VII. 263. (k.h.viii. t6.
Aci /.] KI.\G HEM
The cardinal's and Sir Thomas LovcH'b heads
Should have gone off.
K. Hen. Ha ! what, so rank ? Ah-ha .'
There's mischief in this man : — canst thou say further?
Stirv. I can, my liege,
K . Hen. Proceed.
Surv. Being at Greenwich,
After your highness had reprov'd the duke
About Sir William Blomer, —
K. Hen. I remember
Of such a time : — being my sworn servant.
The duke retain'd him his. — But on ; what hence ?
Surv. " If," quoth he, " I for this had been committed.
As, to the Tower, I thought, — I would have play'd
The part my father meant to act upon
Th' usurper Richard ; who, being at Salisbury,
Made suit to come in's presence; which if granted.
As he made semblance of his duty, would
Have put his knife into him."
K. Hen. A giant traitor !
Wol. Now, madam, may his highness live in freedom,
And this man out of prison }
Q. Kath. God mend all !
K. He?i. There's something more would out of thee ;
what say'st .''
Sti?-v. After "the duke his father," with "the knife,"
He stretch'd him, and, with one hand on his dagger,
Another spread on's breast, mounting his eyes,
He did discharge a horrible oath ; whose tenor
Was, — were he evil us'd, he would outgo
His father by as much as a performance
Does an irresolute purpose.
K. Hen. There's his period.
To sheath his knife in us. He is attach'd ;
Call him to present trial : if he may
Find mercy in the law, 'tis his; if none,
Let him not seek't of us : by day and night.
He's traitor to the height. [Exeunt,
CH.VIII. 17.) ^11- •*>
Aci/.] KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. {Scent III,
Scene III. The same. A room in the palace.
Enter the Lord Chamberlain and Lord Sands.
Cham. Is't possible the spells of France should juggle
Men into such strange mysteries ?
Sands. New customs.
Though they be never so ridiculous.
Nay, let 'em be unmanly, yet are follow'd.
Cham. As far as I see, all the good our English
Have got by the late voyage is but merely
A fit or two o' the face ; but they are shrewd ones ;
For when they hold 'em, you would swear directly
Their very noses had been counselors
To Pepin or Clotharius, they keep state so.
Sands. They've all new legs, and lame ones : one would
take it,
That never saw 'em pace before, the spavin
Or springhalt reign'd among 'em.
Cham. Death ! my lord.
Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too,
That, sure,, they've worn out Christendom.
E?tfe?- Sir Thomas Lovell.
How now ?
What news. Sir Thomas Lovell }
Lov. Faith, my lord,
I hear of none, but the new proclamation
That's clapp'd upon the court-gate.
Cham, What is't for?
Lov. The reformation of our travel'd gallants.
That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors.
Cham. I'm glad 'tis there: now I would pray oui
monsieurs
To think an English courtier may be wise,
And never see the Louvre.
Lov. They must either —
For so run the conditions — leave those remnants
(3f fool and feather, that they got in France,
With all their honorable points of ignorance
Pertaining thereunto, — as fights and fireworks ;
Abusing better men than they can be,
Out of a foreign wisdom, — renouncing clean
VII. 270. [k.h.viii. i3,
Act I KING HENRY rilE F/CI/TIf. ys,rftf ///.
The faith they have in tennis, and tall stockings,
Short blister'd breeches, and those types of travel,
And understand a<^ain like honest men;
Or pack to their old playfellows : there, I take it.
They may, cum privilc^^io, wear awav
The lag-end of their lewdness, and !)e laugh *d at.
Sands. 'Tis time to give 'em physic, their diseases
Are grown so catching.
Cham. What a loss our ladies
Will have of these trim vanities !
Lcn>. Ay, marry.
There will be woe indeed, lords : the sly whoresons
Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies ;
A French song and a fiddle has no fellow.
Sands. The devil tiddle 'em ! I'm glad they're going;
For, sure, there's no converting of 'em : now
An honest countr\' lord, as 1 am, beaten
A long time out of play, may bring his plain-song,
And have an hour of hearing ; and, by'r lady,
Held current music too.
Cham. Well said, Lord Sands ;
Your colt's tooth is not cast yet.
Sands. No, my lord ;
Nor shall not, while I have a stump.
Cham. Sir Thomas,
Whither were you a-going .''
Lav. To the cardinal's :
Your lordship is a guest too.
Cham. O, 'tis true :
This night he makes a supper, and a great one.
To many lords and ladies ; there will be
The beauty of this kingdom, Fli assure you.
1.07'. That churchman bears a bounteous mind indt cd.
A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us ;
His dews fall every where.
Cham. No doubt he's nobU- ;
He had a black mouth that said other of him.
Sands. He may, my lord, — 'has wherewithal ; in hira
Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine:
Men of his way should be most liberal ;
They're set here for examples.
Cham. True, they are so;
K.H.VIII. 19.] VII. 271.
A^l.] KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. [Scene IK
But few now give so great ones. My barge stays ;
Your lordship shall along. — Come, good Sir Thomas,
We shall be late else ; which 1 would not be,
For I was spoke to, with Sir Henry Guildford,
This night to be comptrollers.
Sajids. I'm your lordship's. {^Exeunt,
Scene V. The same. The presejice-chamber in York-'
Place.
Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal,
a lo7iger table for the guests. Enter, on one side,
Anne Bullen a7id divers Lords, Ladies, and
Gentlewomen, as guests ; on the other, enter
Sir Henry Guildford.
Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his grace
Salutes ye all; this night he dedicates
To fair content and you : none here, he hopes.
In all this noble bevy, has brought with her
One care abroad ; he would have all as merry
As far's good companv, good wine, good welcome,
Can make good people. — O, my lord, youVe tardy :
Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and Sir Thomas
Lovell.
The very thought of this fa/r company
Clapp'd wings to me.
Cham. You're young, Sir Harry Guildford.
Sands. Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal
But half my lay thoughts in ■aim, some of these
Should find a running banquet ere they rested,
I think would better please 'em : by my life.
They are a sweet society of fair ones.
Lov. O that your lordship were but now confessor
To one or two of these !
Sands. I would I were ;
They should find easy penance.
Lov. Faith, how easy?
Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit .'' — Sir Harry,
Place you that side ; I'll take the charge of this :
His grace is entering. — Nay, you must not freeze ;
VII. 27a. (.K.H.VIII. ao
AcU.] KING IIEXRV THE EICH III. [Scene IV.
Two women plac'd together makes cold weather: —
My Lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking;
Pray, sit between these ladies.
Sands. By my faith,
And thank your lordship. — Ry your leave, sweet ladies :
[Sea/s himself bciivcoi A)ine Bullcu and another Lady,
If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me ;
1 had it from my father.
Anne. Was he mad, sir ?
Sands. O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too :
But he would bite none; just as I do now, —
He would kiss you twenty with a breath. \Kisses her,
Cham. Well said, my lord. —
So, now you're fairly seated. — Gentlemen,
The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.
Sands. For my little cure,
Let me alone.
Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended, and takes
his state.
IVol. Ye're welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady.
Or gentleman, that is not freely merry.
Is not my friend : this, to confirm my welcome ;
And to you all, good health. [Drinks,
Sands. Your grace is noble : —
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks.
And save me so much talking.
HW. My Lord Sands,
I am beholding to you : cheer your neighbors. —
Ladies, you are not merry : — gentlemen.
Whose fault is this ?
Sands. The red wine first must rise
In their fair cheeks, my lord ; then we shall have "cm
Talk us to silence.
Anne. You're a merry gamester,
My Lord Sands.
Sands, Yes, if I make my play.
Here's to your ladyship : and pledge it. madam.
For 'tis to such a thing, —
Anne. You cannot show mc
K.H.VIII. ai.] VII. 273-
Act /.) KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. IScene IV.
Sands. I told your grace they would talk anon.
\Drii7n and trumpets, and chambers discharged, within.
Wol. What's that ?
Cham. Look out there, some of ye. {^E.xit a Servant.
Wol. What warlike \'oice,
And to what end, is this ? — Nay, ladies, fear not ;
By all the laws of war ye're privileg'd.
Re-enter Servant.
Cham. How now ! what is't ?
Serv. A noble troop of strangers, —
For so they seem : they've left their barge, and landed ;
And hither make, as great ambassadors
From foreign princes.
Wol. Good lord chamberlain.
Go, give 'em welcome ; you can speak the French tongue ;
And, pray, receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'em
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them. — Some attend him.
\^Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and the
tables are removed.
You've now a broken banquet ; but we'll mend it.
A good digestion to you all : and once more
I shower a welcome on ye ; — welcome all.
Hautboys. Enter the King and others, as inasquers,
habited like shepherds, ushered by the Lord Cham-
berlain. They pass directly before the Car-
dinal, and gracefully salute him.
A noble company! what are their pleasures }
Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd
me
To tell your grace, — that, having heard by fame
Of this so noble and so fair assembly
This night to meet here, they could do no less,
Out of the great respect they bear to beauty.
But leave their flocks ; and, under your fair conduct.
Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat
An hour of revels with 'em.
Wol. Say, lord chamberlain,
They've done my poor house grace ; for which I pay 'em
A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.
VII. 274. [K.H.VIII. 22.
Act /.] KIXG HEXR J ■ 'J//E EIUJ/ TH. [v (n< IV.
^Ladies cJiosen for tJie dance. The K'/fii; c/iooses
Afuie Bitllcn.
K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch 'd ! O beauty,
Till now I never knew thee ! {Music. Dance.
Wol. My lord —
Ch a VI. Y o u r grac e ?
Wol. Pray, tell 'em thus much from me : —
There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,
More worthy this place than myself ; to whom,
If I but knew him, with my love and duty
I would surrender it.
Cham. I will, my lord.
\^Goes to the Masquers, and reiurns.
Wol. What say they?
Cham. Such a one, they all confess.
There is indeed ; which they would have your grace
Find out, and he will take it.
Wol. Let me see, then.
[ Comes from his state.
By all your good leaves, gentlemen ; — here I'll make
My royal choice.
K. Hen. Ye've found him, cardinal: [ Unmasking,
You hold a fair assembly ; you do well, lord :
You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal,
I should judge now unhappily.
Wol. I'm glad
Your grace is grown so pleasant.
K. Hen. My lord chamberlain.
Prithee, come hither : what fair lady's that ?
Cham. An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's
daughter. —
The Viscount Rochford, — one of her highness' women.
K. Hen. By heaven, she is a dainty one.— Sweetheart,
I were unmannerly, to take you out.
And not to kiss you {Kisses her\— h health, gentlemen I
Let it go round.
Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
r the privy chamber.^
Loi.'. Yes, my lord.
Wol. Your grace.
I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
K. Hen. I fear, too much.
K.H.VIII. 23.] V3I. ivs-
ActlL] KIXG HENRY THE EIGHTH. {Scene I.
IVol. There's fresher air, my lord.
In the next chamber.
K. Hen. Lead in your ladies, ever}- one : — sweet partner,
I must not yet forsake you : — let's be merr}' : —
Good my lord cardinal, I've half a dozen healths
To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
To lead 'em once again ; and then let's dream
Who's best in favor. — Let the music knock it,
\_Exeuiit with trumpets.
ACT II.
Scene I. LondoJt. A street.
Enter two Gentlemen, ineeting.
First Gent. Whither away so fast ?
Sec. Gent. O, — God save ye 5
E'en to the hall, to hear what shall become
Of the great Duke of Buckingham.
First Gent. I'll save you
That labor, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony
Of bringing back the prisoner.
Sec. Gent . Were you there }
First Gent, Yes, indeed, was I.
Sec. Gent. Pray, speak what has happen'd.
First Gent. You may guess quickly what.
Sec. Gent. Is he found guilty ?
First Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon't.
Sec. Gent. I'm sorr}- for't.
First Gent. So are a number more.
Sec. Gent. But, pray, how pass'd it }
First Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke
Came to the bar ; where to his accusations
He pleaded still, not guilty, and alleg'd
Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
The king's attorney, on the contrar}',
Urg'd on th' examinations, proofs, confessions
Of divers witnesses ; which the duke desir'd
To have brought, viz'd voce, to his face :
At which appear'd against him his surveyor;
Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor ; and John Car,
VII. 276. [K.H.V111. 941
Act//.] KING HENRY THE riCHTir. [Scmr /.
Confessor to him ; with that devil-moiik,
Hopkins, that made this mischief.
Sec. Gent. That was he
That fed him with liis prophecies ?
First Gent. The same.
All these accus'd him strongly; which he fain
Would have Hung from him, but, indeed, he could not :
And so his peers, upon this evidence.
Have found him guilty of high treason. Much
He spoke, and learnedly, for life ; but all
Was either pitied in him or forgotten.
Sec. Gent. After all this, how did he bear himself?
First Gent. When he was brought again to the bar, to
hear
His knell rung out, his judgment, — he was stirr'd
With such an agony, he swet extremely,
And something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty :
But he fell to himself again, and sweetly
In all the rest show'd a most noble patience.
Sec. Gent. I do not think he fears death.
First Gent. Sure, he does not, —
He never was so womanish ; the cause
He may a little grieve at.
Sec. Gent. Certainly
The cardinal is the end of this.
First Gent. 'Tis likely.
By all conjectures : first, Kildare's attainder,
Then deputy of Ireland ; who remov'd.
Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,
Lest he should help his father.
Sec. Gent. That trick of state
Was a deep-envious one.
First Gent. At his return
No doubt he will requite it. This is noted.
And generally, — whoever the king favors,
The cardinal instantly will find employment,
And far enough from court too.
Sec. Gent. All the commons
Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience.
Wish him ten fathom' deep : this duke as much
They love and dote on ; call him bounteous Buckinghan\
The mirror of all courtesy, —
K.H.VIII. 85.J VII. 277.
A:t //.] KING HENRV THE EIGHTH. [Stent I.
First Gent. Stay there, sir.
And see the noble-rLiin'd man you speak of.
£";//^r Buckingham />-(?;;; his arraigtunent ; tipstaves
before him ; the ax with the edge towards him ;
halberds on each side : with him Sir THOMAS
LovELL, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir Wil-
liam Sands, and common people.
Sec. Gent. Let's stand close, and behold him.
Buck. All good people,
You that thus far have come to pity me,
Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.
I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgment.
And by that name must die : yet, heaven bear witness.
And if I have a conscience, let it sink me.
Even as the ax falls, if I be not faithful !
The law I bear no malice for my death ;
'T has done, upon the premises, but justice:
But those that sought it I could wish more Christians r
Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em :
Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief,
Nor build their evils on the graves of great men ;
For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em.
For further life in this world I ne'er hope.
Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies
More than I dare make faults. You few that lov'd me.
And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,
His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave
Is only bitter to him, only dying,
Go with me, like good angels, to my end ;
And, as the long divorce of steel falls on me.
Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice.
And lift my soul to heaven. — Lead on, o' God's name.
Lov. I do beseech your grace, for charity,
If ever any malice in your heart
Were hid against me, now forgive me frankly.
Buck. Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you
As I would be forgiven : I forgive all ;
There cannot be those numberless offenses
'Gainst me I cannot take peace with : no black en\'y
Shall mark my grave. — Commend me to his grace ;
And, if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him
VII. 278. JlCR.VIII. 26,
*./^//.] KING HESRY IHE IlIGlITIl. ["crm, f.
You met him half in lieaven : my vows and pra)crs
Yet are tlie king's ; and, till my soul forsake mr,
Siiall cry for blessings on him : may he live
Longer than 1 have time to tell his years !
Ever belov'd and loving may his rule be!
And when old time shall lead him to his end,
C'.oodness and he till uj) one monument !
Lo7'. To the water-side I must conduct ) our grace ;
Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas \'aux.
Who undertakes you to your end.
Vau.v. Prej)are there,
The duke is coming : see the barge be ready ;
And fit it with such furniture as suits
The greatness of his person.
Buck. Nay, Sir Nicholas,
Let it alone ; my state now will but mock me.
When I came hither, I was lord high constable
And duke of Buckingham ; now, poor Edward Bohun :
Yet I am richer than my !)ase accusers,
That never knew what truth meant : I now seal It ;
And with that blood will make 'em one day groan for'l
My noble father, Henry of Buckingham.
Who first rais'd head against usuri)ing Richard,
Flying for succor to his servant Banister,
Being distress'd. was by that wretch betray'd
And without trial fell ; God's peace be with him I
Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying
My father's loss, like a most royal prince,
Restor'd me to my honors, and, out of ruins.
Made my name once more noble. Now his son,
Henry the Eighth, life, honor, name, and all
That made me happy, at one stroke has taken
For ever from the world. I had my trial.
And, must needs say, a noble one; which makes me
A little happier than my wretched father :
Yet thus far we are one in fcMtunes, — both
Fell by our servants, by those men we lov'd most ;
A most unnatural and faithless ser\-icc !
Heaven has an end in all : yet. you that hear mc.
This from a dving man receive as certain : —
Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels
Be sure you be not loose ; for those you make friends
K.H.VI1I. a;.] VII. %^i^
Act /I.] K1.\'G HhXRV THE EIGHTH. \Scene 1,
And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
The least rub in your fortunes, fall away
Like water from ye, never found again
But where they mean to sink ye. All good people.
Pray for me ! I must now forsake ye : the last hour
Of my long weary life is come upon me.
Farewell :
And when you would say something that is sad,
Speak how I fell, — ■ I've done ; and God forgive me !
{^ExciDit Buckiiighani and Train,
First Gent. O, this is full of pity ! — Sir, it calls,
I fear, too many curses on their heads
That were the authors.
Sec. Gent. 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.
First Gent. Good angels keep it from us !
What may it be ? You do not doubt my faith, sir ?
Sec. Gent. This secret is so weighty, 'twill require
A strong faith to conceal it.
First Gejit. Let me ha\'e it ;
I do not talk much.
Sec. Gent. 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
He sent command to the lord mayor straight
To stop the rumor, and allay those tongues
That durst disperse it.
Sec. Gent. But that slander, sir.
Is found a truth now : for it grows again
Fresher than e'er \i 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 ;
VII. >8o. [k.h.viii. 281
Actii:\ Kir.c HE.\Ry THE Eianrii. iSctntir.
And merely to revenge him on the emperor
For not bestowing on him, at liis asking,
Th' archbishopric of Toledo, this is puri)os'd.
Sec. Geiit. 1 think you've 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.
First Gent. 'Tis wuful.
We are too open here to argue this ;
Let's think in private more. \Exeunt.
Scene II. The Sivme. An ante-chamber in the palace.
Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a letter,
Cham. " My lord, — The horses your ladyship 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 commis-
sion and main power, took 'em from me ; with this rea-
son, — His master would be served before a subject, if
not before the king ; which stopped our mouths, sir."
I fear he will indeed : well, let him have them:
He will have all, I think.
E7iter 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,
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.
Siif. No, his conscience
Has crept too near another lady.
Nor. 'Tis so :
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 do! he'll never know himself else.
Nor, How holily he works in all his business I
K.H.VIII. 29.) VU.sSi.
.-*.-/ fr.i KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. {Scene I h
And with what zeal ! for, now he has crack'd the league
'Tween us and th' emperor, the queen's great-nephew.
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 ;
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 luster;
Of her that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with ; even of her
That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls.
Will bless the king: and is not this course pious? [true
Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel ! 'Tis most
These news are every where ; ever}^ 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
The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon
This bold bad man.
Sitf. And free us from his slavery.
Nor. We had need pray.
And heartily, for our deliverance ;
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages : all men's honors
Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd
Into what pitch he please.
Siif. For me, my lords,
I love him not, nor fear him ; there's my creed :
As I am made without him, so Fll stand.
If the king please ; his curses and his blessings
Touch m£ alike, they're 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
From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him : -
My lord, you'll bear us company .^
Cham. Excuse me ;
The king has sent me otherwise : besides,
Vou'll find a most unfit time to disturb him :
Health to your lordships !
VII. 282. (K.H.VIU. 30,
Act 11. \ KING HEXRY THE Eh.HTH, \S.tK, //.
Not\ Tlianks. my good lord chaiubcrli^ n.
\Exit Lord Chamberhxin. Xorfolk opens a fold-
ifig-door. The K/'fij^^ is d/sctnured s/t/ifii^^
and ?-eading pensh'ely.
Suf. How sad he looks ! sure, he is much afflicted.
A'. Hen. Who's there, ha ?
Nor. Pray (iod he be not aiij;r\
A'. Hen. Who's there. I say?' How dare you thus
yourselves
Into my private meditations?
Who am I, ha?
Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offenses