KING HENRY VIII. PERSONS REPRESENTED. King Henry the Eighth. Cardinal Wolsey. Cardinal Campeius. Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury. Lord Chamberlain. Lord Chancellor. Bishop of Lincoln. Lord Abergavenny. Sir Henry Guildford. Sir Thomas Lovell. Sir Anthony Denny. Sir Nicholas Vaux. Secretaries to Wolsey. Cromwell, servant to Wolsey. Griffith, gentleman-usher to queen Katharine. Three other Gentlemen. Doctor Butts, physician to the king. Garter, king at arms. I COME no more to make you laugh; things SCENE I-London. An ante-chamber in the now, That bear a weighty and a serious brow, The play may pass; if they be still, and willing, Our own brains, and the opinion that we bring known The first and happiest hearers of the town, As they were living; think, you see them great, Palace. Enter the Duke of Norfolk, at one door; at the other, the Duke of Buckingham, and the Lord Abergavenny. Made Britain, India: every man, that stood, The peace between the French and us not values The cost that did conclude it. Buck. Every man, chal-After the hideous storm that follow'd, was A thing inspir'd: and, not consulting, broke Into a general prophecy,-That this tempest Dashing the garment of this peace, aboded The sudden breach on't. Which is budded out; For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'd Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux. The noble spirits to arms, they did perform Being now seen possible enough, got credit, Buck. Buck. Who did guide, I mean, who set the body and the limbs Of this great sport together, as you guess? Nor. One, certes, that promises no element* In such a business. Buck. I pray you, who, my lord? Nor. All this was order'd by the good discretion Of the right reverend cardinal of York. Buck. The devil speed him! no man's pie is freed From his ambitious finger. What had he To do in these fierce' vanities? I wonder, That such a keech can with his very bulk Take up the rays o' the beneficial sun, And keep it from the earth. Nor. Our reverend cardinal carried." Nor. 'Like it your grace, The state takes notice of the private difference Betwixt you and the cardinal. I advise you, (And take it from a heart that wishes towards you Honour and plenteous safety,) that you read The cardinal's malice and his potency Together: to consider further, that What his high hatred would effect, wants not A minister in his power: You know his nature, That he's revengeful; and I know, his sword Hath a sharp edge: it's long, and, it may be said, It reaches far; and where 'twill not extend, Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel, You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that rock, That I advise your shunning. Enter Cardinal Wolsey (the purse borne before him,) certain of the guard, and two Secretaries with papers. The Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on Buckingham, and Buckingham on him, both full of disdain. Wol. The duke of Buckingham's surveyor, ha? Where's his examination? 1 Secr. Here, so please you. Wol. Is he in person ready? 1 Secr. Ay, please your grace. Wol. Well, we shall then know more; and Buckingham Shall lessen this big look. [Ere. Wolsey and train. Buck. This butcher's curio is venom-mouth'd, He bores me with some trick: He's gone to the (As soon he shall by me,) that thus the cardinal I'll follow, and out-stare him. Nor. Stay, my lord, And let your reason with your choler question What 'tis you go about: To climb steep hills, Requires slow pace at first: Anger is like A full-hot horse; who being allow'd his way, Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England Can advise me like you: be to yourself As you would to your friend. Buck. I'll to the king; And from a mouth of honour quite cry down This Ipswich fellow's insolence; or proclaim, There's difference in no persons. Nor. Be advis'd; Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot Buck. Sir, I am thankful to you; and I'll go along By your prescription:-but this top-proud fellow, As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox, Nor. Buck. Pray, give me favour, sir. This cunning cardinal The articles o'the combination drew, To the old dam, treason,) Charles the Emperor, Nor. I am sorry To hear this of him; and could wish, he were Something mistaken in't. Buck. No, not a syllable; Enter Brandon; a Sergeant at Arms before him, and two or three of the guards. Bran. Your office, serjeant; execute it. My lord the duke of Buckingham, and earl Buck. Sir, Lo you, my lord, The net has fall'n upon me; I shall perish Under device and practice.3 Bran. I am sorry To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on Buck. It will help me nothing, To plead mine innocence; for that die is on me, Which makes my whitest part black. The will of Heaven Enter King Henry, Cardinal Wolsey, the Lords of the Council, Sir Thomas Lovell, Officers, and Assistants. The King enters, leaning on the Cardinal's shoulder. K. Hen. My life itself, and the best heart of it, Thanks you for this great care: I stood i'the level Of a full-charg'd confederacy, and give thanks To you that chok'd it.-Let be call'd before us That gentleman of Buckingham's: in person I'll hear him his confessions justify; And point by point the treasons of his master He shall again relate. The King takes his state. The Lords of the Council take their several places. The Cardinal places himself under the King's feet, on his right side. |