Malice ne'er meant : our breach of duty this way
Is business of estate ; in which we come
To know your royal pleasure.
K. Hen. Ye'ie too bold :
Go to ; I'll make ye know your times of business:
Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?
Enter WOLSEY and Campkius.
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 Canipeiiis'] You're
welcome.
Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom :
Use us and it. — [ To VVolsey^ My good lord, have 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 SuJ'olk\ We are busy ; go.
Nor. [aside to Suf.^ This priest has no pride in him !
Suf. {aside to Nor.\ Not to speak of ;
I would not be so sick though for his place :
But this cannot continue.
Nor. [aside to Snf.\ If it do,
I'll venture one have-at-him.
Si{f. [aside to Nor.\ 1 another.
[Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk
IVoi. Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom
Above all princes, in committing freely
K.H.V111.31.I VII. 283.
Actir.'] KING HEXRY THE EIGHTH. [Scene Jl
Your scruple to the voice of Christendom :
Who can be angry now? what envy reach you?
The Spaniard, tied by blood and favor to her,
Must now confess, if they have any goodness.
The trial just and noble. All the clerks,
i mean the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms
Have their free voices : Rome, the nurse of judgment,
Invited by your noble self, hath sent
One general tongue unto us, this good man.
This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius, - -
AVhom once more I present unto your highness.
K. Hen. And once more in mine arms I bid him wel-
come,
And thank the holy conclave for their loves : â–
They've sent me such a man 1 would have wish'd for.
Ca?n. Your grace must needs deserve all strangers*
loves.
You are so noble. To your highness' hand
I tender my commission ; — -by whose virtue —
The court of Rome commanding — you, my lord
Cardinal o( York, are join'd with me iheir servant
In the ur.partial judging of this business.
K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be ac-
quainted
Forthwith for what you come. — Where's Gardiner?
IVol. 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
favor
To him that does best : God forbid else. Cardinal,
Prithee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary :
I find him a fit fellow. [Exit IVolsey,
Re-enter WOLSEY, wz't/i Gardiner.
IVol. [aside to Gard.l Give me your hand : much joy
and favor to you ;
You are the king's now.
Gard. [aside to IIW.] But to be commanded
For ever by your grace, whose hand has rais'd me.
A'. Hen. Come hither, Gardiner. {Tluy converse aparU
VII. 284.. [k.h.viii. 32,
Act 1 1.] KING HE.\RY THE EIGHTH. \S.enelIt
Cam. My Lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace
In this man's place before him ?
Wol. Yes, he was.
Cam. Was he not held a learned man ?
Wol. Yes, surely.
Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread, then.
Even of yourself, lord cardinal.
Wol. How ! of me ?
Cam. They will not stick to say you envied him ;
And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous.
Kept him a foreign man still ; which so griev'd him,
That he ran mad and died.
Wol. Heaven''s peace be with him I
That's Christian care enough: for living murmurers
There's places of rebuke. He was a fool ;
For he would needs be virtuous : that good fellow.
If I command him, follows my appointment :
I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother.
We live not to be grip'd by meaner persons.
K. Hen. Deliver this with modesty to the queen.
\Exit Gardiner.
The most convenient place that I can think of
For such receipt of learning is Black-Friars ;
There ye shall meet about this weighty business : —
My Wolsey, see it furnish'd. — O, my lord,
Would it not grieve an able man to leave
So sw^eet a bedfellow } But, conscience, conscience,—
O, 'tis a tender place ! and I must leave her. {Exeunt.
Scene III. The same. An ante-chamber in the Owkhiw'^
apartments.
Enter Anne Bullen and an old Ladv.
Anne. Not for that neither: here's the pang tha:
pinches: —
His highness having liv'd so long with her, and she
So good a lady that no tongue could ever
Pronounce dishonor of her,— by my life,
She never knew harm-doing ;—0, npw, after
So many courses of the sun enthron'd.
Still growing in majesty and pomi).— the which
To leave's a thousand-fold more bitter than
K.H.VIII 33-1 VII. 28=;.
.-.CI//.] KIXG HE::RV rilE EIGHTH. \,Scene IIL
'Tis sweet at first t' acquire,— after this process.
To give her the avaunt ! it is a pity
Would move a monster.
Old L. Hearts of most hard tempel
^lelt and lament for her.
Ajine. O, God's will ! much better
She ne'er had known pomp : though't be temporal.
Yet, if that quarrel, fortune, do divorce
It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance panging
As soul and body's severing.
Old L. Alas, poor lady !
She's a stranger now again.
A?tne. So much the more
Must pity drop upon her. Verily,
I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born,
And range with humble livers in content,
Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief.
And wear a golden sorrow.
Old L. Our content
Is our best having.
Anne, By my troth and maidenhead,
1 would not be a queen.
Old L. Beshrew me, I would,
And venture maidenhead for't ; and so would you,
For all this spice of your hypocrisy :
You, that have so fair parts of a woman on you.
Have too a woman's heart ; which ever yet
Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty ;
\Vhich, to say sooth, are blessings ; and which gifts
Saving your mincing — the capacity
Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive.
If you might please to stretch it.
Anne. Nay, good troth, —
Old L. Yes, troth, and troth ; — you would not be a
queen }
Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven.
Old L. 'Tis strange ; a three-pence bow'd would hire
me,
Old as I am, to queen it: but, I pray you.
What think you of a duchess ? have you limbs
To bear that load of title ?
Anne. No, in truth.
VII. 2S6. [k.h.viii. 34.
Act II. 1 KING IIEXR J ' THE EIGHTH. [ ' . , ,., //.
Old L. Then you are weakly made : j)luck off a lillle ,
I would not be a young count in your way,
For more than blushing- comes to : if your back
Cannot vouchsafe this burden, 'tis too weak
Ever to get a boy.
Anne, How you do talk !
I swear again, I would not be a queen
For all the world.
Old L. In faith, for little England
Youd venture an emballing: 1 myselt
Would for Carnarvonshire, although there long'd
No more to the crown but that. — Lo, who comes here ?
E)tter the Lord Chamberlain.
Cham. Good morrow, ladies. What were't worth o
know
The secret of your conference }
Anne. My good lord.
Not your demand ; it values not your asking .
Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying.
Cha/n. It was a gentle business, and becoming
The action of good women : there is hope
All will be well.
Anne. Now, I pray God, amen I
Chain. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings
Follow such creatures. That you may, fair laciy.
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's
Taen of your many virtues, the king's majesty
Commends his good opinion to you, and
Does purpose honor to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke ; to which title
A thousand pound a year, annual support,
Out of his grace he adds.
Anne. I do not know
What kind of my obechence I should tender ;
More than my all is nothing : nor my prayers
Are not word's duly hallow'd, nor my wishes
More worth than empty vanities ; yet i)rayersand wishes
Are all I can return. I^eseech y
Vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience,
As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness :
Whose health and royalty I pray for.
K.H.VIII. 35.] VII 287.
A ci //.] KING HENR 1 ' THE EIGH TH, iScene III,
Chajn. Lady,
1 shall not fail t' approve the fair conceit
The king- hath of you. — [Aside] I've perus'd her well ;
Beautv and honor in her are so mingled,
That they have caught the king: and who knows yet
But from this lady may proceed a gem
To lighten all this isle'? — I'll to the king.
And say I spoke with you.
An?ie. My honor'd lord.
[Exit Lord Chamberlain^
Old L. Why, this it is ; see, see !
I have been begging sixteen years in court, —
Am yet a courtier beggarly, — nor could
Come pat betwixt too early and too late
For any suit of pounds ; and you, O fate !
A very fresh-fish here,— fie, fie upon
This compell'd fortune ! — have your mouth fill'd up
Before you open't.
An?ie. This is strange to me.
Old L. How tastes it ? is it bitter ? forty pence, no.
There was a lady once — 'tis an old story —
That would not be a queen, that would she not.
For all the mud in Egypt : — have you heard it ?
Anne. Come, you are pleasant.
Old L. With your theme, I could
O'ermount the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke !
A thousand pounds a year — for pure respect !
No other obligation ! By my life,
That promises more thousands : honor's train
Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time
I know your back will bear a duchess : — say.
Are you not stronger than you were ?
Anne. Good lady.
Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy.
And leave me out on't. Would I had no being.
If this salute my blood a jot : it faints me.
To think what follows.
The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful
In our long absence : pray, do not deliver
What here you've heard to her.
Old L. What do you think me i
[Exeunt,
VII. 288- CK.H.V111. 36,
Met 1 1. \ KING HESRY THE EIGHTH. iScent IV.
Scene IV, The same. A hall in Black-Briars.
Trumpets, seiuiet, and cornets. Enter tiuo Vergers*
with short silver wands; next tJieni, two Scribes, in
the habit of doctors; after them, the Archbishop of
Canterbury
coln, Ely, Rochester, and Saint Asai'h ; next
them, zvith some small distance, follows a (Jenllcmark
bearing the purse, with the great seal, and a cardi-
nal's hat; then, two Priests, bearing each a sih'er cross,-
then a Gentleman-usher bare-headed, accompanied
with a Sergeant-at-arms bearing a sih'er mace ; then:
two Gentlemen bearing two great sih'er pillars;
after them side by side^ the two Cardinals. WoLSEY^
and Campeius ; two Noblemen with the sword and
mace. Then enter the King and Queen, and their
trains. The King takes place under the cloth of
state ; the two Cardinals sit under him as judges.
The Queen takes place at some distance from the
King. TheV^\'^\\o^s place themselves on each side t he-
court, in manner of a consistory ; between them, the
Scribes. The Lords sit next the Bishops. The Crier
and the rest of the Attendants stand in convenient
order about the hall.
Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is read.
Let silence be commanded.
K. Hen. What's the need ?
It hath already publicly been read.
And on all sides th' authority allow'd ;
You may, then, spare that time.
lYol Be't so.— Proceed.
Scribe. Say, Henry King of England, come into thtr
court.
Crier, Henry King of England, &c.
K. Hen. Here. , ^ , ,
Scribe. Say, Katharine Queen of England, come mla
the court. . ,, , , o
Crier. Katharine, Queen of England. cVc.
r The Queen makes no answer, rises out oj her
chair, croes about the court, comes to the
King, \uid kneels at his feet; then speaks^
Q. Kath. Sir, I d'esire you do me right and justice ;
K.H.VIII. 37.] V"- '^9
Act //.] KING HEXRY THE EIGHTH. [Scene IP
And to bestow your pity on me : for
I am a most poor woman, and a stranger.
Born out of your dominions ; having here
No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you ? what cause
Hath my behavior given to your displeasure,
That thus you should proceed to put me off,
And take your good grace from me ? Heaven witness^
I've been to you a true and humble wife.
At all times to your will conformable ;
Ever in fear to kindle your dislike.
Yea. subject to your countenance, — glad or sorry,
As I saw it inclin'd. When was the hour
I ever contradicted your desire,
Or made it not mine too ? Which of your friends
Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy ? what friend of mine
That had to him deriv'd your anger, did I
Continue in my liking ? nay, gave notice
He was from thence discharg'd ? Sir, call to mind
That I have been your wife, in this obedience,
L'lnvard of twenty years, and have been blest
With many children by you : if, in the course
And process of this time, you can report.
And prove it too, against mine honor aught,
My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty.
Against your sacred person, in God's name.
Turn me away ; and let the foul'st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up
To the sharp'st kind of justice. Please you, sir,
The king, your father, was reputed for
A prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatch'd wit and judgment ; Ferdinand,
My father, king of Spain, was reckon'd one
The wisest prince that there had reign 'd by many
A year before : it is not to be question'd
That they had gather'd a wise council to them
Of ever}' realm, that did debate this business.
Who deem'd our marriage lawful. Wherefore I humbly
Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may
Be by my friends in Spain advis'd ; whose counsel
VII. 2QO. fK.H.VIII. 38
Act //.) KIXG llESR ) • THE I.ICH TIL [^^ ,-„^ IV
I will implore : if not, i' the name of God,
Your pleasure be fultiil'd !
Wol. You have here, lady, -
And of your choice, — tiiese reverend fathers ; men
Of singular integrity and learning.
Yea, the elect o' the land, who are assembled
To plead your cause : it shall be therefore bootless
That longer you defer the court ; as well
For your own quiet, as to rectify
What is unsettled in the king.
Cam. His grace
Hath spoken well and justly : therefore, madam,
It's fit this royal session do proceed ;
And that, without delay, their arguments
Be now produc'd and heard.
O. Kath. Lord Cardinal, —
To you I speak.
U^ol. Your pleasure, madam ?
Q. Kath. Sir,
I am about to weep ; but, thinking that
We are a queen, — or long have dream'd so, — certain
The daughter of a king, my drops of tears
I'll turn to sparks of fire.
IVol. Be patient yet.
Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble ; nay, before,
Or God will punish me. I do believe,
Induc'd by potent circumstances, that
You are mine enemy ; and make my challenge
You shall not be my judge : for it is you
Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,— _
Which God's dew quench ! Therefore I say again,
I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul
Refuse you for my judge ; whom, yet once more,
I hold my most malicious foe, and think not
At all a friend to truth.
Wol. I do profess
You speak not like yourself ; who ever yet
Have stood to chari'ty, and display 'd th' effects
Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom
O'ertopping woman's power. Madani.you do me wrong:
I have no spleen against you ; nor injustice
For you or any : how far I've proceeded,
K.H.VIII, 39.] VII. 2gi.
ActJl.] KIXG HE.XRV THE EIGHTH* {Scene IP,
Or how far further shall, is warranted
By a commission from the consistor}-,
Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me
That I have blown this coal : I do deny it :
The king is present : if't be known to him
That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound.
And worthily, my falsehood I yea, as much
As you have done my truth. But if he know
That I am free of your report, he knows
I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him
It lies to cure me : and the cure is, to
Remove these thoughts from you : the which before
His highness shall speak in, I do beseech
You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking.
And to say so no more.
Q. Kath. My lord, my lord,
I am a simple woman, much too weak
T' oppose your cunning. You're meek and humble-
mouth 'd ;
You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,
With meekness and humility ; but your heart
Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
You have, by fortune, and his highness' favors.
Gone slightly o'er low steps, and now are mounted
Where powers are your retainers ; and your words.
Domestics to you, serve your will as't please
Yourself pronounce their ofifice. I must tell you.
You tender more your person's honor than
Your high profession spiritual : that again
I do refuse you for my judge ; and here.
Before you all, appeal unto the Pope,
To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness.
And to be judg'd by him.
\Shc courtesies to the King, and offers io defarL
Cam. The queen is obstinate,
Stubborn to justice, apt t' accuse it, and
Disdainful to be tried by't : 'tis not well.
She's going away.
K, Hen. Call her again.
Crier. Katharine Queen of England, come into the
court.
Grif* Madam, you are call'd back.
VII. ags. liCH.viii. 40.
A^//.] KIXG HENRY THE KICHTH. [s ,•,;,- //•
Q. KatJi. What need you note it ? pray you, keep your
WAX
When you are call'cl, return.— Now, the Lord lit-lp,
They vex me past my patience ! — Pray you, pass on ;
I will not tarry ; no, nor ever more
Upon this business my appearance make
In any of their courts.
{^Ext'unt Queen, Griffith, ami her other Attendants,
K. He)i. Go thy ways, Kate :
That man i' the world who shall report he has
A better wife, let him in naught be trusted.
For speaking- false in that : thou art, alone —
If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness.
Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,
Obeying in commanding, and thy j^arts
Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out —
The queen of earthly queens : — she's noble bom;
And, like her true nobility, she has
Carried herself towards me.
Wol. Most gracious sir.
In humblest manner I require ) our highness,
That it shall please you to declare, in hearing
Of all these ears, — for where I'm robb'd and bound,
There must I be unloos'd; although not there
At once and fully satisfied, — whether ever I
Did broach this business to your highness ; or
Laid any scruple in your way, which might
Induce you to the question on't? or ever
Have to you — but with thanks to God for such
A royal lady — spake one the least word that might
Be to the prejudice of her present state,
Or touch of her good person .'*
K. Hen. My lord cardinal,
I do excuse you ; yea, upon mine honor.
I free you from't. You are not to be taught
That you have many enemies, that know not
W^hy they are so, but, like to village curs,
Bark when their fellows do ' by some of these
The queen is put in anger. You're excus'd:
But will vou be more justified.' you ever
Have wish'd the sleeping of this l)usiness ; never
Desir'd it to be stirr'd ; but oft have hinder'd, oft,
K.H.vni.41.3 VII. 203.
Act //.] KING HENRY THE EIGHTH {Scene IP.
The passages made toward it : — on my honor,
1 speak my good lord cardinal to this point.
And thus far clear him. Now, what mov'd me to't,
I will be bold with time and your attention : —
Then mark th' inducement. Thus it came; — give heed
to't : —
My conscience first receiv'd a tenderness,
Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter'd
By the Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador ;
Who had been hither sent on the debating
A marriage 'twixt the Duke of Orleans and
Our daughter Mary : i' the progress of this business,
Ere a determinate resolution, he —
I mean the bishop — did require a respite ;
Wherein he might the king his lord advertise
Whether our daughter were legitimate,
Respecting this our marriage with the dowager,
Sometimes our brother's wife. This respite shook
The bottom of my conscience, enter'd me,
Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble
The region of my breast; which forc'd such way.
That many maz'd considerings did throng,
And press'd in with this caution. First, methought
I stood not in the smile of heaven ; who had
Commanded nature, that my lady's womb.
If it conceiv'd a male child by me, should
Do no more offices of life to't than
The grave does to the dead ; for her male issue
Or died where they were made, or shortly after
This world had air'd them : hence I took a thought.
This was a judgment on me ; that my kingdom,
Well worthy the best heir o' the world, should not
Be gladded in't by me : then follows, that
I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in
By this my issue's fail ; and that gave to me
Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in
The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
Toward this remedy, whereupon we are
Now present here together ; that's to say,
I meant to rectify my conscience — which
I then did feel full sick, and yet not well —
By all the reverend fathers of the land
VII. 294. [k.h.vi\ \2,
Act //.] K/XG NEXK ) ■Tin-: KICII Til. [.S\ ,«^ //'
And doctors Icarn'd : — first I began in private
Witli you, my Lord of Lincoln ; you renumber
How under my oppression I did reek.
When I first mov'd you.
Lin. Very well, my liej^e.
A'. Hen. I have spoke long : be pleas'd yourself to say
How far you satisfied me.
Lin. So please your higliness.
The question did at first so stagger me, —
T3earing a state of mighty moment in't,
And consequence of dread, — that I committed
The daring'st counsel which I had to doubt ;
And did entreat your highness to this course
Which you are running here.
K. Hen. I then mov'd you,
JNIy Lord of Canterbury; and got your leave
To make this present summons: — unsolicited
I left no reverend person in this court ;
But by particular consent proceeded
Under your hands and seals : therefore, go on ;
For no dislike i' the world against the person
Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points
Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward:
Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life
\nd kingly dignity, we are contented
To wear our mortal state to come with her,
Katharine our queen, before the primest creature
That's paragon 'd o' the world.
Cam. So please your highness.
The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness
That we adjourn this court till further day:
â– Meanwhile must be an earnest motion
:Made to the queen, to call back her appeal
She intends unto his holiness. ( Tfuy rise to depart,
K. Hen. \aside\ I may i)erceive
These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor
This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.
I\Iy learn 'd and well-beloved servant. Cranmer,
Prithee, return : with thy approach, I know.
]\Iy comfort comes along.— Break up the cmirt :
I say, set on. [Exeunt in manner as they entered^
K.H.VIII. 43-1 VII. 295.
A.'illl.l KIXG HEXRV THE EIGHTH. [Seen*/,
ACT III.
Scene I. London. Palace at Bridewell: a room in the
Queen's apartment.
The Queen and so?ne of her Women at work.
Q. Kath. Take thy lute, wench : my soul grows sad
with troubles ;
Sing, and disperse 'em, if thou canst: leave working.
Song.
Orpheus with his lute made trees.
And the mountain-tops that freeze.
Bow themselves, when he did sing :
To his music plants and fiowers
Ever sprung ; as sun and showers
There had made a lasting spring.
Every thing that heard him play.
Even the billows of the sea,
Hung their heads, and then lay by.
In sweet music is such art,
Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep, or hearing, die.
E7iter a Gentleman.
Q. Kath. How now !
Goit. An't please your grace, the two great cardinals
Wait in the presence.
Q. Kath. Would they speak with me?
Gent. They will'd me say so, madam.
Q. Kath. Pray their graces
To come near. {Exit Gent.'] What can be their business
With me, a poor weak woman, fall'n from favor }
I do not like their coming, now I think on't.
They should be good men ; their affairs as righteous:
But all hoods make not monks.
Enter WOLSEY and Campeius.
IVol. Peace to your highness !
Q, Kath. Your graces find me here part of a house-
wife :
VII. 296. [k.h.viu. 44,
Act II I. '\ KIXG HENRY THE EIGHTH. \Stemt K
I would be all, aj^ainst the worst may hapjjcn.
What are your pleasures with me. reverend lords?
Wol. May't please you, noble madam, to withdraw
Into your private chamber, we shall give you
The full cause of our coming.
(2- Kath. Si)eak it here ;
There's nothing I have done yet, o' my conscience.
Deserves a corner: would all other wonun
Could speak this with as free a soul as I do !
My lords, I care not, — so much I am happy
Above a number, — if my actions
Were tried by every tongue, every eye saw 'em.
Envy and base opinion set against 'em,
I know my life so even. If your business