If they shall fail, I with mine enemies

Will triumph o'er my person, which I weigh

not,

Being of those virtues vacant.

What can be said against me.

K. Hen.

I fear nothing

Know you not

How your state stands i' the 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' the question carries
The due o' the 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.

Cran.

God, and your Majesty,

Protect mine innocence, or I fall into

The trap is laid for me!

K. Hen.

Be of good cheer;

They shall no more prevail than we give way to.
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
The occasion shall instruct you if entreaties
Will render you no remedy, this ring

Deliver them, and your appeal to us

There make before them.-Look, the good man weeps:

He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother!

I swear, he is true-hearted; and a soul

None better in my kingdom.-Get you gone,

And do as I have bid you.

-He has strangled

His language in his tears.

[Exit CRANMER.

Enter an Old Lady.

Gent. [Within.] Come back what mean you? Old L. 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

And of a lovely boy: the God of heaven

Both now and ever bless her!—'t is a girl,—
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your Queen
Desires your visitation, and to be

Acquainted with this stranger: 't is as like you,
As cherry is to cherry.

Old L. 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 will have more, or else unsay 't; and now,

While it is hot, I'll put it to the issue. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Lobby before the Council-chamber.

Enter CRANMER; Servants, Door-keeper, &c., attending.

Cran. 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. All fast? what means this?

Ho!

Who waits there ?-Sure, you know me?

D. Keep.

But yet I cannot help you.

Cran.

Yes, my lord;

Why?

D. Keep. Your grace must wait till you be

Butts. This is a piece of malice. I am glad

I came this way so happily: the King

Shall understand it presently.

Cran. [Aside.]

[Exit.

'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 honour they would shame to make me

Wait else at door, a fellow-counsellor,

Among boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their plea

sures

Must be fulfilled, and I attend with patience.

Enter the KING and BUTTS, at a window above. Butts. I'll show your grace the strangest sightK. Hen. What's that, Butts ?

Butts. I think your highness saw this many a

day.

K. Hen. Body o' me, where is it?

Butts.

There, my lord :

The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury; Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants, Pages, and footboys.

K. Hen.

Ha! 'Tis he, indeed.

Is this the honour they do one another?

Tis well, there's one above them yet. I had thought,