And without trial fell; God's peace be with him! Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me, Where you are liberal of your loves, and counsels, Like water from ye, never found again But where they mean to sink ye. All good people, Farewell: And when you would say something that is sad, Speak how I fell.—I have done, and God forgive me! [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and Train. 1 Gen. O, this is full of pity!--Sir, it calls, I fear, too many curses on their heads, That were the authors. 2 Gen. If the duke be guiltless, 'Tis full of woe: Yet I can give you inkling Of an ensuing evil, if it fall, Greater than this. 1 Gen. Good angels keep it from us! Where may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir? 2 Gen. This secret is so weighty, 'twill require A strong faith to conceal it. 1 Gen. Let me have it; I do not talk much. 2 Gen. I am confident; You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear Between the king and Katharine ? [6] Strong faith, is great fidelity. JOHNSON 1 Gen. Yes, but it held not; For when the king once heard it, out of anger 2 Gen. But that slander, sir, Is found a truth now: for it grows again 1 Gen. 'Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor, The archbishoprick of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 2 Gen. I think you have hit the mark: But is't not cruel, That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal Will have his will, and she must fall. 1 Gen. 'Tis woful. We are too open here to argue this; SCENE II. [Exeunt. An Ante-chamber in the Palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a letter. Cham. My lord,―The horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. They were young, and handsome; and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission, and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason, His master would be served before a subject, if not be fore the king: which stopped our mouths, sir. I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them: Enter the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Cham. I left him private, Full of sad thoughts and troubles. Nor. What's the cause? Cham. It seems, the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suff. No, his conscience Has crept too near another lady. This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal: Turns what he lists. The king will know him one day. Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'Tis most These news are every where; every tongue speaks them, And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare Look into these affairs, see this main end, The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold bad man. Suf. And free us from his slavery. And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all From princes into pages: all men's honours Lie in one lump before him, to be fashion'd Into what pitch he please." Suf. For me, my lords, [7] This may allude to the retinue of the cardinal, who had several of the nobility among his menial servants. JOHNSON. [8] The allusion seems to be to the 21st verse of the 9th chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans: "Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same Jump, to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" COLLINS. I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed: If the king please; his curses and his blessings Nor. Let's in; And, with some other business, put the king From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him: -My lord, you'll bear us company? Cham. Excuse me ; The king hath sent me other-where besides You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him: Health to your lordships. Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. NORFOLK opens a folding door. The King is discovered sitting, and reading pensively. Suf. How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted. Nor. 'Pray God, he be not angry. K. Hen. Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations? Who am I? ha? Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offences Malice ne'r meant: Our breach of duty, this way, Is business of estate; in which, we come To know your royal pleasure. K. Hen. You are too bold; Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business : Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS. Who's there? my good lord cardinal ?--O my Wolsey, Thou art a cure fit for a king.-You're welcome, [TO CAMPEIUS. Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom; [TO WOLSEY. Wol. Sir, you cannot. [9] I take the meaning to be, Let care be taken that my promise be performed, that my professions of welcome be not found empty talk. JOHNSON. I would, your grace would give us but an hour Of private conference. K. Hen. We are busy; go. [To NORF. and Sur. Nor. This priest has no pride in him? I would not be so sick though, for his place :1 Nor. If it do, I'll venture one heave at him. Suf. I another. Aside. [Exeunt NORF. and SUF. Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom Above all princes, in committing freely Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? I mean, the learned ones, in christian kingdoms, One general tongue unto us, this good man, This just and learned priest, cardinal Campeius; K.Hen. And, once more, in mine arms I bid him welcome, And thank the holy conclave for their loves; They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for. I tender my commission; by whose virtue,- K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted Forthwith, for what you come :-Where's Gardiner ? Wol. I know, your majesty has always lov'd her So dear in heart, not to deny her that A woman of less place might ask by law, Scholars, allow'd freely to argue for her. K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; and my favour To him that does best; God forbid else. Cardinal, Pr'ythee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary ; I find him a fit fellow. [Exit WOLSEY. That is, so sick as he is proud. JOHNSON. |