Tied all the kingdom: simony was fair play; His promises were, as he then was, mighty; Grif. Noble madam, Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues I were malicious else. Grif. This cardinal, [ness Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly Was fashion'd tot much honour. 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 lov'd 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, He was most princely: Ever witness for him Those twins of learning, that he rais'd in Ipswich, and Oxford! one of which fell with him, you, Unwilling to outlive the good that did it; Kath. After my death I wish no other he- him! Patience, be near me still; and set me lower: Sud and solemn music. Grif. She is asleep: Good wench, let's sit down quiet, For fear we wake her;-Softly, gentle Patience. 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 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 reverend court'sies; 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 1 Ipswich Of the king. + Formed for. rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven: und so in their dancing they vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues. Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone? And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye? Grif. Madam, we are here. Kath. It is not you I call for: Saw ye none enter, since I slept? Grif. None, madam. Kath. No? Saw you not, even now, a bless ed troop Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun? They promis'd me eternal happiness; And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I I am not worthy yet to wear: I shall, [feel Assuredly. Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good Possess your fancy. [dreams Kath. Bid the music leave, They are harsh and heavy to me. Pat. Do you note, [Music ceases. How much her grace is alter'd on the sudden? How long her face is drawn? How pale she looks, And of an earthy cold? Mark you her eyes? Grif. She is going, wench; pray, pray. Put. Heaven comfort her! [peror, If my sight fail not, The times, and titles, now are alter'd strangely [you, Cap. Noble lady, [next, First, mine own service to your grace; the The king's request that I would visit you; Who grieves much for your weakness, and by Sends you his princely commendations, [me And heartily entreats you take good comfort. Kath. O my good lord, that comfort comes too late; "Tis like a pardon after execution: That gentle physic, given in time, had cur'd me; But now I am past all comforts here, but How does his highness? [prayers. Cap. Madam, in good health. Kath. So may he ever do! and ever flourish, When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name Banish'd the kingdom.-Patience, is that letI caus'd you write, yet sent away? [ter, Sir Thomas! Pat. No, madam. [Giving it to KATHARINE. | To waste these times.-Good hour of night, Kath. Sir, 1 most humbly pray you to deThis to my lord the king. Cap. Most willing, madam. [liver Kath. In which I have commended to his goodness The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter :+[her!The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on 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 lov'd him, Heaven knows how dearly. My next poer petition Is, that his noble grace would have some pity A right good husband, let him bet a noble ; And, sure, those men are happy that shall have them. . The last is, for my men :-they are the poorest, But poverty could never draw them from me ;That they may have their wages duly paid them, And something over to remember me by ; If Heaven had pleas'd 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, [king Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the To do me this last right. Cap. By heaven, I will; [me Or let me loose the fashion of a man! My lord.-Griffith, farewell.-Nay, Patience, Let me be us'd with honour; strew me over A queen, and daughter to a king, inter me. [Exeunt, leading KATHARINE. ACT V. SCENE 1.-A Gallery in the Palace. Enter GARDINER Bishop of Winchester, a PAGE with a torch before him, met by Sir THOMAS LOVELL. Far. It's one o'clock, boy, is't not? Gar. These should be hours for necessities, 'Not for delights; times to repair our nature With comforting repose, and not for us Whither so late? Lov. Came you from the king, my lord? With the duke of Suffolk. Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave. It seems you are in haste: an if there be (As, they say, spirits do,) at midnight, have In them a wilder nature, than the business That seeks despatch by day. Lov. My lord, I love you; And durst commend a secret to your ear Much weightier than this work. The queen's in labour, They say, in great extremity; and fear'd, Gar. The fruit, she goes with, I pray for heartily; that it may find I wish it grubb'd up now. Lov. Methinks, I could Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does Deserve our better wishes. Gur. But, Sir, Sir,-, Hear me, Sir Thomas: You are a gentleman Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious; And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,- Lov. Now, Sir, you speak of two The most remark'd i'the kingdom. As for Cromwell,[ter Beside that of the jewel-house, he's made masO' the rolls, and the king's secretary: further, Sir, [ments, Stands in the gap and trade of more prefer With which the time will load him: The archbishop Is the king's hand, and tongue; And who dare speak One syllable against him? Gar. Yes, yes, Sir Thomas, [tur'd There are that dare; and I myself have venTo speak my mind of him: and, indeed, this day, Sir, (I may tell it you,) I think, I have Our reasons laid before him,) he hath com Thomas, As LOVELL is going out, enter the KING, and | Which will require your answer, you must take the Duke of SUFFOLK. Your patience to you, and be well contented To make your house our Tower: You a brother of us,* K. Hen. Charles, I will play no more tonight; My mind's not on't, you are too hard for me. news? Lov. I could not personally deliver to her What you commanded me, but by her woman I sent your message; who return'd her thanks In the greatest humbleness, and desir'd your Most heartily to pray for her. highness K. Hen. What say'st thou? ha! To pray for her? what, is she crying out? Lov. So said her woman; and that her sufferance made Almost each pang a death. K. Hen. Alas, good lady! It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness Cran. I humbly thank your highness; chaff And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know, Thy truth, and thy integrity, is rooted [up; In us, thy friend: Give me thy hand, stand Pr'ythee, let's walk. Now, by my holy-dame, What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd You would have given me your petition, that I should have ta'en some pains to bring toge ther [you Without indurance, further. Suf. God safely quit her of her burden, and Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard With gentle travail, to the gladding of Your highness with an heir! K. Hen. "Tis midnight, Charles, Pr'ythee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone; For I must think of that, which company Will not be friendly to. Suf. I wish your highness A quiet night, and my good mistress will K. Hen. Charles, good night. [Exit SUFFOLK. Re-enter DENNY, with CRANMER. K. Hen. Avoid the gallery. [LOVELL seems to stay. Ha! I have said.-Begone. What! [Exeunt LOVELL and DENNY. Cran. I am fearful:-Wherefore frowns he thus? 'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well. Wherefore I sent for you. To attend your highness' pleasure. My good and gracious lord of Canterbury. Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak, Have mov'd us, and our council, that you shall Cran. Most dread liege, The good I stand on is my truth, and honesty; If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies, [not, Will triumph o'er my person; which I weight Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing What can be said against me. K. Hen. Know you not how [world? Your state stands i'the world, with the whole Your enemies Are many, and not small; their practices done. In charging you with matters, to commit you, Deliver them, and your appeal to us [weeps! mother! I swear, he is true-hearted; and a soul His language in his tears. Enter an old LADY. Will make my boldness marners.-Now, good Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person K. Hen. Now, by thy looks Is this the honour they do one another? They had parted so much honesty among them, I guess thy message. Is the queen deliver'd? A man of his place, and so near our favour, Say, ay; and of a boy. Lady. Ay, ay, my liege; And of a lovely boy: The God of heaven K. Hen. Lovell,— Lov. Sir. Enter LOVELL. K. Hen. Give her a hundred marks. I'll to An ordinary groom is for such payment. I will have more, or else unsay't; and now [Exeunt. SCENEII.-Lobby before the Council-Chamber. Enter CRANMER; SERVANTS, DOOR-KEEPER, &c. attending. Cran. I hope, I am not too late; and yet the gentleman, [me That was sent to me from the council, pray'd To make great haste. All fast? what means this?-Hoa! Who waits there?-Sure, you know me? D. Keep. Yes, my lord; But yet cannot help you. Cran. Why? To dance attendance on their lordships' plea sures, And at the door too, like a post with packets. To sit here at this present, and behold D. Keep. Your grace must wait, till you be That chair stand empty: But we all are men, call'd for. Cran. So. Enter Doctor BUTTS. Butts. This is a piece of malice. I am glad, [Exit BUTTS. Cran. [Aside.] 'Tis Butts, 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, Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience. K. Hen. What's that, Butts? Have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little, Divers, and dangerous; which are heresies, My noble lords: for those, that tame wild Butts. I think, your highness saw this many Yet freshly pitied in our memories. The upper Germany, can dearly witness, a day. K. Hen. Body o'me, where is it? [bury; K. Hen. Ha! 'Tis he, indeed: Cran. My good lords, hitherto, in all the Both of my life and office, I have labour'd, (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 With less allegiance in it! Men, that make Envy, and crooked 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. Suf. Nay, my lord, That cannot be; you are a counsellor, And, by that virtue, no man dare accuse you. Gar. 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, covers, Gar. My lord, my lord, you are a sectary, That's the plain truth; your painted gloss dis[ness. To men that understand you, words and weakCrom. My lord of Winchester, you are a little, By you good favour, too sharp; men so noble, Gar. Good master secretary, I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst Crom. Why, my lord? Gur. Do not I know you for a favourer Gar. Not sound, I say. Crom. 'Would you were half so honest! Men's prayers then would seek you, not their fears. Gar. What other Would you expect? You are strangely troubleLet some o'the guard be ready there. [some! Enter Guard. Cran. For me? Must I go like a traitor thither? And see him safe i'the Tower. I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords; Sur. 'Tis no counterfeit. Suf. 'Tis the right ring, by heaven: I tola [ing, ye all, When we first put this dangerous stone a roll"Twould fall upon ourselves. Nor. Do you think, my lords, Cham. 'Tis now too certain: How much more is his life in value with him? 'Would I were fairly out on't. Crom. My mind gave me, In seeking tales, and informations, Ye blew the fire that burns ye: Now have at ye. Enter KING, frowning on them; takes his seat. Gar. Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince; mendations, Bishop of Winchester. But know, I come not me; But, whatsoe'er thou tak'st me for, I am sure, He, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee: not. Sur. May it please your grace, K. Hen. 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. Bid ye so far forget yourselves? I gave ye |