Of an ensuing evil, if it fall,

Greater than this.

First Gent.

Good angels keep it from us!

What may it be? You do not doubt my faith,

sir ?

Second Gent. This secret is so weighty, 't will require

A strong faith to conceal it.

First Gent.

I do not talk much.
Second Gent.

Let me have it;

145

I am confident;

You shall, sir: did you not of late days hear

A buzzing of a separation

Between the king and Katharine ?

First Gent.

Yes, but it held not:

For, when the king once heard it, out of anger 150 He sent command to the lord mayor straight

To stop the rumor and allay those tongues

That durst disperse it.

Second Gent.

But that slander, sir,

Is found a truth now: for it grows again
Fresher than e'er it was, and held for certain
The king will venture at it. Either the cardinal
Or some about him near have, out of malice
To the good queen, possess'd him with a scruple
That will undo her: to confirm this, too,
Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd, and lately;
As all think, for this business.

First Gent.
'Tis the cardinal ;
And merely to revenge him on the emperor
For not bestowing on him, at his asking,

155

160

The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purpos'd. Second Gent. I think you have hit the mark: 165 but is 't not cruel

That she should feel the smart of this? The

cardinal

Will have his will, and she must fall.

First Gent.

'Tis woeful.

We are too open here to argue this;
Let's think in private more.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-An Antechamber 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 5 'em from me; with this reason: his master would be served before a subject, if not before the king; which stopped our mouths, sir.

1Ο

I fear he will, indeed; well, let him have them: He will have all, I think,

Enter the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK.

Nor. Well met, my lord chamberlain.
Cham. Good day to both your graces.
Suf. How is the king employ'd?

Cham.

I left him private,

What's the cause?

Full of sad thoughts and troubles.

Nor.

Cham. It seems the marriage with his brother's

wife

Has crept too near his conscience.

Suf.

No, his conscience 15

'Tis so:

Has crept too near another lady.
Nor.
This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal:
That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune,
Turns what he list. The king will know him
one day.

Suf. Pray God he du: he 'll never know him- 20 self else.

Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! for, now he has crack'd the league

Between us and the emperor, the queen's greatnephew,

He dives into the king's soul, and there scatters Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, Fears, and despairs; and all these for his marriage:

25

30

And out of all these to restore the king,
He counsels a divorce; a loss of her
That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years
About his neck, yet never lost her lustre ;
Of her that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with; even of het
That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falis,
Will bless the king: and is not this course pious?
Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel! 35
'Tis most true

These news are everywhere; every tongue
speaks 'em,

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

40 The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold, bad man.

Suf.

And free us from his slavery.

Nor. We had need pray,

And heartily, for our deliverance,

Or this imperious man will work us all 45 From princes into pages: all men's honors Lie like one lump before him, to be íashion'd Into what pitch he please.

Suf.
For me, my lords,
I love him not nor fear him; there's my creed:
As I am made without him, so I'll stand,

50 If the king please; his curses and his blessings
Touch me alike, they are breath I not believe in.
I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him
To him that made him proud, the pope.

Nor.
Let's in;
And with some other business put the king
5 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.

60 Suf. How sad he looks! sure, he is much

afflicted.

K. Hen. Who's there, ha?

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 65 Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty this way Is business of estate, in which we come

To know your royal pleasure.

Ye're too bold:

K. Hen. Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business: Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?

Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS.

Who's there? my good lord cardinal? O my
Wolsey,

The quiet of my wounded conscience,

Thou art a cure fit for a king. [To CAMPEIUS.]
You're welcome,

70

Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom: Use us and it. [To WOLSEY.] My good lord, have 75 great care

I be not found a talker.

Wol.

Sir, you cannot.

I would your grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference.

K. Hen. [To NORFOLK and SUFFOLK.] We are busy; go.

Nor. [Aside to SUFFOLK.] This priest has no pride in him!

Suf. [Aside to NORFOLK.] Not to speak of: I would not be so sick, though, for his place: But this cannot continue.

Nor. [Aside to SUFFOLK.] If it do, I'll venture one have-at-him.

80