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Tied all the kingdom: simony was fair play;
His own opinion was his law: I'the 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.

Grif. Noble madam,

Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues
We write in water. May it please your high-
To hear me speak his good now?
Kath. Yes, good Griffith;

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;
The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous,
So excellent in art, and still so rising,
That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.
His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him;
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little:
And, to add greater honours to his age
Than man could give him, he died, fearing
God.

Kath. After my death I wish no other he-
No other speaker of my living actions, [rald,
To keep mine honour 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 honour: 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 nam'd my knell, whilst I sit meditating
On that celestial harmony I go to.

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!

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[peror,

If my sight fail not,
You should be lord ambassador from the em-
My royal nephew, and your name Capucius.
Cap. Madam, the same, your servant.
Kath. O my lord,

The times, and titles, now are alter'd strangely
With me, since first you knew me. But, I pray
What is your pleasure with me?

[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,

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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
Upon my wretched women, that so long,
Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully:
Of which there is not one, I dare avow
(And now I should not lie,) but will deserve,
For virtue, and true beauty of the soul,
For honesty, and decent carriage,

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!
Kath. I thank you, honest lord. Remember
In all humility unto his highness:
Say, his long trouble now is passing [him,
Out of this world: tell him, in death I bless'd
For so I will.-Mine eyes grow dim.-Fare-
well,

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 us'd with honour; strew me over
With maiden flowers, that all the world may
know
[me,
I was a chaste wife to my grave:-embalm
Then lay me forth: although unqueen'd, yet
like

A queen, and daughter to a king, inter me.
I can no more.

[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?
Joy. It hath struck.

Gar. These should be hours for necessities, 'Not for delights; times to repair our nature With comforting repose, and not for us

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Whither so late?

Lov. Came you from the king, my lord?
Gur. I did, Sir Thomas; and left him at
primero*

With the duke of Suffolk.
Lov. I must to him too,

Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.
Gar. Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's
the matter?

It seems you are in haste: an if there be
No great offence 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 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,
She'll with the labour end.

Gar. 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 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,-
Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me,
Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and
Sleep in their graves.
[she,

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
Incens'd; the lords o'the council, that he is
(For so I know he is, they know he is,)
A most arch heretic, a pestilence [moved,
That does infect the land: with which they
Have brokens with the king; who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint, (of his great grace
And princely care; foreseeing those fell mis-
chiefs
[manded,

Our reasons laid before him,) he hath com
To-morrow morning to the council-board
He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir

Thomas,

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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.
Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before.
K. Hen. But little, Charles;
Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.
Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the

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
Would come against you.

Cran. I humbly thank your highness;
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my

chaff

And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know,
There's none stands under more calumnious
Than I myself, poor man.
[tongues,

Thy truth, and thy integrity, is rooted
K. Hen. Stand up, good Canterbury;

[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
Remember in my prayers.

K. Hen. Charles, good night.

[Exit SUFFOLK.

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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.
K. Hen. How now, my lord? You do desire
to know

Wherefore I sent for you.
Cran. It is my duty,

To attend your highness' pleasure.
K. Hen. '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,

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 con-
sider'd,

Have mov'd 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

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
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.

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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 [weeps!
There make before them.-Look, the good man
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.-[Exit CRANMER.]
He has strangled

His language in his tears.

Enter an old LADY.

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Will make my boldness marners.-Now, good
angels

Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person
Under their blessed wings!

K. Hen. Now, by thy looks

Is this the honour they do one another?
'Tis well, there's one above them yet. I had
thought,

They had parted so much honesty among them,
(At least, good manners,) as not thus to suffer

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
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.

K. Hen. Lovell,—

Lov. Sir.

Enter LOVELL.

K. Hen. Give her a hundred marks. I'll to
the queen.
[Exit KING.
Lady. A hundred marks! By this light,
I'll have more.

An ordinary groom is for such payment.
I will have more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this, the girl is 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. 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.
By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:
Let them alone, and draw the curtain close;
We shall hear more anon.-
[Exeunt

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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,
I came this way so happily: The king
Shall understand it presently.

[Exit BUTTS.

Cran. [Aside.] 'Tis Butts,
The king's physician; As he past 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
pleasures

Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.
Enter at a window above, the KING and BUTTS.
Butts. I'll show your grace the strangest
sight,-

K. Hen. What's that, Butts?

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Have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little,
Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling
The whole realm by your teaching, and your
chaplains,

Divers, and dangerous; which are heresies,
(For so we are inform'd,) with new opinions,
And, not reform'd, may prove pernicious.

My noble lords: for those, that tame wild
Gar. Which reformation must be sudden too,
Pace them not in their hands to make them
horses,
[gentle;
But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and
Till they obey the manage. If we suffer
spur them,
(Out of our easiness, and childish pity
To one man's honour) this contagious sickness,
Farewell, all physic: And what follows then?
Of the whole state: as, of late days, our neigh
Commotions, uproars, with a general taint
bours,

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?
Butts. There, my lord:

[bury;
The high promotion of his grace of Canter-
Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursui-
Pages, and footboys.
[vants,

K. Hen. Ha! 'Tis he, indeed:

Cran. My good lords, hitherto, in all the
progress

Both of my life and office, I have labour'd,
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 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,
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.
Cran. Ah, my good lord of Winchester, I
thank you,
[pass,
You are always my good friend; if your will
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 ye 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 mo-
dest.

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,
However faulty, yet should find respect
For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty,
To load a falling man.

Gar. Good master secretary,

I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst
Of all this table, say so.

Crom. Why, my lord?

Gur. Do not I know you for a favourer
Of this new sect? ve are not sound.
Crom. Not sound?

Gar. Not sound, I say.

Crom. 'Would you were half so honest! Men's prayers then would seek you, not their

fears.

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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?
Gar. Receive him,

And see him safe i'the Tower.
Cran. Stay, good my lords,

I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords;
By virtue of that ring, I take my cause
Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it
To a most noble judge, the king my master.
Cham. This is the king's ring.

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,
The king will suffer but the little finger
Of this man to be vex'd?

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,
Against this man, (whose honesty the devil
And his disciples only envy at,)

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;
Not only good and wise, but most religious:
One that, in all obedience, makes the church
The chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen
That holy duty, out of dear respect,
His royal self in judgement comes to hear
The cause betwixt her and this great offender.
K. Hen. You were ever good at sudden com-

mendations,

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 offences.
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 am sure,
Thou hast a cruel nature, and a bloody.-
Good man, [To CRANMER.] sit down. 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 his place becomes 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.
Was it discretion, lords, to let this man,
This good man, (few of you deserve that title,)
This honest man, wait like a lowsy footboy
At chamber door? and one as great as you are?
Why, what a shame was this? Did my com.
mission

Bid ye so far forget yourselves? I gave ye
Power as he was a counsellor to try him,
Not as a groom; There's some of ye, I see,
More out of malice than integrity,
Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean
Which ye shall never have while

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