'Tis likely By all conjectures: first, Kildare's attainder, Then deputy of Ireland; who remov'd, Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too, Lest he should help his father. 2 Gent. Was a deep envious one. 1 Gent. That trick of state At his return, No doubt, he will requite it. This is noted, 2 Gent. 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 Stay there, sir; 1 Gent. And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his Arraignment; Tipstaves before him; the Axe with the edge towards him; Halberds on each side: accompanied with Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM SANDS, and common People. 2 Gent. Let's stand close, and behold him. Buck. 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 receiv'd 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 axe falls, if I be not faithful. The law I bear no malice for my death, It has done upon the premises but justice; But those that sought it I could wish more Christians: Be what they will, I heartily forgive them. Yet let them look they glory not in mischief, Nor build their evils on the graves of great men ; For then my guiltless blood must cry against them. For farther 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 lov'd 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, o' God's name. Lov. I do beseech your grace, for charity, If ever any malice in your heart Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly. As I would be forgiven: I forgive all; Lov. To the water side I must conduct your grace; Then, give my charge up to sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end. Vaux. Prepare there! The duke is coming: see, the barge be ready; And fit it with such furniture, as suits The greatness of his person. Buck. Nay, sir Nicholas, Let it alone: my state now will but mock me. That never knew what truth meant. I now seal it; Farewell: and when you would say something that is sad, I do not talk much. 2 Gent. Let me have it: I am confident: 'Gainst me, that I cannot take peace with: no black You shall, sir. Did you not of late days hear envy Shall make my grave. Commend me to his grace; 2 Gent. 1 Gent. 2 Gent. 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. 1 Gent. We are too open here to argue this; Let's think in private more. 'Tis woful. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-An Ante-chamber in the Palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a Letter. Cham. "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 them 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 : Enter the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Full of sad thoughts and troubles. The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold bad man. Suf. And free us from his slavery. Nor. We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance, Or this imperious man will work us all Suf. Excuse me; My lord, you'll bear us company? Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. Curtain drawn: the King is discovered sitting, and reading pensively. Suf. How sad he looks: sure, he is much afflicted. K. Hen. Who is there? ha! Nor. Pray God, he be not angry. K. Hen. Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations? Who am I? ha! Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offences, I left him private, Is business of estate, in which we come What's the cause? Cham. It seems, the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suf. No; his conscience 'Tis so. Has crept too near another lady. most true, These news are every where; every tongue speaks them, 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 [Raising his book. Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS. Who's there? my good lord cardinal?—O! my Wolsey, The quiet of my wounded conscience; Thou art a cure fit for a king.-You're welcome, [TO CAMPEIUS. Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom: Use us, and it. My good lord, have great care I be not found a talker. [TO WOLSEY. Sir, you cannot. I would, your grace would give us but an hour Of private conference. Wol. K. Hen. We are busy go. [To NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Nor. This priest has no pride in him. Suf. Not to speak of; I would not be so sick though for his place: But this cannot continue. Nor. If it do, I'll venture one heave at him. Suf. Aside. I another. [Exeunt NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Above all princes, in committing freely Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom Your scruple to the voice of Christendom. The Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her, Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? Must now confess, if they have any goodness, I mean the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms Invited by your noble self, hath sent One general tongue unto us, this good man, K. Hen. And once more in mine arms I bid him And thank the holy conclave for their loves: You are so noble. To your highness' hand [Kneeling and rising again. I tender my commission; by whose virtue, (The court of Rome commanding) you, my lord Cardinal of York, are join'd with me, their servant, In the unpartial judging of this business. K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be ac quainted A woman of less place might ask by law, K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; and my favour To him that does best: God forbid else. I find him a fit fellow. Cardinal, Pr'ythee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary: you; You are the king's now. Gard. But to be commanded For ever by your grace, whose hand has rais'd me. K. Hen. Come hither, Gardiner. [They walk and whisper. Cam. My lord of York, was not one doctor Pace In this man's place before him? Wol. Yes, surely. Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread, then, Even of yourself, lord cardinal. Wol. How! of me? Cam. 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 griev'd him, That he ran mad, and died. Wol. For he would needs be virtuous: that good fellow, So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience, O! 'tis a tender place, and I must leave her. [Exeunt. Beshrew me, I would, You that have so fair parts of woman on you, Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive, Anne. Nay, good troth. Old L. Yes, troth, and troth.-You would not be a queen? Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven. 534 Enter the Lord Chamberlain. SCENE IV.-A Hall in Black-Friars. Cham. Good morrow, ladies. What were't worth to Trumpets, Sennet, and Cornets. Enter two Vergers, know The secret of your conference? Anne. My good lord, Not your demand: it values not your asking. Cham. It was a gentle business, and becoming Anne. Now, I pray God, amen! Cham. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings Anne. with short silver Wands; next them, two Scribes, in the habit of Doctors; after them, the Archbishop 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 WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS; 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 at 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 stand in convenient order about the stage. Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is read, More worth than empty vanities: yet prayers, and Let silence be commanded. wishes, Are all I can return. Beseech your lordship, Cham. Lady, [Aside. I shall not fail t' improve the fair conceit, To lighten all this isle ?-[To her.] I'll to the king, Anne. My honour'd lord. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. I have been begging sixteen years in court, Anne. This is strange to me. Old L. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no. I know, your back will bear a duchess.-Say, Good lady, The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful Old L. What do you think me? [Exeunt. Crier. Katharine, queen of England, &c. [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.] Q. Kath. Sir, I desire you, do me right and justice, I am a most poor woman, and a stranger, Or made it not mine too? or which of your friends Shut door upon me, and so give me up Who deem'd our marriage lawful. Wherefore I humbly Be by my friends in Spain advis'd, whose counsel Wol. You have here, lady, (And of your choice) these reverend fathers; men Of singular integrity and learning, Yea, the elect o' the land, who are assembled To plead your cause. It shall be therefore bootless, That longer you defer the court, as well For your own quiet, as to rectify What is unsettled in the king. Cam. 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 produc'd and heard. Q. Kath. Lord cardinal, Be patient yet. Q. Kath. My lord, my lord, I am a simple woman, much too weak You sign your place and calling in full seeming, I do refuse you for my judge, and here, [She curtsies to the King, and offers to depart. Cam. The queen is obstinate, Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and Disdainful to be tried by't: 'tis not well. She's going away. K. Hen. Call her again. Crier. Katharine, queen of England, come into the [Exeunt Queen, and her Attendants. Go thy ways, Kate: That man i' the world who shall report he has Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before, A better wife, let him in nought be trusted, Or God will punish me. I do believe, Induc'd by potent circumstances, that You are mine enemy, and make my challenge: Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me, Which God's dew quench.-Therefore, I say again, Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more, Wol. O'ertopping woman's power. Madam, you do me wrong: Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me, It lies to cure me; and the cure is, to Remove these thoughts from you: the which, before You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking, For speaking false in that. Thou art alone Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government, Wol. Most gracious sir, In humblest manner I require your highness, K. Hen. My lord cardinal, I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, 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. Y'are excus'd; But will you be more justified? You ever Have wish'd the sleeping of this business; never Desir'd it to be stirr'd; but oft have hinder'd, oft, The passages made toward it.—On my honour, |