He fent command to the Lord Mayor ftrait 2 Gen. But that flander, Sir, Is found a truth now; for it grows again 1 Gen. 'Tis the Cardinal: And merely to revenge him on the Emperor, The Arch-bishoprick of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 2 Gen. I think, you've hit the mark; but is't not cruel, That the fhould feel the fmart of this? the Cardinal Will have his will, and the must fall. Gen. 'Tis woeful. We are too open here to argue this: [Exeunt. SCENE, an Antichamber in the Palace. Enter Lord Chamberlain, reading a letter. M Y Lord, the horfes your Lordship fent for, with all the care I had, I faw well chofen, ridden, and furnish’d. They were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the North. When they were ready to Jet out for London, a man of my Lord Cardinal's by commission and main power took 'em from me, with this reafon; his mafter would be ferv'd before a fubject, if not before the King, which topp'd our mouths, Sir. I fear, he will indeed; well, let him have them; Enter to the Lord Chamberlain the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk. Nor. Well met, my Lord Chamberlain. Cham. Cham. Good-day to both your Graces. Suf. How is the King employ'd? Full of fad thoughts and troubles. Nor. What's the cause? Cham. It feems, the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his confcience. Suf. No, his confcience Has crept too near another Lady. This is the Cardinal's doing; the King-Cardinal: And with what zeal? for now he has crack'd the league Cham. Heav'n keep me from fuch counfel! 'tis moft true, The French King's fifter. Heav'n will one day open Suf. And free us from his flavery. Nor. We had need pray, and heartily, for deliv'rance; Or this imperious man will work us all From Princes into pages; all mens honours Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd Into what pitch he please. Suf. For me, my Lords, I love him not, nor fear him, there's my creed: If the King please: his curfes and his bleffings Nor. Let's in, And with fome other business put the King From these fad thoughts, that work too much upon him; My Lord, you'll bear us company? Cham. Excufe me, The King hath fent me other-where: befides, You'll find a moft unfit time to disturb him: Health to your Lordships. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. Nor. Thanks, my good Lord Chamberlain. The Scene draws, and discovers the King fitting and reading penfively. Suf. How fad he looks! fure, he is much afflicted. King. Who's there? ha? Nor. Pray God, he be not angry. King. Who's there, I fay? how dare you thruft yourInto my private meditations? Who am I? ha? [felves Nor. A gracious King, that pardons all offences, Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty, this way, Is bufinefs of eftate; in which we come To know your royal pleasure. King. Ye are too bold : Go to; I'll make ye know your times of bufinefs: Enter Wolfey, and Campeius the Pope's Legat, with a Who's there? my good Lord Cardinal? O my Wolfey, Thou art a cure fit for a King. -You're welcome, Ufe Ufe us, and it; my good Lord, have great care I be not found a talker. Wol. Sir, you cannot : I would your Grace would give us but an hour Of private conf'rence. King. We are bufy; go. [To Norf. and Suff. Nor. This prieft has no pride in him? Suf. Not to fpeak of: I would not be fo fick though, for his place : But this cannot continue. Nor. If it do, I'll venture one heave at him. Suf. I another. [Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk. Wol. Your Grace has giv❜n a precedent of wifdom Above all Princes, in committing freely Your fcruple to the voice of Christendom: Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? I mean the learned ones, in chriftian kingdoms, One gen'ral tongue unto us, this good man, King. And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome, And thank the holy conclave for their loves; They've fent me fuch a man, I would have wifh'd for. Cam. Your Grace muft needs deferve all ftrangers loves, You are fo noble: to your Highness' hand I tender my commiffion; by whofe virtue, (The court of Rome commanding) you, my Lord Cardinal of York, are join'd with me, their fervant, In the impartial judging of this business. King. Two equal men: the Queen fhall be acquainted Forthwith for what you come. Where's Gardiner? Wol. I know, your Majeity has always lov'd her So dear in heart, not to deny her what A woman of lefs place might ask by law; Scholars, Scholars, allow'd freely to argue for her. King. Ay, and the beft, fhe fhall have; and my favour To him that does beft, God forbid else. Cardinal, Pr'ythee, call Gardiner to me, my new Secretary, I find him a fit fellow. Enter Gardiner. Wol. Give me your hand; much joy and favour to you; You are the King's now. Gard. But to be commanded For ever by your Grace, whofe hand has rais'd me. Wol. Yes, he was. Cam. Was he not held a learned man? Wol. Yes, furely. Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion fpread then Ev'n of yourself, Lord Cardinal. Wol. How! of me? Cam. They will not ftick to fay, you envy'd him; Kept him a foreign man ftill: which so griev'd him, Wol. Heav'n's peace be with him! That's chriftian care enough: for living murmurers, For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow, The moft convenient place that I can think of, So fweet a bedfellow? but, confcience, confcience!— [Exeunt. |