Sweet partner, 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. That trick of state Was a deep envious one. 1 Gent. At his return, No doubt he will requite it. This is noted, I must not yet forsake you :-Let's be mer-And generally; whoever the king favours, ry ; Good my lord cardinal, I have half a dozen healths To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure * ACT II. SCENE 1.-A Street. Enter two GENTLEMEN, meeting. 1 Gent. Whither away so fast? 2 Gent. C God save you! Even to the hall to hear what shall become of the great duke of Buckingham. 1 Gent. I'll save you The cardinal instantly will find employment, 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 ;1 Gent. Stay there, Sir, And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of. Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tip-staves before him, the axe with the edge towards him; halberts on each side: with him, 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, That labour, Sir. All's now done, but the ce- Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me. remony Of bringing back the prisoner. 2 Gent. Were you there ? 1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I. 2 Gent. Pray, speak, what has happen'd? 1 Gent. You may guess quickly what. 2 Gent. Is he found guilty? 1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon it. 2 Gent. I am sorry for't. 1 Gent. So are a number more, 2 Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it? 1 Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke Came to the bar; where, to his accusations, Urg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessions, To him brought, viva voce, to his face: Confessor to him; with that devil-monk, 2 Gent. That was he, That fed him with his prophecies ? 1 Gent. The same. All these accus'd him strongly; which he fain Would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not: And so his peers, upon this evidence, 2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear himself? 1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar,- to hear His knell wrung out, his judgment,-he was stirr'd With such an agony, he sweat extremely, And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty : But he fell to himself again, and, sweetly, In all the rest show'd a most noble patience. 2 Gent. I do not think he fears death. 1 Gent. Sure, he does not, • Dance. I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgment, And by that name must die: Yet, heaven bear witness, Lov. To the water side I must conduct your | Is found a truth now: for it grows again Vaux. Prepare there, The duke is coming: see the barge be ready; Buck. Nay, Sir Nicholas, Let it alone; my state now will but mock me. When I came hither, I was lord high constable, And duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun: Yet I am richer than my base accusers, That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; And with that blood will make them one day groan for't. My noble father, Henry of Buckingham, Fresher than e'er it was; and held for certain The king will venture at it. Either the car dinal, Or some about him near, have, out of malice 1 Gent. 'Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor, For not bestowing on him, at his asking, The archbishoprick of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 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. We are too open here to argue this; [Exeunt. And without trial fell: God's peace be with SCENE II-An Ante-chamber in the Pa him! Henry the seventh succeeding, truly pitying Henry the eighth, life, honour, name, and all me A little happier than my wretched father; A most unnatural and faithless service! Be sure, you be not loose; for those you make friends, And give your hearts to, when they once perceive The least rub in your fortunes, fall away people, All good Pray for me! I must now forsake ye; the last bour Of my long weary life is come upon me. And when you would say something that is sad, Speak how I fell.-I have done; and God forgive me! [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and Train. 1 Gent. Oh! this is full of pity.-Sir, it calls, I fear, too many curses on their heads, That were the authors. 2 Gent. If the duke be guiltless, 'Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling Of an ensuing evil, if it fall, Greater than this. 1 Gent. Good angels keep it from us! Where may it be? You do not doubt my faith, Sir ? 2 Gent. This secret is so weighty, 'twill require A strong faith to conceal it. 1 Gent. Let me have it; I do not talk much. 2 Gent. I am confident; You shall, Sir: did you not of late days hear A buzzing, of a separation Between the king and Katharine ? 1 Gent. Yes, but it held not: For when the king once heard it, out of anger He sent command to the lord mayor, straight To stop the rumour, and allay those tongues That durst disperse it. 2 Gent. But that slander, Sir, • Great fidelity. lace. 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 'em 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. He will have all, I think. Enter the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Nor. Well met, my good Lord Chamberlain. Cham. Good day to both your graces. Full of sad thoughts and troubles. Cham. It seems, the marriage with bis brother's wife Has crept too near his couscience. Has crept too near another lady. This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he lists. The king will know him one day. Suf. Pray God, he do! he'll never know him self else. Nor. How holily he works in all his business ! And with what zeal! For now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew, He dives into the king's soul, and there scat ters Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, Fears, and despairs, and all these for his mar riage : And, out of all these to restore the king, Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsell 'tis most true, The king hath sent me other-where Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. NORFOLK opens a folding door. The KING is K. Hen. Who is there? ha? Nor. 'Pray God he be not angry. I mean, the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms, Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judgment, Invited by your noble self, hath sent One general tongue unto us, this good man, Whom, once more, I present unto your high ness. K. Hen. And, once more, in mine arms I bid him welcome, And thank the holy conclave for their loves; They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for. Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all You are so noble: To your highness' hand vant, In the unpartial judging of this business. acquainted Forthwith, for what you come :-Where's Gardiner ? Wol. I know your majesty has always lov'd her So dear in heart, not to deny her that K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; To him that does best; God forbid else. Cardinal, K. Hen. Who's there, I say? How dare you Pr'ythee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary; thrust yourselves Into my private meditations ? Who am 1? ha? Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offences Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty, this way, Is business of estate; in which, we come K. Hen. You are too bold; Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business: Is this an hour for temporal affairs? ha?— Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS. Who's there? my good lord cardinal?-O my The quiet of my wounded conscience, care I be not found a talker. Wol. Sir, you cannot. [To WOLSEY. I would your grace would give us but an hour 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. Cam. Was he not held a learned man? Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread Even of yourself, lord cardinal. Cam. They will not stick to say, you envied 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. Heaven's peace be with him! There's places of rebuke. He was a fool; Aside. If I command him, follows my appointment; [Exeunt NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom High or low. † So sick as he is proud. I We live not to be grip'd by meaner persons. Out of the king's presence. There ye shall meet about this weighty busi ness: My Wolsey, see it furnish'd.-O my lord, So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience, Oh! 'tis a tender place, and I must leave her. [Excunt. SCENE III.-An Ante-chamber in the QUEEN'S Apartments. Enter ANNE BULLEN, and an old LADY. Anne. Not for that neither ;-Here's the pang that pinches : His highness having liv'd so long with her: and she So good a lady, that no tongue could ever To leave is a thousand-fold more bitter, than To give her the avaunt! it is a pity Would move a monster. Old L. Hearts of most hard temper Melt and lament for her. Anne. O God's will! much better, Old L. In faith, for little England You'd venture an emballing: I myself Would for Carnarvoasbire, although there 'long'd No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here ? Enter the Lord CHAMBERLAIN. Cham. Good morrow, ladies. What wer't worth to 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 The action of good women: there is hope, Anne. Now I pray God, amen! Cham. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady, Anne. I do not know, What kind of my obedience I should tender; More than my all is nothing: nor my prayers She ne'er had known pomp: though it be tem- Are not words duly hallow'd, nor my wishes More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers, aud wishes, yet, But from this lady may proceed a gem, [Exit Lord CHAMBERLAIN Old L. Why, this it is; see, see! I have been begging sixteen years in court, This compell'd fortune 1) have your mouth fill'd up, Before you open it. Anne. This is strange to me. Old. L. How tastes it? is it bitter? fortypence, no. There was a lady once, ('tis an old story,) Anne. No, not for all the riches under hea-That ven. Old L. 'Tis strange; a three-pence bow'd ** would hire me, Old as I am, to queen it; But, I pray you, What think you of a duchess ? have you limbs To bear that load of title? Anne. No, in truth. would not be a queen, that would she not, [it f For all the mud in Egypt :-Have you heard Anne. Come, you are pleasant. Old. L. With your theme, I could O'ermount the lark. The marchioness of Pem broke ! A thousand pounds a year! for pure respect; Old L. Then you are weakly made: Pluck off No other obligation: By my life, a little ; I would not be a young count in your way, Anne. How you do talk! swear again, I would not be a queen For all the world. The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-A Hall in Black-friars. Trumpets, sennet,⚫ and cornets. Enter two VERGERS, with short silver wands; next them, two SCRIBES, in the habits 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 Gentle men, bearing two great silver pillars; after them, side by side, the two Cardinals WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS; two noblemen with the sword and mace. Then enter the KING and QUEEN, and their Trains. 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; between them, the Scribes. The Lords sit next the Bishops. The Crier and the rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order about the stage. Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is read Let silence be commanded. K. Hen. What's the need? It hath already publicly been read, And on all sides the authority allow'd; You may then spare that time. Wol. Be't so :-Proceed. Upward of twenty years, and have been bless'd Sir, Fer The king, your father, was reputed for counsel I will implore: if not; i'the name of God, (And of your choice,) these reverend fathers; That longer you desire the court; as well Cam. His grace [dam, Hath spoken well and justly; Therefore, ma- And that without delay, their arguments Be now produc'd, and heard. Scribe. Say, Henry king of England, come To you I speak. into the court. Crier. Henry king of England, &c. K. Hen. Here. Scribe. Say, Katharine queen of England, come into court. 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; And to bestow your pity on me : for I am a most poor woman, and a stranger, Sir, Alas, In what have I offended you? what cause witness, I have been to you a true and humble wife, At all times to your will conformable: Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, Wol. Your pleasure, madam I am about to weep; but, thinking that The daughter of a king, my drops of tears Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, Or God will punish me. I do believe, Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and Which God's dew quench-Therefore, I say again, 1 utterly abhor, yea, from my soul, Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once You speak not like yourself; who ever yet Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or Have stood to charity, and display'd the effects |