OrthisimperiousmanwillworkusallFromprincesintopages:allmen’shonoursLielikeonelumpbeforehim,tobefashion’dIntowhatpitchheplease。SUFFOLKForme,mylords,Ilovehimnot,norfearhim;there’smycreed:
AsIammadewithouthim,soI’llstand,Ifthekingplease;hiscursesandhisblessingsTouchmealike,they’rebreathInotbelievein。
Iknewhim,andIknowhim;soIleavehimTohimthatmadehimproud,thepope。NORFOLKLet’sin;
AndwithsomeotherbusinessputthekingFromthesesadthoughts,thatworktoomuchuponhim:
Mylord,you’llbearuscompany?ChamberlainExcuseme;
Thekinghassentmeotherwhere:besides,You’llfindamostunfittimetodisturbhim:
Healthtoyourlordships。NORFOLKThanks,mygoodlordchamberlain。
ExitChamberlain;andKINGHENRYVIIIdrawsthecurtain,andsitsreadingpensivelySUFFOLKHowsadhelooks!sure,heismuchafflicted。KINGHENRYVIIIWho’sthere,ha?NORFOLKPrayGodhebenotangry。KINGHENRYVIIIWho’sthere,Isay?HowdareyouthrustyourselvesIntomyprivatemeditations?
WhoamI?ha?NORFOLKAgraciouskingthatpardonsalloffencesMalicene’ermeant:ourbreachofdutythiswayIsbusinessofestate;inwhichwecomeToknowyourroyalpleasure。KINGHENRYVIIIYearetoobold:
Goto;I’llmakeyeknowyourtimesofbusiness:
Isthisanhourfortemporalaffairs,ha?
EnterCARDINALWOLSEYandCARDINALCAMPEIUS,withacommissionWho’sthere?mygoodlordcardinal?OmyWolsey,Thequietofmywoundedconscience;
Thouartacurefitforaking。
ToCARDINALCAMPEIUS
You’rewelcome,Mostlearnedreverendsir,intoourkingdom:
Useusandit。
ToCARDINALWOLSEY
Mygoodlord,havegreatcareIbenotfoundatalker。CARDINALWOLSEYSir,youcannot。
IwouldyourgracewouldgiveusbutanhourOfprivateconference。KINGHENRYVIII[ToNORFOLKandSUFFOLK]
Wearebusy;go。NORFOLK[AsidetoSUFFOLK]
Thispriesthasnoprideinhim?SUFFOLK[AsidetoNORFOLK]Nottospeakof:
Iwouldnotbesosickthoughforhisplace:
Butthiscannotcontinue。NORFOLK[AsidetoSUFFOLK]Ifitdo,I’llventureonehave—at—him。SUFFOLK[AsidetoNORFOLK]Ianother。
ExeuntNORFOLKandSUFFOLKCARDINALWOLSEYYourgracehasgivenaprecedentofwisdomAboveallprinces,incommittingfreelyYourscrupletothevoiceofChristendom:
Whocanbeangrynow?whatenvyreachyou?
TheSpaniard,tiedbloodandfavourtoher,Mustnowconfess,iftheyhaveanygoodness,Thetrialjustandnoble。Alltheclerks,Imeanthelearnedones,inChristiankingdomsHavetheirfreevoices:Rome,thenurseofjudgment,Invitedbyyournobleself,hathsentOnegeneraltongueuntous,thisgoodman,Thisjustandlearnedpriest,CardinalCampeius;
WhomoncemoreIpresentuntoyourhighness。KINGHENRYVIIIAndoncemoreinminearmsIbidhimwelcome,Andthanktheholyconclavefortheirloves:
TheyhavesentmesuchamanIwouldhavewish’dfor。CARDINALCAMPEIUSYourgracemustneedsdeserveallstrangers’
loves,Youaresonoble。Toyourhighness’handItendermycommission;bywhosevirtue,ThecourtofRomecommanding,you,mylordCardinalofYork,arejoin’dwithmetheirservantIntheunpartialjudgingofthisbusiness。KINGHENRYVIIITwoequalmen。ThequeenshallbeacquaintedForthwithforwhatyoucome。Where’sGardiner?CARDINALWOLSEYIknowyourmajestyhasalwayslovedherSodearinheart,nottodenyherthatAwomanoflessplacemightaskbylaw:
Scholarsallow’dfreelytoargueforher。KINGHENRYVIIIAy,andthebestsheshallhave;andmyfavourTohimthatdoesbest:Godforbidelse。Cardinal,Prithee,callGardinertome,mynewsecretary:
Ifindhimafitfellow。
ExitCARDINALWOLSEY
Re—enterCARDINALWOLSEY,withGARDINERCARDINALWOLSEY[AsidetoGARDINER]Givemeyourhandmuchjoyandfavourtoyou;
Youaretheking’snow。GARDINER[AsidetoCARDINALWOLSEY]
ButtobecommandedForeverbyyourgrace,whosehandhasraisedme。KINGHENRYVIIIComehither,Gardiner。
WalksandwhispersCARDINALCAMPEIUSMyLordofYork,wasnotoneDoctorPaceInthisman’splacebeforehim?CARDINALWOLSEYYes,hewas。CARDINALCAMPEIUSWashenotheldalearnedman?CARDINALWOLSEYYes,surely。CARDINALCAMPEIUSBelieveme,there’sanillopinionspreadthenEvenofyourself,lordcardinal。CARDINALWOLSEYHow!ofme?CARDINALCAMPEIUSTheywillnotsticktosayyouenviedhim,Andfearinghewouldrise,hewassovirtuous,Kepthimaforeignmanstill;whichsogrievedhim,Thatheranmadanddied。CARDINALWOLSEYHeaven’speacebewithhim!
That’sChristiancareenough:forlivingmurmurersThere’splacesofrebuke。Hewasafool;
Forhewouldneedsbevirtuous:thatgoodfellow,IfIcommandhim,followsmyappointment:
Iwillhavenonesonearelse。Learnthis,brother,Welivenottobegrip’dbymeanerpersons。KINGHENRYVIIIDeliverthiswithmodestytothequeen。
ExitGARDINER
ThemostconvenientplacethatIcanthinkofForsuchreceiptoflearningisBlack—Friars;
Thereyeshallmeetaboutthisweightybusiness。
MyWolsey,seeitfurnish’d。O,mylord,WoulditnotgrieveanablemantoleaveSosweetabedfellow?But,conscience,conscience!
O,’tisatenderplace;andImustleaveher。
ExeuntSCENEIII。Anante—chamberoftheQUEEN’Sapartments。EnterANNEandanOldLadyANNENotforthatneither:here’sthepangthatpinches:
Hishighnesshavinglivedsolongwithher,andsheSogoodaladythatnotonguecouldeverPronouncedishonourofher;bymylife,Sheneverknewharm—doing:O,now,afterSomanycoursesofthesunenthroned,Stillgrowinginamajestyandpomp,thewhichToleaveathousand—foldmorebitterthan’Tissweetatfirsttoacquire,——afterthisprocess,Togivehertheavaunt!itisapityWouldmoveamonster。OldLadyHeartsofmosthardtemperMeltandlamentforher。ANNEO,God’swill!muchbetterShene’erhadknownpomp:though’tbetemporal,Yet,ifthatquarrel,fortune,dodivorceItfromthebearer,’tisasufferancepangingAssoulandbody’ssevering。OldLadyAlas,poorlady!
She’sastrangernowagain。ANNESomuchthemoreMustpitydropuponher。Verily,Iswear,’tisbettertobelowlyborn,Andrangewithhumbleliversincontent,Thantobeperk’dupinaglisteringgrief,Andwearagoldensorrow。OldLadyOurcontentIsourbesthaving。ANNEBymytrothandmaidenhead,Iwouldnotbeaqueen。OldLadyBeshrewme,Iwould,Andventuremaidenheadfor’t;andsowouldyou,Forallthisspiceofyourhypocrisy:
You,thathavesofairpartsofwomanonyou,Havetooawoman’sheart;whicheveryetAffectedeminence,wealth,sovereignty;
Which,tosaysooth,areblessings;andwhichgifts,Savingyourmincing,thecapacityOfyoursoftcheverilconsciencewouldreceive,Ifyoumightpleasetostretchit。ANNENay,goodtroth。OldLadyYes,troth,andtroth;youwouldnotbeaqueen?ANNENo,notforalltherichesunderheaven。
OldLady:’Tisstrange:athree—pencebow’dwouldhireme,OldasIam,toqueenit:but,Iprayyou,Whatthinkyouofaduchess?haveyoulimbsTobearthatloadoftitle?ANNENo,intruth。OldLadyThenyouareweaklymade:pluckoffalittle;
Iwouldnotbeayoungcountinyourway,Formorethanblushingcomesto:ifyourbackCannotvouchsafethisburthen,’tistooweakEvertogetaboy。ANNEHowyoudotalk!
Iswearagain,IwouldnotbeaqueenForalltheworld。OldLadyInfaith,forlittleEnglandYou’ldventureanemballing:ImyselfWouldforCarnarvonshire,althoughtherelong’dNomoretothecrownbutthat。Lo,whocomeshere?
EnterChamberlainChamberlainGoodmorrow,ladies。Whatwere’tworthtoknowThesecretofyourconference?ANNEMygoodlord,Notyourdemand;itvaluesnotyourasking:
Ourmistress’sorrowswewerepitying。ChamberlainItwasagentlebusiness,andbecomingTheactionofgoodwomen:thereishopeAllwillbewell。ANNENow,IprayGod,amen!ChamberlainYoubearagentlemind,andheavenlyblessingsFollowsuchcreatures。Thatyoumay,fairlady,PerceiveIspeaksincerely,andhighnote’sTa’enofyourmanyvirtues,theking’smajestyCommendshisgoodopinionofyou,andDoespurposehonourtoyounolessflowingThanMarchionessofPembroke:towhichtitleAthousandpoundayear,annualsupport,Outofhisgraceheadds。ANNEIdonotknowWhatkindofmyobedienceIshouldtender;
Morethanmyallisnothing:normyprayersArenotwordsdulyhallow’d,normywishesMoreworththanemptyvanities;yetprayersandwishesAreallIcanreturn。Beseechyourlordship,Vouchsafetospeakmythanksandmyobedience,Asfromablushinghandmaid,tohishighness;
WhosehealthandroyaltyIprayfor。ChamberlainLady,IshallnotfailtoapprovethefairconceitThekinghathofyou。
AsideIhaveperusedherwell;
BeautyandhonourinheraresomingledThattheyhavecaughttheking:andwhoknowsyetButfromthisladymayproceedagemTolightenallthisisle?I’lltotheking,AndsayIspokewithyou。
ExitChamberlainANNEMyhonour’dlord。OldLadyWhy,thisitis;see,see!
Ihavebeenbeggingsixteenyearsincourt,Amyetacourtierbeggarly,norcouldComepatbetwixttooearlyandtoolateForanysuitofpounds;andyou,Ofate!
Averyfresh—fishhere——fie,fie,fieuponThiscompell’dfortune!——haveyourmouthfill’dupBeforeyouopenit。ANNEThisisstrangetome。OldLadyHowtastesit?isitbitter?fortypence,no。
Therewasaladyonce,’tisanoldstory,Thatwouldnotbeaqueen,thatwouldshenot,ForallthemudinEgypt:haveyouheardit?ANNECome,youarepleasant。OldLadyWithyourtheme,IcouldO’ermountthelark。TheMarchionessofPembroke!
Athousandpoundsayearforpurerespect!
Nootherobligation!Bymylife,Thatpromisesmoethousands:honour’strainIslongerthanhisforeskirt。BythistimeIknowyourbackwillbearaduchess:say,Areyounotstrongerthanyouwere?ANNEGoodlady,Makeyourselfmirthwithyourparticularfancy,Andleavemeouton’t。WouldIhadnobeing,Ifthissalutemybloodajot:itfaintsme,Tothinkwhatfollows。
Thequeeniscomfortless,andweforgetfulInourlongabsence:pray,donotdeliverWhathereyou’veheardtoher。OldLadyWhatdoyouthinkme?
ExeuntSCENEIV。AhallinBlack—Friars。Trumpets,sennet,andcornets。EntertwoVergers,withshortsilverwands;nextthem,twoScribes,inthehabitofdoctors;afterthem,CANTERBURYalone;afterhim,LINCOLN,Ely,Rochester,andSaintAsaph;
nextthem,withsomesmalldistance,followsaGentlemanbearingthepurse,withthegreatseal,andacardinal’shat;thentwoPriests,bearingeachasilvercross;thenaGentleman—usherbare—headed,accompaniedwithaSergeant—at—armsbearingasilvermace;thentwoGentlemenbearingtwogreatsilverpillars;afterthem,sidebyside,CARDINALWOLSEYandCARDINAL
CAMPEIUS;twoNoblemenwiththeswordandmace。KINGHENRYVIIItakesplaceundertheclothofstate;CARDINALWOLSEYandCARDINALCAMPEIUSsitunderhimasjudges。QUEENKATHARINEtakesplacesomedistancefromKINGHENRY
VIII。TheBishopsplacethemselvesoneachsidethecourt,inmannerofaconsistory;belowthem,theScribes。TheLordssitnexttheBishops。
TherestoftheAttendantsstandinconvenientorderaboutthestageCARDINALWOLSEYWhilstourcommissionfromRomeisread,Letsilencebecommanded。KINGHENRYVIIIWhat’stheneed?
Ithathalreadypubliclybeenread,Andonallsidestheauthorityallow’d;
Youmay,then,sparethattime。CARDINALWOLSEYBe’tso。Proceed。ScribeSay,HenryKingofEngland,comeintothecourt。CrierHenryKingofEngland,&;c。KINGHENRYVIIIHere。ScribeSay,KatharineQueenofEngland,comeintothecourt。CrierKatharineQueenofEngland,&;c。
QUEENKATHARINEmakesnoanswer,risesoutofherchair,goesaboutthecourt,comestoKINGHENRYVIII,andkneelsathisfeet;thenspeaksQUEENKATHARINESir,Idesireyoudomerightandjustice;
Andtobestowyourpityonme:forIamamostpoorwoman,andastranger,Bornoutofyourdominions;havinghereNojudgeindifferent,nornomoreassuranceOfequalfriendshipandproceeding。Alas,sir,InwhathaveIoffendedyou?whatcauseHathmybehaviorgiventoyourdispleasure,Thatthusyoushouldproceedtoputmeoff,Andtakeyourgoodgracefromme?Heavenwitness,Ihavebeentoyouatrueandhumblewife,Atalltimestoyourwillconformable;
Everinfeartokindleyourdislike,Yea,subjecttoyourcountenance,gladorsorryAsIsawitinclined:whenwasthehourIevercontradictedyourdesire,Ormadeitnotminetoo?OrwhichofyourfriendsHaveInotstrovetolove,althoughIknewHeweremineenemy?whatfriendofmineThathadtohimderivedyouranger,didI
Continueinmyliking?nay,gavenoticeHewasfromthencedischarged。Sir,calltomindThatIhavebeenyourwife,inthisobedience,Upwardoftwentyyears,andhavebeenblestWithmanychildrenbyyou:if,inthecourseAndprocessofthistime,youcanreport,Andproveittoo,againstminehonouraught,Mybondtowedlock,ormyloveandduty,Againstyoursacredperson,inGod’sname,Turnmeaway;andletthefoul’stcontemptShutdooruponme,andsogivemeupTothesharp’stkindofjustice。Pleaseyousir,Theking,yourfather,wasreputedforAprincemostprudent,ofanexcellentAndunmatch’dwitandjudgment:Ferdinand,Myfather,kingofSpain,wasreckon’doneThewisestprincethattherehadreign’dbymanyAyearbefore:itisnottobequestion’dThattheyhadgather’dawisecounciltothemOfeveryrealm,thatdiddebatethisbusiness,Whodeem’dourmarriagelawful:whereforeIhumblyBeseechyou,sir,tospareme,tillImayBebymyfriendsinSpainadvised;whosecounselIwillimplore:ifnot,i’thenameofGod,Yourpleasurebefulfill’d!CARDINALWOLSEYYouhavehere,lady,Andofyourchoice,thesereverendfathers;menOfsingularintegrityandlearning,Yea,theelecto’theland,whoareassembledTopleadyourcause:itshallbethereforebootlessThatlongeryoudesirethecourt;aswellForyourownquiet,astorectifyWhatisunsettledintheking。CARDINALCAMPEIUSHisgraceHathspokenwellandjustly:therefore,madam,It’sfitthisroyalsessiondoproceed;
Andthat,withoutdelay,theirargumentsBenowproducedandheard。QUEENKATHARINELordcardinal,ToyouIspeak。CARDINALWOLSEYYourpleasure,madam?QUEENKATHARINESir,Iamabouttoweep;but,thinkingthatWeareaqueen,orlonghavedream’dso,certainThedaughterofaking,mydropsoftearsI’llturntosparksoffire。CARDINALWOLSEYBepatientyet。QUEENKATHARINEIwill,whenyouarehumble;nay,before,OrGodwillpunishme。Idobelieve,Inducedbypotentcircumstances,thatYouaremineenemy,andmakemychallengeYoushallnotbemyjudge:foritisyouHaveblownthiscoalbetwixtmylordandme;
WhichGod’sdewquench!ThereforeIsayagain,Iutterlyabhor,yea,frommysoulRefuseyouformyjudge;whom,yetoncemore,Iholdmymostmaliciousfoe,andthinknotAtallafriendtotruth。CARDINALWOLSEYIdoprofessYouspeaknotlikeyourself;whoeveryetHavestoodtocharity,anddisplay’dtheeffectsOfdispositiongentle,andofwisdomO’ertoppingwoman’spower。Madam,youdomewrong:
Ihavenospleenagainstyou;norinjusticeForyouorany:howfarIhaveproceeded,Orhowfarfurthershall,iswarrantedByacommissionfromtheconsistory,Yea,thewholeconsistoryofRome。YouchargemeThatIhaveblownthiscoal:Idodenyit:
Thekingispresent:ifitbeknowntohimThatIgainsaymydeed,howmayhewound,Andworthily,myfalsehood!yea,asmuchAsyouhavedonemytruth。IfheknowThatIamfreeofyourreport,heknowsIamnotofyourwrong。ThereforeinhimItliestocureme:andthecureis,toRemovethesethoughtsfromyou:thewhichbeforeHishighnessshallspeakin,IdobeseechYou,graciousmadam,tounthinkyourspeakingAndtosaysonomore。QUEENKATHARINEMylord,mylord,Iamasimplewoman,muchtooweakToopposeyourcunning。You’remeekandhumble—mouth’d;
Yousignyourplaceandcalling,infullseeming,Withmeeknessandhumility;butyourheartIscramm’dwitharrogancy,spleen,andpride。
Youhave,byfortuneandhishighness’favours,Goneslightlyo’erlowstepsandnowaremountedWherepowersareyourretainers,andyourwords,Domesticstoyou,serveyourwillas’tpleaseYourselfpronouncetheiroffice。Imusttellyou,Youtendermoreyourperson’shonourthanYourhighprofessionspiritual:thatagainIdorefuseyouformyjudge;andhere,Beforeyouall,appealuntothepope,Tobringmywholecause’forehisholiness,Andtobejudgedbyhim。
ShecurtsiestoKINGHENRYVIII,andofferstodepartCARDINALCAMPEIUSThequeenisobstinate,Stubborntojustice,apttoaccuseit,andDisdainfultobetriedby’t:’tisnotwell。
She’sgoingaway。KINGHENRYVIIICallheragain。CrierKatharineQueenofEngland,comeintothecourt。GRIFFITHMadam,youarecall’dback。QUEENKATHARINEWhatneedyounoteit?prayyou,keepyourway:
Whenyouarecall’d,return。Now,theLordhelp,Theyvexmepastmypatience!Prayyou,passon:
Iwillnottarry;no,norevermoreUponthisbusinessmyappearancemakeInanyoftheircourts。
ExeuntQUEENKATHARINEandherAttendantsKINGHENRYVIIIGothyways,Kate:
Thatmani’theworldwhoshallreporthehasAbetterwife,lethiminnoughtbetrusted,Forspeakingfalseinthat:thouart,alone,Ifthyrarequalities,sweetgentleness,Thymeeknesssaint—like,wife—likegovernment,Obeyingincommanding,andthypartsSovereignandpiouselse,couldspeaktheeout,Thequeenofearthlyqueens:she’snobleborn;
And,likehertruenobility,shehasCarriedherselftowardsme。CARDINALWOLSEYMostgracioussir,InhumblestmannerIrequireyourhighness,Thatitshallpleaseyoutodeclare,inhearingOfalltheseears,——forwhereIamrobb’dandbound,TheremustIbeunloosed,althoughnotthereAtonceandfullysatisfied,——whethereverI
Didbroachthisbusinesstoyourhighness;orLaidanyscrupleinyourway,whichmightInduceyoutothequestionon’t?oreverHavetoyou,butwiththankstoGodforsuchAroyallady,spakeonetheleastwordthatmightBetotheprejudiceofherpresentstate,Ortouchofhergoodperson?KINGHENRYVIIIMylordcardinal,Idoexcuseyou;yea,uponminehonour,Ifreeyoufrom’t。YouarenottobetaughtThatyouhavemanyenemies,thatknownotWhytheyareso,but,liketovillage—curs,Barkwhentheirfellowsdo:bysomeoftheseThequeenisputinanger。You’reexcused:
Butwillyoubemorejustified?YoueverHavewish’dthesleepingofthisbusiness;neverdesiredIttobestirr’d;butofthavehinder’d,oft,Thepassagesmadetowardit:onmyhonour,Ispeakmygoodlordcardinaltothispoint,Andthusfarclearhim。Now,whatmovedmeto’t,Iwillbeboldwithtimeandyourattention:
Thenmarktheinducement。Thusitcame;giveheedto’t:
Myconsciencefirstreceivedatenderness,Scruple,andprick,oncertainspeechesutter’dBytheBishopofBayonne,thenFrenchambassador;
WhohadbeenhithersentonthedebatingAmarriage’twixttheDukeofOrleansandOurdaughterMary:i’theprogressofthisbusiness,Ereadeterminateresolution,he,Imeanthebishop,didrequirearespite;
WhereinhemightthekinghislordadvertiseWhetherourdaughterwerelegitimate,Respectingthisourmarriagewiththedowager,Sometimesourbrother’swife。ThisrespiteshookThebosomofmyconscience,enter’dme,Yea,withasplittingpower,andmadetotrembleTheregionofmybreast;whichforcedsuchway,ThatmanymazedconsideringsdidthrongAndpress’dinwiththiscaution。First,methoughtIstoodnotinthesmileofheaven;whohadCommandednature,thatmylady’swomb,Ifitconceivedamalechildbyme,shouldDonomoreofficesoflifeto’tthanThegravedoestothedead;forhermaleissueOrdiedwheretheyweremade,orshortlyafterThisworldhadair’dthem:henceItookathought,Thiswasajudgmentonme;thatmykingdom,Wellworthythebestheiro’theworld,shouldnotBegladdedin’tbyme:thenfollows,thatIweigh’dthedangerwhichmyrealmsstoodinBythismyissue’sfail;andthatgavetomeManyagroaningthroe。ThushullinginThewildseaofmyconscience,IdidsteerTowardthisremedy,whereuponweareNowpresentheretogether:that’stosay,Imeanttorectifymyconscience,——whichIthendidfeelfullsick,andyetnotwell,——
ByallthereverendfathersofthelandAnddoctorslearn’d:firstIbeganinprivateWithyou,myLordofLincoln;yourememberHowundermyoppressionIdidreek,WhenIfirstmovedyou。LINCOLNVerywell,myliege。KINGHENRYVIIIIhavespokelong:bepleasedyourselftosayHowfaryousatisfiedme。LINCOLNSopleaseyourhighness,Thequestiondidatfirstsostaggerme,Bearingastateofmightymomentin’tAndconsequenceofdread,thatIcommittedThedaring’stcounselwhichIhadtodoubt;
AnddidentreatyourhighnesstothiscourseWhichyouarerunninghere。KINGHENRYVIIIIthenmovedyou,MyLordofCanterbury;andgotyourleaveTomakethispresentsummons:unsolicitedIleftnoreverendpersoninthiscourt;
ButbyparticularconsentproceededUnderyourhandsandseals:therefore,goon:
Fornodislikei’theworldagainstthepersonOfthegoodqueen,butthesharpthornypointsOfmyallegedreasons,drivethisforward:
Provebutourmarriagelawful,bymylifeAndkinglydignity,wearecontentedTowearourmortalstatetocomewithher,Katharineourqueen,beforetheprimestcreatureThat’sparagon’do’theworld。CARDINALCAMPEIUSSopleaseyourhighness,Thequeenbeingabsent,’tisaneedfulfitnessThatweadjournthiscourttillfurtherday:
MeanwhilemustbeanearnestmotionMadetothequeen,tocallbackherappealSheintendsuntohisholiness。KINGHENRYVIII[Aside]ImayperceiveThesecardinalstriflewithme:IabhorThisdilatoryslothandtricksofRome。
Mylearn’dandwell—belovedservant,Cranmer,Prithee,return:withthyapproach,Iknow,Mycomfortcomesalong。Breakupthecourt:
Isay,seton。
ExeuntinmannerastheyenteredACTIIISCENEI。London。QUEENKATHARINE’sapartments。EnterQUEENKATHARINEandherWomen,asatworkQUEENKATHARINETakethylute,wench:mysoulgrowssadwithtroubles;
Sing,anddisperse’em,ifthoucanst:leaveworking。
SONG
Orpheuswithhislutemadetrees,Andthemountaintopsthatfreeze,Bowthemselveswhenhedidsing:
TohismusicplantsandflowersEversprung;assunandshowersTherehadmadealastingspring。
Everythingthatheardhimplay,Eventhebillowsofthesea,Hungtheirheads,andthenlayby。
Insweetmusicissuchart,KillingcareandgriefofheartFallasleep,orhearing,die。
EnteraGentlemanQUEENKATHARINEHownow!GentlemanAn’tpleaseyourgrace,thetwogreatcardinalsWaitinthepresence。QUEENKATHARINEWouldtheyspeakwithme?GentlemanTheywill’dmesayso,madam。QUEENKATHARINEPraytheirgracesTocomenear。
ExitGentlemanWhatcanbetheirbusinessWithme,apoorweakwoman,fall’nfromfavour?
Idonotliketheircoming。NowIthinkon’t,Theyshouldbegoodmen;theiraffairsasrighteous:
Butallhoodsmakenotmonks。
EnterCARDINALWOLSEYandCARDINALCAMPEIUSCARDINALWOLSEYPeacetoyourhighness!QUEENKATHARINEYourgracesfindmeherepartofahousewife,Iwouldbeall,againsttheworstmayhappen。
Whatareyourpleasureswithme,reverendlords?CARDINALWOLSEYMayitpleaseyounoblemadam,towithdrawIntoyourprivatechamber,weshallgiveyouThefullcauseofourcoming。QUEENKATHARINESpeakithere:
There’snothingIhavedoneyet,o’myconscience,Deservesacorner:wouldallotherwomenCouldspeakthiswithasfreeasoulasIdo!
Mylords,Icarenot,somuchIamhappyAboveanumber,ifmyactionsWeretriedbyeverytongue,everyeyesaw’em,Envyandbaseopinionsetagainst’em,Iknowmylifesoeven。IfyourbusinessSeekmeout,andthatwayIamwifein,Outwithitboldly:truthlovesopendealing。CARDINALWOLSEYTantaestergatementisintegritas,reginaserenissima,——QUEENKATHARINEO,goodmylord,noLatin;
Iamnotsuchatruantsincemycoming,AsnottoknowthelanguageIhavelivedin:
Astrangetonguemakesmycausemorestrange,suspicious;
Pray,speakinEnglish:herearesomewillthankyou,Ifyouspeaktruth,fortheirpoormistress’sake;
Believeme,shehashadmuchwrong:lordcardinal,Thewilling’stsinIeveryetcommittedMaybeabsolvedinEnglish。CARDINALWOLSEYNoblelady,Iamsorrymyintegrityshouldbreed,Andservicetohismajestyandyou,Sodeepsuspicion,whereallfaithwasmeant。
Wecomenotbythewayofaccusation,Totaintthathonoureverygoodtongueblesses,Nortobetrayyouanywaytosorrow,Youhavetoomuch,goodlady;buttoknowHowyoustandmindedintheweightydifferenceBetweenthekingandyou;andtodeliver,Likefreeandhonestmen,ourjustopinionsAndcomfortstoyourcause。CARDINALCAMPEIUSMosthonour’dmadam,MyLordofYork,outofhisnoblenature,Zealandobediencehestillboreyourgrace,Forgetting,likeagoodmanyourlatecensureBothofhistruthandhim,whichwastoofar,Offers,asIdo,inasignofpeace,Hisserviceandhiscounsel。QUEENKATHARINE[Aside]Tobetrayme。——
Mylords,Ithankyoubothforyourgoodwills;
Yespeaklikehonestmen;prayGod,yeproveso!
Buthowtomakeyesuddenlyananswer,Insuchapointofweight,sonearminehonour,——
Morenearmylife,Ifear,——withmyweakwit,Andtosuchmenofgravityandlearning,Intruth,Iknownot。IwassetatworkAmongmymaids:fulllittle,Godknows,lookingEitherforsuchmenorsuchbusiness。
ForhersakethatIhavebeen,——forIfeelThelastfitofmygreatness,——goodyourgraces,Letmehavetimeandcounselformycause:
Alas,Iamawoman,friendless,hopeless!CARDINALWOLSEYMadam,youwrongtheking’slovewiththesefears:
Yourhopesandfriendsareinfinite。QUEENKATHARINEInEnglandButlittleformyprofit:canyouthink,lords,ThatanyEnglishmandaregivemecounsel?
Orbeaknownfriend,’gainsthishighness’pleasure,Thoughhebegrownsodesperatetobehonest,Andliveasubject?Nay,forsooth,myfriends,Theythatmustweighoutmyafflictions,Theythatmytrustmustgrowto,livenothere:
Theyare,asallmyothercomforts,farhenceInmineowncountry,lords。CARDINALCAMPEIUSIwouldyourgraceWouldleaveyourgriefs,andtakemycounsel。QUEENKATHARINEHow,sir?CARDINALCAMPEIUSPutyourmaincauseintotheking’sprotection;
He’slovingandmostgracious:’twillbemuchBothforyourhonourbetterandyourcause;
Forifthetrialofthelawo’ertakeye,You’llpartawaydisgraced。CARDINALWOLSEYHetellsyourightly。QUEENKATHARINEYetellmewhatyewishforboth,——myruin:
IsthisyourChristiancounsel?outuponye!
Heavenisaboveallyet;theresitsajudgeThatnokingcancorrupt。CARDINALCAMPEIUSYourragemistakesus。QUEENKATHARINEThemoreshameforye:holymenIthoughtye,Uponmysoul,tworeverendcardinalvirtues;
ButcardinalsinsandhollowheartsIfearye:
Mend’em,forshame,mylords。Isthisyourcomfort?
Thecordialthatyebringawretchedlady,Awomanlostamongye,laugh’dat,scorn’d?
Iwillnotwishyehalfmymiseries;
Ihavemorecharity:butsay,Iwarn’dye;
Takeheed,forheaven’ssake,takeheed,lestatonceTheburthenofmysorrowsfalluponye。CARDINALWOLSEYMadam,thisisameredistraction;
Youturnthegoodweofferintoenvy。QUEENKATHARINEYeturnmeintonothing:woeuponyeAndallsuchfalseprofessors!wouldyouhaveme——
Ifyouhaveanyjustice,anypity;
Ifyebeanythingbutchurchmen’shabits——
Putmysickcauseintohishandsthathatesme?
Alas,hasbanish’dmehisbedalready,Hislove,toolongago!Iamold,mylords,AndallthefellowshipIholdnowwithhimIsonlymyobedience。WhatcanhappenTomeabovethiswretchedness?allyourstudiesMakemeacurselikethis。CARDINALCAMPEIUSYourfearsareworse。QUEENKATHARINEHaveIlivedthuslong——letmespeakmyself,Sincevirtuefindsnofriends——awife,atrueone?
Awoman,Idaresaywithoutvain—glory,Neveryetbrandedwithsuspicion?
HaveIwithallmyfullaffectionsStillmettheking?lovedhimnextheaven?
obey’dhim?
Been,outoffondness,superstitioustohim?
Almostforgotmyprayerstocontenthim?
AndamIthusrewarded?’tisnotwell,lords。
Bringmeaconstantwomantoherhusband,Onethatne’erdream’dajoybeyondhispleasure;
Andtothatwoman,whenshehasdonemost,YetwillIaddanhonour,agreatpatience。CARDINALWOLSEYMadam,youwanderfromthegoodweaimat。QUEENKATHARINEMylord,Idarenotmakemyselfsoguilty,TogiveupwillinglythatnobletitleYourmasterwedmeto:nothingbutdeathShalle’erdivorcemydignities。CARDINALWOLSEYPray,hearme。QUEENKATHARINEWouldIhadnevertrodthisEnglishearth,Orfelttheflatteriesthatgrowuponit!
Yehaveangels’faces,butheavenknowsyourhearts。
Whatwillbecomeofmenow,wretchedlady!
Iamthemostunhappywomanliving。
Alas,poorwenches,wherearenowyourfortunes!
Shipwreck’duponakingdom,wherenopity,Nofriend,nohope;nokindredweepforme;
Almostnograveallow’dme:likethelily,Thatoncewasmistressofthefieldandflourish’d,I’llhangmyheadandperish。CARDINALWOLSEYIfyourgraceCouldbutbebroughttoknowourendsarehonest,You’ldfeelmorecomfort:whyshouldwe,goodlady,Uponwhatcause,wrongyou?alas,ourplaces,Thewayofourprofessionisagainstit:
Wearetocuresuchsorrows,nottosow’em。
Forgoodness’sake,considerwhatyoudo;
Howyoumayhurtyourself,ay,utterlyGrowfromtheking’sacquaintance,bythiscarriage。
Theheartsofprinceskissobedience,Somuchtheyloveit;buttostubbornspiritsTheyswell,andgrowasterribleasstorms。
Iknowyouhaveagentle,nobletemper,Asoulasevenasacalm:pray,thinkusThoseweprofess,peace—makers,friends,andservants。CARDINALCAMPEIUSMadam,you’llfinditso。YouwrongyourvirtuesWiththeseweakwomen’sfears:anoblespirit,Asyourswasputintoyou,evercastsSuchdoubts,asfalsecoin,fromit。Thekinglovesyou;
Bewareyouloseitnot:forus,ifyoupleaseTotrustusinyourbusiness,wearereadyTouseourutmoststudiesinyourservice。QUEENKATHARINEDowhatyewill,mylords:and,pray,forgiveme,IfIhaveusedmyselfunmannerly;
YouknowIamawoman,lackingwitTomakeaseemlyanswertosuchpersons。
Pray,domyservicetohismajesty:
Hehasmyheartyet;andshallhavemyprayersWhileIshallhavemylife。Come,reverendfathers,Bestowyourcounselsonme:shenowbegs,Thatlittlethought,whenshesetfootinghere,Sheshouldhaveboughtherdignitiessodear。
ExeuntSCENEII。Ante—chambertoKINGHENRYVIII’sapartment。EnterNORFOLK,SUFFOLK,SURREY,andChamberlainNORFOLKIfyouwillnowuniteinyourcomplaints,Andforcethemwithaconstancy,thecardinalCannotstandunderthem:ifyouomitTheofferofthistime,IcannotpromiseButthatyoushallsustainmoenewdisgraces,Withtheseyoubearalready。SURREYIamjoyfulTomeettheleastoccasionthatmaygivemeRemembranceofmyfather—in—law,theduke,Toberevengedonhim。SUFFOLKWhichofthepeersHaveuncontemn’dgonebyhim,oratleastStrangelyneglected?whendidheregardThestampofnoblenessinanypersonOutofhimself?ChamberlainMylords,youspeakyourpleasures:
WhathedeservesofyouandmeIknow;
Whatwecandotohim,thoughnowthetimeGiveswaytous,Imuchfear。IfyoucannotBarhisaccesstotheking,neverattemptAnythingonhim;forhehathawitchcraftOverthekingin’stongue。NORFOLKO,fearhimnot;
Hisspellinthatisout:thekinghathfoundMatteragainsthimthatforevermarsThehoneyofhislanguage。No,he’ssettled,Nottocomeoff,inhisdispleasure。SURREYSir,IshouldbegladtohearsuchnewsasthisOnceeveryhour。NORFOLKBelieveit,thisistrue:
InthedivorcehiscontraryproceedingsAreallunfoldedwhereinheappearsAsIwouldwishmineenemy。SURREYHowcameHispractisestolight?SUFFOLKMoststrangely。SURREYO,how,how?SUFFOLKThecardinal’sletterstothepopemiscarried,Andcametotheeyeo’theking:whereinwasread,HowthatthecardinaldidentreathisholinessTostaythejudgmento’thedivorce;forifItdidtakeplace,’Ido,’quothhe,’perceiveMykingistangledinaffectiontoAcreatureofthequeen’s,LadyAnneBullen。’SURREYHasthekingthis?SUFFOLKBelieveit。SURREYWillthiswork?ChamberlainThekinginthisperceiveshim,howhecoastsAndhedgeshisownway。ButinthispointAllhistricksfounder,andhebringshisphysicAfterhispatient’sdeath:thekingalreadyHathmarriedthefairlady。SURREYWouldhehad!SUFFOLKMayyoubehappyinyourwish,mylordFor,Iprofess,youhaveit。SURREYNow,allmyjoyTracetheconjunction!SUFFOLKMyamento’t!NORFOLKAllmen’s!SUFFOLKThere’sordergivenforhercoronation:
Marry,thisisyetbutyoung,andmaybeleftTosomeearsunrecounted。But,mylords,Sheisagallantcreature,andcompleteInmindandfeature:Ipersuademe,fromherWillfallsomeblessingtothisland,whichshallInitbememorised。SURREYBut,willthekingDigestthisletterofthecardinal’s?
TheLordforbid!NORFOLKMarry,amen!SUFFOLKNo,no;
TherebemoewaspsthatbuzzabouthisnoseWillmakethisstingthesooner。CardinalCampeiusIsstol’nawaytoRome;hathta’ennoleave;
Hasleftthecauseo’thekingunhandled;andIsposted,astheagentofourcardinal,Tosecondallhisplot。IdoassureyouThekingcriedHa!atthis。ChamberlainNow,Godincensehim,AndlethimcryHa!louder!NORFOLKBut,mylord,WhenreturnsCranmer?SUFFOLKHeisreturn’dinhisopinions;whichHavesatisfiedthekingforhisdivorce,TogetherwithallfamouscollegesAlmostinChristendom:shortly,Ibelieve,Hissecondmarriageshallbepublish’d,andHercoronation。KatharinenomoreShallbecall’dqueen,butprincessdowagerAndwidowtoPrinceArthur。NORFOLKThissameCranmer’sAworthyfellow,andhathta’enmuchpainIntheking’sbusiness。SUFFOLKHehas;andweshallseehimForitanarchbishop。NORFOLKSoIhear。SUFFOLK’Tisso。
Thecardinal!
EnterCARDINALWOLSEYandCROMWELLNORFOLKObserve,observe,he’smoody。CARDINALWOLSEYThepacket,Cromwell。
Gave’tyoutheking?CROMWELLTohisownhand,in’sbedchamber。CARDINALWOLSEYLook’dheo’theinsideofthepaper?CROMWELLPresentlyHedidunsealthem:andthefirstheview’d,Hediditwithaseriousmind;aheedWasinhiscountenance。YouhebadeAttendhimherethismorning。CARDINALWOLSEYIshereadyTocomeabroad?CROMWELLIthink,bythisheis。CARDINALWOLSEYLeavemeawhile。
ExitCROMWELL
AsideItshallbetotheDuchessofAlencon,TheFrenchking’ssister:heshallmarryher。
AnneBullen!No;I’llnoAnneBullensforhim:
There’smorein’tthanfairvisage。Bullen!
No,we’llnoBullens。SpeedilyIwishTohearfromRome。TheMarchionessofPembroke!NORFOLKHe’sdiscontented。SUFFOLKMaybe,hehearsthekingDoeswhethisangertohim。SURREYSharpenough,Lord,forthyjustice!CARDINALWOLSEY[Aside]Thelatequeen’sgentlewoman,aknight’sdaughter,Tobehermistress’mistress!thequeen’squeen!
Thiscandleburnsnotclear:’tisImustsnuffit;
Thenoutitgoes。WhatthoughIknowhervirtuousAndwelldeserving?yetIknowherforAspleenyLutheran;andnotwholesometoOurcause,thatsheshouldliei’thebosomofOurhard—ruledking。Again,thereissprungupAnheretic,anarchone,Cranmer;oneHathcrawl’dintothefavouroftheking,Andishisoracle。NORFOLKHeisvex’datsomething。SURREYIwould’tweresomethingthatwouldfretthestring,Themaster—cordon’sheart!
EnterKINGHENRYVIII,readingofaschedule,andLOVELLSUFFOLKTheking,theking!KINGHENRYVIIIWhatpilesofwealthhathheaccumulatedTohisownportion!andwhatexpensebythehourSeemstoflowfromhim!How,i’thenameofthrift,Doesherakethistogether!Now,mylords,Sawyouthecardinal?NORFOLKMylord,wehaveStoodhereobservinghim:somestrangecommotionIsinhisbrain:hebiteshislip,andstarts;
Stopsonasudden,looksupontheground,Thenlayshisfingeronhistemple,straightSpringsoutintofastgait;thenstopsagain,Strikeshisbreasthard,andanonhecastsHiseyeagainstthemoon:inmoststrangeposturesWehaveseenhimsethimself。KINGHENRYVIIIItmaywellbe;
Thereisamutinyin’smind。ThismorningPapersofstatehesentmetoperuse,AsIrequired:andwotyouwhatIfoundThere,——onmyconscience,putunwittingly?
Forsooth,aninventory,thusimporting;
Theseveralparcelsofhisplate,histreasure,Richstuffs,andornamentsofhousehold;whichIfindatsuchproudrate,thatitout—speaksPossessionofasubject。NORFOLKIt’sheaven’swill:
Somespiritputthispaperinthepacket,Toblessyoureyewithal。KINGHENRYVIIIIfwedidthinkHiscontemplationwereabovetheearth,Andfix’donspiritualobject,heshouldstillDwellinhismusings:butIamafraidHisthinkingsarebelowthemoon,notworthHisseriousconsidering。
KingHENRYVIIItakeshisseat;whispersLOVELL,whogoestoCARDINAL
WOLSEYCARDINALWOLSEYHeavenforgiveme!
EverGodblessyourhighness!KINGHENRYVIIIGoodmylord,Youarefullofheavenlystuff,andbeartheinventoryOfyourbestgracesinyourmind;thewhichYouwerenowrunningo’er:youhavescarcetimeTostealfromspiritualleisureabriefspanTokeepyourearthlyaudit:sure,inthatIdeemyouanillhusband,andamgladTohaveyouthereinmycompanion。CARDINALWOLSEYSir,ForholyofficesIhaveatime;atimeTothinkuponthepartofbusinesswhichIbeari’thestate;andnaturedoesrequireHertimesofpreservation,whichperforceI,herfrailson,amongstmybrethrenmortal,Mustgivemytendenceto。KINGHENRYVIIIYouhavesaidwell。CARDINALWOLSEYAndevermayyourhighnessyoketogether,AsIwilllendyoucause,mydoingwellWithmywellsaying!KINGHENRYVIII’Tiswellsaidagain;
And’tisakindofgooddeedtosaywell:
Andyetwordsarenodeeds。Myfatherlovedyou:
Hissaidhedid;andwithhisdeeddidcrownHisworduponyou。SinceIhadmyoffice,Ihavekeptyounextmyheart;havenotaloneEmploy’dyouwherehighprofitsmightcomehome,Butparedmypresenthavings,tobestowMybountiesuponyou。CARDINALWOLSEY[Aside]Whatshouldthismean?SURREY[Aside]TheLordincreasethisbusiness!KINGHENRYVIIIHaveInotmadeyou,Theprimemanofthestate?Iprayyou,tellme,IfwhatInowpronounceyouhavefoundtrue:
And,ifyoumayconfessit,saywithal,Ifyouareboundtousorno。Whatsayyou?CARDINALWOLSEYMysovereign,Iconfessyourroyalgraces,Shower’donmedaily,havebeenmorethancouldMystudiedpurposesrequite;whichwentBeyondallman’sendeavours:myendeavoursHaveevercometooshortofmydesires,Yetfiledwithmyabilities:mineownendsHavebeenminesothatevermoretheypointedTothegoodofyourmostsacredpersonandTheprofitofthestate。ForyourgreatgracesHeap’duponme,poorundeserver,I
Cannothingrenderbutallegiantthanks,Myprayerstoheavenforyou,myloyalty,Whicheverhasandevershallbegrowing,Tilldeath,thatwinter,killit。KINGHENRYVIIIFairlyanswer’d;
AloyalandobedientsubjectisThereinillustrated:thehonourofitDoespaytheactofit;as,i’thecontrary,Thefoulnessisthepunishment。IpresumeThat,asmyhandhasopen’dbountytoyou,Myheartdropp’dlove,mypowerrain’dhonour,moreOnyouthanany;soyourhandandheart,Yourbrain,andeveryfunctionofyourpower,Should,notwithstandingthatyourbondofduty,As’twereinlove’sparticular,bemoreTome,yourfriend,thanany。CARDINALWOLSEYIdoprofessThatforyourhighness’goodIeverlabour’dMorethanmineown;thatam,have,andwillbe——
Thoughalltheworldshouldcracktheirdutytoyou,Andthrowitfromtheirsoul;thoughperilsdidAbound,asthickasthoughtcouldmake’em,andAppearinformsmorehorrid,——yetmyduty,Asdotharockagainstthechidingflood,Shouldtheapproachofthiswildriverbreak,Andstandunshakenyours。KINGHENRYVIII’Tisnoblyspoken:
Takenotice,lords,hehasaloyalbreast,Foryouhaveseenhimopen’t。Reado’erthis;
GivinghimpapersAndafter,this:andthentobreakfastwithWhatappetiteyouhave。
ExitKINGHENRYVIII,frowninguponCARDINALWOLSEY:theNoblesthrongafterhim,smilingandwhisperingCARDINALWOLSEYWhatshouldthismean?
Whatsuddenanger’sthis?howhaveIreap’dit?
Hepartedfrowningfromme,asifruinLeap’dfromhiseyes:solooksthechafedlionUponthedaringhuntsmanthathasgall’dhim;
Thenmakeshimnothing。Imustreadthispaper;
Ifear,thestoryofhisanger。’Tisso;
Thispaperhasundoneme:’tistheaccountOfallthatworldofwealthIhavedrawntogetherFormineownends;indeed,togainthepopedom,AndfeemyfriendsinRome。Onegligence!
Fitforafooltofallby:whatcrossdevilMademeputthismainsecretinthepacketIsenttheking?Istherenowaytocurethis?
Nonewdevicetobeatthisfromhisbrains?
Iknow’twillstirhimstrongly;yetIknowAway,ifittakeright,inspiteoffortuneWillbringmeoffagain。What’sthis?’TothePope!’
Theletter,asIlive,withallthebusinessIwritto’sholiness。Naythen,farewell!
Ihavetouch’dthehighestpointofallmygreatness;
And,fromthatfullmeridianofmyglory,Ihastenowtomysetting:IshallfallLikeabrightexhalationmtheevening,Andnomanseememore。
Re—entertoCARDINALWOLSEY,NORFOLKandSUFFOLK,SURREY,andtheChamberlainNORFOLKHeartheking’spleasure,cardinal:whocommandsyouTorenderupthegreatsealpresentlyIntoourhands;andtoconfineyourselfToAsherHouse,myLordofWinchester’s,Tillyouhearfurtherfromhishighness。CARDINALWOLSEYStay:
Where’syourcommission,lords?wordscannotcarryAuthoritysoweighty。SUFFOLKWhodarecross’em,Bearingtheking’swillfromhismouthexpressly?CARDINALWOLSEYTillIfindmorethanwillorwordstodoit,Imeanyourmalice,know,officiouslords,Idareandmustdenyit。NowIfeelOfwhatcoarsemetalyearemoulded,envy:
Howeagerlyyefollowmydisgraces,Asifitfedye!andhowsleekandwantonYeappearineverythingmaybringmyruin!
Followyourenviouscourses,menofmalice;
YouhaveChristianwarrantfor’em,and,nodoubt,Intimewillfindtheirfitrewards。Thatseal,Youaskwithsuchaviolence,theking,Mineandyourmaster,withhisownhandgaveme;
Bademeenjoyit,withtheplaceandhonours,Duringmylife;and,toconfirmhisgoodness,Tieditbyletters—patents:now,who’lltakeit?SURREYTheking,thatgaveit。CARDINALWOLSEYItmustbehimself,then。SURREYThouartaproudtraitor,priest。CARDINALWOLSEYProudlord,thouliest:
WithinthesefortyhoursSurreydurstbetterHaveburntthattonguethansaidso。SURREYThyambition,Thouscarletsin,robb’dthisbewailinglandOfnobleBuckingham,myfather—in—law:
Theheadsofallthybrothercardinals,Withtheeandallthybestpartsboundtogether,Weigh’dnotahairofhis。Plagueofyourpolicy!
YousentmedeputyforIreland;
Farfromhissuccor,fromtheking,fromallThatmighthavemercyonthefaultthougavesthim;
Whilstyourgreatgoodness,outofholypity,Absolvedhimwithanaxe。CARDINALWOLSEYThis,andallelseThistalkinglordcanlayuponmycredit,Ianswerismostfalse。ThedukebylawFoundhisdeserts:howinnocentIwasFromanyprivatemaliceinhisend,Hisnoblejuryandfoulcausecanwitness。
IfIlovedmanywords,lord,IshouldtellyouYouhaveaslittlehonestyashonour,ThatinthewayofloyaltyandtruthTowardtheking,myeverroyalmaster,DaremateasoundermanthanSurreycanbe,Andallthatlovehisfollies。SURREYBymysoul,Yourlongcoat,priest,protectsyou;thoushouldstfeelMyswordi’thelife—bloodoftheeelse。Mylords,Canyeenduretohearthisarrogance?
Andfromthisfellow?ifwelivethustamely,Tobethusjadedbyapieceofscarlet,Farewellnobility;lethisgracegoforward,Anddareuswithhiscaplikelarks。CARDINALWOLSEYAllgoodnessIspoisontothystomach。SURREYYes,thatgoodnessOfgleaningalltheland’swealthintoone,Intoyourownhands,cardinal,byextortion;
ThegoodnessofyourinterceptedpacketsYouwrittothepopeagainsttheking:yourgoodness,Sinceyouprovokeme,shallbemostnotorious。
MyLordofNorfolk,asyouaretrulynoble,Asyourespectthecommongood,thestateOfourdespisednobility,ourissues,Who,ifhelive,willscarcebegentlemen,Producethegrandsumofhissins,thearticlesCollectedfromhislife。I’llstartleyouWorsethanthescaringbell,whenthebrownwenchLaykissinginyourarms,lordcardinal。CARDINALWOLSEYHowmuch,methinks,Icoulddespisethisman,ButthatIamboundincharityagainstit!NORFOLKThosearticles,mylord,areintheking’shand:
But,thusmuch,theyarefoulones。CARDINALWOLSEYSomuchfairerAndspotlessshallmineinnocencearise,Whenthekingknowsmytruth。SURREYThiscannotsaveyou:
Ithankmymemory,IyetrememberSomeofthesearticles;andouttheyshall。
Now,ifyoucanblushandcry’guilty,’cardinal,You’llshowalittlehonesty。CARDINALWOLSEYSpeakon,sir;
Idareyourworstobjections:ifIblush,Itistoseeanoblemanwantmanners。SURREYIhadratherwantthosethanmyhead。
Haveatyou!
First,that,withouttheking’sassentorknowledge,Youwroughttobealegate;bywhichpowerYoumaim’dthejurisdictionofallbishops。NORFOLKThen,thatinallyouwrittoRome,orelseToforeignprinces,’EgoetRexmeus’
Wasstillinscribed;inwhichyoubroughtthekingTobeyourservant。SUFFOLKThenthat,withouttheknowledgeEitherofkingorcouncil,whenyouwentAmbassadortotheemperor,youmadeboldTocarryintoFlandersthegreatseal。SURREYItem,yousentalargecommissionToGregorydeCassado,toconclude,Withouttheking’swillorthestate’sallowance,AleaguebetweenhishighnessandFerrara。SUFFOLKThat,outofmereambition,youhavecausedYourholyhattobestamp’dontheking’scoin。SURREYThenthatyouhavesentinnumerablesubstance——
Bywhatmeansgot,Ileavetoyourownconscience——
TofurnishRome,andtopreparethewaysYouhavefordignities;tothemereundoingOfallthekingdom。Manymorethereare;
Which,sincetheyareofyou,andodious,Iwillnottaintmymouthwith。ChamberlainOmylord,Pressnotafallingmantoofar!’tisvirtue:
Hisfaultslieopentothelaws;letthem,Notyou,correcthim。MyheartweepstoseehimSolittleofhisgreatself。SURREYIforgivehim。SUFFOLKLordcardinal,theking’sfurtherpleasureis,Becauseallthosethingsyouhavedoneoflate,Byyourpowerlegatine,withinthiskingdom,Fallintothecompassofapraemunire,Thatthereforesuchawritbesuedagainstyou;
Toforfeitallyourgoods,lands,tenements,Chattels,andwhatsoever,andtobeOutoftheking’sprotection。Thisismycharge。NORFOLKAndsowe’llleaveyoutoyourmeditationsHowtolivebetter。ForyourstubbornanswerAboutthegivingbackthegreatsealtous,Thekingshallknowit,and,nodoubt,shallthankyou。
Sofareyouwell,mylittlegoodlordcardinal。
ExeuntallbutCARDINALWOLSEYCARDINALWOLSEYSofarewelltothelittlegoodyoubearme。
Farewell!alongfarewell,toallmygreatness!
Thisisthestateofman:to—dayheputsforthThetenderleavesofhopes;to—morrowblossoms,Andbearshisblushinghonoursthickuponhim;
Thethirddaycomesafrost,akillingfrost,And,whenhethinks,goodeasyman,fullsurelyHisgreatnessisa—ripening,nipshisroot,Andthenhefalls,asIdo。Ihaveventured,Likelittlewantonboysthatswimonbladders,Thismanysummersinaseaofglory,Butfarbeyondmydepth:myhigh—blownprideAtlengthbrokeundermeandnowhasleftme,Wearyandoldwithservice,tothemercyOfarudestream,thatmustforeverhideme。
Vainpompandgloryofthisworld,Ihateye:
Ifeelmyheartnewopen’d。O,howwretchedIsthatpoormanthathangsonprinces’favours!
Thereis,betwixtthatsmilewewouldaspireto,Thatsweetaspectofprinces,andtheirruin,Morepangsandfearsthanwarsorwomenhave:
Andwhenhefalls,hefallslikeLucifer,Nevertohopeagain。
EnterCROMWELL,andstandsamazedWhy,hownow,Cromwell!CROMWELLIhavenopowertospeak,sir。CARDINALWOLSEYWhat,amazedAtmymisfortunes?canthyspiritwonderAgreatmanshoulddecline?Nay,anyouweep,Iamfall’nindeed。CROMWELLHowdoesyourgrace?CARDINALWOLSEYWhy,well;
Neversotrulyhappy,mygoodCromwell。
Iknowmyselfnow;andIfeelwithinmeApeaceaboveallearthlydignities,Astillandquietconscience。Thekinghascuredme,Ihumblythankhisgrace;andfromtheseshoulders,Theseruin’dpillars,outofpity,takenAloadwouldsinkanavy,toomuchhonour:
O,’tisaburthen,Cromwell,’tisaburthenTooheavyforamanthathopesforheaven!CROMWELLIamgladyourgracehasmadethatrightuseofit。CARDINALWOLSEYIhopeIhave:Iamablenow,methinks,OutofafortitudeofsoulIfeel,ToenduremoremiseriesandgreaterfarThanmyweak—heartedenemiesdareoffer。
Whatnewsabroad?CROMWELLTheheaviestandtheworstIsyourdispleasurewiththeking。CARDINALWOLSEYGodblesshim!CROMWELLThenextis,thatSirThomasMoreischosenLordchancellorinyourplace。CARDINALWOLSEYThat’ssomewhatsudden:
Buthe’salearnedman。MayhecontinueLonginhishighness’favour,anddojusticeFortruth’ssakeandhisconscience;thathisbones,Whenhehasrunhiscourseandsleepsinblessings,Mayhaveatomboforphans’tearsweptonem!
Whatmore?CROMWELLThatCranmerisreturn’dwithwelcome,Install’dlordarchbishopofCanterbury。CARDINALWOLSEYThat’snewsindeed。CROMWELLLast,thattheLadyAnne,Whomthekinghathinsecrecylongmarried,Thisdaywasview’dinopenashisqueen,Goingtochapel;andthevoiceisnowOnlyabouthercoronation。CARDINALWOLSEYTherewastheweightthatpull’dmedown。
OCromwell,Thekinghasgonebeyondme:allmygloriesInthatonewomanIhavelostforever:
Nosunshalleverusherforthminehonours,OrgildagainthenobletroopsthatwaitedUponmysmiles。Go,gettheefromme,Cromwell;
Iamapoorfall’nman,unworthynowTobethylordandmaster:seektheking;
Thatsun,Ipray,mayneverset!IhavetoldhimWhatandhowtruethouart:hewilladvancethee;
Somelittlememoryofmewillstirhim——
Iknowhisnoblenature——nottoletThyhopefulserviceperishtoo:goodCromwell,Neglecthimnot;makeusenow,andprovideForthineownfuturesafety。CROMWELLOmylord,MustI,then,leaveyou?mustIneedsforegoSogood,sonobleandsotrueamaster?
Bearwitness,allthathavenotheartsofiron,WithwhatasorrowCromwellleaveshislord。
Thekingshallhavemyservice:butmyprayersForeverandforevershallbeyours。CARDINALWOLSEYCromwell,IdidnotthinktoshedatearInallmymiseries;butthouhastforcedme,Outofthyhonesttruth,toplaythewoman。
Let’sdryoureyes:andthusfarhearme,Cromwell;
And,whenIamforgotten,asIshallbe,Andsleepindullcoldmarble,wherenomentionOfmemoremustbeheardof,say,Itaughtthee,Say,Wolsey,thatoncetrodthewaysofglory,Andsoundedallthedepthsandshoalsofhonour,Foundtheeaway,outofhiswreck,torisein;
Asureandsafeone,thoughthymastermiss’dit。
Markbutmyfall,andthatthatruin’dme。
Cromwell,Ichargethee,flingawayambition:
Bythatsinfelltheangels;howcanman,then,TheimageofhisMaker,hopetowinbyit?
Lovethyselflast:cherishthoseheartsthathatethee;
Corruptionwinsnotmorethanhonesty。
Stillinthyrighthandcarrygentlepeace,Tosilenceenvioustongues。Bejust,andfearnot:
Letalltheendsthouaim’statbethycountry’s,ThyGod’s,andtruth’s;thenifthoufall’st,OCromwell,Thoufall’stablessedmartyr!Servetheking;
And,——prithee,leadmein:
TheretakeaninventoryofallIhave,Tothelastpenny;’tistheking’s:myrobe,Andmyintegritytoheaven,isallIdarenowcallmineown。OCromwell,Cromwell!
HadIbutservedmyGodwithhalfthezealIservedmyking,hewouldnotinmineageHaveleftmenakedtomineenemies。CROMWELLGoodsir,havepatience。CARDINALWOLSEYSoIhave。FarewellThehopesofcourt!myhopesinheavendodwell。
ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。AstreetinWestminster。EntertwoGentlemen,meetingoneanotherFirstGentlemanYou’rewellmetonceagain。SecondGentlemanSoareyou。FirstGentlemanYoucometotakeyourstandhere,andbeholdTheLadyAnnepassfromhercoronation?SecondGentleman’Tisallmybusiness。Atourlastencounter,TheDukeofBuckinghamcamefromhistrial。FirstGentleman’Tisverytrue:butthattimeoffer’dsorrow;
This,generaljoy。SecondGentleman’Tiswell:thecitizens,Iamsure,haveshownatfulltheirroyalminds——
As,let’emhavetheirrights,theyareeverforward——
Incelebrationofthisdaywithshows,Pageantsandsightsofhonour。FirstGentlemanNevergreater,Nor,I’llassureyou,bettertaken,sir。SecondGentlemanMayIbeboldtoaskatwhatthatcontains,Thatpaperinyourhand?FirstGentlemanYes;’tisthelistOfthosethatclaimtheirofficesthisdayBycustomofthecoronation。
TheDukeofSuffolkisthefirst,andclaimsTobehigh—steward;next,theDukeofNorfolk,Hetobeearlmarshal:youmayreadtherest。SecondGentlemanIthankyou,sir:hadInotknownthosecustoms,Ishouldhavebeenbeholdingtoyourpaper。