardinal’s,
by commission and main power, took ’em from me
with this reason: his master would be served before
a subject, if not before the King, which stopped our
mouths, sir.
I fear he will indeed; well, let him have them.
He will have all, I think.
CHAMBERLAIN
Enter to the Lord Chamberlain, the Dukes
of Norfolk and Suffolk.
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Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.
CHAMBERLAIN Good day to both your Graces.
NORFOLK
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 2
SUFFOLK
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How is the King employed?
I left him private,
Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
NORFOLK
What’s the cause?
CHAMBERLAIN
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CHAMBERLAIN
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It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife
Has crept too near his conscience.
SUFFOLK
No, his conscience
Has crept too near another lady.
NORFOLK
’Tis so;
This is the Cardinal’s doing. The king-cardinal,
That blind priest, like the eldest son of Fortune,
Turns what he list. The King will know him one day.
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SUFFOLK
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Pray God he do! He’ll never know himself else.
NORFOLK
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How holily he works in all his business,
And with what zeal! For, now he has cracked the
league
Between us and the Emperor, the Queen’s
great-nephew,
He dives into the King’s soul and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,
Fears and despairs—and all these for his marriage.
And out of all these to restore the King,
He counsels a divorce, a loss of her
That like a jewel has hung twenty years
About his neck, yet never lost her luster;
Of her that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with; even of her
That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls,
Will bless the King. And is not this course pious?
CHAMBERLAIN
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Heaven keep me from such counsel! ’Tis most true:
These news are everywhere, every tongue speaks ’em,
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ACT 2. SC. 2
And every true heart weeps for ’t. All that dare
Look into these affairs see this main end,
The French king’s sister. Heaven will one day open
The King’s eyes, that so long have slept upon
This bold bad man.
SUFFOLK And free us from his slavery.
NORFOLK We had need pray,
And heartily, for our deliverance,
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages. All men’s honors
Lie like one lump before him, to be fashioned
Into what pitch he please.
SUFFOLK
For me, my lords,
I love him not nor fear him; there’s my creed.
As I am made without him, so I’ll stand,
If the King please. His curses and his blessings
Touch me alike: they’re breath I not believe in.
I knew him and I know him; so I leave him
To him that made him proud, the Pope.
NORFOLK
Let’s in,
And with some other business put the King
From these sad thoughts that work too much upon
him.—
My lord, you’ll bear us company?
CHAMBERLAIN
Excuse me;
The King has sent me otherwhere. Besides,
You’ll find a most unfit time to disturb him.
Health to your Lordships.
NORFOLK
Thanks, my good Lord
Chamberlain.
Lord Chamberlain exits; and the King draws
the curtain and sits reading pensively.
SUFFOLK, to Norfolk
How sad he looks! Sure he is much afflicted.
KING
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Henry VIII
Who’s there? Ha?
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Henry VIII
NORFOLK ,
to Suffolk
ACT 2. SC. 2
Pray God he be not angry.
KING
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Who’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves
Into my private meditations? Who am I, ha?
NORFOLK
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A gracious king that pardons all offenses
Malice ne’er meant. Our breach of duty this way
Is business of estate, in which we come
To know your royal pleasure.
KING
You are too bold.
Go to; I’ll make you know your times of business.
Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?
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Enter Wolsey and Campeius, with a commission.
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Who’s there? My good Lord Cardinal? O my Wolsey,
The quiet of my wounded conscience,
Thou art a cure fit for a king. To Campeius. You’re
welcome,
Most learnèd reverend sir, into our kingdom.
Use us and it.—My good lord, have great care
I be not found a talker.
WOLSEY
Sir, you cannot.
I would your Grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference.
KING , to Norfolk and Suffolk
We are busy. Go.
NORFOLK , aside to Suffolk
This priest has no pride in him?
SUFFOLK, aside to Norfolk
Not to speak of.
I would not be so sick, though for his place.
But this cannot continue.
NORFOLK , aside to Suffolk
If it do,
I’ll venture one have-at-him.
SUFFOLK, aside to Norfolk
I another.
Norfolk and Suffolk exit.
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WOLSEY
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Your Grace has given a precedent of wisdom
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 2
Above all princes in committing freely
Your scruple to the voice of Christendom.
Who can be angry now? What envy reach you?
The Spaniard, tied by blood and favor to her,
Must now confess, if they have any goodness,
The trial just and noble; all the clerks—
I mean the learnèd ones in Christian kingdoms—
Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judgment,
Invited by your noble self, hath sent
One general tongue unto us, this good man,
This just and learnèd priest, Cardinal Campeius,
Whom once more I present unto your Highness.
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KING
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And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome,
And thank the holy conclave for their loves.
They have sent me such a man I would have wished
for.
He embraces Campeius.
CAMPEIUS, handing the King a paper
Your Grace must needs deserve all strangers’ loves,
You are so noble. To your Highness’ hand
I tender my commission—by whose virtue,
The court of Rome commanding, you, my Lord
Cardinal of York, are joined with me their servant
In the unpartial judging of this business.
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KING
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Two equal men. The Queen shall be acquainted
Forthwith for what you come. Where’s Gardiner?
WOLSEY
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I know your Majesty has always loved her
So dear in heart not to deny her that
A woman of less place might ask by law:
Scholars allowed freely to argue for her.
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KING
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Ay, and the best she shall have, and my favor
To him that does best. God forbid else. Cardinal,
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ACT 2. SC. 2
Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary.
I find him a fit fellow.
Wolsey goes to the door.
Enter Gardiner to Wolsey.
WOLSEY ,
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aside to Gardiner
Give me your hand. Much joy and favor to you.
You are the King’s now.
GARDINER , aside to Wolsey
But to be commanded
Forever by your Grace, whose hand has raised me.
KING Come hither, Gardiner.
The King and Gardiner walk and whisper.
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CAMPEIUS
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My lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace
In this man’s place before him?
WOLSEY
Yes, he was.
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CAMPEIUS
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Was he not held a learnèd man?
WOLSEY
Yes, surely.
CAMPEIUS
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Believe me, there’s an ill opinion spread, then,
Even of yourself, Lord Cardinal.
WOLSEY
How? Of me?
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CAMPEIUS
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They will not stick to say you envied him
And, fearing he would rise—he was so virtuous—
Kept him a foreign man still, which so grieved him
That he ran mad and died.
WOLSEY
Heav’n’s peace be with him!
That’s Christian care enough. For living murmurers,
There’s places of rebuke. He was a fool,
For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow
If I command him follows my appointment.
I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother:
We live not to be griped by meaner persons.
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ACT 2. SC. 3
KING ,
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to Gardiner
Deliver this with modesty to th’ Queen.
Gardiner exits.
The most convenient place that I can think of
For such receipt of learning is Blackfriars.
There you shall meet about this weighty business.
My Wolsey, see it furnished. O, my lord,
Would it not grieve an able man to leave
So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience!
O, ’tis a tender place, and I must leave her.
They exit.
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Scene 3
Enter Anne Bullen and an old Lady.
ANNE
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Not for that neither. Here’s the pang that pinches:
His Highness having lived so long with her, and she
So good a lady that no tongue could ever
Pronounce dishonor of her—by my life,
She never knew harm-doing!—O, now, after
So many courses of the sun enthroned,
Still growing in a majesty and pomp, the which
To leave a thousandfold more bitter than
’Tis sweet at first t’ acquire—after this process,
To give her the avaunt! It is a pity
Would move a monster.
OLD LADY
Hearts of most hard temper
Melt and lament for her.
ANNE
O, God’s will! Much better
She ne’er had known pomp; though ’t be temporal,
Yet if that quarrel, Fortune, do divorce
It from the bearer, ’tis a sufferance panging
As soul and body’s severing.
OLD LADY
Alas, poor lady,
She’s a stranger now again!
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Henry VIII
So much the more
Must pity drop upon her. Verily,
I swear, ’tis better to be lowly born
And range with humble livers in content
Than to be perked up in a glist’ring grief
And wear a golden sorrow.
OLD LADY
Our content
Is our best having.
ANNE
By my troth and maidenhead,
I would not be a queen.
OLD LADY
Beshrew me, I would,
And venture maidenhead for ’t; and so would you,
For all this spice of your hypocrisy.
You, that have so fair parts of woman on you,
Have too a woman’s heart, which ever yet
Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty;
Which, to say sooth, are blessings; and which gifts,
Saving your mincing, the capacity
Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive
If you might please to stretch it.
ANNE
Nay, good troth.
ACT 2. SC. 3
ANNE
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OLD LADY
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Yes, troth, and troth. You would not be a queen?
ANNE
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No, not for all the riches under heaven.
OLD LADY
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’Tis strange. A threepence bowed would hire me,
Old as I am, to queen it. But I pray you,
What think you of a duchess? Have you limbs
To bear that load of title?
ANNE
No, in truth.
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OLD LADY
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Then you are weakly made. Pluck off a little.
I would not be a young count in your way
For more than blushing comes to. If your back
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 3
Cannot vouchsafe this burden, ’tis too weak
Ever to get a boy.
ANNE
How you do talk!
I swear again, I would not be a queen
For all the world.
OLD LADY
In faith, for little England
You’d venture an emballing. I myself
Would for Carnarvanshire, although there longed
No more to th’ crown but that. Lo, who comes here?
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Enter Lord Chamberlain.
CHAMBERLAIN
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Good morrow, ladies. What were ’t worth to know
The secret of your conference?
ANNE
My good lord,
Not your demand; it values not your asking.
Our mistress’ sorrows we were pitying.
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CHAMBERLAIN
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It was a gentle business, and becoming
The action of good women. There is hope
All will be well.
ANNE
Now, I pray God, amen!
CHAMBERLAIN
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You bear a gentle mind, and heav’nly blessings
Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note’s
Ta’en of your many virtues, the King’s Majesty
Commends his good opinion of you to you, and
Does purpose honor to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke, to which title
A thousand pound a year annual support
Out of his grace he adds.
ANNE
I do not know
What kind of my obedience I should tender.
More than my all is nothing, nor my prayers
Are not words duly hallowed, nor my wishes
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 3
More worth than empty vanities. Yet prayers and
wishes
Are all I can return. ’Beseech your Lordship,
Vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience,
As from a blushing handmaid, to his Highness,
Whose health and royalty I pray for.
CHAMBERLAIN
Lady,
I shall not fail t’ approve the fair conceit
The King hath of you. ( Aside. ) I have perused her
well.
Beauty and honor in her are so mingled
That they have caught the King. And who knows yet
But from this lady may proceed a gem
To lighten all this isle?—I’ll to the King
And say I spoke with you.
ANNE
My honored lord.
Lord Chamberlain exits.
OLD LADY Why, this it is! See, see!
I have been begging sixteen years in court,
Am yet a courtier beggarly, nor could
Come pat betwixt too early and too late
For any suit of pounds; and you—O, fate!—
A very fresh fish here—fie, fie, fie upon
This compelled fortune!—have your mouth filled up
Before you open it.
ANNE
This is strange to me.
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OLD LADY
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How tastes it? Is it bitter? Forty pence, no.
There was a lady once—’tis an old story—
That would not be a queen, that would she not,
For all the mud in Egypt. Have you heard it?
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ANNE
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Come, you are pleasant.
With your theme, I could
O’ermount the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke?
A thousand pounds a year for pure respect?
No other obligation? By my life,
OLD LADY
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
That promises more thousands; honor’s train
Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time
I know your back will bear a duchess. Say,
Are you not stronger than you were?
ANNE
Good lady,
Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy,
And leave me out on ’t. Would I had no being
If this salute my blood a jot. It faints me
To think what follows.
The Queen is comfortless and we forgetful
In our long absence. Pray do not deliver
What here you’ve heard to her.
OLD LADY
What do you think me?
They exit.
Scene 4
Trumpets, sennet, and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with
short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, in the habit of
doctors; after them, the Bishop of Canterbury alone; after
him, the Bishops of Lincoln, Ely, Rochester, and Saint
Asaph; next them, with some small distance, follows a
Gentleman bearing the purse with the great seal, and a
cardinal’s hat. Then two Priests, bearing each a silver
cross; then a Gentleman Usher bare-headed, accompanied
with a Sergeant-at-Arms, bearing a silver mace; then two
Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars. After them,
side by side, the two Cardinals, and two Noblemen with
the sword and mace. The King takes place under the cloth
of state. The two Cardinals sit under him as judges. The
Queen takes place some distance from the King. The
Bishops place themselves on each side the court, in
manner of a consistory; below them the Scribes. The
Lords sit next the Bishops. The rest of the Attendants
including a Crier and the Queen’s Gentleman Usher
stand in convenient order about the stage.
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
WOLSEY
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Whilst our commission from Rome is read,
Let silence be commanded.
KING
What’s the need?
It hath already publicly been read,
And on all sides th’ authority allowed.
You may then spare that time.
WOLSEY
Be ’t so. Proceed.
SCRIBE Say “Henry King of England, come into the
court.”
CRIER Henry King of England, come into the court.
KING Here.
SCRIBE Say “Katherine Queen of England, come into
the court.”
CRIER Katherine Queen of England, come into the
court.
The Queen makes no answer, rises out of her
chair, goes about the court, comes to the King,
and kneels at his feet; then speaks.
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QUEEN KATHERINE
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Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,
And to bestow your pity on me; for
I am a most poor woman and a stranger,
Born out of your dominions, having here
No judge indifferent nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? What cause
Hath my behavior given to your displeasure
That thus you should proceed to put me off
And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness
I have been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable,
Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,
Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry
As I saw it inclined. When was the hour
I ever contradicted your desire,
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends
Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy? What friend of mine
That had to him derived your anger did I
Continue in my liking? Nay, gave notice
He was from thence discharged? Sir, call to mind
That I have been your wife in this obedience
Upward of twenty years, and have been blessed
With many children by you. If, in the course
And process of this time, you can report,
And prove it too, against mine honor aught,
My bond to wedlock or my love and duty
Against your sacred person, in God’s name
Turn me away and let the foul’st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up
To the sharp’st kind of justice. Please you, sir,
The King your father was reputed for
A prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatched wit and judgment. Ferdinand,
My father, King of Spain, was reckoned one
The wisest prince that there had reigned by many
A year before. It is not to be questioned
That they had gathered a wise council to them
Of every realm, that did debate this business,
Who deemed our marriage lawful. Wherefore I humbly
Beseech you, sir, to spare me till I may
Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel
I will implore. If not, i’ th’ name of God,
Your pleasure be fulfilled.
WOLSEY
You have here, lady,
And of your choice, these reverend fathers, men
Of singular integrity and learning,
Yea, the elect o’ th’ land, who are assembled
To plead your cause. It shall be therefore bootless
That longer you desire the court, as well
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
For your own quiet as to rectify
What is unsettled in the King.
His Grace
Hath spoken well and justly. Therefore, madam,
It’s fit this royal session do proceed
And that without delay their arguments
Be now produced and heard.
QUEEN KATHERINE
Lord Cardinal,
To you I speak.
WOLSEY
Your pleasure, madam.
QUEEN KATHERINE
Sir,
I am about to weep; but thinking that
We are a queen, or long have dreamed so, certain
The daughter of a king, my drops of tears
I’ll turn to sparks of fire.
WOLSEY
Be patient yet.
CAMPEIUS
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QUEEN KATHERINE
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I will, when you are humble; nay, before,
Or God will punish me. I do believe,
Induced by potent circumstances, that
You are mine enemy, and make my challenge
You shall not be my judge; for it is you
Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me—
Which God’s dew quench! Therefore I say again,
I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul
Refuse you for my judge, whom, yet once more,
I hold my most malicious foe and think not
At all a friend to truth.
WOLSEY
I do profess
You speak not like yourself, who ever yet
Have stood to charity and displayed th’ effects
Of disposition gentle and of wisdom
O’ertopping woman’s power. Madam, you do me
wrong.
I have no spleen against you, nor injustice
For you or any. How far I have proceeded,
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
Or how far further shall, is warranted
By a commission from the Consistory,
Yea, the whole Consistory of Rome. You charge me
That I “have blown this coal.” I do deny it.
The King is present. If it be known to him
That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,
And worthily, my falsehood, yea, as much
As you have done my truth. If he know
That I am free of your report, he knows
I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him
It lies to cure me, and the cure is to
Remove these thoughts from you, the which before
His Highness shall speak in, I do beseech
You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking
And to say so no more.
QUEEN KATHERINE
My lord, my lord,
I am a simple woman, much too weak
T’ oppose your cunning. You’re meek and
humble-mouthed;
You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,
With meekness and humility, but your heart
Is crammed with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
You have by fortune and his Highness’ favors
Gone slightly o’er low steps, and now are mounted
Where powers are your retainers, and your words,
Domestics to you, serve your will as ’t please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,
You tender more your person’s honor than
Your high profession spiritual, that again
I do refuse you for my judge, and here,
Before you all, appeal unto the Pope
To bring my whole cause ’fore his Holiness,
And to be judged by him.
She curtsies to the King, and offers to depart.
CAMPEIUS
The Queen is obstinate,
Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
Disdainful to be tried by ’t. ’Tis not well.
She’s going away.
KING
Call her again.
CRIER Katherine, Queen of England, come into the
court.
GENTLEMAN USHER Madam, you are called back.
140
QUEEN KATHERINE
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What need you note it? Pray you, keep your way.
When you are called, return. Now, the Lord help!
They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on.
I will not tarry; no, nor ever more
Upon this business my appearance make
In any of their courts.
Queen and her Attendants exit.
KING
Go thy ways, Kate.
That man i’ th’ world who shall report he has
A better wife, let him in naught be trusted,
For speaking false in that. Thou art, alone—
If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness,
Thy meekness saintlike, wifelike government,
Obeying in commanding, and thy parts
Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out—
The queen of earthly queens. She’s noble born,
And like her true nobility she has
Carried herself towards me.
WOLSEY
Most gracious sir,
In humblest manner I require your Highness
That it shall please you to declare in hearing
Of all these ears—for where I am robbed and bound,
There must I be unloosed, although not there
At once and fully satisfied—whether ever I
Did broach this business to your Highness, or
Laid any scruple in your way which might
Induce you to the question on ’t, or ever
Have to you, but with thanks to God for such
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
A royal lady, spake one the least word that might
Be to the prejudice of her present state,
Or touch of her good person?
KING
My Lord Cardinal,
I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honor,
I free you from ’t. You are not to be taught
That you have many enemies that know not
Why they are so but, like to village curs,
Bark when their fellows do. By some of these
The Queen is put in anger. You’re excused.
But will you be more justified? You ever
Have wished the sleeping of this business, never
desired
It to be stirred, but oft have hindered, oft,
The passages made toward it. On my honor
I speak my good Lord Cardinal to this point
And thus far clear him. Now, what moved me to ’t,
I will be bold with time and your attention.
Then mark th’ inducement. Thus it came; give heed
to ’t:
My conscience first received a tenderness,
Scruple, and prick on certain speeches uttered
By th’ Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador,
Who had been hither sent on the debating
A marriage ’twixt the Duke of Orleans and
Our daughter Mary. I’ th’ progress of this business,
Ere a determinate resolution, he,
I mean the Bishop, did require a respite
Wherein he might the King his lord advertise
Whether our daughter were legitimate,
Respecting this our marriage with the dowager,
Sometime our brother’s wife. This respite shook
The bosom of my conscience, entered me,
Yea, with a spitting power, and made to tremble
The region of my breast; which forced such way
That many mazed considerings did throng
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
And pressed in with this caution. First, methought
I stood not in the smile of heaven, who had
Commanded nature that my lady’s womb,
If it conceived a male child by me, should
Do no more offices of life to ’t than
The grave does to th’ dead, for her male issue
Or died where they were made, or shortly after
This world had aired them. Hence I took a thought
This was a judgment on me, that my kingdom,
Well worthy the best heir o’ th’ world, should not
Be gladded in ’t by me. Then follows that
I weighed the danger which my realms stood in
By this my issue’s fail, and that gave to me
Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in
The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
Toward this remedy whereupon we are
Now present here together. That’s to say,
I meant to rectify my conscience, which
I then did feel full sick, and yet not well,
By all the reverend fathers of the land
And doctors learnèd. First, I began in private
With you, my Lord of Lincoln. You remember
How under my oppression I did reek
When I first moved you.
LINCOLN
Very well, my liege.
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KING
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I have spoke long. Be pleased yourself to say
How far you satisfied me.
LINCOLN
So please your Highness,
The question did at first so stagger me,
Bearing a state of mighty moment in ’t
And consequence of dread, that I committed
The daring’st counsel which I had to doubt,
And did entreat your Highness to this course
Which you are running here.
KING
I then moved you,
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Henry VIII
ACT 2. SC. 4
My Lord of Canterbury, and got your leave
To make this present summons. Unsolicited
I left no reverend person in this court,
But by particular consent proceeded
Under your hands and seals. Therefore go on,
For no dislike i’ th’ world against the person
Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points
Of my allegèd reasons drives this forward.
Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life
And kingly dignity, we are contented
To wear our mortal state to come with her,
Katherine our queen, before the primest creature
That’s paragoned o’ th’ world.
CAMPEIUS
So please your Highness,
The Queen being absent, ’tis a needful fitness
That we adjourn this court till further day.
Meanwhile must be an earnest motion
Made to the Queen to call back her appeal
She intends unto his Holiness.
KING , aside
I may perceive
These cardinals trifle with me. I abhor
This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.
My learnèd and well-belovèd servant Cranmer,
Prithee return. With thy approach, I know,
My comfort comes along.—Break up the court.
I say, set on.
They exit, in manner as they entered.
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ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Queen and her Women, as at work.
QUEEN KATHERINE
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Take thy lute, wench. My soul grows sad with troubles.
Sing, and disperse ’em if thou canst. Leave working.
WOMAN sings song.
Orpheus with his lute made trees
And the mountaintops that freeze
Bow themselves when he did sing.
To his music plants and flowers
Ever sprung, as sun and showers
There had made a lasting spring.
Everything that heard him play,
Even the billows of the sea,
Hung their heads and then lay by.
In sweet music is such art,
Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep or, hearing, die.
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Enter a Gentleman.
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QUEEN KATHERINE
How now?
GENTLEMAN
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An ’t please your Grace, the two great cardinals
Wait in the presence.
QUEEN KATHERINE
Would they speak with me?
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 1
GENTLEMAN
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They willed me say so, madam.
Pray their Graces
To come near.
Gentleman exits.
What can be their business
With me, a poor weak woman, fall’n from favor?
I do not like their coming, now I think on ’t.
They should be good men, their affairs as righteous.
But all hoods make not monks.
QUEEN KATHERINE
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Enter the two Cardinals, Wolsey and Campeius.
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WOLSEY
Peace to your Highness.
QUEEN KATHERINE
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Your Graces find me here part of a housewife;
I would be all, against the worst may happen.
What are your pleasures with me, reverend lords?
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WOLSEY
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May it please you, noble madam, to withdraw
Into your private chamber, we shall give you
The full cause of our coming.
QUEEN KATHERINE
Speak it here.
There’s nothing I have done yet, o’ my conscience,
Deserves a corner. Would all other women
Could speak this with as free a soul as I do.
My lords, I care not, so much I am happy
Above a number, if my actions
Were tried by ev’ry tongue, ev’ry eye saw ’em,
Envy and base opinion set against ’em,
I know my life so even. If your business
Seek me out, and that way I am wife in,
Out with it boldly. Truth loves open dealing.
WOLSEY Tanta est erga te mentis integritas, regina
serenissima—
QUEEN KATHERINE O, good my lord, no Latin!
I am not such a truant since my coming
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 1
As not to know the language I have lived in.
A strange tongue makes my cause more strange,
suspicious.
Pray speak in English. Here are some will thank you,
If you speak truth, for their poor mistress’ sake.
Believe me, she has had much wrong. Lord Cardinal,
The willing’st sin I ever yet committed
May be absolved in English.
WOLSEY
Noble lady,
I am sorry my integrity should breed—
And service to his Majesty and you—
So deep suspicion, where all faith was meant.
We come not by the way of accusation,
To taint that honor every good tongue blesses,
Nor to betray you any way to sorrow—
You have too much, good lady—but to know
How you stand minded in the weighty difference
Between the King and you, and to deliver,
Like free and honest men, our just opinions
And comforts to your cause.
CAMPEIUS
Most honored madam,
My Lord of York, out of his noble nature,
Zeal, and obedience he still bore your Grace,
Forgetting, like a good man, your late censure
Both of his truth and him—which was too far—
Offers, as I do, in a sign of peace,
His service and his counsel.
QUEEN KATHERINE , aside
To betray me.—
My lords, I thank you both for your good wills.
You speak like honest men; pray God you prove so.
But how to make you suddenly an answer
In such a point of weight, so near mine honor—
More near my life, I fear—with my weak wit,
And to such men of gravity and learning,
In truth I know not. I was set at work
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 1
Among my maids, full little, God knows, looking
Either for such men or such business.
For her sake that I have been—for I feel
The last fit of my greatness—good your Graces,
Let me have time and counsel for my cause.
Alas, I am a woman friendless, hopeless.
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WOLSEY
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Madam, you wrong the King’s love with these fears;
Your hopes and friends are infinite.
QUEEN KATHERINE
In England
But little for my profit. Can you think, lords,
That any Englishman dare give me counsel,
Or be a known friend, ’gainst his Highness’ pleasure,
Though he be grown so desperate to be honest,
And live a subject? Nay, forsooth. My friends,
They that must weigh out my afflictions,
They that my trust must grow to, live not here.
They are, as all my other comforts, far hence
In mine own country, lords.
CAMPEIUS
I would your Grace
Would leave your griefs and take my counsel.
QUEEN KATHERINE
How, sir?
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CAMPEIUS
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Put your main cause into the King’s protection.
He’s loving and most gracious. ’Twill be much
Both for your honor better and your cause,
For if the trial of the law o’ertake you,
You’ll part away disgraced.
WOLSEY
He tells you rightly.
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QUEEN KATHERINE
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You tell me what you wish for both: my ruin.
Is this your Christian counsel? Out upon you!
Heaven is above all yet; there sits a judge
That no king can corrupt.
CAMPEIUS
Your rage mistakes us.
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 1
QUEEN KATHERINE
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The more shame for you! Holy men I thought you,
Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues;
But cardinal sins and hollow hearts I fear you.
Mend ’em, for shame, my lords. Is this your comfort?
The cordial that you bring a wretched lady,
A woman lost among you, laughed at, scorned?
I will not wish you half my miseries;
I have more charity. But say I warned you:
Take heed, for heaven’s sake, take heed, lest at once
The burden of my sorrows fall upon you.
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WOLSEY
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Madam, this is a mere distraction.
You turn the good we offer into envy.
QUEEN KATHERINE
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You turn me into nothing! Woe upon you
And all such false professors. Would you have me—
If you have any justice, any pity,
If you be anything but churchmen’s habits—
Put my sick cause into his hands that hates me?
Alas, has banished me his bed already,
His love, too, long ago. I am old, my lords,
And all the fellowship I hold now with him
Is only my obedience. What can happen
To me above this wretchedness? All your studies
Make me a curse like this.
CAMPEIUS
Your fears are worse.
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QUEEN KATHERINE
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Have I lived thus long—let me speak myself,
Since virtue finds no friends—a wife, a true one—
A woman, I dare say without vainglory,
Never yet branded with suspicion—
Have I with all my full affections
Still met the King, loved him next heav’n, obeyed him,
Been, out of fondness, superstitious to him,
Almost forgot my prayers to content him,
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 1
And am I thus rewarded? ’Tis not well, lords.
Bring me a constant woman to her husband,
One that ne’er dreamed a joy beyond his pleasure,
And to that woman, when she has done most,
Yet will I add an honor: a great patience.
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WOLSEY
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Madam, you wander from the good we aim at.
QUEEN KATHERINE
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My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty
To give up willingly that noble title
Your master wed me to. Nothing but death
Shall e’er divorce my dignities.
WOLSEY
Pray hear me.
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QUEEN KATHERINE
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Would I had never trod this English earth
Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it!
You have angels’ faces, but heaven knows your hearts.
What will become of me now, wretched lady?
I am the most unhappy woman living.
To her Women. Alas, poor wenches, where are now
your fortunes?
Shipwracked upon a kingdom where no pity,
No friends, no hope, no kindred weep for me,
Almost no grave allowed me, like the lily
That once was mistress of the field and flourished,
I’ll hang my head and perish.
WOLSEY
If your Grace
Could but be brought to know our ends are honest,
You’d feel more comfort. Why should we, good lady,
Upon what cause, wrong you? Alas, our places,
The way of our profession, is against it.
We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow ’em.
For goodness’ sake, consider what you do,
How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly
Grow from the King’s acquaintance by this carriage.
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
The hearts of princes kiss obedience,
So much they love it. But to stubborn spirits
They swell and grow as terrible as storms.
I know you have a gentle, noble temper,
A soul as even as a calm. Pray think us
Those we profess: peacemakers, friends, and servants.
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CAMPEIUS
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Madam, you’ll find it so. You wrong your virtues
With these weak women’s fears. A noble spirit,
As yours was put into you, ever casts
Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The King loves
you;
Beware you lose it not. For us, if you please
To trust us in your business, we are ready
To use our utmost studies in your service.
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QUEEN KATHERINE
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Do what you will, my lords, and pray forgive me
If I have used myself unmannerly.
You know I am a woman, lacking wit
To make a seemly answer to such persons.
Pray do my service to his Majesty.
He has my heart yet and shall have my prayers
While I shall have my life. Come, reverend fathers,
Bestow your counsels on me. She now begs
That little thought, when she set footing here,
She should have bought her dignities so dear.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter the Duke of Norfolk, Duke of Suffolk, Lord Surrey,
and Lord Chamberlain.
NORFOLK
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If you will now unite in your complaints
And force them with a constancy, the Cardinal
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
Cannot stand under them. If you omit
The offer of this time, I cannot promise
But that you shall sustain more new disgraces
With these you bear already.
SURREY
I am joyful
To meet the least occasion that may give me
Remembrance of my father-in-law the Duke,
To be revenged on him.
SUFFOLK
Which of the peers
Have uncontemned gone by him, or at least
Strangely neglected? When did he regard
The stamp of nobleness in any person
Out of himself?
CHAMBERLAIN
My lords, you speak your pleasures;
What he deserves of you and me I know;
What we can do to him—though now the time
Gives way to us—I much fear. If you cannot
Bar his access to th’ King, never attempt
Anything on him, for he hath a witchcraft
Over the King in ’s tongue.
NORFOLK
O, fear him not.
His spell in that is out. The King hath found
Matter against him that forever mars
The honey of his language. No, he’s settled,
Not to come off, in his displeasure.
SURREY
Sir,
I should be glad to hear such news as this
Once every hour.
NORFOLK
Believe it, this is true.
In the divorce his contrary proceedings
Are all unfolded, wherein he appears
As I would wish mine enemy.
SURREY
How came
His practices to light?
SUFFOLK
Most strangely.
SURREY
O, how, how?
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
SUFFOLK
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The Cardinal’s letters to the Pope miscarried
And came to th’ eye o’ th’ King, wherein was read
How that the Cardinal did entreat his Holiness
To stay the judgment o’ th’ divorce; for if
It did take place, “I do,” quoth he, “perceive
My king is tangled in affection to
A creature of the Queen’s, Lady Anne Bullen.”
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SURREY
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Has the King this?
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SUFFOLK
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SURREY
Believe it.
Will this work?
CHAMBERLAIN
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The King in this perceives him how he coasts
And hedges his own way. But in this point
All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic
After his patient’s death: the King already
Hath married the fair lady.
SURREY
Would he had!
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SUFFOLK
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May you be happy in your wish, my lord,
For I profess you have it.
SURREY
Now, all my joy
Trace the conjunction!
SUFFOLK
My amen to ’t.
NORFOLK
All men’s.
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SUFFOLK
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There’s order given for her coronation.
Marry, this is yet but young and may be left
To some ears unrecounted. But, my lords,
She is a gallant creature and complete
In mind and feature. I persuade me, from her
Will fall some blessing to this land which shall
In it be memorized.
SURREY
But will the King
Digest this letter of the Cardinal’s?
The Lord forbid!
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NORFOLK
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SUFFOLK
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
Marry, amen!
No, no.
There be more wasps that buzz about his nose
Will make this sting the sooner. Cardinal Campeius
Is stol’n away to Rome, hath ta’en no leave,
Has left the cause o’ th’ King unhandled, and
Is posted as the agent of our cardinal
To second all his plot. I do assure you
The King cried “Ha!” at this.
CHAMBERLAIN
Now God incense him,
And let him cry “Ha!” louder.
NORFOLK
But, my lord,
When returns Cranmer?
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SUFFOLK
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He is returned in his opinions, which
Have satisfied the King for his divorce,
Together with all famous colleges
Almost in Christendom. Shortly, I believe,
His second marriage shall be published, and
Her coronation. Katherine no more
Shall be called queen, but princess dowager
And widow to Prince Arthur.
NORFOLK
This same Cranmer’s
A worthy fellow, and hath ta’en much pain
In the King’s business.
SUFFOLK
He has, and we shall see him
For it an archbishop.
NORFOLK
So I hear.
SUFFOLK
’Tis so.
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Enter Wolsey and Cromwell, meeting.
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The Cardinal!
NORFOLK
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Observe, observe; he’s moody.
WOLSEY
Gave ’t you the King?
They stand aside.
The packet, Cromwell;
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CROMWELL
Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
To his own hand, in ’s bedchamber.
WOLSEY
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Looked he o’ th’ inside of the paper?
Presently
He did unseal them, and the first he viewed,
He did it with a serious mind; a heed
Was in his countenance. You he bade
Attend him here this morning.
WOLSEY
Is he ready
To come abroad?
CROMWELL I think by this he is.
WOLSEY Leave me awhile.
Cromwell exits.
Aside. It shall be to the Duchess of Alençon,
The French king’s sister; he shall marry her.
Anne Bullen? No, I’ll no Anne Bullens for him.
There’s more in ’t than fair visage. Bullen?
No, we’ll no Bullens. Speedily I wish
To hear from Rome. The Marchioness of Pembroke!
CROMWELL
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NORFOLK
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He’s discontented.
Maybe he hears the King
Does whet his anger to him.
SURREY
Sharp enough,
Lord, for thy justice!
WOLSEY , aside
The late queen’s gentlewoman, a knight’s daughter,
To be her mistress’ mistress? The Queen’s queen?
This candle burns not clear. ’Tis I must snuff it;
Then out it goes. What though I know her virtuous
And well-deserving? Yet I know her for
A spleeny Lutheran, and not wholesome to
Our cause that she should lie i’ th’ bosom of
Our hard-ruled king. Again, there is sprung up
An heretic, an arch-one, Cranmer, one
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SUFFOLK
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
Hath crawled into the favor of the King
And is his oracle.
NORFOLK
He is vexed at something.
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SURREY
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I would ’twere something that would fret the string,
The master-cord on ’s heart.
SUFFOLK
The King, the King!
Enter King, reading of a schedule, with Lovell
and Attendants.
KING
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What piles of wealth hath he accumulated
To his own portion! And what expense by th’ hour
Seems to flow from him! How i’ th’ name of thrift
Does he rake this together? Seeing the nobles. Now,
my lords,
Saw you the Cardinal?
NORFOLK , indicating Wolsey
My lord, we have
Stood here observing him. Some strange commotion
Is in his brain. He bites his lip, and starts,
Stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground,
Then lays his finger on his temple, straight
Springs out into fast gait, then stops again,
Strikes his breast hard, and anon he casts
His eye against the moon. In most strange postures
We have seen him set himself.
KING
It may well be
There is a mutiny in ’s mind. This morning
Papers of state he sent me to peruse,
As I required, and wot you what I found?
There—on my conscience, put unwittingly—
Forsooth, an inventory, thus importing
The several parcels of his plate, his treasure,
Rich stuffs and ornaments of household, which
I find at such proud rate that it outspeaks
Possession of a subject.
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
It’s heaven’s will!
Some spirit put this paper in the packet
To bless your eye withal.
KING , studying Wolsey
If we did think
His contemplation were above the Earth
And fixed on spiritual object, he should still
Dwell in his musings, but I am afraid
His thinkings are below the moon, not worth
His serious considering.
King takes his seat, whispers Lovell,
who goes to the Cardinal.
WOLSEY
Heaven forgive me!
Ever God bless your Highness.
KING
Good my lord,
You are full of heavenly stuff and bear the inventory
Of your best graces in your mind, the which
You were now running o’er. You have scarce time
To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span
To keep your earthly audit. Sure, in that
I deem you an ill husband, and am glad
To have you therein my companion.
WOLSEY
Sir,
For holy offices I have a time; a time
To think upon the part of business which
I bear i’ th’ state; and Nature does require
Her times of preservation, which perforce
I, her frail son, amongst my brethren mortal,
Must give my tendance to.
KING
You have said well.
NORFOLK
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WOLSEY
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And ever may your Highness yoke together,
As I will lend you cause, my doing well
With my well saying.
KING
’Tis well said again,
And ’tis a kind of good deed to say well.
And yet words are no deeds. My father loved you;
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
He said he did, and with his deed did crown
His word upon you. Since I had my office
I have kept you next my heart, have not alone
Employed you where high profits might come home,
But pared my present havings to bestow
My bounties upon you.
WOLSEY , aside
What should this mean?
SURREY , aside
The Lord increase this business!
KING
Have I not made you
The prime man of the state? I pray you tell me
If what I now pronounce you have found true;
And, if you may confess it, say withal
If you are bound to us or no. What say you?
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WOLSEY
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My sovereign, I confess your royal graces,
Showered on me daily, have been more than could
My studied purposes requite, which went
Beyond all man’s endeavors. My endeavors
Have ever come too short of my desires,
Yet filed with my abilities. Mine own ends
Have been mine so, that evermore they pointed
To th’ good of your most sacred person and
The profit of the state. For your great graces
Heaped upon me, poor undeserver, I
Can nothing render but allegiant thanks,
My prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty,
Which ever has and ever shall be growing
Till death—that winter—kill it.
KING
Fairly answered.
A loyal and obedient subject is
Therein illustrated. The honor of it
Does pay the act of it, as, i’ th’ contrary,
The foulness is the punishment. I presume
That, as my hand has opened bounty to you,
My heart dropped love, my power rained honor, more
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
On you than any, so your hand and heart,
Your brain, and every function of your power
Should—notwithstanding that your bond of duty
As ’twere in love’s particular—be more
To me, your friend, than any.
WOLSEY
I do profess
That for your Highness’ good I ever labored
More than mine own, that am, have, and will be—
Though all the world should crack their duty to you
And throw it from their soul, though perils did
Abound as thick as thought could make ’em, and
Appear in forms more horrid—yet my duty,
As doth a rock against the chiding flood,
Should the approach of this wild river break,
And stand unshaken yours.
KING
’Tis nobly spoken.—
Take notice, lords: he has a loyal breast,
For you have seen him open ’t.
He hands Wolsey papers.
Read o’er this,
And after, this; and then to breakfast with
What appetite you have.
King exits, frowning upon the Cardinal;
the nobles throng after him smiling
and whispering, and exit.
WOLSEY
What should this mean?
What sudden anger’s this? How have I reaped it?
He parted frowning from me, as if ruin
Leaped from his eyes. So looks the chafèd lion
Upon the daring huntsman that has galled him,
Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper—
I fear, the story of his anger.
He reads one of the papers.
’Tis so.
This paper has undone me. ’Tis th’ accompt
Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
For mine own ends—indeed, to gain the popedom
And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence,
Fit for a fool to fall by! What cross devil
Made me put this main secret in the packet
I sent the King? Is there no way to cure this?
No new device to beat this from his brains?
I know ’twill stir him strongly; yet I know
A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune
Will bring me off again.
He looks at another paper.
What’s this? “To th’ Pope”?
The letter, as I live, with all the business
I writ to ’s Holiness. Nay then, farewell!
I have touched the highest point of all my greatness,
And from that full meridian of my glory
I haste now to my setting. I shall fall
Like a bright exhalation in the evening
And no man see me more.
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Enter to Wolsey the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the
Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain.
NORFOLK
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Hear the King’s pleasure, cardinal, who commands
you
To render up the great seal presently
Into our hands, and to confine yourself
To Asher House, my Lord of Winchester’s,
Till you hear further from his Highness.
WOLSEY
Stay.
Where’s your commission, lords? Words cannot carry
Authority so weighty.
SUFFOLK
Who dare cross ’em,
Bearing the King’s will from his mouth expressly?
WOLSEY
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Till I find more than will or words to do it—
I mean your malice—know, officious lords,
I dare and must deny it. Now I feel
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
Of what coarse metal you are molded, envy;
How eagerly you follow my disgraces,
As if it fed you, and how sleek and wanton
You appear in everything may bring my ruin.
Follow your envious courses, men of malice;
You have Christian warrant for ’em, and no doubt
In time will find their fit rewards. That seal
You ask with such a violence, the King,
Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me;
Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honors,
During my life; and to confirm his goodness,
Tied it by letters patents. Now, who’ll take it?
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SURREY
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The King that gave it.
WOLSEY
It must be himself, then.
SURREY
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Thou art a proud traitor, priest.
Proud lord, thou liest.
Within these forty hours Surrey durst better
Have burnt that tongue than said so.
SURREY
Thy ambition,
Thou scarlet sin, robbed this bewailing land
Of noble Buckingham, my father-in-law.
The heads of all thy brother cardinals,
With thee and all thy best parts bound together,
Weighed not a hair of his. Plague of your policy!
You sent me Deputy for Ireland,
Far from his succor, from the King, from all
That might have mercy on the fault thou gav’st him,
Whilst your great goodness, out of holy pity,
Absolved him with an ax.
WOLSEY
This, and all else
This talking lord can lay upon my credit,
I answer, is most false. The Duke by law
Found his deserts. How innocent I was
From any private malice in his end,
WOLSEY
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
His noble jury and foul cause can witness.—
If I loved many words, lord, I should tell you
You have as little honesty as honor,
That in the way of loyalty and truth
Toward the King, my ever royal master,
Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be,
And all that love his follies.
SURREY
By my soul,
Your long coat, priest, protects you; thou shouldst feel
My sword i’ th’ life blood of thee else.—My lords,
Can you endure to hear this arrogance?
And from this fellow? If we live thus tamely,
To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet,
Farewell, nobility. Let his Grace go forward
And dare us with his cap, like larks.
WOLSEY
All goodness
Is poison to thy stomach.
SURREY
Yes, that goodness
Of gleaning all the land’s wealth into one,
Into your own hands, card’nal, by extortion;
The goodness of your intercepted packets
You writ to th’ Pope against the King. Your goodness,
Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious.—
My Lord of Norfolk, as you are truly noble,
As you respect the common good, the state
Of our despised nobility, our issues,
Whom, if he live, will scarce be gentlemen,
Produce the grand sum of his sins, the articles
Collected from his life.—I’ll startle you
Worse than the sacring bell when the brown wench
Lay kissing in your arms, Lord Cardinal.
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WOLSEY
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How much, methinks, I could despise this man,
But that I am bound in charity against it!
NORFOLK
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Those articles, my lord, are in the King’s hand;
But thus much, they are foul ones.
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
So much fairer
And spotless shall mine innocence arise
When the King knows my truth.
SURREY
This cannot save you.
I thank my memory I yet remember
Some of these articles, and out they shall.
Now, if you can blush and cry “Guilty,” cardinal,
You’ll show a little honesty.
WOLSEY
Speak on, sir.
I dare your worst objections. If I blush,
It is to see a nobleman want manners.
WOLSEY
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SURREY
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I had rather want those than my head. Have at you:
First, that without the King’s assent or knowledge,
You wrought to be a legate, by which power
You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops.
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NORFOLK
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Then, that in all you writ to Rome, or else
To foreign princes, “ego et rex meus”
Was still inscribed, in which you brought the King
To be your servant.
SUFFOLK
Then, that without the knowledge
Either of king or council, when you went
Ambassador to the Emperor, you made bold
To carry into Flanders the great seal.
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SURREY
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Item, you sent a large commission
To Gregory de Cassado, to conclude,
Without the King’s will or the state’s allowance,
A league between his Highness and Ferrara.
SUFFOLK
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That out of mere ambition you have caused
Your holy hat to be stamped on the King’s coin.
SURREY
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Then, that you have sent innumerable substance—
By what means got I leave to your own conscience—
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
To furnish Rome and to prepare the ways
You have for dignities, to the mere undoing
Of all the kingdom. Many more there are
Which, since they are of you, and odious,
I will not taint my mouth with.
CHAMBERLAIN
O, my lord,
Press not a falling man too far! ’Tis virtue.
His faults lie open to the laws; let them,
Not you, correct him. My heart weeps to see him
So little of his great self.
SURREY
I forgive him.
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SUFFOLK
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Lord Cardinal, the King’s further pleasure is—
Because all those things you have done of late
By your power legative within this kingdom
Fall into th’ compass of a praemunire—
That therefore such a writ be sued against you,
To forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements,
Chattels, and whatsoever, and to be
Out of the King’s protection. This is my charge.
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NORFOLK
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And so we’ll leave you to your meditations
How to live better. For your stubborn answer
About the giving back the great seal to us,
The King shall know it and, no doubt, shall thank
you.
So, fare you well, my little good Lord Cardinal.
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WOLSEY
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So, farewell to the little good you bear me.
All but Wolsey exit.
Farewell? A long farewell to all my greatness!
This is the state of man: today he puts forth
The tender leaves of hopes; tomorrow blossoms
And bears his blushing honors thick upon him;
The third day comes a frost, a killing frost,
And when he thinks, good easy man, full surely
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
His greatness is a-ripening, nips his root,
And then he falls, as I do. I have ventured,
Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders,
This many summers in a sea of glory,
But far beyond my depth. My high-blown pride
At length broke under me and now has left me,
Weary and old with service, to the mercy
Of a rude stream that must forever hide me.
Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate you.
I feel my heart new opened. O, how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes’ favors!
There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to,
That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,
More pangs and fears than wars or women have;
And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,
Never to hope again.
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Enter Cromwell, standing amazed.
Why, how now, Cromwell?
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CROMWELL
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I have no power to speak, sir.
What, amazed
At my misfortunes? Can thy spirit wonder
A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep,
I am fall’n indeed.
CROMWELL
How does your Grace?
WOLSEY
Why, well.
Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell.
I know myself now, and I feel within me
A peace above all earthly dignities,
A still and quiet conscience. The King has cured me—
I humbly thank his Grace—and from these shoulders,
These ruined pillars, out of pity, taken
A load would sink a navy: too much honor.
O, ’tis a burden, Cromwell, ’tis a burden
Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven.
WOLSEY
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
CROMWELL
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I am glad your Grace has made that right use of it.
WOLSEY
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I hope I have. I am able now, methinks,
Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,
To endure more miseries and greater far
Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer.
What news abroad?
CROMWELL
The heaviest and the worst
Is your displeasure with the King.
WOLSEY
God bless him.
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CROMWELL
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The next is that Sir Thomas More is chosen
Lord Chancellor in your place.
WOLSEY
That’s somewhat sudden.
But he’s a learnèd man. May he continue
Long in his Highness’ favor and do justice
For truth’s sake and his conscience, that his bones,
When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings,
May have a tomb of orphans’ tears wept on him.
What more?
CROMWELL
That Cranmer is returned with welcome,
Installed Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
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WOLSEY
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That’s news indeed.
Last, that the Lady Anne,
Whom the King hath in secrecy long married,
This day was viewed in open as his queen,
Going to chapel, and the voice is now
Only about her coronation.
CROMWELL
480
WOLSEY
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There was the weight that pulled me down.
O Cromwell,
The King has gone beyond me. All my glories
In that one woman I have lost forever.
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
No sun shall ever usher forth mine honors,
Or gild again the noble troops that waited
Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell.
I am a poor fall’n man, unworthy now
To be thy lord and master. Seek the King;
That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him
What and how true thou art. He will advance thee;
Some little memory of me will stir him—
I know his noble nature—not to let
Thy hopeful service perish too. Good Cromwell,
Neglect him not. Make use now, and provide
For thine own future safety.
CROMWELL , weeping
O, my lord,
Must I then leave you? Must I needs forgo
So good, so noble, and so true a master?
Bear witness, all that have not hearts of iron,
With what a sorrow Cromwell leaves his lord.
The King shall have my service, but my prayers
Forever and forever shall be yours.
WOLSEY , weeping
Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear
In all my miseries, but thou hast forced me,
Out of thy honest truth, to play the woman.
Let’s dry our eyes. And thus far hear me, Cromwell,
And when I am forgotten, as I shall be,
And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention
Of me more must be heard of, say I taught thee;
Say Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory
And sounded all the depths and shoals of honor,
Found thee a way, out of his wrack, to rise in,
A sure and safe one, though thy master missed it.
Mark but my fall and that that ruined me.
Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition!
By that sin fell the angels; how can man, then,
The image of his maker, hope to win by it?
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Henry VIII
ACT 3. SC. 2
Love thyself last; cherish those hearts that hate thee.
Corruption wins not more than honesty.
Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace
To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not.
Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s,
Thy God’s, and truth’s. Then if thou fall’st, O Cromwell,
Thou fall’st a blessèd martyr.
Serve the King. And, prithee, lead me in.
There take an inventory of all I have
To the last penny; ’tis the King’s. My robe
And my integrity to heaven is all
I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell,
Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king, He would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies.
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CROMWELL
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Good sir, have patience.
So I have. Farewell,
The hopes of court! My hopes in heaven do dwell.
They exit.
WOLSEY
540
ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter two Gentlemen, meeting one another, the First
Gentleman carrying a paper.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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You’re well met once again.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
So are you.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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You come to take your stand here and behold
The Lady Anne pass from her coronation?
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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’Tis all my business. At our last encounter,
The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial.
5
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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’Tis very true. But that time offered sorrow,
This general joy.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
’Tis well. The citizens
I am sure have shown at full their royal minds,
As, let ’em have their rights, they are ever forward
In celebration of this day with shows,
Pageants, and sights of honor.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Never greater,
Nor, I’ll assure you, better taken, sir.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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May I be bold to ask what that contains,
That paper in your hand?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Yes, ’tis the list
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 1
Of those that claim their offices this day
By custom of the coronation.
The Duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims
To be High Steward; next, the Duke of Norfolk,
He to be Earl Marshal. You may read the rest.
He offers him the paper.
20
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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I thank you, sir. Had I not known those customs,
I should have been beholding to your paper.
But I beseech you, what’s become of Katherine,
The Princess Dowager? How goes her business?
25
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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That I can tell you too. The Archbishop
Of Canterbury, accompanied with other
Learnèd and reverend fathers of his order,
Held a late court at Dunstable, six miles off
From Ampthill, where the Princess lay, to which
She was often cited by them, but appeared not;
And, to be short, for not appearance and
The King’s late scruple, by the main assent
Of all these learnèd men she was divorced,
And the late marriage made of none effect;
Since which she was removed to Kymmalton,
Where she remains now sick.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Alas, good lady!
Hautboys. A lively flourish of trumpets.
The trumpets sound. Stand close. The Queen is coming.
Then, enter two Judges; Lord Chancellor, with purse
and mace before him. Choristers singing. Music.
Enter Mayor of London, bearing the mace. Then
Garter, in his coat of arms, and on his head he wore a
gilt copper crown.
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A royal train, believe me! These I know.
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 1
Enter Marques Dorset, bearing a scepter of gold; on his
head a demi-coronal of gold. With him, the Earl of
Surrey, bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned
with an earl’s coronet. Collars of S’s.
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Who’s that that bears the scepter?
Marques Dorset,
And that the Earl of Surrey with the rod.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
45
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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A bold brave gentleman.
Enter Duke of Suffolk, in his robe of estate, his
coronet on his head, bearing a long white wand, as High
Steward. With him, the Duke of Norfolk, with the rod of
Marshalship, a coronet on his head. Collars of S’s.
That should be
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The Duke of Suffolk.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
’Tis the same: High Steward.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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And that my Lord of Norfolk?
FIRST GENTLEMAN
50
Yes.
Enter a canopy, borne by four of the Cinque-ports,
under it the Queen in her robe, in her hair, richly
adorned with pearl, crowned. On each side her, the
Bishops of London and Winchester.
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Heaven bless thee!
Thou hast the sweetest face I ever looked on.—
Sir, as I have a soul, she is an angel.
Our king has all the Indies in his arms,
And more, and richer, when he strains that lady.
I cannot blame his conscience.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
They that bear
The cloth of honor over her are four barons
Of the Cinque-ports.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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Those men are happy, and so are all are near her.
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 1
Enter the Old Duchess of Norfolk, in a coronal of
gold wrought with flowers, bearing the Queen’s train.
Certain Ladies or Countesses, with plain circlets of gold
without flowers.
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I take it she that carries up the train
Is that old noble lady, Duchess of Norfolk.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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It is, and all the rest are countesses.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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Their coronets say so. These are stars indeed.
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FIRST GENTLEMAN
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And sometimes falling ones.
No more of that.
The Coronation procession exits, having
passed over the stage in order and state, and then
a great flourish of trumpets.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Enter a third Gentleman.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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God save you, sir. Where have you been broiling?
THIRD GENTLEMAN
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Among the crowd i’ th’ Abbey, where a finger
Could not be wedged in more. I am stifled
With the mere rankness of their joy.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
You saw
The ceremony?
THIRD GENTLEMAN
That I did.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
How was it?
THIRD GENTLEMAN
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Well worth the seeing.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Good sir, speak it to us!
THIRD GENTLEMAN
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As well as I am able. The rich stream
Of lords and ladies, having brought the Queen
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171
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 1
To a prepared place in the choir, fell off
A distance from her, while her Grace sat down
To rest awhile, some half an hour or so,
In a rich chair of state, opposing freely
The beauty of her person to the people.
Believe me, sir, she is the goodliest woman
That ever lay by man, which when the people
Had the full view of, such a noise arose
As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest—
As loud and to as many tunes. Hats, cloaks,
Doublets, I think, flew up, and had their faces
Been loose, this day they had been lost. Such joy
I never saw before. Great-bellied women
That had not half a week to go, like rams
In the old time of war, would shake the press
And make ’em reel before ’em. No man living
Could say “This is my wife there,” all were woven
So strangely in one piece.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
But what followed?
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THIRD GENTLEMAN
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At length her Grace rose, and with modest paces
Came to the altar, where she kneeled and saintlike
Cast her fair eyes to heaven and prayed devoutly,
Then rose again and bowed her to the people.
When by the Archbishop of Canterbury
She had all the royal makings of a queen—
As, holy oil, Edward Confessor’s crown,
The rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems—
Laid nobly on her; which performed, the choir,
With all the choicest music of the kingdom,
Together sung Te Deum. So she parted,
And with the same full state paced back again
To York Place, where the feast is held.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Sir,
You must no more call it “York Place”; that’s past,
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 1
For since the Cardinal fell, that title’s lost.
’Tis now the King’s and called “Whitehall.”
115
I know it,
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THIRD GENTLEMAN
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But ’tis so lately altered that the old name
Is fresh about me.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
What two reverend bishops
Were those that went on each side of the Queen?
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THIRD GENTLEMAN
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Stokeley and Gardiner, the one of Winchester,
Newly preferred from the King’s secretary,
The other London.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
He of Winchester
Is held no great good lover of the Archbishop’s,
The virtuous Cranmer.
THIRD GENTLEMAN
All the land knows that.
However, yet there is no great breach. When it comes,
Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him.
125
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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Who may that be, I pray you?
130
Thomas Cromwell,
A man in much esteem with th’ King, and truly
A worthy friend. The King has made him
Master o’ th’ Jewel House,
And one already of the Privy Council.
135
THIRD GENTLEMAN
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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He will deserve more.
Yes, without all doubt.
Come, gentlemen, you shall go my way,
Which is to th’ court, and there you shall be my
guests,
Something I can command. As I walk thither,
I’ll tell you more.
BOTH
You may command us, sir.
THIRD GENTLEMAN
140
They exit.
175
Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Katherine Dowager, sick, led between Griffith, her
gentleman usher, and Patience, her woman.
GRIFFITH
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How does your Grace?
O Griffith, sick to death.
My legs like loaden branches bow to th’ earth,
Willing to leave their burden. Reach a chair.
She sits.
So. Now, methinks, I feel a little ease.
Didst thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou ledst me,
That the great child of honor, Cardinal Wolsey,
Was dead?
GRIFFITH
Yes, madam, but I think your Grace,
Out of the pain you suffered, gave no ear to ’t.
KATHERINE
5
10
KATHERINE
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Prithee, good Griffith, tell me how he died.
If well, he stepped before me happily
For my example.
GRIFFITH
Well, the voice goes, madam;
For after the stout Earl Northumberland
Arrested him at York and brought him forward,
As a man sorely tainted, to his answer,
He fell sick suddenly and grew so ill
He could not sit his mule.
KATHERINE
Alas, poor man!
15
20
GRIFFITH
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At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester,
Lodged in the abbey, where the reverend abbot
With all his convent honorably received him;
To whom he gave these words: “O Father Abbot,
An old man, broken with the storms of state,
Is come to lay his weary bones among you.
Give him a little earth, for charity.”
So went to bed, where eagerly his sickness
25
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 2
Pursued him still; and three nights after this,
About the hour of eight, which he himself
Foretold should be his last, full of repentance,
Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows,
He gave his honors to the world again,
His blessèd part to heaven, and slept in peace.
30
KATHERINE
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So may he rest. His faults lie gently on him!
Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him,
And yet with charity. He was a man
Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking
Himself with princes; one that by suggestion
Tied all the kingdom. Simony was fair play.
His own opinion was his law. I’ th’ presence
He would say untruths, and be ever double
Both in his words and meaning. He was never,
But where he meant to ruin, pitiful.
His promises were, as he then was, mighty,
But his performance, as he is now, nothing.
Of his own body he was ill, and gave
The clergy ill example.
GRIFFITH
Noble madam,
Men’s evil manners live in brass; their virtues
We write in water. May it please your Highness
To hear me speak his good now?
KATHERINE
Yes, good Griffith;
I were malicious else.
GRIFFITH
This cardinal,
Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly
Was fashioned to much honor. From his cradle
He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one:
Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading;
Lofty and sour to them that loved him not,
But, to those men that sought him, sweet as summer.
And though he were unsatisfied in getting,
Which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam,
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55
60
179
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 2
He was most princely. Ever witness for him
Those twins of learning that he raised in you,
Ipswich and Oxford, one of which fell with him,
Unwilling to outlive the good that did it;
The other, though unfinished, yet so famous,
So excellent in art, and still so rising,
That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.
His overthrow heaped happiness upon him,
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little.
And, to add greater honors to his age
Than man could give him, he died fearing God.
65
70
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KATHERINE
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After my death I wish no other herald,
No other speaker of my living actions,
To keep mine honor from corruption
But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.
Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me,
With thy religious truth and modesty,
Now in his ashes honor. Peace be with him!—
Patience, be near me still, and set me lower.
I have not long to trouble thee.—Good Griffith,
Cause the musicians play me that sad note
I named my knell, whilst I sit meditating
On that celestial harmony I go to.
Sad and solemn music.
GRIFFITH
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She is asleep. Good wench, let’s sit down quiet,
For fear we wake her. Softly, gentle Patience.
They sit.
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85
The Vision.
Enter, solemnly tripping one after another, six
Personages clad in white robes, wearing on their
heads garlands of bays, and golden vizards on their
faces, branches of bays or palm in their hands. They
181
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 2
first congee unto her, then dance; and, at certain
changes, the first two hold a spare garland over her
head, at which the other four make reverent curtsies.
Then the two that held the garland deliver the same
to the other next two, who observe the same order in
their changes and holding the garland over her head;
which done, they deliver the same garland to the last
two, who likewise observe the same order. At which,
as it were by inspiration, she makes in her sleep
signs of rejoicing and holdeth up her hands to
heaven; and so, in their dancing, vanish, carrying
the garland with them.
The music continues.
KATHERINE, waking
Spirits of peace, where are you? Are you all gone,
And leave me here in wretchedness behind you?
90
GRIFFITH
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Madam, we are here.
It is not you I call for.
Saw you none enter since I slept?
GRIFFITH
None, madam.
KATHERINE
95
KATHERINE
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No? Saw you not, even now, a blessed troop
Invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces
Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?
They promised me eternal happiness
And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel
I am not worthy yet to wear. I shall, assuredly.
100
GRIFFITH
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I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams
Possess your fancy.
KATHERINE
Bid the music leave.
They are harsh and heavy to me.
Music ceases.
PATIENCE , aside to Griffith
Do you note
105
FTLN 2530
How much her Grace is altered on the sudden?
183
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 2
How long her face is drawn? How pale she looks,
And of an earthy cold? Mark her eyes.
GRIFFITH , aside to Patience
She is going, wench. Pray, pray.
PATIENCE
Heaven comfort her!
110
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER ,
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to Katherine
An ’t like your Grace—
You are a saucy fellow.
Deserve we no more reverence?
GRIFFITH , to Messenger
You are to blame,
Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness,
To use so rude behavior. Go to. Kneel.
MESSENGER , kneeling
I humbly do entreat your Highness’ pardon.
My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying
A gentleman sent from the King to see you.
KATHERINE
115
120
KATHERINE
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Admit him entrance, Griffith.
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Let me ne’er see again.
Messenger rises.
But this fellow
Messenger exits.
Enter Lord Capuchius.
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If my sight fail not,
You should be Lord Ambassador from the Emperor,
My royal nephew, and your name Capuchius.
125
CAPUCHIUS
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Madam, the same. Your servant.
O my lord,
The times and titles now are altered strangely
With me since first you knew me. But I pray you,
What is your pleasure with me?
CAPUCHIUS
Noble lady,
First, mine own service to your Grace; the next,
The King’s request that I would visit you,
KATHERINE
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185
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 2
Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me
Sends you his princely commendations,
And heartily entreats you take good comfort.
135
KATHERINE
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O, my good lord, that comfort comes too late;
’Tis like a pardon after execution.
That gentle physic given in time had cured me.
But now I am past all comforts here but prayers.
How does his Highness?
CAPUCHIUS
Madam, in good health.
140
KATHERINE
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So may he ever do, and ever flourish,
When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name
Banished the kingdom.—Patience, is that letter
I caused you write yet sent away?
PATIENCE
No, madam.
She presents a paper to Katherine, who gives
it to Capuchius.
145
KATHERINE
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Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver
This to my lord the King—
CAPUCHIUS
Most willing, madam.
150
KATHERINE
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In which I have commended to his goodness
The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter—
The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!—
Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding—
She is young and of a noble, modest nature;
I hope she will deserve well—and a little
To love her for her mother’s sake that loved him,
Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition
Is that his noble Grace would have some pity
Upon my wretched women, that so long
Have followed both my fortunes faithfully,
Of which there is not one, I dare avow—
And now I should not lie—but will deserve,
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Henry VIII
ACT 4. SC. 2
For virtue and true beauty of the soul,
For honesty and decent carriage,
A right good husband. Let him be a noble;
And sure those men are happy that shall have ’em.
The last is for my men—they are the poorest,
But poverty could never draw ’em from me—
That they may have their wages duly paid ’em,
And something over to remember me by.
If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life
And able means, we had not parted thus.
These are the whole contents. And, good my lord,
By that you love the dearest in this world,
As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,
Stand these poor people’s friend, and urge the King
To do me this last right.
CAPUCHIUS
By heaven, I will,
Or let me lose the fashion of a man!
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KATHERINE
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I thank you, honest lord. Remember me
In all humility unto his Highness.
Say his long trouble now is passing
Out of this world. Tell him in death I blessed him,
For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell,
My lord.—Griffith, farewell.—Nay, Patience,
You must not leave me yet. I must to bed;
Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,
Let me be used with honor. Strew me over
With maiden flowers, that all the world may know
I was a chaste wife to my grave. Embalm me,
Then lay me forth. Although unqueened, yet like
A queen and daughter to a king inter me.
I can no more.
They exit, leading Katherine.
185
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195
ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a
torch before him, met by Sir Thomas Lovell.
GARDINER
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It’s one o’clock, boy, is ’t not?
PAGE
It hath struck.
GARDINER
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These should be hours for necessities,
Not for delights; times to repair our nature
With comforting repose, and not for us
To waste these times.—Good hour of night, Sir
Thomas.
Whither so late?
LOVELL
Came you from the King, my lord?
5
GARDINER
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I did, Sir Thomas, and left him at primero
With the Duke of Suffolk.
LOVELL
I must to him too,
Before he go to bed. I’ll take my leave.
10
GARDINER
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Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What’s the matter?
It seems you are in haste. An if there be
No great offense belongs to ’t, give your friend
Some touch of your late business. Affairs that walk,
As they say spirits do, at midnight have
In them a wilder nature than the business
That seeks dispatch by day.
191
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20
193
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 1
My lord, I love you,
And durst commend a secret to your ear
Much weightier than this work. The Queen’s in
labor—
They say in great extremity—and feared
She’ll with the labor end.
GARDINER
The fruit she goes with
I pray for heartily, that it may find
Good time and live; but for the stock, Sir Thomas,
I wish it grubbed up now.
LOVELL
Methinks I could
Cry the amen, and yet my conscience says
She’s a good creature and, sweet lady, does
Deserve our better wishes.
GARDINER
But, sir, sir,
Hear me, Sir Thomas. You’re a gentleman
Of mine own way. I know you wise, religious;
And let me tell you, it will ne’er be well,
’Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take ’t of me,
Till Cranmer, Cromwell—her two hands—and she
Sleep in their graves.
LOVELL
Now, sir, you speak of two
The most remarked i’ th’ kingdom. As for Cromwell,
Besides that of the Jewel House, is made Master
O’ th’ Rolls and the King’s secretary; further, sir,
Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments,
With which the time will load him. Th’ Archbishop
Is the King’s hand and tongue, and who dare speak
One syllable against him?
GARDINER
Yes, yes, Sir Thomas,
There are that dare, and I myself have ventured
To speak my mind of him. And indeed this day,
Sir—I may tell it you, I think—I have
Incensed the lords o’ th’ Council that he is—
For so I know he is, they know he is—
LOVELL
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
195
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 1
A most arch heretic, a pestilence
That does infect the land; with which they, moved,
Have broken with the King, who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint, of his great grace
And princely care foreseeing those fell mischiefs
Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded
Tomorrow morning to the Council board
He be convented. He’s a rank weed, Sir Thomas,
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long. Goodnight, Sir Thomas.
60
65
LOVELL
FTLN 2684
Many good nights, my lord. I rest your servant.
Gardiner and Page exit.
Enter King and Suffolk.
KING
FTLN 2685
FTLN 2686
Charles, I will play no more tonight.
My mind’s not on ’t; you are too hard for me.
SUFFOLK
FTLN 2687
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Sir, I did never win of you before.
KING But little, Charles,
Nor shall not when my fancy’s on my play.—
Now, Lovell, from the Queen what is the news?
70
LOVELL
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I could not personally deliver to her
What you commanded me, but by her woman
I sent your message, who returned her thanks
In the great’st humbleness, and desired your Highness
Most heartily to pray for her.
KING
What sayst thou, ha?
To pray for her? What, is she crying out?
75
LOVELL
FTLN 2698
FTLN 2699
FTLN 2700
So said her woman, and that her suff’rance made
Almost each pang a death.
KING
Alas, good lady!
SUFFOLK
FTLN 2701
God safely quit her of her burden, and
80
197
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 1
With gentle travail, to the gladding of
Your Highness with an heir!
KING
’Tis midnight, Charles.
Prithee, to bed, and in thy prayers remember
Th’ estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone,
For I must think of that which company
Would not be friendly to.
SUFFOLK
I wish your Highness
A quiet night, and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers.
KING
Charles, good night.
Suffolk exits.
85
90
Enter Sir Anthony Denny.
FTLN 2713
Well, sir, what follows?
95
DENNY
FTLN 2714
FTLN 2715
FTLN 2716
Sir, I have brought my lord the Archbishop,
As you commanded me.
KING
Ha! Canterbury?
DENNY
FTLN 2717
FTLN 2718
Ay, my good lord.
’Tis true. Where is he, Denny?
KING
100
DENNY
FTLN 2719
FTLN 2720
He attends your Highness’ pleasure.
Bring him to us.
Denny exits.
KING
LOVELL ,
FTLN 2721
FTLN 2722
aside
This is about that which the Bishop spake.
I am happily come hither.
Enter Cranmer and Denny.
KING
FTLN 2723
Avoid the gallery.
FTLN 2724
FTLN 2725
What!
Lovell seems to stay.
Ha! I have said. Be gone!
Lovell and Denny exit.
105
199
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 1
CRANMER ,
aside
I am fearful. Wherefore frowns he thus?
’Tis his aspect of terror. All’s not well.
KING
FTLN 2728
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How now, my lord? You do desire to know
Wherefore I sent for you.
CRANMER , kneeling
It is my duty
T’ attend your Highness’ pleasure.
KING
Pray you arise,
My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury.
Come, you and I must walk a turn together.
I have news to tell you. Come, come, give me your
hand.
Cranmer rises.
Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,
And am right sorry to repeat what follows.
I have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous—I do say, my lord,
Grievous—complaints of you, which, being
considered,
Have moved us and our Council that you shall
This morning come before us, where I know
You cannot with such freedom purge yourself
But that, till further trial in those charges
Which will require your answer, you must take
Your patience to you and be well contented
To make your house our Tower. You a brother of us,
It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness
Would come against you.
CRANMER , kneeling
I humbly thank your
Highness,
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnowed, where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder. For I know
There’s none stands under more calumnious tongues
Than I myself, poor man.
KING
Stand up, good Canterbury!
Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
201
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 1
In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand. Stand up.
Cranmer rises.
Prithee, let’s walk. Now by my halidom,
What manner of man are you? My lord, I looked
You would have given me your petition that
I should have ta’en some pains to bring together
Yourself and your accusers and to have heard you
Without endurance further.
CRANMER
Most dread liege,
The good I stand on is my truth and honesty.
If they shall fail, I with mine enemies
Will triumph o’er my person, which I weigh not,
Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing
What can be said against me.
KING
Know you not
How your state stands i’ th’ world, with the whole
world?
Your enemies are many and not small; their practices
Must bear the same proportion, and not ever
The justice and the truth o’ th’ question carries
The due o’ th’ verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you? Such things have been done.
You are potently opposed, and with a malice
Of as great size. Ween you of better luck,
I mean in perjured witness, than your master,
Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to.
You take a precipice for no leap of danger
And woo your own destruction.
CRANMER
God and your Majesty
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is laid for me.
KING
Be of good cheer.
They shall no more prevail than we give way to.
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
203
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 1
Keep comfort to you, and this morning see
You do appear before them. If they shall chance,
In charging you with matters, to commit you,
The best persuasions to the contrary
Fail not to use, and with what vehemency
Th’ occasion shall instruct you. If entreaties
Will render you no remedy, this ring
Deliver them, and your appeal to us
There make before them.
He gives Cranmer a ring.
Aside.
Look, the good man weeps!
He’s honest, on mine honor! God’s blest mother,
I swear he is truehearted, and a soul
None better in my kingdom.—Get you gone,
And do as I have bid you.
Cranmer exits.
He has strangled
His language in his tears.
Come back! What mean you?
LOVELL (within)
180
185
190
Enter Old Lady, followed by Lovell.
OLD LADY
FTLN 2812
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I’ll not come back! The tidings that I bring
Will make my boldness manners.—Now, good angels
Fly o’er thy royal head and shade thy person
Under their blessèd wings!
KING
Now by thy looks
I guess thy message. Is the Queen delivered?
Say “Ay, and of a boy.”
OLD LADY
Ay, ay, my liege,
And of a lovely boy. The God of heaven
Both now and ever bless her! ’Tis a girl
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen
Desires your visitation, and to be
Acquainted with this stranger. ’Tis as like you
As cherry is to cherry.
195
200
205
205
Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
Lovell.
FTLN 2826
KING
FTLN 2827
LOVELL
Sir.
KING
FTLN 2828
Give her an hundred marks. I’ll to the Queen.
210
King exits.
OLD LADY
FTLN 2829
FTLN 2830
FTLN 2831
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FTLN 2834
An hundred marks? By this light, I’ll ha’ more.
An ordinary groom is for such payment.
I will have more or scold it out of him.
Said I for this the girl was like to him?
I’ll have more or else unsay ’t. And now,
While ’tis hot, I’ll put it to the issue.
Old Lady exits, with Lovell.
215
Scene 2
Enter Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. (Pages,
Footboys, Grooms, and other servants attend at the
Council door.)
CRANMER
FTLN 2835
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FTLN 2837
FTLN 2838
FTLN 2839
I hope I am not too late, and yet the gentleman
That was sent to me from the Council prayed me
To make great haste.
He tries the door.
All fast? What means this? Ho!
Who waits there?
5
Enter Keeper.
Sure you know me!
FTLN 2840
FTLN 2841
KEEPER
FTLN 2842
But yet I cannot help you.
CRANMER Why?
FTLN 2843
Yes, my lord,
KEEPER
FTLN 2844
FTLN 2845
Your Grace must wait till you be called for.
CRANMER
10
So.
207
Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
Enter Doctor Butts.
BUTTS ,
FTLN 2846
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FTLN 2850
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aside
This is a piece of malice. I am glad
I came this way so happily. The King
Shall understand it presently.
Butts exits.
CRANMER , aside
’Tis Butts,
The King’s physician. As he passed along
How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me!
Pray heaven he sound not my disgrace. For certain
This is of purpose laid by some that hate me—
God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice—
To quench mine honor. They would shame to make me
Wait else at door, a fellow councillor,
’Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures
Must be fulfilled, and I attend with patience.
15
20
Enter the King and Butts at a window above.
BUTTS
FTLN 2859
FTLN 2860
I’ll show your Grace the strangest sight.
25
What’s that,
KING
Butts?
FTLN 2861
BUTTS
FTLN 2862
I think your Highness saw this many a day.
KING
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FTLN 2872
Body o’ me, where is it?
There, my lord:
The high promotion of his Grace of Canterbury,
Who holds his state at door, ’mongst pursuivants,
Pages, and footboys.
KING
Ha! ’Tis he indeed.
Is this the honor they do one another?
’Tis well there’s one above ’em yet. I had thought
They had parted so much honesty among ’em—
At least good manners—as not thus to suffer
BUTTS
30
35
209
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
A man of his place, and so near our favor,
To dance attendance on their Lordships’ pleasures,
And at the door, too, like a post with packets.
By holy Mary, Butts, there’s knavery!
Let ’em alone, and draw the curtain close.
We shall hear more anon.
They draw the curtain.
40
A council table brought in with chairs and stools and
placed under the state. Enter Lord Chancellor, places
himself at the upper end of the table on the left hand, a
seat being left void above him, as for Canterbury’s seat.
Duke of Suffolk, Duke of Norfolk, Surrey, Lord
Chamberlain, Gardiner seat themselves in order on each
side, Cromwell at lower end as secretary.
CHANCELLOR
FTLN 2879
FTLN 2880
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FTLN 2882
Speak to the business, Master Secretary.
Why are we met in council?
CROMWELL
Please your honors,
The chief cause concerns his Grace of Canterbury.
45
GARDINER
FTLN 2883
Has he had knowledge of it?
FTLN 2884
CROMWELL
FTLN 2885
NORFOLK ,
Yes.
to Keeper
50
Who waits there?
KEEPER
FTLN 2886
Without, my noble lords?
FTLN 2887
GARDINER
FTLN 2888
KEEPER
FTLN 2889
Yes.
My lord Archbishop,
And has done half an hour, to know your pleasures.
55
CHANCELLOR
FTLN 2890
FTLN 2891
Let him come in.
KEEPER , at door
Your Grace may enter now.
Cranmer approaches the council table.
CHANCELLOR
FTLN 2892
FTLN 2893
FTLN 2894
My good lord Archbishop, I’m very sorry
To sit here at this present and behold
That chair stand empty. But we all are men,
60
211
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
In our own natures frail, and capable
Of our flesh—few are angels—out of which frailty
And want of wisdom you, that best should teach us,
Have misdemeaned yourself, and not a little,
Toward the King first, then his laws, in filling
The whole realm, by your teaching and your
chaplains’—
For so we are informed—with new opinions,
Divers and dangerous, which are heresies
And, not reformed, may prove pernicious.
65
70
GARDINER
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Which reformation must be sudden too,
My noble lords; for those that tame wild horses
Pace ’em not in their hands to make ’em gentle,
But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur ’em
Till they obey the manage. If we suffer,
Out of our easiness and childish pity
To one man’s honor, this contagious sickness,
Farewell, all physic. And what follows then?
Commotions, uproars, with a general taint
Of the whole state, as of late days our neighbors,
The upper Germany, can dearly witness,
Yet freshly pitied in our memories.
75
80
CRANMER
FTLN 2917
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FTLN 2925
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FTLN 2927
My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress
Both of my life and office, I have labored,
And with no little study, that my teaching
And the strong course of my authority
Might go one way and safely; and the end
Was ever to do well. Nor is there living—
I speak it with a single heart, my lords—
A man that more detests, more stirs against,
Both in his private conscience and his place,
Defacers of a public peace than I do.
Pray heaven the King may never find a heart
85
90
213
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
With less allegiance in it! Men that make
Envy and crookèd malice nourishment
Dare bite the best. I do beseech your Lordships
That, in this case of justice, my accusers,
Be what they will, may stand forth face to face
And freely urge against me.
SUFFOLK
Nay, my lord,
That cannot be. You are a councillor,
And by that virtue no man dare accuse you.
95
100
GARDINER
FTLN 2937
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FTLN 2943
My lord, because we have business of more moment,
We will be short with you. ’Tis his Highness’ pleasure,
And our consent, for better trial of you
From hence you be committed to the Tower,
Where, being but a private man again,
You shall know many dare accuse you boldly—
More than, I fear, you are provided for.
105
CRANMER
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Ah, my good Lord of Winchester, I thank you.
You are always my good friend. If your will pass,
I shall both find your Lordship judge and juror,
You are so merciful. I see your end:
’Tis my undoing. Love and meekness, lord,
Become a churchman better than ambition.
Win straying souls with modesty again;
Cast none away. That I shall clear myself,
Lay all the weight you can upon my patience,
I make as little doubt as you do conscience
In doing daily wrongs. I could say more,
But reverence to your calling makes me modest.
GARDINER
FTLN 2956
FTLN 2957
FTLN 2958
My lord, my lord, you are a sectary.
That’s the plain truth. Your painted gloss discovers,
To men that understand you, words and weakness.
110
115
120
215
Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
CROMWELL
FTLN 2959
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My Lord of Winchester, you’re a little,
By your good favor, too sharp. Men so noble,
However faulty, yet should find respect
For what they have been. ’Tis a cruelty
To load a falling man.
GARDINER
Good Master Secretary—
I cry your Honor mercy—you may worst
Of all this table say so.
CROMWELL
Why, my lord?
125
130
GARDINER
FTLN 2968
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FTLN 2970
Do not I know you for a favorer
Of this new sect? You are not sound.
135
Not sound?
CROMWELL
GARDINER
FTLN 2971
FTLN 2972
FTLN 2973
Not sound, I say.
Would you were half so honest!
Men’s prayers then would seek you, not their fears.
CROMWELL
GARDINER
FTLN 2974
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FTLN 2978
I shall remember this bold language.
CROMWELL
140
Do.
Remember your bold life too.
CHANCELLOR
This is too much!
Forbear, for shame, my lords.
FTLN 2979
GARDINER
FTLN 2980
CROMWELL
I have done.
145
And I.
CHANCELLOR ,
FTLN 2981
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FTLN 2983
FTLN 2984
FTLN 2985
to Cranmer
Then thus for you, my lord: it stands agreed,
I take it, by all voices, that forthwith
You be conveyed to th’ Tower a prisoner,
There to remain till the King’s further pleasure
Be known unto us.—Are you all agreed, lords?
ALL
FTLN 2986
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FTLN 2988
We are.
Is there no other way of mercy
But I must needs to th’ Tower, my lords?
CRANMER
150
217
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
What other
Would you expect? You are strangely troublesome.
Let some o’ th’ guard be ready there.
GARDINER
155
Enter the Guard.
FTLN 2992
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For me?
CRANMER
Must I go like a traitor thither?
Receive him,
GARDINER
160
And see him safe i’ th’ Tower.
Stay, good my lords,
I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords.
He holds out the ring.
By virtue of that ring, I take my cause
Out of the grips of cruel men and give it
To a most noble judge, the King my master.
CRANMER
165
CHAMBERLAIN
FTLN 3001
FTLN 3002
This is the King’s ring.
SURREY
’Tis no counterfeit.
SUFFOLK
FTLN 3003
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FTLN 3016
’Tis the right ring, by heaven! I told you all,
When we first put this dangerous stone a-rolling,
’Twould fall upon ourselves.
NORFOLK
Do you think, my lords,
The King will suffer but the little finger
Of this man to be vexed?
CHAMBERLAIN
’Tis now too certain.
How much more is his life in value with him!
Would I were fairly out on ’t!
CROMWELL
My mind gave me,
In seeking tales and informations
Against this man, whose honesty the devil
And his disciples only envy at,
You blew the fire that burns you. Now, have at you!
Enter King, frowning on them; takes his seat.
170
175
180
219
Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
GARDINER
FTLN 3017
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Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven
In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince,
Not only good and wise, but most religious;
One that in all obedience makes the Church
The chief aim of his honor, and to strengthen
That holy duty out of dear respect,
His royal self in judgment comes to hear
The cause betwixt her and this great offender.
185
190
KING
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You were ever good at sudden commendations,
Bishop of Winchester. But know I come not
To hear such flattery now, and in my presence
They are too thin and base to hide offenses.
To me you cannot reach. You play the spaniel,
And think with wagging of your tongue to win me;
But whatsoe’er thou tak’st me for, I’m sure
Thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody.—
Good man, sit down.
Cranmer takes his seat.
Now let me see the proudest
He, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee.
By all that’s holy, he had better starve
Than but once think this place becomes thee not.
195
200
SURREY
FTLN 3038
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May it please your Grace—
KING
No, sir, it does not please
me.
I had thought I had had men of some understanding
And wisdom of my Council, but I find none.
Was it discretion, lords, to let this man,
This good man—few of you deserve that title—
This honest man, wait like a lousy footboy
At chamber door? And one as great as you are?
Why, what a shame was this! Did my commission
Bid you so far forget yourselves? I gave you
Power as he was a councillor to try him,
205
210
215
221
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 2
Not as a groom. There’s some of you, I see,
More out of malice than integrity,
Would try him to the utmost, had you mean,
Which you shall never have while I live.
CHANCELLOR
Thus far,
My most dread sovereign, may it like your Grace
To let my tongue excuse all. What was purposed
Concerning his imprisonment was rather,
If there be faith in men, meant for his trial
And fair purgation to the world than malice,
I’m sure, in me.
KING
Well, well, my lords, respect him.
Take him, and use him well; he’s worthy of it.
I will say thus much for him: if a prince
May be beholding to a subject, I
Am, for his love and service, so to him.
Make me no more ado, but all embrace him.
Be friends, for shame, my lords.
They embrace Cranmer.
My Lord of Canterbury,
I have a suit which you must not deny me:
That is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism.
You must be godfather and answer for her.
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CRANMER
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The greatest monarch now alive may glory
In such an honor. How may I deserve it,
That am a poor and humble subject to you?
KING Come, come, my lord, you’d spare your spoons.
You shall have two noble partners with you: the
old Duchess of Norfolk and Lady Marquess Dorset.
Will these please you?—
Once more, my lord of Winchester, I charge you,
Embrace and love this man.
GARDINER
With a true heart
And brother-love I do it.
He embraces Cranmer.
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 3
CRANMER ,
weeping
And let heaven
Witness how dear I hold this confirmation.
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KING
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Good man, those joyful tears show thy true heart.
The common voice, I see, is verified
Of thee, which says thus: “Do my Lord of Canterbury
A shrewd turn, and he’s your friend forever.”—
Come, lords, we trifle time away. I long
To have this young one made a Christian.
As I have made you one, lords, one remain.
So I grow stronger, you more honor gain.
They exit.
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Scene 3
Noise and tumult within. Enter Porter and his Man,
carrying cudgels.
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You’ll leave your noise anon, you rascals! Do
you take the court for Parish Garden? You rude
slaves, leave your gaping!
ONE, (within) Good Master Porter, I belong to th’
larder.
PORTER Belong to th’ gallows and be hanged, you rogue!
Is this a place to roar in?—Fetch me a dozen crab-tree
staves, and strong ones. These are but switches
to ’em.—I’ll scratch your heads! You must be seeing
christenings? Do you look for ale and cakes here,
you rude rascals?
PORTER
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PORTER’S MAN
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Pray, sir, be patient. ’Tis as much impossible—
Unless we sweep ’em from the door with cannons—
To scatter ’em as ’tis to make ’em sleep
On May Day morning, which will never be.
We may as well push against Paul’s as stir ’em.
PORTER How got they in, and be hanged?
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 3
PORTER’S MAN
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Alas, I know not. How gets the tide in?
As much as one sound cudgel of four foot—
You see the poor remainder—could distribute,
I made no spare, sir.
PORTER
You did nothing, sir.
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PORTER’S MAN
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I am not Samson, nor Sir Guy, nor Colbrand,
To mow ’em down before me; but if I spared any
That had a head to hit, either young or old,
He or she, cuckold or cuckold-maker,
Let me ne’er hope to see a chine again—
And that I would not for a cow, God save her!
ONE, (within) Do you hear, Master Porter?
PORTER I shall be with you presently, good master
puppy.— Keep the door close, sirrah.
PORTER’S MAN What would you have me do?
PORTER What should you do but knock ’em down by
th’ dozens? Is this Moorfields to muster in? Or have
we some strange Indian with the great tool come to
court, the women so besiege us? Bless me, what a
fry of fornication is at door! On my Christian conscience,
this one christening will beget a thousand;
here will be father, godfather, and all together.
PORTER’S MAN The spoons will be the bigger, sir. There is
a fellow somewhat near the door—he should be a
brazier by his face, for, o’ my conscience, twenty of
the dog days now reign in ’s nose. All that stand
about him are under the line; they need no other
penance. That fire-drake did I hit three times on the
head, and three times was his nose discharged
against me. He stands there like a mortar-piece, to
blow us. There was a haberdasher’s wife of small
wit near him that railed upon me till her pinked
porringer fell off her head for kindling such a
combustion in the state. I missed the meteor once
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 3
and hit that woman, who cried out “Clubs!” when I
might see from far some forty truncheoners draw to
her succor, which were the hope o’ th’ Strand, where
she was quartered. They fell on; I made good my
place. At length they came to th’ broomstaff to me;
I defied ’em still, when suddenly a file of boys behind
’em, loose shot, delivered such a shower of
pibbles that I was fain to draw mine honor in and
let ’em win the work. The devil was amongst ’em, I
think, surely.
PORTER These are the youths that thunder at a playhouse
and fight for bitten apples, that no audience
but the tribulation of Tower Hill or the limbs of
Limehouse, their dear brothers, are able to
endure. I have some of ’em in Limbo Patrum, and
there they are like to dance these three days, besides
the running banquet of two beadles that is to come.
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Enter Lord Chamberlain.
CHAMBERLAIN
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Mercy o’ me, what a multitude are here!
They grow still too. From all parts they are coming,
As if we kept a fair here! Where are these porters,
These lazy knaves?—You’ve made a fine hand, fellows!
There’s a trim rabble let in. Are all these
Your faithful friends o’ th’ suburbs? We shall have
Great store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies,
When they pass back from the christening!
PORTER
An ’t please
your Honor,
We are but men, and what so many may do,
Not being torn a-pieces, we have done.
An army cannot rule ’em.
CHAMBERLAIN
As I live,
If the King blame me for ’t, I’ll lay you all
By th’ heels, and suddenly, and on your heads
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 4
Clap round fines for neglect. You’re lazy knaves,
And here you lie baiting of bombards, when
You should do service.
Trumpets.
Hark, the trumpets sound!
They’re come already from the christening.
Go break among the press, and find a way out
To let the troop pass fairly, or I’ll find
A Marshalsea shall hold you play these two months.
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PORTER
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Make way there for the Princess!
You great fellow,
Stand close up, or I’ll make your head ache.
PORTER’S MAN
PORTER
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You i’ th’ camlet, get up o’ th’ rail!
I’ll peck you o’er the pales else.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Trumpets, sounding. Then two Aldermen, Lord
Mayor, Garter, Cranmer, Duke of Norfolk with his
marshal’s staff, Duke of Suffolk, two Noblemen bearing
great standing bowls for the christening gifts; then four
Noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the Duchess
of Norfolk, godmother, bearing the child richly habited
in a mantle, etc., train borne by a Lady. Then follows the
Marchioness Dorset, the other godmother, and Ladies.
The troop pass once about the stage, and Garter speaks.
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Heaven, from thy endless goodness, send
prosperous life, long, and ever happy, to the high
and mighty princess of England, Elizabeth.
GARTER
Flourish. Enter King and Guard.
CRANMER ,
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kneeling
And to your royal Grace and the good queen,
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 4
My noble partners and myself thus pray
All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady
Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy
May hourly fall upon you!
KING
Thank you, good lord
Archbishop.
What is her name?
CRANMER
Elizabeth.
KING
Stand up, lord.
Cranmer stands.
With this kiss take my blessing.
King kisses infant.
God protect thee,
Into whose hand I give thy life.
CRANMER
Amen.
KING , to the two godmothers
My noble gossips, you’ve been too prodigal.
I thank you heartily; so shall this lady
When she has so much English.
CRANMER
Let me speak, sir,
For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter
Let none think flattery, for they’ll find ’em truth.
This royal infant—heaven still move about her!—
Though in her cradle, yet now promises
Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
Which time shall bring to ripeness. She shall be—
But few now living can behold that goodness—
A pattern to all princes living with her
And all that shall succeed. Saba was never
More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue
Than this pure soul shall be. All princely graces
That mold up such a mighty piece as this is,
With all the virtues that attend the good,
Shall still be doubled on her. Truth shall nurse her;
Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her.
She shall be loved and feared. Her own shall bless her;
Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn
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Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 4
And hang their heads with sorrow. Good grows with
her.
In her days every man shall eat in safety
Under his own vine what he plants and sing
The merry songs of peace to all his neighbors.
God shall be truly known, and those about her
From her shall read the perfect ways of honor
And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.
Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but, as when
The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,
Her ashes new create another heir
As great in admiration as herself,
So shall she leave her blessedness to one,
When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness,
Who from the sacred ashes of her honor
Shall starlike rise as great in fame as she was
And so stand fixed. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,
That were the servants to this chosen infant,
Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him.
Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,
His honor and the greatness of his name
Shall be, and make new nations. He shall flourish,
And like a mountain cedar reach his branches
To all the plains about him. Our children’s children
Shall see this and bless heaven.
KING
Thou speakest wonders.
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CRANMER
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She shall be to the happiness of England
An agèd princess; many days shall see her,
And yet no day without a deed to crown it.
Would I had known no more! But she must die,
She must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin,
A most unspotted lily, shall she pass
To th’ ground, and all the world shall mourn her.
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KING
Henry VIII
ACT 5. SC. 4
O lord
Archbishop,
Thou hast made me now a man. Never before
This happy child did I get anything.
This oracle of comfort has so pleased me
That when I am in heaven I shall desire
To see what this child does and praise my Maker.—
I thank you all.—To you, my good lord mayor
And you, good brethren, I am much beholding.
I have received much honor by your presence,
And you shall find me thankful. Lead the way, lords.
You must all see the Queen, and she must thank you;
She will be sick else. This day, no man think
’Has business at his house, for all shall stay.
This little one shall make it holiday.
They exit.
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Henry VIII
EPILOGUE
Enter Epilogue.
EPILOGUE
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’Tis ten to one this play can never please
All that are here. Some come to take their ease
And sleep an act or two—but those, we fear,
We’ve frighted with our trumpets; so, ’tis clear,
They’ll say ’tis naught—others, to hear the city
Abused extremely and to cry “That’s witty!”—
Which we have not done neither—that I fear
All the expected good we’re like to hear
For this play at this time is only in
The merciful construction of good women,
For such a one we showed ’em. If they smile
And say ’twill do, I know within a while
All the best men are ours; for ’tis ill hap
If they hold when their ladies bid ’em clap.
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He exits.