But,Ibeseechyou,what’sbecomeofKatharine,Theprincessdowager?howgoesherbusiness?FirstGentlemanThatIcantellyoutoo。TheArchbishopOfCanterbury,accompaniedwithotherLearnedandreverendfathersofhisorder,HeldalatecourtatDunstable,sixmilesoffFromAmpthillwheretheprincesslay;towhichShewasoftencitedbythem,butappear’dnot:
And,tobeshort,fornotappearanceandTheking’slatescruple,bythemainassentOfalltheselearnedmenshewasdivorced,AndthelatemarriagemadeofnoneeffectSincewhichshewasremovedtoKimbolton,Wheresheremainsnowsick。SecondGentlemanAlas,goodlady!
TrumpetsThetrumpetssound:standclose,thequeeniscoming。
HautboysTHEORDEROFTHECORONATION
1。AlivelyflourishofTrumpets。
2。Then,twoJudges。
3。LordChancellor,withthepurseandmacebeforehim。
4。Choristers,singing。
Music5。MayorofLondon,bearingthemace。ThenGarter,inhiscoatofarms,andonhisheadagiltcoppercrown。
6。MarquessDorset,bearingasceptreofgold,onhisheadademi—coronalofgold。Withhim,SURREY,bearingtherodofsilverwiththedove,crownedwithanearl’scoronet。
CollarsofSS。
7。SUFFOLK,inhisrobeofestate,hiscoronetonhishead,bearingalongwhitewand,ashigh—steward。Withhim,NORFOLK,withtherodofmarshalship,acoronetonhishead。
CollarsofSS。
8。AcanopybornebyfouroftheCinque—ports;
underit,QUEENANNEinherrobe;inherhairrichlyadornedwithpearl,crowned。Oneachsideher,theBishopsofLondonandWinchester。
9。TheoldDuchessofNorfolk,inacoronalofgold,wroughtwithflowers,bearingQUEEN
ANNE’strain。
10。CertainLadiesorCountesses,withplaincircletsofgoldwithoutflowers。
TheypassoverthestageinorderandstateSecondGentlemanAroyaltrain,believeme。TheseIknow:
Who’sthatthatbearsthesceptre?FirstGentlemanMarquessDorset:
AndthattheEarlofSurrey,withtherod。SecondGentlemanAboldbravegentleman。ThatshouldbeTheDukeofSuffolk?FirstGentleman’Tisthesame:high—steward。SecondGentlemanAndthatmyLordofNorfolk?FirstGentlemanYes;SecondGentlemanHeavenblessthee!
LookingonQUEENANNE
ThouhastthesweetestfaceIeverlook’don。
Sir,asIhaveasoul,sheisanangel;
OurkinghasalltheIndiesinhisarms,Andmoreandricher,whenhestrainsthatlady:
Icannotblamehisconscience。FirstGentlemanTheythatbearTheclothofhonouroverher,arefourbaronsOftheCinque—ports。SecondGentlemanThosemenarehappy;andsoareallarenearher。
Itakeit,shethatcarriesupthetrainIsthatoldnoblelady,DuchessofNorfolk。FirstGentlemanItis;andalltherestarecountesses。SecondGentlemanTheircoronetssayso。Thesearestarsindeed;
Andsometimesfallingones。FirstGentlemanNomoreofthat。
Exitprocession,andthenagreatflourishoftrumpetsEnterathirdGentlemanFirstGentlemanGodsaveyou,sir!wherehaveyoubeenbroiling?ThirdGentlemanAmongthecrowdi’theAbbey;whereafingerCouldnotbewedgedinmore:IamstifledWiththemereranknessoftheirjoy。SecondGentlemanYousawTheceremony?ThirdGentlemanThatIdid。FirstGentlemanHowwasit?ThirdGentlemanWellworththeseeing。SecondGentlemanGoodsir,speakittous。ThirdGentlemanAswellasIamable。TherichstreamOflordsandladies,havingbroughtthequeenToapreparedplaceinthechoir,felloffAdistancefromher;whilehergracesatdownTorestawhile,somehalfanhourorso,Inarichchairofstate,opposingfreelyThebeautyofherpersontothepeople。
Believeme,sir,sheisthegoodliestwomanThateverlaybyman:whichwhenthepeopleHadthefullviewof,suchanoisearoseAstheshroudsmakeatseainastifftempest,Asloud,andtoasmanytunes:hats,cloaks——
Doublets,Ithink,——flewup;andhadtheirfacesBeenloose,thisdaytheyhadbeenlost。SuchjoyIneversawbefore。Great—belliedwomen,Thathadnothalfaweektogo,likeramsIntheoldtimeofwar,wouldshakethepress,Andmake’emreelbefore’em。NomanlivingCouldsay’Thisismywife’there;allwerewovenSostrangelyinonepiece。SecondGentlemanBut,whatfollow’d?ThirdGentlemanAtlengthhergracerose,andwithmodestpacesCametothealtar;whereshekneel’d,andsaint—likeCastherfaireyestoheavenandpray’ddevoutly。
Thenroseagainandbow’dhertothepeople:
WhenbytheArchbishopofCanterburyShehadalltheroyalmakingsofaqueen;
Asholyoil,EdwardConfessor’scrown,Therod,andbirdofpeace,andallsuchemblemsLaidnoblyonher:whichperform’d,thechoir,Withallthechoicestmusicofthekingdom,Togethersung’TeDeum。’Sosheparted,AndwiththesamefullstatepacedbackagainToYork—place,wherethefeastisheld。FirstGentlemanSir,YoumustnomorecallitYork—place,that’spast;
For,sincethecardinalfell,thattitle’slost:
’Tisnowtheking’s,andcall’dWhitehall。ThirdGentlemanIknowit;
But’tissolatelyalter’d,thattheoldnameIsfreshaboutme。SecondGentlemanWhattworeverendbishopsWerethosethatwentoneachsideofthequeen?ThirdGentlemanStokeslyandGardiner;theoneofWinchester,Newlypreferr’dfromtheking’ssecretary,Theother,London。SecondGentlemanHeofWinchesterIsheldnogreatgoodloverofthearchbishop’s,ThevirtuousCranmer。ThirdGentlemanAllthelandknowsthat:
However,yetthereisnogreatbreach;whenitcomes,Cranmerwillfindafriendwillnotshrinkfromhim。SecondGentlemanWhomaythatbe,Iprayyou?ThirdGentlemanThomasCromwell;
Amaninmuchesteemwiththeking,andtrulyAworthyfriend。ThekinghasmadehimmasterO’thejewelhouse,Andone,already,oftheprivycouncil。SecondGentlemanHewilldeservemore。ThirdGentlemanYes,withoutalldoubt。
Come,gentlemen,yeshallgomyway,whichIstothecourt,andthereyeshallbemyguests:
SomethingIcancommand。AsIwalkthither,I’lltellyemore。BothYoumaycommandus,sir。
ExeuntSCENEII。Kimbolton。EnterKATHARINE,Dowager,sick;ledbetweenGRIFFITH,hergentlemanusher,andPATIENCE,herwomanGRIFFITHHowdoesyourgrace?KATHARINEOGriffith,sicktodeath!
Mylegs,likeloadenbranches,bowtotheearth,Willingtoleavetheirburthen。Reachachair:
So;now,methinks,Ifeelalittleease。
Didstthounottellme,Griffith,asthouled’stme,Thatthegreatchildofhonour,CardinalWolsey,Wasdead?GRIFFITHYes,madam;butIthinkyourgrace,Outofthepainyousuffer’d,gavenoearto’t。KATHARINEPrithee,goodGriffith,tellmehowhedied:
Ifwell,hestepp’dbeforeme,happilyFormyexample。GRIFFITHWell,thevoicegoes,madam:
ForafterthestoutEarlNorthumberlandArrestedhimatYork,andbroughthimforward,Asamansorelytainted,tohisanswer,Hefellsicksuddenly,andgrewsoillHecouldnotsithismule。KATHARINEAlas,poorman!GRIFFITHAtlast,witheasyroads,hecametoLeicester,Lodgedintheabbey;wherethereverendabbot,Withallhiscovent,honourablyreceivedhim;
Towhomhegavethesewords,’O,fatherabbot,Anoldman,brokenwiththestormsofstate,Iscometolayhiswearybonesamongye;
Givehimalittleearthforcharity!’
Sowenttobed;whereeagerlyhissicknessPursuedhimstill:and,threenightsafterthis,Aboutthehourofeight,whichhehimselfForetoldshouldbehislast,fullofrepentance,Continualmeditations,tears,andsorrows,Hegavehishonourstotheworldagain,Hisblessedparttoheaven,andsleptinpeace。KATHARINESomayherest;hisfaultsliegentlyonhim!
Yetthusfar,Griffith,givemeleavetospeakhim,Andyetwithcharity。HewasamanOfanunboundedstomach,everrankingHimselfwithprinces;onethat,bysuggestion,Tiedallthekingdom:simonywasfair—play;
Hisownopinionwashislaw:i’thepresenceHewouldsayuntruths;andbeeverdoubleBothinhiswordsandmeaning:hewasnever,Butwherehemeanttoruin,pitiful:
Hispromiseswere,ashethenwas,mighty;
Buthisperformance,asheisnow,nothing:
Ofhisownbodyhewasill,andgaveTheclergyinexample。GRIFFITHNoblemadam,Men’sevilmannersliveinbrass;theirvirtuesWewriteinwater。MayitpleaseyourhighnessTohearmespeakhisgoodnow?KATHARINEYes,goodGriffith;
Iweremaliciouselse。GRIFFITHThiscardinal,Thoughfromanhumblestock,undoubtedlyWasfashion’dtomuchhonourfromhiscradle。
Hewasascholar,andaripeandgoodone;
Exceedingwise,fair—spoken,andpersuading:
Loftyandsourtothemthatlovedhimnot;
Buttothosementhatsoughthimsweetassummer。
Andthoughhewereunsatisfiedingetting,Whichwasasin,yetinbestowing,madam,Hewasmostprincely:everwitnessforhimThosetwinsOflearningthatheraisedinyou,IpswichandOxford!oneofwhichfellwithhim,Unwillingtooutlivethegoodthatdidit;
Theother,thoughunfinish’d,yetsofamous,Soexcellentinart,andstillsorising,ThatChristendomshalleverspeakhisvirtue。
Hisoverthrowheap’dhappinessuponhim;
Forthen,andnottillthen,hefelthimself,Andfoundtheblessednessofbeinglittle:
And,toaddgreaterhonourstohisageThanmancouldgivehim,hediedfearingGod。KATHARINEAftermydeathIwishnootherherald,Nootherspeakerofmylivingactions,Tokeepminehonourfromcorruption,ButsuchanhonestchroniclerasGriffith。
WhomImosthatedliving,thouhastmademe,Withthyreligioustruthandmodesty,Nowinhisasheshonour:peacebewithhim!
Patience,benearmestill;andsetmelower:
Ihavenotlongtotroublethee。GoodGriffith,CausethemusiciansplaymethatsadnoteInamedmyknell,whilstIsitmeditatingOnthatcelestialharmonyIgoto。
SadandsolemnmusicGRIFFITHSheisasleep:goodwench,let’ssitdownquiet,Forfearwewakeher:softly,gentlePatience。
Thevision。Enter,solemnlytrippingoneafteranother,sixpersonages,cladinwhiterobes,wearingontheirheadsgarlandsofbays,andgoldenvizardsontheirfaces;branchesofbaysorpalmintheirhands。Theyfirstcongeeuntoher,thendance;and,atcertainchanges,thefirsttwoholdasparegarlandoverherhead;atwhichtheotherfourmakereverentcurtsies;
thenthetwothatheldthegarlanddeliverthesametotheothernexttwo,whoobservethesameorderintheirchanges,andholdingthegarlandoverherhead:whichdone,theydeliverthesamegarlandtothelasttwo,wholikewiseobservethesameorder:atwhich,asitwerebyinspiration,shemakesinhersleepsignsofrejoicing,andholdethupherhandstoheaven:
andsointheirdancingvanish,carryingthegarlandwiththem。ThemusiccontinuesKATHARINESpiritsofpeace,whereareye?areyeallgone,Andleavemehereinwretchednessbehindye?GRIFFITHMadam,wearehere。KATHARINEItisnotyouIcallfor:
SawyenoneentersinceIslept?GRIFFITHNone,madam。KATHARINENo?Sawyounot,evennow,ablessedtroopInvitemetoabanquet;whosebrightfacesCastthousandbeamsuponme,likethesun?
Theypromisedmeeternalhappiness;
Andbroughtmegarlands,Griffith,whichIfeelIamnotworthyyettowear:Ishall,assuredly。GRIFFITHIammostjoyful,madam,suchgooddreamsPossessyourfancy。KATHARINEBidthemusicleave,Theyareharshandheavytome。
MusicceasesPATIENCEDoyounoteHowmuchhergraceisalter’donthesudden?
Howlongherfaceisdrawn?howpaleshelooks,Andofanearthycold?Markhereyes!GRIFFITHSheisgoing,wench:pray,pray。PATIENCEHeavencomforther!
EnteraMessengerMessengerAn’tlikeyourgrace,——KATHARINEYouareasaucyfellow:
Deservewenomorereverence?GRIFFITHYouaretoblame,Knowingshewillnotloseherwontedgreatness,Tousesorudebehavior;goto,kneel。MessengerIhumblydoentreatyourhighness’pardon;
Myhastemademeunmannerly。ThereisstayingAgentleman,sentfromtheking,toseeyou。KATHARINEAdmithimentrance,Griffith:butthisfellowLetmene’erseeagain。
ExeuntGRIFFITHandMessengerRe—enterGRIFFITH,withCAPUCIUS
Ifmysightfailnot,Youshouldbelordambassadorfromtheemperor,Myroyalnephew,andyournameCapucius。CAPUCIUSMadam,thesame;yourservant。KATHARINEO,mylord,Thetimesandtitlesnowarealter’dstrangelyWithmesincefirstyouknewme。But,Iprayyou,Whatisyourpleasurewithme?CAPUCIUSNoblelady,Firstmineownservicetoyourgrace;thenext,Theking’srequestthatIwouldvisityou;
Whogrievesmuchforyourweakness,andbymeSendsyouhisprincelycommendations,Andheartilyentreatsyoutakegoodcomfort。KATHARINEOmygoodlord,thatcomfortcomestoolate;
’Tislikeapardonafterexecution:
Thatgentlephysic,givenintime,hadcuredme;
ButnowIampastancomfortshere,butprayers。
Howdoeshishighness?CAPUCIUSMadam,ingoodhealth。KATHARINESomayheeverdo!andeverflourish,WhenIshalldwellwithworms,andmypoornameBanish’dthekingdom!Patience,isthatletter,Icausedyouwrite,yetsentaway?PATIENCENo,madam。
GivingittoKATHARINEKATHARINESir,ImosthumblyprayyoutodeliverThistomylordtheking。CAPUCIUSMostwilling,madam。KATHARINEInwhichIhavecommendedtohisgoodnessThemodelofourchasteloves,hisyoungdaughter;
Thedewsofheavenfallthickinblessingsonher!
Beseechinghimtogivehervirtuousbreeding——
Sheisyoung,andofanoblemodestnature,Ihopeshewilldeservewell,——andalittleToloveherforhermother’ssake,thatlovedhim,Heavenknowshowdearly。MynextpoorpetitionIs,thathisnoblegracewouldhavesomepityUponmywretchedwomen,thatsolongHavefollow’dbothmyfortunesfaithfully:
Ofwhichthereisnotone,Idareavow,AndnowIshouldnotlie,butwilldeserveForvirtueandtruebeautyofthesoul,Forhonestyanddecentcarriage,Arightgoodhusband,lethimbeanobleAnd,sure,thosemenarehappythatshallhave’em。
Thelastis,formymen;theyarethepoorest,Butpovertycouldneverdraw’emfromme;
Thattheymayhavetheirwagesdulypaid’em,Andsomethingovertoremembermeby:
IfheavenhadpleasedtohavegivenmelongerlifeAndablemeans,wehadnotpartedthus。
Thesearethewholecontents:and,goodmylord,Bythatyoulovethedearestinthisworld,AsyouwishChristianpeacetosoulsdeparted,Standthesepoorpeople’sfriend,andurgethekingTodomethislastright。CAPUCIUSByheaven,Iwill,Orletmelosethefashionofaman!KATHARINEIthankyou,honestlord。RemembermeInallhumilityuntohishighness:
SayhislongtroublenowispassingOutofthisworld;tellhim,indeathIbless’dhim,ForsoIwill。Mineeyesgrowdim。Farewell,Mylord。Griffith,farewell。Nay,Patience,Youmustnotleavemeyet:Imusttobed;
Callinmorewomen。WhenIamdead,goodwench,Letmebeusedwithhonour:strewmeoverWithmaidenflowers,thatalltheworldmayknowIwasachastewifetomygrave:embalmme,Thenlaymeforth:althoughunqueen’d,yetlikeAqueen,anddaughtertoaking,interme。
Icannomore。
Exeunt,leadingKATHARINEACTVSCENEI。London。Agalleryinthepalace。EnterGARDINER,BishopofWinchester,aPagewithatorchbeforehim,metbyLOVELLGARDINERIt’soneo’clock,boy,is’tnot?BoyIthathstruck。GARDINERTheseshouldbehoursfornecessities,Notfordelights;timestorepairournatureWithcomfortingrepose,andnotforusTowastethesetimes。Goodhourofnight,SirThomas!
Whithersolate?LOVELLCameyoufromtheking,mylordGARDINERIdid,SirThomas:andlefthimatprimeroWiththeDukeofSuffolk。LOVELLImusttohimtoo,Beforehegotobed。I’lltakemyleave。GARDINERNotyet,SirThomasLovell。What’sthematter?
Itseemsyouareinhaste:aniftherebeNogreatoffencebelongsto’t,giveyourfriendSometouchofyourlatebusiness:affairs,thatwalk,Astheysayspiritsdo,atmidnight,haveInthemawildernaturethanthebusinessThatseeksdispatchbyday。LOVELLMylord,Iloveyou;
AnddurstcommendasecrettoyourearMuchweightierthanthiswork。Thequeen’sinlabour,Theysay,ingreatextremity;andfear’dShe’llwiththelabourend。GARDINERThefruitshegoeswithIprayforheartily,thatitmayfindGoodtime,andlive:butforthestock,SirThomas,Iwishitgrubb’dupnow。LOVELLMethinksIcouldCrytheamen;andyetmyconsciencesaysShe’sagoodcreature,and,sweetlady,doesDeserveourbetterwishes。GARDINERBut,sir,sir,Hearme,SirThomas:you’reagentlemanOfmineownway;Iknowyouwise,religious;
And,letmetellyou,itwillne’erbewell,’Twillnot,SirThomasLovell,take’tofme,TillCranmer,Cromwell,hertwohands,andshe,Sleepintheirgraves。LOVELLNow,sir,youspeakoftwoThemostremark’di’thekingdom。AsforCromwell,Besidethatofthejewelhouse,ismademasterO’therolls,andtheking’ssecretary;further,sir,Standsinthegapandtradeofmoepreferments,Withwhichthetimewillloadhim。ThearchbishopIstheking’shandandtongue;andwhodarespeakOnesyllableagainsthim?GARDINERYes,yes,SirThomas,Therearethatdare;andImyselfhaveventuredTospeakmymindofhim:andindeedthisday,Sir,Imaytellityou,IthinkIhaveIncensedthelordso’thecouncil,thatheis,ForsoIknowheis,theyknowheis,Amostarchheretic,apestilenceThatdoesinfecttheland:withwhichtheymovedHavebrokenwiththeking;whohathsofarGiveneartoourcomplaint,ofhisgreatgraceAndprincelycareforeseeingthosefellmischiefsOurreasonslaidbeforehim,hathcommandedTo—morrowmorningtothecouncil—boardHebeconvented。He’sarankweed,SirThomas,Andwemustroothimout。FromyouraffairsIhinderyoutoolong:goodnight,SirThomas。LOVELLManygoodnights,mylord:Irestyourservant。
ExeuntGARDINERandPageEnterKINGHENRYVIIIandSUFFOLKKINGHENRYVIIICharles,Iwillplaynomoretonight;
Mymind’snoton’t;youaretoohardforme。SUFFOLKSir,Ididneverwinofyoubefore。KINGHENRYVIIIButlittle,Charles;
Norshallnot,whenmyfancy’sonmyplay。
Now,Lovell,fromthequeenwhatisthenews?LOVELLIcouldnotpersonallydelivertoherWhatyoucommandedme,butbyherwomanIsentyourmessage;whoreturn’dherthanksInthegreat’sthumbleness,anddesiredyourhighnessMostheartilytoprayforher。KINGHENRYVIIIWhatsay’stthou,ha?
Toprayforher?what,isshecryingout?LOVELLSosaidherwoman;andthathersufferancemadeAlmosteachpangadeath。KINGHENRYVIIIAlas,goodlady!SUFFOLKGodsafelyquitherofherburthen,andWithgentletravail,tothegladdingofYourhighnesswithanheir!KINGHENRYVIII’Tismidnight,Charles;
Prithee,tobed;andinthyprayersrememberTheestateofmypoorqueen。Leavemealone;
ForImustthinkofthatwhichcompanyWouldnotbefriendlyto。SUFFOLKIwishyourhighnessAquietnight;andmygoodmistresswillRememberinmyprayers。KINGHENRYVIIICharles,goodnight。
ExitSUFFOLK
EnterDENNY
Well,sir,whatfollows?DENNYSir,Ihavebroughtmylordthearchbishop,Asyoucommandedme。KINGHENRYVIIIHa!Canterbury?DENNYAy,mygoodlord。KINGHENRYVIII’Tistrue:whereishe,Denny?DENNYHeattendsyourhighness’pleasure。
ExitDENNYLOVELL[Aside]Thisisaboutthatwhichthebishopspake:
Iamhappilycomehither。
Re—enterDENNY,withCRANMERKINGHENRYVIIIAvoidthegallery。
LOVELLseemstostayHa!Ihavesaid。Begone。What!
ExeuntLOVELLandDENNYCRANMER[Aside]
Iamfearful:whereforefrownshethus?
’Tishisaspectofterror。All’snotwell。KINGHENRYVIIIHownow,mylord!youdesiretoknowWhereforeIsentforyou。CRANMER[Kneeling]ItismydutyToattendyourhighness’pleasure。KINGHENRYVIIIPrayyou,arise,MygoodandgraciousLordofCanterbury。
Come,youandImustwalkaturntogether;
Ihavenewstotellyou:come,come,givemeyourhand。
Ah,mygoodlord,IgrieveatwhatIspeak,AndamrightsorrytorepeatwhatfollowsIhave,andmostunwillingly,oflateHeardmanygrievous,Idosay,mylord,Grievouscomplaintsofyou;which,beingconsider’d,Havemovedusandourcouncil,thatyoushallThismorningcomebeforeus;where,Iknow,Youcannotwithsuchfreedompurgeyourself,Butthat,tillfurthertrialinthosechargesWhichwillrequireyouranswer,youmusttakeYourpatiencetoyou,andbewellcontentedTomakeyourhouseourTower:youabrotherofus,Itfitswethusproceed,orelsenowitnessWouldcomeagainstyou。CRANMER[Kneeling]
Ihumblythankyourhighness;
AndamrightgladtocatchthisgoodoccasionMostthroughlytobewinnow’d,wheremychaffAndcornshallflyasunder:for,Iknow,There’snonestandsundermorecalumnioustonguesThanImyself,poorman。KINGHENRYVIIIStandup,goodCanterbury:
ThytruthandthyintegrityisrootedInus,thyfriend:givemethyhand,standup:
Prithee,let’swalk。Now,bymyholidame。
Whatmannerofmanareyou?Mylord,Ilook’dYouwouldhavegivenmeyourpetition,thatIshouldhaveta’ensomepainstobringtogetherYourselfandyouraccusers;andtohaveheardyou,Withoutindurance,further。CRANMERMostdreadliege,ThegoodIstandonismytruthandhonesty:
Iftheyshallfail,I,withmineenemies,Willtriumpho’ermyperson;whichIweighnot,Beingofthosevirtuesvacant。IfearnothingWhatcanbesaidagainstme。KINGHENRYVIIIKnowyounotHowyourstatestandsi’theworld,withthewholeworld?
Yourenemiesaremany,andnotsmall;theirpractisesMustbearthesameproportion;andnoteverThejusticeandthetrutho’thequestioncarriesThedueo’theverdictwithit:atwhateaseMightcorruptmindsprocureknavesascorruptToswearagainstyou?suchthingshavebeendone。
Youarepotentlyopposed;andwithamaliceOfasgreatsize。Weenyouofbetterluck,Imean,inperjuredwitness,thanyourmaster,Whoseministeryouare,whilesherehelivedUponthisnaughtyearth?Goto,goto;
Youtakeaprecipicefornoleapofdanger,Andwooyourowndestruction。CRANMERGodandyourmajestyProtectmineinnocence,orIfallintoThetrapislaidforme!KINGHENRYVIIIBeofgoodcheer;
Theyshallnomoreprevailthanwegivewayto。
Keepcomforttoyou;andthismorningseeYoudoappearbeforethem:iftheyshallchance,Inchargingyouwithmatters,tocommityou,ThebestpersuasionstothecontraryFailnottouse,andwithwhatvehemencyTheoccasionshallinstructyou:ifentreatiesWillrenderyounoremedy,thisringDeliverthem,andyourappealtousTheremakebeforethem。Look,thegoodmanweeps!
He’shonest,onminehonour。God’sblestmother!
Iswearheistrue——hearted;andasoulNonebetterinmykingdom。Getyougone,AnddoasIhavebidyou。
ExitCRANMER
HehasstrangledHislanguageinhistears。
EnterOldLady,LOVELLfollowingGentleman[Within]Comeback:whatmeanyou?OldLadyI’llnotcomeback;thetidingsthatIbringWillmakemyboldnessmanners。Now,goodangelsFlyo’erthyroyalhead,andshadethypersonUndertheirblessedwings!KINGHENRYVIIINow,bythylooksIguessthymessage。Isthequeendeliver’d?
Say,ay;andofaboy。OldLadyAy,ay,myliege;
Andofalovelyboy:theGodofheavenBothnowandeverblessher!’tisagirl,Promisesboyshereafter。Sir,yourqueenDesiresyourvisitation,andtobeAcquaintedwiththisstranger’tisaslikeyouAscherryistocherry。KINGHENRYVIIILovell!LOVELLSir?KINGHENRYVIIIGiveheranhundredmarks。I’lltothequeen。
ExitOldLadyAnhundredmarks!Bythislight,I’llha’more。
Anordinarygroomisforsuchpayment。
Iwillhavemore,orscolditoutofhim。
SaidIforthis,thegirlwasliketohim?
Iwillhavemore,orelseunsay’t;andnow,Whileitishot,I’llputittotheissue。
ExeuntSCENEII。Beforethecouncil—chamber。Pursuivants,Pages,&;c。attending。
EnterCRANMERCRANMERIhopeIamnottoolate;andyetthegentleman,Thatwassenttomefromthecouncil,pray’dmeTomakegreathaste。Allfast?whatmeansthis?
Ho!
Whowaitsthere?Sure,youknowme?
EnterKeeperKeeperYes,mylord;
ButyetIcannothelpyou。CRANMERWhy?
EnterDOCTORBUTTSKeeperYourgracemustwaittillyoubecall’dfor。CRANMERSo。DOCTORBUTTS[Aside]Thisisapieceofmalice。IamgladIcamethiswaysohappily:thekingShallunderstanditpresently。
ExitCRANMER[Aside]’TisButts,Theking’sphysician:ashepass’dalong,Howearnestlyhecasthiseyesuponme!
Prayheaven,hesoundnotmydisgrace!Forcertain,Thisisofpurposelaidbysomethathateme——
Godturntheirhearts!Ineversoughttheirmalice——
Toquenchminehonour:theywouldshametomakemeWaitelseatdoor,afellow—counsellor,’Mongboys,grooms,andlackeys。ButtheirpleasuresMustbefulfill’d,andIattendwithpatience。
EntertheKINGHENRYVIIIandDOCTORBUTTSatawindowaboveDOCTORBUTTSI’llshowyourgracethestrangestsight——KINGHENRYVIIIWhat’sthat,Butts?DOCTORBUTTSIthinkyourhighnesssawthismanyaday。KINGHENRYVIIIBodyo’me,whereisit?DOCTORBUTTSThere,mylord:
ThehighpromotionofhisgraceofCanterbury;
Whoholdshisstateatdoor,’mongstpursuivants,Pages,andfootboys。KINGHENRYVIIIHa!’tishe,indeed:
Isthisthehonourtheydooneanother?
’Tiswellthere’soneabove’emyet。IhadthoughtTheyhadpartedsomuchhonestyamong’emAtleast,goodmanners,asnotthustosufferAmanofhisplace,andsonearourfavour,Todanceattendanceontheirlordships’pleasures,Andatthedoortoo,likeapostwithpackets。
ByholyMary,Butts,there’sknavery:
Let’emalone,anddrawthecurtainclose:
Weshallhearmoreanon。
ExeuntSCENEIII。TheCouncil—Chamber。EnterChancellor;placeshimselfattheupperendofthetableonthelefthand;aseatbeingleftvoidabovehim,asforCRANMER’sseat。SUFFOLK,NORFOLK,SURREY,Chamberlain,GARDINER,seatthemselvesinorderoneachside。CROMWELLatlowerend,assecretary。KeeperatthedoorChancellorSpeaktothebusiness,master—secretary:
Whyarewemetincouncil?CROMWELLPleaseyourhonours,ThechiefcauseconcernshisgraceofCanterbury。GARDINERHashehadknowledgeofit?CROMWELLYes。NORFOLKWhowaitsthere?KeeperWithout,mynoblelords?GARDINERYes。KeeperMylordarchbishop;
Andhasdonehalfanhour,toknowyourpleasures。ChancellorLethimcomein。KeeperYourgracemayenternow。
CRANMERentersandapproachesthecouncil—tableChancellorMygoodlordarchbishop,I’mverysorryTosithereatthispresent,andbeholdThatchairstandempty:butweallaremen,Inourownnaturesfrail,andcapableOfourflesh;fewareangels:outofwhichfrailtyAndwantofwisdom,you,thatbestshouldteachus,Havemisdemean’dyourself,andnotalittle,Towardthekingfirst,thenhislaws,infillingThewholerealm,byyourteachingandyourchaplains,Forsoweareinform’d,withnewopinions,Diversanddangerous;whichareheresies,And,notreform’d,mayprovepernicious。GARDINERWhichreformationmustbesuddentoo,Mynoblelords;forthosethattamewildhorsesPace’emnotintheirhandstomake’emgentle,Butstoptheirmouthswithstubbornbits,andspur’em,Tilltheyobeythemanage。Ifwesuffer,OutofoureasinessandchildishpityTooneman’shonour,thiscontagioussickness,Farewellallphysic:andwhatfollowsthen?
Commotions,uproars,withageneraltaintOfthewholestate:as,oflatedays,ourneighbours,TheupperGermany,candearlywitness,Yetfreshlypitiedinourmemories。CRANMERMygoodlords,hitherto,inalltheprogressBothofmylifeandoffice,Ihavelabour’d,Andwithnolittlestudy,thatmyteachingAndthestrongcourseofmyauthorityMightgooneway,andsafely;andtheendWasever,todowell:noristhereliving,Ispeakitwithasingleheart,mylords,Amanthatmoredetests,morestirsagainst,Bothinhisprivateconscienceandhisplace,Defacersofapublicpeace,thanIdo。
Prayheaven,thekingmayneverfindaheartWithlessallegianceinit!MenthatmakeEnvyandcrookedmalicenourishmentDarebitethebest。Idobeseechyourlordships,That,inthiscaseofjustice,myaccusers,Bewhattheywill,maystandforthfacetoface,Andfreelyurgeagainstme。SUFFOLKNay,mylord,Thatcannotbe:youareacounsellor,And,bythatvirtue,nomandareaccuseyou。GARDINERMylord,becausewehavebusinessofmoremoment,Wewillbeshortwithyou。’Tishishighness’
pleasure,Andourconsent,forbettertrialofyou,FromhenceyoubecommittedtotheTower;
Where,beingbutaprivatemanagain,Youshallknowmanydareaccuseyouboldly,Morethan,Ifear,youareprovidedfor。CRANMERAh,mygoodLordofWinchester,Ithankyou;
Youarealwaysmygoodfriend;ifyourwillpass,Ishallbothfindyourlordshipjudgeandjuror,Youaresomerciful:Iseeyourend;
’Tismyundoing:loveandmeekness,lord,Becomeachurchmanbetterthanambition:
Winstrayingsoulswithmodestyagain,Castnoneaway。ThatIshallclearmyself,Layalltheweightyecanuponmypatience,Imakeaslittledoubt,asyoudoconscienceIndoingdailywrongs。Icouldsaymore,Butreverencetoyourcallingmakesmemodest。GARDINERMylord,mylord,youareasectary,That’stheplaintruth:yourpaintedglossdiscovers,Tomenthatunderstandyou,wordsandweakness。CROMWELLMyLordofWinchester,youarealittle,Byyourgoodfavour,toosharp;mensonoble,Howeverfaulty,yetshouldfindrespectForwhattheyhavebeen:’tisacrueltyToloadafallingman。GARDINERGoodmastersecretary,Icryyourhonourmercy;youmay,worstOfallthistable,sayso。CROMWELLWhy,mylord?GARDINERDonotIknowyouforafavourerOfthisnewsect?yearenotsound。CROMWELLNotsound?GARDINERNotsound,Isay。CROMWELLWouldyouwerehalfsohonest!
Men’sprayersthenwouldseekyou,nottheirfears。GARDINERIshallrememberthisboldlanguage。CROMWELLDo。
Rememberyourboldlifetoo。ChancellorThisistoomuch;
Forbear,forshame,mylords。GARDINERIhavedone。CROMWELLAndI。ChancellorThenthusforyou,mylord:itstandsagreed,Itakeit,byallvoices,thatforthwithYoubeconvey’dtotheToweraprisoner;
Theretoremaintilltheking’sfurtherpleasureBeknownuntous:areyouallagreed,lords?AllWeare。CRANMERIstherenootherwayofmercy,ButImustneedstotheTower,mylords?GARDINERWhatotherWouldyouexpect?youarestrangelytroublesome。
Letsomeo’theguardbereadythere。
EnterGuardCRANMERForme?
MustIgolikeatraitorthither?GARDINERReceivehim,Andseehimsafei’theTower。CRANMERStay,goodmylords,Ihavealittleyettosay。Lookthere,mylords;
Byvirtueofthatring,ItakemycauseOutofthegripesofcruelmen,andgiveitToamostnoblejudge,thekingmymaster。ChamberlainThisistheking’sring。SURREY’Tisnocounterfeit。SUFFOLK’Tistherightring,byheaven:Itoldyeall,Whenyefirstputthisdangerousstonea—rolling,’Twouldfalluponourselves。NORFOLKDoyouthink,mylords,ThekingwillsufferbutthelittlefingerOfthismantobevex’d?Chancellor’Tisnowtoocertain:
Howmuchmoreishislifeinvaluewithhim?
WouldIwerefairlyouton’t!CROMWELLMymindgaveme,InseekingtalesandinformationsAgainstthisman,whosehonestythedevilAndhisdisciplesonlyenvyat,Yeblewthefirethatburnsye:nowhaveatye!
EnterKING,frowningonthem;takeshisseatGARDINERDreadsovereign,howmuchareweboundtoheavenIndailythanks,thatgaveussuchaprince;
Notonlygoodandwise,butmostreligious:
Onethat,inallobedience,makesthechurchThechiefaimofhishonour;and,tostrengthenThatholyduty,outofdearrespect,HisroyalselfinjudgmentcomestohearThecausebetwixtherandthisgreatoffender。KINGHENRYVIIIYouwereevergoodatsuddencommendations,BishopofWinchester。Butknow,IcomenotTohearsuchflatterynow,andinmypresence;
Theyaretoothinandbaretohideoffences。
Tomeyoucannotreach,youplaythespaniel,Andthinkwithwaggingofyourtonguetowinme;
But,whatsoe’erthoutakestmefor,I’msureThouhastacruelnatureandabloody。
ToCRANMER
Goodman,sitdown。NowletmeseetheproudestHe,thatdaresmost,butwaghisfingeratthee:
Byallthat’sholy,hehadbetterstarveThanbutoncethinkthisplacebecomestheenot。SURREYMayitpleaseyourgrace,——KINGHENRYVIIINo,sir,itdoesnotpleaseme。
IhadthoughtIhadhadmenofsomeunderstandingAndwisdomofmycouncil;butIfindnone。
Wasitdiscretion,lords,toletthisman,Thisgoodman,——fewofyoudeservethattitle,——
Thishonestman,waitlikealousyfootboyAtchamber——door?andoneasgreatasyouare?
Why,whatashamewasthis!DidmycommissionBidyesofarforgetyourselves?IgaveyePowerashewasacounsellortotryhim,Notasagroom:there’ssomeofye,Isee,Moreoutofmalicethanintegrity,Wouldtryhimtotheutmost,hadyemean;
WhichyeshallneverhavewhileIlive。ChancellorThusfar,Mymostdreadsovereign,mayitlikeyourgraceToletmytongueexcuseall。WhatwaspurposedConcerninghisimprisonment,wasrather,Iftherebefaithinmen,meantforhistrial,Andfairpurgationtotheworld,thanmalice,I’msure,inme。KINGHENRYVIIIWell,well,mylords,respecthim;
Takehim,andusehimwell,he’sworthyofit。
Iwillsaythusmuchforhim,ifaprinceMaybebeholdingtoasubject,I
Am,forhisloveandservice,sotohim。
Makemenomoreado,butallembracehim:
Befriends,forshame,mylords!MyLordofCanterbury,Ihaveasuitwhichyoumustnotdenyme;
Thatis,afairyoungmaidthatyetwantsbaptism,Youmustbegodfather,andanswerforher。CRANMERThegreatestmonarchnowalivemaygloryInsuchanhonour:howmayIdeserveitThatamapoorandhumblesubjecttoyou?KINGHENRYVIIICome,come,mylord,you’ldspareyourspoons:youshallhavetwonoblepartnerswithyou;theoldDuchessofNorfolk,andLadyMarquessDorset:
willthesepleaseyou?
Oncemore,myLordofWinchester,Ichargeyou,Embraceandlovethisman。GARDINERWithatrueheartAndbrother—loveIdoit。CRANMERAndletheavenWitness,howdearIholdthisconfirmation。KINGHENRYVIIIGoodman,thosejoyfultearsshowthytrueheart:
Thecommonvoice,Isee,isverifiedOfthee,whichsaysthus,’DomyLordofCanterburyAshrewdturn,andheisyourfriendforever。’
Come,lords,wetrifletimeaway;IlongTohavethisyoungonemadeaChristian。
AsIhavemadeyeone,lords,oneremain;
SoIgrowstronger,youmorehonourgain。
ExeuntSCENEIV。Thepalaceyard。Noiseandtumultwithin。EnterPorterandhisManPorterYou’llleaveyournoiseanon,yerascals:
doyoutakethecourtforParis—garden?yerudeslaves,leaveyourgaping。
WithinGoodmasterporter,Ibelongtothelarder。PorterBelongtothegallows,andbehanged,yerogue!isthisaplacetoroarin?Fetchmeadozencrab—treestaves,andstrongones:thesearebutswitchesto’em。I’llscratchyourheads:youmustbeseeingchristenings?doyoulookforaleandcakeshere,youruderascals?ManPray,sir,bepatient:’tisasmuchimpossible——
Unlesswesweep’emfromthedoorwithcannons——
Toscatter’em,as’tistomake’emsleepOnMay—daymorning;whichwillneverbe:
WemayaswellpushagainstPowle’s,asstirem。PorterHowgottheyin,andbehang’d?ManAlas,Iknownot;howgetsthetidein?
Asmuchasonesoundcudgeloffourfoot——
Youseethepoorremainder——coulddistribute,Imadenospare,sir。PorterYoudidnothing,sir。ManIamnotSamson,norSirGuy,norColbrand,Tomow’emdownbeforeme:butifIsparedanyThathadaheadtohit,eitheryoungorold,Heorshe,cuckoldorcuckold—maker,Letmene’erhopetoseeachineagainAndthatIwouldnotforacow,Godsaveher!
WithinDoyouhear,masterporter?PorterIshallbewithyoupresently,goodmasterpuppy。
Keepthedoorclose,sirrah。ManWhatwouldyouhavemedo?PorterWhatshouldyoudo,butknock’emdownbythedozens?IsthisMoorfieldstomusterin?orhavewesomestrangeIndianwiththegreattoolcometocourt,thewomensobesiegeus?Blessme,whatafryoffornicationisatdoor!OnmyChristianconscience,thisonechristeningwillbegetathousand;herewillbefather,godfather,andalltogether。ManThespoonswillbethebigger,sir。Thereisafellowsomewhatnearthedoor,heshouldbeabrazierbyhisface,for,o’myconscience,twentyofthedog—daysnowreignin’snose;allthatstandabouthimareundertheline,theyneednootherpenance:thatfire—drakedidIhitthreetimesonthehead,andthreetimeswashisnosedischargedagainstme;hestandsthere,likeamortar—piece,toblowus。Therewasahaberdasher’swifeofsmallwitnearhim,thatraileduponmetillherpinkedporringerfelloffherhead,forkindlingsuchacombustioninthestate。Imissedthemeteoronce,andhitthatwoman;whocriedout’Clubs!’whenI
mightseefromfarsomefortytruncheonersdrawtohersuccor,whichwerethehopeo’theStrand,whereshewasquartered。Theyfellon;Imadegoodmyplace:atlengththeycametothebroom—stafftome;Idefied’emstill:whensuddenlyafileofboysbehind’em,looseshot,deliveredsuchashowerofpebbles,thatIwasfaintodrawminehonourin,andlet’emwinthework:thedevilwasamongst’em,Ithink,surely。PorterThesearetheyouthsthatthunderataplayhouse,andfightforbittenapples;thatnoaudience,butthetribulationofTower—hill,orthelimbsofLimehouse,theirdearbrothers,areabletoendure。
Ihavesomeof’eminLimboPatrum,andtheretheyareliketodancethesethreedays;besidestherunningbanquetoftwobeadlesthatistocome。
EnterChamberlainChamberlainMercyo’me,whatamultitudearehere!
Theygrowstilltoo;fromallpartstheyarecoming,Asifwekeptafairhere!Wherearetheseporters,Theselazyknaves?Yehavemadeafinehand,fellows:
There’satrimrabbleletin:arealltheseYourfaithfulfriendso’thesuburbs?WeshallhaveGreatstoreofroom,nodoubt,leftfortheladies,Whentheypassbackfromthechristening。PorterAn’tpleaseyourhonour,Wearebutmen;andwhatsomanymaydo,Notbeingtorna—pieces,wehavedone:
Anarmycannotrule’em。ChamberlainAsIlive,Ifthekingblamemefor’t,I’lllayyeallBytheheels,andsuddenly;andonyourheadsClaproundfinesforneglect:yearelazyknaves;
Andhereyeliebaitingofbombards,whenYeshoulddoservice。Hark!thetrumpetssound;
They’recomealreadyfromthechristening:
Go,breakamongthepress,andfindawayoutToletthetrooppassfairly;orI’llfindAMarshalseashallholdyeplaythesetwomonths。PorterMakewaytherefortheprincess。ManYougreatfellow,Standcloseup,orI’llmakeyourheadache。PorterYoui’thecamlet,getupo’therail;
I’llpeckyouo’erthepaleselse。
ExeuntSCENEV。Thepalace。Entertrumpets,sounding;thentwoAldermen,LordMayor,Garter,CRANMER,NORFOLKwithhismarshal’sstaff,SUFFOLK,twoNoblemenbearinggreatstanding—bowlsforthechristening—gifts;thenfourNoblemenbearingacanopy,underwhichtheDuchessofNorfolk,godmother,bearingthechildrichlyhabitedinamantle,&;c。,trainbornebyaLady;
thenfollowstheMarchionessDorset,theothergodmother,andLadies。Thetrooppassonceaboutthestage,andGarterspeaksGarterHeaven,fromthyendlessgoodness,sendprosperouslife,long,andeverhappy,tothehighandmightyprincessofEngland,Elizabeth!
Flourish。EnterKINGHENRYVIIIandGuardCRANMER[Kneeling]Andtoyourroyalgrace,andthegoodqueen,Mynoblepartners,andmyself,thuspray:
Allcomfort,joy,inthismostgraciouslady,Heaveneverlaiduptomakeparentshappy,Mayhourlyfalluponye!KINGHENRYVIIIThankyou,goodlordarchbishop:
Whatishername?CRANMERElizabeth。KINGHENRYVIIIStandup,lord。
KINGHENRYVIIIkissesthechildWiththiskisstakemyblessing:Godprotectthee!
IntowhosehandIgivethylife。CRANMERAmen。KINGHENRYVIIIMynoblegossips,yehavebeentooprodigal:
Ithankyeheartily;soshallthislady,WhenshehassomuchEnglish。CRANMERLetmespeak,sir,Forheavennowbidsme;andthewordsIutterLetnonethinkflattery,forthey’llfind’emtruth。
Thisroyalinfant——heavenstillmoveabouther!——
Thoughinhercradle,yetnowpromisesUponthislandathousandthousandblessings,Whichtimeshallbringtoripeness:sheshallbe——
Butfewnowlivingcanbeholdthatgoodness——
Apatterntoallprinceslivingwithher,Andallthatshallsucceed:SabawasneverMorecovetousofwisdomandfairvirtueThanthispuresoulshallbe:allprincelygraces,Thatmouldupsuchamightypieceasthisis,Withallthevirtuesthatattendthegood,Shallstillbedoubledonher:truthshallnurseher,Holyandheavenlythoughtsstillcounselher:
Sheshallbelovedandfear’d:herownshallblessher;
Herfoesshakelikeafieldofbeatencorn,Andhangtheirheadswithsorrow:goodgrowswithher:
Inherdayseverymanshalleatinsafety,Underhisownvine,whatheplants;andsingThemerrysongsofpeacetoallhisneighbours:
Godshallbetrulyknown;andthoseaboutherFromhershallreadtheperfectwaysofhonour,Andbythoseclaimtheirgreatness,notbyblood。
Norshallthispeacesleepwithher:butaswhenThebirdofwonderdies,themaidenphoenix,Herashesnewcreateanotherheir,Asgreatinadmirationasherself;
Soshallsheleaveherblessednesstoone,Whenheavenshallcallherfromthiscloudofdarkness,WhofromthesacredashesofherhonourShallstar—likerise,asgreatinfameasshewas,Andsostandfix’d:peace,plenty,love,truth,terror,Thatweretheservantstothischoseninfant,Shallthenbehis,andlikeavinegrowtohim:
Whereverthebrightsunofheavenshallshine,HishonourandthegreatnessofhisnameShallbe,andmakenewnations:heshallflourish,And,likeamountaincedar,reachhisbranchesToalltheplainsabouthim:ourchildren’schildrenShallseethis,andblessheaven。KINGHENRYVIIIThouspeakestwonders。CRANMERSheshallbe,tothehappinessofEngland,Anagedprincess;manydaysshallseeher,Andyetnodaywithoutadeedtocrownit。
WouldIhadknownnomore!butshemustdie,Shemust,thesaintsmusthaveher;yetavirgin,AmostunspottedlilyshallshepassTotheground,andalltheworldshallmournher。KINGHENRYVIIIOlordarchbishop,Thouhastmademenowaman!never,beforeThishappychild,didIgetanything:
Thisoracleofcomforthassopleasedme,ThatwhenIaminheavenIshalldesireToseewhatthischilddoes,andpraisemyMaker。
Ithankyeall。Toyou,mygoodlordmayor,Andyourgoodbrethren,Iammuchbeholding;
Ihavereceivedmuchhonourbyyourpresence,Andyeshallfindmethankful。Leadtheway,lords:
Yemustallseethequeen,andshemustthankye,Shewillbesickelse。Thisday,nomanthinkHasbusinessathishouse;forallshallstay:
Thislittleoneshallmakeitholiday。
ExeuntEPILOGUE
’TistentoonethisplaycanneverpleaseAllthatarehere:somecometotaketheirease,Andsleepanactortwo;butthose,wefear,Wehavefrightedwithourtrumpets;so,’tisclear,They’llsay’tisnaught:others,tohearthecityAbusedextremely,andtocry’That’switty!’
Whichwehavenotdoneneither:that,Ifear,Alltheexpectedgoodwe’reliketohearForthisplayatthistime,isonlyinThemercifulconstructionofgoodwomen;
Forsuchaoneweshow’d’em:iftheysmile,Andsay’twilldo,Iknow,withinawhileAllthebestmenareours;for’tisillhap,Iftheyholdwhentheirladiesbid’emclap。