第2章
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  OrthisimperiousmanwillworkusallFromprincesintopages:allmen’shonoursLielikeonelumpbeforehim,tobefashion’dIntowhatpitchheplease。SUFFOLKForme,mylords,Ilovehimnot,norfearhim;there’smycreed:

  AsIammadewithouthim,soI’llstand,Ifthekingplease;hiscursesandhisblessingsTouchmealike,they’rebreathInotbelievein。

  Iknewhim,andIknowhim;soIleavehimTohimthatmadehimproud,thepope。NORFOLKLet’sin;

  AndwithsomeotherbusinessputthekingFromthesesadthoughts,thatworktoomuchuponhim:

  Mylord,you’llbearuscompany?ChamberlainExcuseme;

  Thekinghassentmeotherwhere:besides,You’llfindamostunfittimetodisturbhim:

  Healthtoyourlordships。NORFOLKThanks,mygoodlordchamberlain。

  ExitChamberlain;andKINGHENRYVIIIdrawsthecurtain,andsitsreadingpensivelySUFFOLKHowsadhelooks!sure,heismuchafflicted。KINGHENRYVIIIWho’sthere,ha?NORFOLKPrayGodhebenotangry。KINGHENRYVIIIWho’sthere,Isay?HowdareyouthrustyourselvesIntomyprivatemeditations?

  WhoamI?ha?NORFOLKAgraciouskingthatpardonsalloffencesMalicene’ermeant:ourbreachofdutythiswayIsbusinessofestate;inwhichwecomeToknowyourroyalpleasure。KINGHENRYVIIIYearetoobold:

  Goto;I’llmakeyeknowyourtimesofbusiness:

  Isthisanhourfortemporalaffairs,ha?

  EnterCARDINALWOLSEYandCARDINALCAMPEIUS,withacommissionWho’sthere?mygoodlordcardinal?OmyWolsey,Thequietofmywoundedconscience;

  Thouartacurefitforaking。

  ToCARDINALCAMPEIUS

  You’rewelcome,Mostlearnedreverendsir,intoourkingdom:

  Useusandit。

  ToCARDINALWOLSEY

  Mygoodlord,havegreatcareIbenotfoundatalker。CARDINALWOLSEYSir,youcannot。

  IwouldyourgracewouldgiveusbutanhourOfprivateconference。KINGHENRYVIII[ToNORFOLKandSUFFOLK]

  Wearebusy;go。NORFOLK[AsidetoSUFFOLK]

  Thispriesthasnoprideinhim?SUFFOLK[AsidetoNORFOLK]Nottospeakof:

  Iwouldnotbesosickthoughforhisplace:

  Butthiscannotcontinue。NORFOLK[AsidetoSUFFOLK]Ifitdo,I’llventureonehave—at—him。SUFFOLK[AsidetoNORFOLK]Ianother。

  ExeuntNORFOLKandSUFFOLKCARDINALWOLSEYYourgracehasgivenaprecedentofwisdomAboveallprinces,incommittingfreelyYourscrupletothevoiceofChristendom:

  Whocanbeangrynow?whatenvyreachyou?

  TheSpaniard,tiedbloodandfavourtoher,Mustnowconfess,iftheyhaveanygoodness,Thetrialjustandnoble。Alltheclerks,Imeanthelearnedones,inChristiankingdomsHavetheirfreevoices:Rome,thenurseofjudgment,Invitedbyyournobleself,hathsentOnegeneraltongueuntous,thisgoodman,Thisjustandlearnedpriest,CardinalCampeius;

  WhomoncemoreIpresentuntoyourhighness。KINGHENRYVIIIAndoncemoreinminearmsIbidhimwelcome,Andthanktheholyconclavefortheirloves:

  TheyhavesentmesuchamanIwouldhavewish’dfor。CARDINALCAMPEIUSYourgracemustneedsdeserveallstrangers’

  loves,Youaresonoble。Toyourhighness’handItendermycommission;bywhosevirtue,ThecourtofRomecommanding,you,mylordCardinalofYork,arejoin’dwithmetheirservantIntheunpartialjudgingofthisbusiness。KINGHENRYVIIITwoequalmen。ThequeenshallbeacquaintedForthwithforwhatyoucome。Where’sGardiner?CARDINALWOLSEYIknowyourmajestyhasalwayslovedherSodearinheart,nottodenyherthatAwomanoflessplacemightaskbylaw:

  Scholarsallow’dfreelytoargueforher。KINGHENRYVIIIAy,andthebestsheshallhave;andmyfavourTohimthatdoesbest:Godforbidelse。Cardinal,Prithee,callGardinertome,mynewsecretary:

  Ifindhimafitfellow。

  ExitCARDINALWOLSEY

  Re—enterCARDINALWOLSEY,withGARDINERCARDINALWOLSEY[AsidetoGARDINER]Givemeyourhandmuchjoyandfavourtoyou;

  Youaretheking’snow。GARDINER[AsidetoCARDINALWOLSEY]

  ButtobecommandedForeverbyyourgrace,whosehandhasraisedme。KINGHENRYVIIIComehither,Gardiner。

  WalksandwhispersCARDINALCAMPEIUSMyLordofYork,wasnotoneDoctorPaceInthisman’splacebeforehim?CARDINALWOLSEYYes,hewas。CARDINALCAMPEIUSWashenotheldalearnedman?CARDINALWOLSEYYes,surely。CARDINALCAMPEIUSBelieveme,there’sanillopinionspreadthenEvenofyourself,lordcardinal。CARDINALWOLSEYHow!ofme?CARDINALCAMPEIUSTheywillnotsticktosayyouenviedhim,Andfearinghewouldrise,hewassovirtuous,Kepthimaforeignmanstill;whichsogrievedhim,Thatheranmadanddied。CARDINALWOLSEYHeaven’speacebewithhim!

  That’sChristiancareenough:forlivingmurmurersThere’splacesofrebuke。Hewasafool;

  Forhewouldneedsbevirtuous:thatgoodfellow,IfIcommandhim,followsmyappointment:

  Iwillhavenonesonearelse。Learnthis,brother,Welivenottobegrip’dbymeanerpersons。KINGHENRYVIIIDeliverthiswithmodestytothequeen。

  ExitGARDINER

  ThemostconvenientplacethatIcanthinkofForsuchreceiptoflearningisBlack—Friars;

  Thereyeshallmeetaboutthisweightybusiness。

  MyWolsey,seeitfurnish’d。O,mylord,WoulditnotgrieveanablemantoleaveSosweetabedfellow?But,conscience,conscience!

  O,’tisatenderplace;andImustleaveher。

  ExeuntSCENEIII。Anante—chamberoftheQUEEN’Sapartments。EnterANNEandanOldLadyANNENotforthatneither:here’sthepangthatpinches:

  Hishighnesshavinglivedsolongwithher,andsheSogoodaladythatnotonguecouldeverPronouncedishonourofher;bymylife,Sheneverknewharm—doing:O,now,afterSomanycoursesofthesunenthroned,Stillgrowinginamajestyandpomp,thewhichToleaveathousand—foldmorebitterthan’Tissweetatfirsttoacquire,——afterthisprocess,Togivehertheavaunt!itisapityWouldmoveamonster。OldLadyHeartsofmosthardtemperMeltandlamentforher。ANNEO,God’swill!muchbetterShene’erhadknownpomp:though’tbetemporal,Yet,ifthatquarrel,fortune,dodivorceItfromthebearer,’tisasufferancepangingAssoulandbody’ssevering。OldLadyAlas,poorlady!

  She’sastrangernowagain。ANNESomuchthemoreMustpitydropuponher。Verily,Iswear,’tisbettertobelowlyborn,Andrangewithhumbleliversincontent,Thantobeperk’dupinaglisteringgrief,Andwearagoldensorrow。OldLadyOurcontentIsourbesthaving。ANNEBymytrothandmaidenhead,Iwouldnotbeaqueen。OldLadyBeshrewme,Iwould,Andventuremaidenheadfor’t;andsowouldyou,Forallthisspiceofyourhypocrisy:

  You,thathavesofairpartsofwomanonyou,Havetooawoman’sheart;whicheveryetAffectedeminence,wealth,sovereignty;

  Which,tosaysooth,areblessings;andwhichgifts,Savingyourmincing,thecapacityOfyoursoftcheverilconsciencewouldreceive,Ifyoumightpleasetostretchit。ANNENay,goodtroth。OldLadyYes,troth,andtroth;youwouldnotbeaqueen?ANNENo,notforalltherichesunderheaven。

  OldLady:’Tisstrange:athree—pencebow’dwouldhireme,OldasIam,toqueenit:but,Iprayyou,Whatthinkyouofaduchess?haveyoulimbsTobearthatloadoftitle?ANNENo,intruth。OldLadyThenyouareweaklymade:pluckoffalittle;

  Iwouldnotbeayoungcountinyourway,Formorethanblushingcomesto:ifyourbackCannotvouchsafethisburthen,’tistooweakEvertogetaboy。ANNEHowyoudotalk!

  Iswearagain,IwouldnotbeaqueenForalltheworld。OldLadyInfaith,forlittleEnglandYou’ldventureanemballing:ImyselfWouldforCarnarvonshire,althoughtherelong’dNomoretothecrownbutthat。Lo,whocomeshere?

  EnterChamberlainChamberlainGoodmorrow,ladies。Whatwere’tworthtoknowThesecretofyourconference?ANNEMygoodlord,Notyourdemand;itvaluesnotyourasking:

  Ourmistress’sorrowswewerepitying。ChamberlainItwasagentlebusiness,andbecomingTheactionofgoodwomen:thereishopeAllwillbewell。ANNENow,IprayGod,amen!ChamberlainYoubearagentlemind,andheavenlyblessingsFollowsuchcreatures。Thatyoumay,fairlady,PerceiveIspeaksincerely,andhighnote’sTa’enofyourmanyvirtues,theking’smajestyCommendshisgoodopinionofyou,andDoespurposehonourtoyounolessflowingThanMarchionessofPembroke:towhichtitleAthousandpoundayear,annualsupport,Outofhisgraceheadds。ANNEIdonotknowWhatkindofmyobedienceIshouldtender;

  Morethanmyallisnothing:normyprayersArenotwordsdulyhallow’d,normywishesMoreworththanemptyvanities;yetprayersandwishesAreallIcanreturn。Beseechyourlordship,Vouchsafetospeakmythanksandmyobedience,Asfromablushinghandmaid,tohishighness;

  WhosehealthandroyaltyIprayfor。ChamberlainLady,IshallnotfailtoapprovethefairconceitThekinghathofyou。

  AsideIhaveperusedherwell;

  BeautyandhonourinheraresomingledThattheyhavecaughttheking:andwhoknowsyetButfromthisladymayproceedagemTolightenallthisisle?I’lltotheking,AndsayIspokewithyou。

  ExitChamberlainANNEMyhonour’dlord。OldLadyWhy,thisitis;see,see!

  Ihavebeenbeggingsixteenyearsincourt,Amyetacourtierbeggarly,norcouldComepatbetwixttooearlyandtoolateForanysuitofpounds;andyou,Ofate!

  Averyfresh—fishhere——fie,fie,fieuponThiscompell’dfortune!——haveyourmouthfill’dupBeforeyouopenit。ANNEThisisstrangetome。OldLadyHowtastesit?isitbitter?fortypence,no。

  Therewasaladyonce,’tisanoldstory,Thatwouldnotbeaqueen,thatwouldshenot,ForallthemudinEgypt:haveyouheardit?ANNECome,youarepleasant。OldLadyWithyourtheme,IcouldO’ermountthelark。TheMarchionessofPembroke!

  Athousandpoundsayearforpurerespect!

  Nootherobligation!Bymylife,Thatpromisesmoethousands:honour’strainIslongerthanhisforeskirt。BythistimeIknowyourbackwillbearaduchess:say,Areyounotstrongerthanyouwere?ANNEGoodlady,Makeyourselfmirthwithyourparticularfancy,Andleavemeouton’t。WouldIhadnobeing,Ifthissalutemybloodajot:itfaintsme,Tothinkwhatfollows。

  Thequeeniscomfortless,andweforgetfulInourlongabsence:pray,donotdeliverWhathereyou’veheardtoher。OldLadyWhatdoyouthinkme?

  ExeuntSCENEIV。AhallinBlack—Friars。Trumpets,sennet,andcornets。EntertwoVergers,withshortsilverwands;nextthem,twoScribes,inthehabitofdoctors;afterthem,CANTERBURYalone;afterhim,LINCOLN,Ely,Rochester,andSaintAsaph;

  nextthem,withsomesmalldistance,followsaGentlemanbearingthepurse,withthegreatseal,andacardinal’shat;thentwoPriests,bearingeachasilvercross;thenaGentleman—usherbare—headed,accompaniedwithaSergeant—at—armsbearingasilvermace;thentwoGentlemenbearingtwogreatsilverpillars;afterthem,sidebyside,CARDINALWOLSEYandCARDINAL

  CAMPEIUS;twoNoblemenwiththeswordandmace。KINGHENRYVIIItakesplaceundertheclothofstate;CARDINALWOLSEYandCARDINALCAMPEIUSsitunderhimasjudges。QUEENKATHARINEtakesplacesomedistancefromKINGHENRY

  VIII。TheBishopsplacethemselvesoneachsidethecourt,inmannerofaconsistory;belowthem,theScribes。TheLordssitnexttheBishops。

  TherestoftheAttendantsstandinconvenientorderaboutthestageCARDINALWOLSEYWhilstourcommissionfromRomeisread,Letsilencebecommanded。KINGHENRYVIIIWhat’stheneed?

  Ithathalreadypubliclybeenread,Andonallsidestheauthorityallow’d;

  Youmay,then,sparethattime。CARDINALWOLSEYBe’tso。Proceed。ScribeSay,HenryKingofEngland,comeintothecourt。CrierHenryKingofEngland,&c。KINGHENRYVIIIHere。ScribeSay,KatharineQueenofEngland,comeintothecourt。CrierKatharineQueenofEngland,&c。

  QUEENKATHARINEmakesnoanswer,risesoutofherchair,goesaboutthecourt,comestoKINGHENRYVIII,andkneelsathisfeet;thenspeaksQUEENKATHARINESir,Idesireyoudomerightandjustice;

  Andtobestowyourpityonme:forIamamostpoorwoman,andastranger,Bornoutofyourdominions;havinghereNojudgeindifferent,nornomoreassuranceOfequalfriendshipandproceeding。Alas,sir,InwhathaveIoffendedyou?whatcauseHathmybehaviorgiventoyourdispleasure,Thatthusyoushouldproceedtoputmeoff,Andtakeyourgoodgracefromme?Heavenwitness,Ihavebeentoyouatrueandhumblewife,Atalltimestoyourwillconformable;

  Everinfeartokindleyourdislike,Yea,subjecttoyourcountenance,gladorsorryAsIsawitinclined:whenwasthehourIevercontradictedyourdesire,Ormadeitnotminetoo?OrwhichofyourfriendsHaveInotstrovetolove,althoughIknewHeweremineenemy?whatfriendofmineThathadtohimderivedyouranger,didI

  Continueinmyliking?nay,gavenoticeHewasfromthencedischarged。Sir,calltomindThatIhavebeenyourwife,inthisobedience,Upwardoftwentyyears,andhavebeenblestWithmanychildrenbyyou:if,inthecourseAndprocessofthistime,youcanreport,Andproveittoo,againstminehonouraught,Mybondtowedlock,ormyloveandduty,Againstyoursacredperson,inGod’sname,Turnmeaway;andletthefoul’stcontemptShutdooruponme,andsogivemeupTothesharp’stkindofjustice。Pleaseyousir,Theking,yourfather,wasreputedforAprincemostprudent,ofanexcellentAndunmatch’dwitandjudgment:Ferdinand,Myfather,kingofSpain,wasreckon’doneThewisestprincethattherehadreign’dbymanyAyearbefore:itisnottobequestion’dThattheyhadgather’dawisecounciltothemOfeveryrealm,thatdiddebatethisbusiness,Whodeem’dourmarriagelawful:whereforeIhumblyBeseechyou,sir,tospareme,tillImayBebymyfriendsinSpainadvised;whosecounselIwillimplore:ifnot,i’thenameofGod,Yourpleasurebefulfill’d!CARDINALWOLSEYYouhavehere,lady,Andofyourchoice,thesereverendfathers;menOfsingularintegrityandlearning,Yea,theelecto’theland,whoareassembledTopleadyourcause:itshallbethereforebootlessThatlongeryoudesirethecourt;aswellForyourownquiet,astorectifyWhatisunsettledintheking。CARDINALCAMPEIUSHisgraceHathspokenwellandjustly:therefore,madam,It’sfitthisroyalsessiondoproceed;

  Andthat,withoutdelay,theirargumentsBenowproducedandheard。QUEENKATHARINELordcardinal,ToyouIspeak。CARDINALWOLSEYYourpleasure,madam?QUEENKATHARINESir,Iamabouttoweep;but,thinkingthatWeareaqueen,orlonghavedream’dso,certainThedaughterofaking,mydropsoftearsI’llturntosparksoffire。CARDINALWOLSEYBepatientyet。QUEENKATHARINEIwill,whenyouarehumble;nay,before,OrGodwillpunishme。Idobelieve,Inducedbypotentcircumstances,thatYouaremineenemy,andmakemychallengeYoushallnotbemyjudge:foritisyouHaveblownthiscoalbetwixtmylordandme;

  WhichGod’sdewquench!ThereforeIsayagain,Iutterlyabhor,yea,frommysoulRefuseyouformyjudge;whom,yetoncemore,Iholdmymostmaliciousfoe,andthinknotAtallafriendtotruth。CARDINALWOLSEYIdoprofessYouspeaknotlikeyourself;whoeveryetHavestoodtocharity,anddisplay’dtheeffectsOfdispositiongentle,andofwisdomO’ertoppingwoman’spower。Madam,youdomewrong:

  Ihavenospleenagainstyou;norinjusticeForyouorany:howfarIhaveproceeded,Orhowfarfurthershall,iswarrantedByacommissionfromtheconsistory,Yea,thewholeconsistoryofRome。YouchargemeThatIhaveblownthiscoal:Idodenyit:

  Thekingispresent:ifitbeknowntohimThatIgainsaymydeed,howmayhewound,Andworthily,myfalsehood!yea,asmuchAsyouhavedonemytruth。IfheknowThatIamfreeofyourreport,heknowsIamnotofyourwrong。ThereforeinhimItliestocureme:andthecureis,toRemovethesethoughtsfromyou:thewhichbeforeHishighnessshallspeakin,IdobeseechYou,graciousmadam,tounthinkyourspeakingAndtosaysonomore。QUEENKATHARINEMylord,mylord,Iamasimplewoman,muchtooweakToopposeyourcunning。You’remeekandhumble—mouth’d;

  Yousignyourplaceandcalling,infullseeming,Withmeeknessandhumility;butyourheartIscramm’dwitharrogancy,spleen,andpride。

  Youhave,byfortuneandhishighness’favours,Goneslightlyo’erlowstepsandnowaremountedWherepowersareyourretainers,andyourwords,Domesticstoyou,serveyourwillas’tpleaseYourselfpronouncetheiroffice。Imusttellyou,Youtendermoreyourperson’shonourthanYourhighprofessionspiritual:thatagainIdorefuseyouformyjudge;andhere,Beforeyouall,appealuntothepope,Tobringmywholecause’forehisholiness,Andtobejudgedbyhim。

  ShecurtsiestoKINGHENRYVIII,andofferstodepartCARDINALCAMPEIUSThequeenisobstinate,Stubborntojustice,apttoaccuseit,andDisdainfultobetriedby’t:’tisnotwell。

  She’sgoingaway。KINGHENRYVIIICallheragain。CrierKatharineQueenofEngland,comeintothecourt。GRIFFITHMadam,youarecall’dback。QUEENKATHARINEWhatneedyounoteit?prayyou,keepyourway:

  Whenyouarecall’d,return。Now,theLordhelp,Theyvexmepastmypatience!Prayyou,passon:

  Iwillnottarry;no,norevermoreUponthisbusinessmyappearancemakeInanyoftheircourts。

  ExeuntQUEENKATHARINEandherAttendantsKINGHENRYVIIIGothyways,Kate:

  Thatmani’theworldwhoshallreporthehasAbetterwife,lethiminnoughtbetrusted,Forspeakingfalseinthat:thouart,alone,Ifthyrarequalities,sweetgentleness,Thymeeknesssaint—like,wife—likegovernment,Obeyingincommanding,andthypartsSovereignandpiouselse,couldspeaktheeout,Thequeenofearthlyqueens:she’snobleborn;

  And,likehertruenobility,shehasCarriedherselftowardsme。CARDINALWOLSEYMostgracioussir,InhumblestmannerIrequireyourhighness,Thatitshallpleaseyoutodeclare,inhearingOfalltheseears,——forwhereIamrobb’dandbound,TheremustIbeunloosed,althoughnotthereAtonceandfullysatisfied,——whethereverI

  Didbroachthisbusinesstoyourhighness;orLaidanyscrupleinyourway,whichmightInduceyoutothequestionon’t?oreverHavetoyou,butwiththankstoGodforsuchAroyallady,spakeonetheleastwordthatmightBetotheprejudiceofherpresentstate,Ortouchofhergoodperson?KINGHENRYVIIIMylordcardinal,Idoexcuseyou;yea,uponminehonour,Ifreeyoufrom’t。YouarenottobetaughtThatyouhavemanyenemies,thatknownotWhytheyareso,but,liketovillage—curs,Barkwhentheirfellowsdo:bysomeoftheseThequeenisputinanger。You’reexcused:

  Butwillyoubemorejustified?YoueverHavewish’dthesleepingofthisbusiness;neverdesiredIttobestirr’d;butofthavehinder’d,oft,Thepassagesmadetowardit:onmyhonour,Ispeakmygoodlordcardinaltothispoint,Andthusfarclearhim。Now,whatmovedmeto’t,Iwillbeboldwithtimeandyourattention:

  Thenmarktheinducement。Thusitcame;giveheedto’t:

  Myconsciencefirstreceivedatenderness,Scruple,andprick,oncertainspeechesutter’dBytheBishopofBayonne,thenFrenchambassador;

  WhohadbeenhithersentonthedebatingAmarriage’twixttheDukeofOrleansandOurdaughterMary:i’theprogressofthisbusiness,Ereadeterminateresolution,he,Imeanthebishop,didrequirearespite;

  WhereinhemightthekinghislordadvertiseWhetherourdaughterwerelegitimate,Respectingthisourmarriagewiththedowager,Sometimesourbrother’swife。ThisrespiteshookThebosomofmyconscience,enter’dme,Yea,withasplittingpower,andmadetotrembleTheregionofmybreast;whichforcedsuchway,ThatmanymazedconsideringsdidthrongAndpress’dinwiththiscaution。First,methoughtIstoodnotinthesmileofheaven;whohadCommandednature,thatmylady’swomb,Ifitconceivedamalechildbyme,shouldDonomoreofficesoflifeto’tthanThegravedoestothedead;forhermaleissueOrdiedwheretheyweremade,orshortlyafterThisworldhadair’dthem:henceItookathought,Thiswasajudgmentonme;thatmykingdom,Wellworthythebestheiro’theworld,shouldnotBegladdedin’tbyme:thenfollows,thatIweigh’dthedangerwhichmyrealmsstoodinBythismyissue’sfail;andthatgavetomeManyagroaningthroe。ThushullinginThewildseaofmyconscience,IdidsteerTowardthisremedy,whereuponweareNowpresentheretogether:that’stosay,Imeanttorectifymyconscience,——whichIthendidfeelfullsick,andyetnotwell,——

  ByallthereverendfathersofthelandAnddoctorslearn’d:firstIbeganinprivateWithyou,myLordofLincoln;yourememberHowundermyoppressionIdidreek,WhenIfirstmovedyou。LINCOLNVerywell,myliege。KINGHENRYVIIIIhavespokelong:bepleasedyourselftosayHowfaryousatisfiedme。LINCOLNSopleaseyourhighness,Thequestiondidatfirstsostaggerme,Bearingastateofmightymomentin’tAndconsequenceofdread,thatIcommittedThedaring’stcounselwhichIhadtodoubt;

  AnddidentreatyourhighnesstothiscourseWhichyouarerunninghere。KINGHENRYVIIIIthenmovedyou,MyLordofCanterbury;andgotyourleaveTomakethispresentsummons:unsolicitedIleftnoreverendpersoninthiscourt;

  ButbyparticularconsentproceededUnderyourhandsandseals:therefore,goon:

  Fornodislikei’theworldagainstthepersonOfthegoodqueen,butthesharpthornypointsOfmyallegedreasons,drivethisforward:

  Provebutourmarriagelawful,bymylifeAndkinglydignity,wearecontentedTowearourmortalstatetocomewithher,Katharineourqueen,beforetheprimestcreatureThat’sparagon’do’theworld。CARDINALCAMPEIUSSopleaseyourhighness,Thequeenbeingabsent,’tisaneedfulfitnessThatweadjournthiscourttillfurtherday:

  MeanwhilemustbeanearnestmotionMadetothequeen,tocallbackherappealSheintendsuntohisholiness。KINGHENRYVIII[Aside]ImayperceiveThesecardinalstriflewithme:IabhorThisdilatoryslothandtricksofRome。

  Mylearn’dandwell—belovedservant,Cranmer,Prithee,return:withthyapproach,Iknow,Mycomfortcomesalong。Breakupthecourt:

  Isay,seton。

  ExeuntinmannerastheyenteredACTIIISCENEI。London。QUEENKATHARINE’sapartments。EnterQUEENKATHARINEandherWomen,asatworkQUEENKATHARINETakethylute,wench:mysoulgrowssadwithtroubles;

  Sing,anddisperse’em,ifthoucanst:leaveworking。

  SONG

  Orpheuswithhislutemadetrees,Andthemountaintopsthatfreeze,Bowthemselveswhenhedidsing:

  TohismusicplantsandflowersEversprung;assunandshowersTherehadmadealastingspring。

  Everythingthatheardhimplay,Eventhebillowsofthesea,Hungtheirheads,andthenlayby。

  Insweetmusicissuchart,KillingcareandgriefofheartFallasleep,orhearing,die。

  EnteraGentlemanQUEENKATHARINEHownow!GentlemanAn’tpleaseyourgrace,thetwogreatcardinalsWaitinthepresence。QUEENKATHARINEWouldtheyspeakwithme?GentlemanTheywill’dmesayso,madam。QUEENKATHARINEPraytheirgracesTocomenear。

  ExitGentlemanWhatcanbetheirbusinessWithme,apoorweakwoman,fall’nfromfavour?

  Idonotliketheircoming。NowIthinkon’t,Theyshouldbegoodmen;theiraffairsasrighteous:

  Butallhoodsmakenotmonks。

  EnterCARDINALWOLSEYandCARDINALCAMPEIUSCARDINALWOLSEYPeacetoyourhighness!QUEENKATHARINEYourgracesfindmeherepartofahousewife,Iwouldbeall,againsttheworstmayhappen。

  Whatareyourpleasureswithme,reverendlords?CARDINALWOLSEYMayitpleaseyounoblemadam,towithdrawIntoyourprivatechamber,weshallgiveyouThefullcauseofourcoming。QUEENKATHARINESpeakithere:

  There’snothingIhavedoneyet,o’myconscience,Deservesacorner:wouldallotherwomenCouldspeakthiswithasfreeasoulasIdo!

  Mylords,Icarenot,somuchIamhappyAboveanumber,ifmyactionsWeretriedbyeverytongue,everyeyesaw’em,Envyandbaseopinionsetagainst’em,Iknowmylifesoeven。IfyourbusinessSeekmeout,andthatwayIamwifein,Outwithitboldly:truthlovesopendealing。CARDINALWOLSEYTantaestergatementisintegritas,reginaserenissima,——QUEENKATHARINEO,goodmylord,noLatin;

  Iamnotsuchatruantsincemycoming,AsnottoknowthelanguageIhavelivedin:

  Astrangetonguemakesmycausemorestrange,suspicious;

  Pray,speakinEnglish:herearesomewillthankyou,Ifyouspeaktruth,fortheirpoormistress’sake;

  Believeme,shehashadmuchwrong:lordcardinal,Thewilling’stsinIeveryetcommittedMaybeabsolvedinEnglish。CARDINALWOLSEYNoblelady,Iamsorrymyintegrityshouldbreed,Andservicetohismajestyandyou,Sodeepsuspicion,whereallfaithwasmeant。

  Wecomenotbythewayofaccusation,Totaintthathonoureverygoodtongueblesses,Nortobetrayyouanywaytosorrow,Youhavetoomuch,goodlady;buttoknowHowyoustandmindedintheweightydifferenceBetweenthekingandyou;andtodeliver,Likefreeandhonestmen,ourjustopinionsAndcomfortstoyourcause。CARDINALCAMPEIUSMosthonour’dmadam,MyLordofYork,outofhisnoblenature,Zealandobediencehestillboreyourgrace,Forgetting,likeagoodmanyourlatecensureBothofhistruthandhim,whichwastoofar,Offers,asIdo,inasignofpeace,Hisserviceandhiscounsel。QUEENKATHARINE[Aside]Tobetrayme。——

  Mylords,Ithankyoubothforyourgoodwills;

  Yespeaklikehonestmen;prayGod,yeproveso!

  Buthowtomakeyesuddenlyananswer,Insuchapointofweight,sonearminehonour,——

  Morenearmylife,Ifear,——withmyweakwit,Andtosuchmenofgravityandlearning,Intruth,Iknownot。IwassetatworkAmongmymaids:fulllittle,Godknows,lookingEitherforsuchmenorsuchbusiness。

  ForhersakethatIhavebeen,——forIfeelThelastfitofmygreatness,——goodyourgraces,Letmehavetimeandcounselformycause:

  Alas,Iamawoman,friendless,hopeless!CARDINALWOLSEYMadam,youwrongtheking’slovewiththesefears:

  Yourhopesandfriendsareinfinite。QUEENKATHARINEInEnglandButlittleformyprofit:canyouthink,lords,ThatanyEnglishmandaregivemecounsel?

  Orbeaknownfriend,’gainsthishighness’pleasure,Thoughhebegrownsodesperatetobehonest,Andliveasubject?Nay,forsooth,myfriends,Theythatmustweighoutmyafflictions,Theythatmytrustmustgrowto,livenothere:

  Theyare,asallmyothercomforts,farhenceInmineowncountry,lords。CARDINALCAMPEIUSIwouldyourgraceWouldleaveyourgriefs,andtakemycounsel。QUEENKATHARINEHow,sir?CARDINALCAMPEIUSPutyourmaincauseintotheking’sprotection;

  He’slovingandmostgracious:’twillbemuchBothforyourhonourbetterandyourcause;

  Forifthetrialofthelawo’ertakeye,You’llpartawaydisgraced。CARDINALWOLSEYHetellsyourightly。QUEENKATHARINEYetellmewhatyewishforboth,——myruin:

  IsthisyourChristiancounsel?outuponye!

  Heavenisaboveallyet;theresitsajudgeThatnokingcancorrupt。CARDINALCAMPEIUSYourragemistakesus。QUEENKATHARINEThemoreshameforye:holymenIthoughtye,Uponmysoul,tworeverendcardinalvirtues;

  ButcardinalsinsandhollowheartsIfearye:

  Mend’em,forshame,mylords。Isthisyourcomfort?

  Thecordialthatyebringawretchedlady,Awomanlostamongye,laugh’dat,scorn’d?

  Iwillnotwishyehalfmymiseries;

  Ihavemorecharity:butsay,Iwarn’dye;

  Takeheed,forheaven’ssake,takeheed,lestatonceTheburthenofmysorrowsfalluponye。CARDINALWOLSEYMadam,thisisameredistraction;

  Youturnthegoodweofferintoenvy。QUEENKATHARINEYeturnmeintonothing:woeuponyeAndallsuchfalseprofessors!wouldyouhaveme——

  Ifyouhaveanyjustice,anypity;

  Ifyebeanythingbutchurchmen’shabits——

  Putmysickcauseintohishandsthathatesme?

  Alas,hasbanish’dmehisbedalready,Hislove,toolongago!Iamold,mylords,AndallthefellowshipIholdnowwithhimIsonlymyobedience。WhatcanhappenTomeabovethiswretchedness?allyourstudiesMakemeacurselikethis。CARDINALCAMPEIUSYourfearsareworse。QUEENKATHARINEHaveIlivedthuslong——letmespeakmyself,Sincevirtuefindsnofriends——awife,atrueone?

  Awoman,Idaresaywithoutvain—glory,Neveryetbrandedwithsuspicion?

  HaveIwithallmyfullaffectionsStillmettheking?lovedhimnextheaven?

  obey’dhim?

  Been,outoffondness,superstitioustohim?

  Almostforgotmyprayerstocontenthim?

  AndamIthusrewarded?’tisnotwell,lords。

  Bringmeaconstantwomantoherhusband,Onethatne’erdream’dajoybeyondhispleasure;

  Andtothatwoman,whenshehasdonemost,YetwillIaddanhonour,agreatpatience。CARDINALWOLSEYMadam,youwanderfromthegoodweaimat。QUEENKATHARINEMylord,Idarenotmakemyselfsoguilty,TogiveupwillinglythatnobletitleYourmasterwedmeto:nothingbutdeathShalle’erdivorcemydignities。CARDINALWOLSEYPray,hearme。QUEENKATHARINEWouldIhadnevertrodthisEnglishearth,Orfelttheflatteriesthatgrowuponit!

  Yehaveangels’faces,butheavenknowsyourhearts。

  Whatwillbecomeofmenow,wretchedlady!

  Iamthemostunhappywomanliving。

  Alas,poorwenches,wherearenowyourfortunes!

  Shipwreck’duponakingdom,wherenopity,Nofriend,nohope;nokindredweepforme;

  Almostnograveallow’dme:likethelily,Thatoncewasmistressofthefieldandflourish’d,I’llhangmyheadandperish。CARDINALWOLSEYIfyourgraceCouldbutbebroughttoknowourendsarehonest,You’ldfeelmorecomfort:whyshouldwe,goodlady,Uponwhatcause,wrongyou?alas,ourplaces,Thewayofourprofessionisagainstit:

  Wearetocuresuchsorrows,nottosow’em。

  Forgoodness’sake,considerwhatyoudo;

  Howyoumayhurtyourself,ay,utterlyGrowfromtheking’sacquaintance,bythiscarriage。

  Theheartsofprinceskissobedience,Somuchtheyloveit;buttostubbornspiritsTheyswell,andgrowasterribleasstorms。

  Iknowyouhaveagentle,nobletemper,Asoulasevenasacalm:pray,thinkusThoseweprofess,peace—makers,friends,andservants。CARDINALCAMPEIUSMadam,you’llfinditso。YouwrongyourvirtuesWiththeseweakwomen’sfears:anoblespirit,Asyourswasputintoyou,evercastsSuchdoubts,asfalsecoin,fromit。Thekinglovesyou;

  Bewareyouloseitnot:forus,ifyoupleaseTotrustusinyourbusiness,wearereadyTouseourutmoststudiesinyourservice。QUEENKATHARINEDowhatyewill,mylords:and,pray,forgiveme,IfIhaveusedmyselfunmannerly;

  YouknowIamawoman,lackingwitTomakeaseemlyanswertosuchpersons。

  Pray,domyservicetohismajesty:

  Hehasmyheartyet;andshallhavemyprayersWhileIshallhavemylife。Come,reverendfathers,Bestowyourcounselsonme:shenowbegs,Thatlittlethought,whenshesetfootinghere,Sheshouldhaveboughtherdignitiessodear。

  ExeuntSCENEII。Ante—chambertoKINGHENRYVIII’sapartment。EnterNORFOLK,SUFFOLK,SURREY,andChamberlainNORFOLKIfyouwillnowuniteinyourcomplaints,Andforcethemwithaconstancy,thecardinalCannotstandunderthem:ifyouomitTheofferofthistime,IcannotpromiseButthatyoushallsustainmoenewdisgraces,Withtheseyoubearalready。SURREYIamjoyfulTomeettheleastoccasionthatmaygivemeRemembranceofmyfather—in—law,theduke,Toberevengedonhim。SUFFOLKWhichofthepeersHaveuncontemn’dgonebyhim,oratleastStrangelyneglected?whendidheregardThestampofnoblenessinanypersonOutofhimself?ChamberlainMylords,youspeakyourpleasures:

  WhathedeservesofyouandmeIknow;

  Whatwecandotohim,thoughnowthetimeGiveswaytous,Imuchfear。IfyoucannotBarhisaccesstotheking,neverattemptAnythingonhim;forhehathawitchcraftOverthekingin’stongue。NORFOLKO,fearhimnot;

  Hisspellinthatisout:thekinghathfoundMatteragainsthimthatforevermarsThehoneyofhislanguage。No,he’ssettled,Nottocomeoff,inhisdispleasure。SURREYSir,IshouldbegladtohearsuchnewsasthisOnceeveryhour。NORFOLKBelieveit,thisistrue:

  InthedivorcehiscontraryproceedingsAreallunfoldedwhereinheappearsAsIwouldwishmineenemy。SURREYHowcameHispractisestolight?SUFFOLKMoststrangely。SURREYO,how,how?SUFFOLKThecardinal’sletterstothepopemiscarried,Andcametotheeyeo’theking:whereinwasread,HowthatthecardinaldidentreathisholinessTostaythejudgmento’thedivorce;forifItdidtakeplace,’Ido,’quothhe,’perceiveMykingistangledinaffectiontoAcreatureofthequeen’s,LadyAnneBullen。’SURREYHasthekingthis?SUFFOLKBelieveit。SURREYWillthiswork?ChamberlainThekinginthisperceiveshim,howhecoastsAndhedgeshisownway。ButinthispointAllhistricksfounder,andhebringshisphysicAfterhispatient’sdeath:thekingalreadyHathmarriedthefairlady。SURREYWouldhehad!SUFFOLKMayyoubehappyinyourwish,mylordFor,Iprofess,youhaveit。SURREYNow,allmyjoyTracetheconjunction!SUFFOLKMyamento’t!NORFOLKAllmen’s!SUFFOLKThere’sordergivenforhercoronation:

  Marry,thisisyetbutyoung,andmaybeleftTosomeearsunrecounted。But,mylords,Sheisagallantcreature,andcompleteInmindandfeature:Ipersuademe,fromherWillfallsomeblessingtothisland,whichshallInitbememorised。SURREYBut,willthekingDigestthisletterofthecardinal’s?

  TheLordforbid!NORFOLKMarry,amen!SUFFOLKNo,no;

  TherebemoewaspsthatbuzzabouthisnoseWillmakethisstingthesooner。CardinalCampeiusIsstol’nawaytoRome;hathta’ennoleave;

  Hasleftthecauseo’thekingunhandled;andIsposted,astheagentofourcardinal,Tosecondallhisplot。IdoassureyouThekingcriedHa!atthis。ChamberlainNow,Godincensehim,AndlethimcryHa!louder!NORFOLKBut,mylord,WhenreturnsCranmer?SUFFOLKHeisreturn’dinhisopinions;whichHavesatisfiedthekingforhisdivorce,TogetherwithallfamouscollegesAlmostinChristendom:shortly,Ibelieve,Hissecondmarriageshallbepublish’d,andHercoronation。KatharinenomoreShallbecall’dqueen,butprincessdowagerAndwidowtoPrinceArthur。NORFOLKThissameCranmer’sAworthyfellow,andhathta’enmuchpainIntheking’sbusiness。SUFFOLKHehas;andweshallseehimForitanarchbishop。NORFOLKSoIhear。SUFFOLK’Tisso。

  Thecardinal!

  EnterCARDINALWOLSEYandCROMWELLNORFOLKObserve,observe,he’smoody。CARDINALWOLSEYThepacket,Cromwell。

  Gave’tyoutheking?CROMWELLTohisownhand,in’sbedchamber。CARDINALWOLSEYLook’dheo’theinsideofthepaper?CROMWELLPresentlyHedidunsealthem:andthefirstheview’d,Hediditwithaseriousmind;aheedWasinhiscountenance。YouhebadeAttendhimherethismorning。CARDINALWOLSEYIshereadyTocomeabroad?CROMWELLIthink,bythisheis。CARDINALWOLSEYLeavemeawhile。

  ExitCROMWELL

  AsideItshallbetotheDuchessofAlencon,TheFrenchking’ssister:heshallmarryher。

  AnneBullen!No;I’llnoAnneBullensforhim:

  There’smorein’tthanfairvisage。Bullen!

  No,we’llnoBullens。SpeedilyIwishTohearfromRome。TheMarchionessofPembroke!NORFOLKHe’sdiscontented。SUFFOLKMaybe,hehearsthekingDoeswhethisangertohim。SURREYSharpenough,Lord,forthyjustice!CARDINALWOLSEY[Aside]Thelatequeen’sgentlewoman,aknight’sdaughter,Tobehermistress’mistress!thequeen’squeen!

  Thiscandleburnsnotclear:’tisImustsnuffit;

  Thenoutitgoes。WhatthoughIknowhervirtuousAndwelldeserving?yetIknowherforAspleenyLutheran;andnotwholesometoOurcause,thatsheshouldliei’thebosomofOurhard—ruledking。Again,thereissprungupAnheretic,anarchone,Cranmer;oneHathcrawl’dintothefavouroftheking,Andishisoracle。NORFOLKHeisvex’datsomething。SURREYIwould’tweresomethingthatwouldfretthestring,Themaster—cordon’sheart!

  EnterKINGHENRYVIII,readingofaschedule,andLOVELLSUFFOLKTheking,theking!KINGHENRYVIIIWhatpilesofwealthhathheaccumulatedTohisownportion!andwhatexpensebythehourSeemstoflowfromhim!How,i’thenameofthrift,Doesherakethistogether!Now,mylords,Sawyouthecardinal?NORFOLKMylord,wehaveStoodhereobservinghim:somestrangecommotionIsinhisbrain:hebiteshislip,andstarts;

  Stopsonasudden,looksupontheground,Thenlayshisfingeronhistemple,straightSpringsoutintofastgait;thenstopsagain,Strikeshisbreasthard,andanonhecastsHiseyeagainstthemoon:inmoststrangeposturesWehaveseenhimsethimself。KINGHENRYVIIIItmaywellbe;

  Thereisamutinyin’smind。ThismorningPapersofstatehesentmetoperuse,AsIrequired:andwotyouwhatIfoundThere,——onmyconscience,putunwittingly?

  Forsooth,aninventory,thusimporting;

  Theseveralparcelsofhisplate,histreasure,Richstuffs,andornamentsofhousehold;whichIfindatsuchproudrate,thatitout—speaksPossessionofasubject。NORFOLKIt’sheaven’swill:

  Somespiritputthispaperinthepacket,Toblessyoureyewithal。KINGHENRYVIIIIfwedidthinkHiscontemplationwereabovetheearth,Andfix’donspiritualobject,heshouldstillDwellinhismusings:butIamafraidHisthinkingsarebelowthemoon,notworthHisseriousconsidering。

  KingHENRYVIIItakeshisseat;whispersLOVELL,whogoestoCARDINAL

  WOLSEYCARDINALWOLSEYHeavenforgiveme!

  EverGodblessyourhighness!KINGHENRYVIIIGoodmylord,Youarefullofheavenlystuff,andbeartheinventoryOfyourbestgracesinyourmind;thewhichYouwerenowrunningo’er:youhavescarcetimeTostealfromspiritualleisureabriefspanTokeepyourearthlyaudit:sure,inthatIdeemyouanillhusband,andamgladTohaveyouthereinmycompanion。CARDINALWOLSEYSir,ForholyofficesIhaveatime;atimeTothinkuponthepartofbusinesswhichIbeari’thestate;andnaturedoesrequireHertimesofpreservation,whichperforceI,herfrailson,amongstmybrethrenmortal,Mustgivemytendenceto。KINGHENRYVIIIYouhavesaidwell。CARDINALWOLSEYAndevermayyourhighnessyoketogether,AsIwilllendyoucause,mydoingwellWithmywellsaying!KINGHENRYVIII’Tiswellsaidagain;

  And’tisakindofgooddeedtosaywell:

  Andyetwordsarenodeeds。Myfatherlovedyou:

  Hissaidhedid;andwithhisdeeddidcrownHisworduponyou。SinceIhadmyoffice,Ihavekeptyounextmyheart;havenotaloneEmploy’dyouwherehighprofitsmightcomehome,Butparedmypresenthavings,tobestowMybountiesuponyou。CARDINALWOLSEY[Aside]Whatshouldthismean?SURREY[Aside]TheLordincreasethisbusiness!KINGHENRYVIIIHaveInotmadeyou,Theprimemanofthestate?Iprayyou,tellme,IfwhatInowpronounceyouhavefoundtrue:

  And,ifyoumayconfessit,saywithal,Ifyouareboundtousorno。Whatsayyou?CARDINALWOLSEYMysovereign,Iconfessyourroyalgraces,Shower’donmedaily,havebeenmorethancouldMystudiedpurposesrequite;whichwentBeyondallman’sendeavours:myendeavoursHaveevercometooshortofmydesires,Yetfiledwithmyabilities:mineownendsHavebeenminesothatevermoretheypointedTothegoodofyourmostsacredpersonandTheprofitofthestate。ForyourgreatgracesHeap’duponme,poorundeserver,I

  Cannothingrenderbutallegiantthanks,Myprayerstoheavenforyou,myloyalty,Whicheverhasandevershallbegrowing,Tilldeath,thatwinter,killit。KINGHENRYVIIIFairlyanswer’d;

  AloyalandobedientsubjectisThereinillustrated:thehonourofitDoespaytheactofit;as,i’thecontrary,Thefoulnessisthepunishment。IpresumeThat,asmyhandhasopen’dbountytoyou,Myheartdropp’dlove,mypowerrain’dhonour,moreOnyouthanany;soyourhandandheart,Yourbrain,andeveryfunctionofyourpower,Should,notwithstandingthatyourbondofduty,As’twereinlove’sparticular,bemoreTome,yourfriend,thanany。CARDINALWOLSEYIdoprofessThatforyourhighness’goodIeverlabour’dMorethanmineown;thatam,have,andwillbe——

  Thoughalltheworldshouldcracktheirdutytoyou,Andthrowitfromtheirsoul;thoughperilsdidAbound,asthickasthoughtcouldmake’em,andAppearinformsmorehorrid,——yetmyduty,Asdotharockagainstthechidingflood,Shouldtheapproachofthiswildriverbreak,Andstandunshakenyours。KINGHENRYVIII’Tisnoblyspoken:

  Takenotice,lords,hehasaloyalbreast,Foryouhaveseenhimopen’t。Reado’erthis;

  GivinghimpapersAndafter,this:andthentobreakfastwithWhatappetiteyouhave。

  ExitKINGHENRYVIII,frowninguponCARDINALWOLSEY:theNoblesthrongafterhim,smilingandwhisperingCARDINALWOLSEYWhatshouldthismean?

  Whatsuddenanger’sthis?howhaveIreap’dit?

  Hepartedfrowningfromme,asifruinLeap’dfromhiseyes:solooksthechafedlionUponthedaringhuntsmanthathasgall’dhim;

  Thenmakeshimnothing。Imustreadthispaper;

  Ifear,thestoryofhisanger。’Tisso;

  Thispaperhasundoneme:’tistheaccountOfallthatworldofwealthIhavedrawntogetherFormineownends;indeed,togainthepopedom,AndfeemyfriendsinRome。Onegligence!

  Fitforafooltofallby:whatcrossdevilMademeputthismainsecretinthepacketIsenttheking?Istherenowaytocurethis?

  Nonewdevicetobeatthisfromhisbrains?

  Iknow’twillstirhimstrongly;yetIknowAway,ifittakeright,inspiteoffortuneWillbringmeoffagain。What’sthis?’TothePope!’

  Theletter,asIlive,withallthebusinessIwritto’sholiness。Naythen,farewell!

  Ihavetouch’dthehighestpointofallmygreatness;

  And,fromthatfullmeridianofmyglory,Ihastenowtomysetting:IshallfallLikeabrightexhalationmtheevening,Andnomanseememore。

  Re—entertoCARDINALWOLSEY,NORFOLKandSUFFOLK,SURREY,andtheChamberlainNORFOLKHeartheking’spleasure,cardinal:whocommandsyouTorenderupthegreatsealpresentlyIntoourhands;andtoconfineyourselfToAsherHouse,myLordofWinchester’s,Tillyouhearfurtherfromhishighness。CARDINALWOLSEYStay:

  Where’syourcommission,lords?wordscannotcarryAuthoritysoweighty。SUFFOLKWhodarecross’em,Bearingtheking’swillfromhismouthexpressly?CARDINALWOLSEYTillIfindmorethanwillorwordstodoit,Imeanyourmalice,know,officiouslords,Idareandmustdenyit。NowIfeelOfwhatcoarsemetalyearemoulded,envy:

  Howeagerlyyefollowmydisgraces,Asifitfedye!andhowsleekandwantonYeappearineverythingmaybringmyruin!

  Followyourenviouscourses,menofmalice;

  YouhaveChristianwarrantfor’em,and,nodoubt,Intimewillfindtheirfitrewards。Thatseal,Youaskwithsuchaviolence,theking,Mineandyourmaster,withhisownhandgaveme;

  Bademeenjoyit,withtheplaceandhonours,Duringmylife;and,toconfirmhisgoodness,Tieditbyletters—patents:now,who’lltakeit?SURREYTheking,thatgaveit。CARDINALWOLSEYItmustbehimself,then。SURREYThouartaproudtraitor,priest。CARDINALWOLSEYProudlord,thouliest:

  WithinthesefortyhoursSurreydurstbetterHaveburntthattonguethansaidso。SURREYThyambition,Thouscarletsin,robb’dthisbewailinglandOfnobleBuckingham,myfather—in—law:

  Theheadsofallthybrothercardinals,Withtheeandallthybestpartsboundtogether,Weigh’dnotahairofhis。Plagueofyourpolicy!

  YousentmedeputyforIreland;

  Farfromhissuccor,fromtheking,fromallThatmighthavemercyonthefaultthougavesthim;

  Whilstyourgreatgoodness,outofholypity,Absolvedhimwithanaxe。CARDINALWOLSEYThis,andallelseThistalkinglordcanlayuponmycredit,Ianswerismostfalse。ThedukebylawFoundhisdeserts:howinnocentIwasFromanyprivatemaliceinhisend,Hisnoblejuryandfoulcausecanwitness。

  IfIlovedmanywords,lord,IshouldtellyouYouhaveaslittlehonestyashonour,ThatinthewayofloyaltyandtruthTowardtheking,myeverroyalmaster,DaremateasoundermanthanSurreycanbe,Andallthatlovehisfollies。SURREYBymysoul,Yourlongcoat,priest,protectsyou;thoushouldstfeelMyswordi’thelife—bloodoftheeelse。Mylords,Canyeenduretohearthisarrogance?

  Andfromthisfellow?ifwelivethustamely,Tobethusjadedbyapieceofscarlet,Farewellnobility;lethisgracegoforward,Anddareuswithhiscaplikelarks。CARDINALWOLSEYAllgoodnessIspoisontothystomach。SURREYYes,thatgoodnessOfgleaningalltheland’swealthintoone,Intoyourownhands,cardinal,byextortion;

  ThegoodnessofyourinterceptedpacketsYouwrittothepopeagainsttheking:yourgoodness,Sinceyouprovokeme,shallbemostnotorious。

  MyLordofNorfolk,asyouaretrulynoble,Asyourespectthecommongood,thestateOfourdespisednobility,ourissues,Who,ifhelive,willscarcebegentlemen,Producethegrandsumofhissins,thearticlesCollectedfromhislife。I’llstartleyouWorsethanthescaringbell,whenthebrownwenchLaykissinginyourarms,lordcardinal。CARDINALWOLSEYHowmuch,methinks,Icoulddespisethisman,ButthatIamboundincharityagainstit!NORFOLKThosearticles,mylord,areintheking’shand:

  But,thusmuch,theyarefoulones。CARDINALWOLSEYSomuchfairerAndspotlessshallmineinnocencearise,Whenthekingknowsmytruth。SURREYThiscannotsaveyou:

  Ithankmymemory,IyetrememberSomeofthesearticles;andouttheyshall。

  Now,ifyoucanblushandcry’guilty,’cardinal,You’llshowalittlehonesty。CARDINALWOLSEYSpeakon,sir;

  Idareyourworstobjections:ifIblush,Itistoseeanoblemanwantmanners。SURREYIhadratherwantthosethanmyhead。

  Haveatyou!

  First,that,withouttheking’sassentorknowledge,Youwroughttobealegate;bywhichpowerYoumaim’dthejurisdictionofallbishops。NORFOLKThen,thatinallyouwrittoRome,orelseToforeignprinces,’EgoetRexmeus’

  Wasstillinscribed;inwhichyoubroughtthekingTobeyourservant。SUFFOLKThenthat,withouttheknowledgeEitherofkingorcouncil,whenyouwentAmbassadortotheemperor,youmadeboldTocarryintoFlandersthegreatseal。SURREYItem,yousentalargecommissionToGregorydeCassado,toconclude,Withouttheking’swillorthestate’sallowance,AleaguebetweenhishighnessandFerrara。SUFFOLKThat,outofmereambition,youhavecausedYourholyhattobestamp’dontheking’scoin。SURREYThenthatyouhavesentinnumerablesubstance——

  Bywhatmeansgot,Ileavetoyourownconscience——

  TofurnishRome,andtopreparethewaysYouhavefordignities;tothemereundoingOfallthekingdom。Manymorethereare;

  Which,sincetheyareofyou,andodious,Iwillnottaintmymouthwith。ChamberlainOmylord,Pressnotafallingmantoofar!’tisvirtue:

  Hisfaultslieopentothelaws;letthem,Notyou,correcthim。MyheartweepstoseehimSolittleofhisgreatself。SURREYIforgivehim。SUFFOLKLordcardinal,theking’sfurtherpleasureis,Becauseallthosethingsyouhavedoneoflate,Byyourpowerlegatine,withinthiskingdom,Fallintothecompassofapraemunire,Thatthereforesuchawritbesuedagainstyou;

  Toforfeitallyourgoods,lands,tenements,Chattels,andwhatsoever,andtobeOutoftheking’sprotection。Thisismycharge。NORFOLKAndsowe’llleaveyoutoyourmeditationsHowtolivebetter。ForyourstubbornanswerAboutthegivingbackthegreatsealtous,Thekingshallknowit,and,nodoubt,shallthankyou。

  Sofareyouwell,mylittlegoodlordcardinal。

  ExeuntallbutCARDINALWOLSEYCARDINALWOLSEYSofarewelltothelittlegoodyoubearme。

  Farewell!alongfarewell,toallmygreatness!

  Thisisthestateofman:to—dayheputsforthThetenderleavesofhopes;to—morrowblossoms,Andbearshisblushinghonoursthickuponhim;

  Thethirddaycomesafrost,akillingfrost,And,whenhethinks,goodeasyman,fullsurelyHisgreatnessisa—ripening,nipshisroot,Andthenhefalls,asIdo。Ihaveventured,Likelittlewantonboysthatswimonbladders,Thismanysummersinaseaofglory,Butfarbeyondmydepth:myhigh—blownprideAtlengthbrokeundermeandnowhasleftme,Wearyandoldwithservice,tothemercyOfarudestream,thatmustforeverhideme。

  Vainpompandgloryofthisworld,Ihateye:

  Ifeelmyheartnewopen’d。O,howwretchedIsthatpoormanthathangsonprinces’favours!

  Thereis,betwixtthatsmilewewouldaspireto,Thatsweetaspectofprinces,andtheirruin,Morepangsandfearsthanwarsorwomenhave:

  Andwhenhefalls,hefallslikeLucifer,Nevertohopeagain。

  EnterCROMWELL,andstandsamazedWhy,hownow,Cromwell!CROMWELLIhavenopowertospeak,sir。CARDINALWOLSEYWhat,amazedAtmymisfortunes?canthyspiritwonderAgreatmanshoulddecline?Nay,anyouweep,Iamfall’nindeed。CROMWELLHowdoesyourgrace?CARDINALWOLSEYWhy,well;

  Neversotrulyhappy,mygoodCromwell。

  Iknowmyselfnow;andIfeelwithinmeApeaceaboveallearthlydignities,Astillandquietconscience。Thekinghascuredme,Ihumblythankhisgrace;andfromtheseshoulders,Theseruin’dpillars,outofpity,takenAloadwouldsinkanavy,toomuchhonour:

  O,’tisaburthen,Cromwell,’tisaburthenTooheavyforamanthathopesforheaven!CROMWELLIamgladyourgracehasmadethatrightuseofit。CARDINALWOLSEYIhopeIhave:Iamablenow,methinks,OutofafortitudeofsoulIfeel,ToenduremoremiseriesandgreaterfarThanmyweak—heartedenemiesdareoffer。

  Whatnewsabroad?CROMWELLTheheaviestandtheworstIsyourdispleasurewiththeking。CARDINALWOLSEYGodblesshim!CROMWELLThenextis,thatSirThomasMoreischosenLordchancellorinyourplace。CARDINALWOLSEYThat’ssomewhatsudden:

  Buthe’salearnedman。MayhecontinueLonginhishighness’favour,anddojusticeFortruth’ssakeandhisconscience;thathisbones,Whenhehasrunhiscourseandsleepsinblessings,Mayhaveatomboforphans’tearsweptonem!

  Whatmore?CROMWELLThatCranmerisreturn’dwithwelcome,Install’dlordarchbishopofCanterbury。CARDINALWOLSEYThat’snewsindeed。CROMWELLLast,thattheLadyAnne,Whomthekinghathinsecrecylongmarried,Thisdaywasview’dinopenashisqueen,Goingtochapel;andthevoiceisnowOnlyabouthercoronation。CARDINALWOLSEYTherewastheweightthatpull’dmedown。

  OCromwell,Thekinghasgonebeyondme:allmygloriesInthatonewomanIhavelostforever:

  Nosunshalleverusherforthminehonours,OrgildagainthenobletroopsthatwaitedUponmysmiles。Go,gettheefromme,Cromwell;

  Iamapoorfall’nman,unworthynowTobethylordandmaster:seektheking;

  Thatsun,Ipray,mayneverset!IhavetoldhimWhatandhowtruethouart:hewilladvancethee;

  Somelittlememoryofmewillstirhim——

  Iknowhisnoblenature——nottoletThyhopefulserviceperishtoo:goodCromwell,Neglecthimnot;makeusenow,andprovideForthineownfuturesafety。CROMWELLOmylord,MustI,then,leaveyou?mustIneedsforegoSogood,sonobleandsotrueamaster?

  Bearwitness,allthathavenotheartsofiron,WithwhatasorrowCromwellleaveshislord。

  Thekingshallhavemyservice:butmyprayersForeverandforevershallbeyours。CARDINALWOLSEYCromwell,IdidnotthinktoshedatearInallmymiseries;butthouhastforcedme,Outofthyhonesttruth,toplaythewoman。

  Let’sdryoureyes:andthusfarhearme,Cromwell;

  And,whenIamforgotten,asIshallbe,Andsleepindullcoldmarble,wherenomentionOfmemoremustbeheardof,say,Itaughtthee,Say,Wolsey,thatoncetrodthewaysofglory,Andsoundedallthedepthsandshoalsofhonour,Foundtheeaway,outofhiswreck,torisein;

  Asureandsafeone,thoughthymastermiss’dit。

  Markbutmyfall,andthatthatruin’dme。

  Cromwell,Ichargethee,flingawayambition:

  Bythatsinfelltheangels;howcanman,then,TheimageofhisMaker,hopetowinbyit?

  Lovethyselflast:cherishthoseheartsthathatethee;

  Corruptionwinsnotmorethanhonesty。

  Stillinthyrighthandcarrygentlepeace,Tosilenceenvioustongues。Bejust,andfearnot:

  Letalltheendsthouaim’statbethycountry’s,ThyGod’s,andtruth’s;thenifthoufall’st,OCromwell,Thoufall’stablessedmartyr!Servetheking;

  And,——prithee,leadmein:

  TheretakeaninventoryofallIhave,Tothelastpenny;’tistheking’s:myrobe,Andmyintegritytoheaven,isallIdarenowcallmineown。OCromwell,Cromwell!

  HadIbutservedmyGodwithhalfthezealIservedmyking,hewouldnotinmineageHaveleftmenakedtomineenemies。CROMWELLGoodsir,havepatience。CARDINALWOLSEYSoIhave。FarewellThehopesofcourt!myhopesinheavendodwell。

  ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。AstreetinWestminster。EntertwoGentlemen,meetingoneanotherFirstGentlemanYou’rewellmetonceagain。SecondGentlemanSoareyou。FirstGentlemanYoucometotakeyourstandhere,andbeholdTheLadyAnnepassfromhercoronation?SecondGentleman’Tisallmybusiness。Atourlastencounter,TheDukeofBuckinghamcamefromhistrial。FirstGentleman’Tisverytrue:butthattimeoffer’dsorrow;

  This,generaljoy。SecondGentleman’Tiswell:thecitizens,Iamsure,haveshownatfulltheirroyalminds——

  As,let’emhavetheirrights,theyareeverforward——

  Incelebrationofthisdaywithshows,Pageantsandsightsofhonour。FirstGentlemanNevergreater,Nor,I’llassureyou,bettertaken,sir。SecondGentlemanMayIbeboldtoaskatwhatthatcontains,Thatpaperinyourhand?FirstGentlemanYes;’tisthelistOfthosethatclaimtheirofficesthisdayBycustomofthecoronation。

  TheDukeofSuffolkisthefirst,andclaimsTobehigh—steward;next,theDukeofNorfolk,Hetobeearlmarshal:youmayreadtherest。SecondGentlemanIthankyou,sir:hadInotknownthosecustoms,Ishouldhavebeenbeholdingtoyourpaper。

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