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。