Shakespeare Portal

Act 3, Scene 2

Ante-chamber to the King's apartment.

  1. [Enter the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain.]
  2. Duke of Norfolk
  3. 1711 If you will now unite in your complaints
  4. 1712 And force them with a constancy, the Cardinal
  5. 1713 Cannot stand under them. If you omit
  6. 1714 The offer of this time, I cannot promise
  7. 1715 But that you shall sustain moe new disgraces,
  8. 1716 With these you bear already.
  9. Earl of Surrey
  10. 1717 I am joyful
  11. 1718 To meet the least occasion that may give me
  12. 1719 Remembrance of my father-in-law, the Duke,
  13. 1720 To be reveng'd on him.
  14. Duke of Suffolk
  15. 1721 Which of the peers
  16. 1722 Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least
  17. 1723 Strangely neglected? When did he regard
  18. 1724 The stamp of nobleness in any person
  19. 1725 Out of himself?
  20. Lord Chamberlain
  21. 1726 My lords, you speak your pleasures.
  22. 1727 What he deserves of you and me I know;
  23. 1728 What we can do to him, though now the time
  24. 1729 Gives way to us, I much fear. If you cannot
  25. 1730 Bar his access to the King, never attempt
  26. 1731 Anything on him; for he hath a witchcraft
  27. 1732 Over the King in 's tongue.
  28. Duke of Norfolk
  29. 1733 O, fear him not;
  30. 1734 His spell in that is out. The King hath found
  31. 1735 Matter against him that for ever mars
  32. 1736 The honey of his language. No, he's settled,
  33. 1737 Not to come off, in his displeasure.
  34. Earl of Surrey
  35. 1738 Sir,
  36. 1739 I should be glad to hear such news as this
  37. 1740 Once every hour.
  38. Duke of Norfolk
  39. 1741 Believe it, this is true.
  40. 1742 In the divorce his contrary proceedings
  41. 1743 Are all unfolded; wherein he appears
  42. 1744 As I would wish mine enemy.
  43. Earl of Surrey
  44. 1745 How came
  45. 1746 His practices to light?
  46. Duke of Suffolk
  47. 1747 Most strangely.
  48. Earl of Surrey
  49. 1748 O, how, how?
  50. Duke of Suffolk
  51. 1749 The Cardinal's letters to the Pope miscarried,
  52. 1750 And came to the eye o' the King; wherein was read,
  53. 1751 How that the Cardinal did entreat his Holiness
  54. 1752 To stay the judgement o' the divorce; for if
  55. 1753 It did take place, "I do" quoth he "perceive
  56. 1754 My king is tangled in affection to
  57. 1755 A creature of the Queen's, Lady Anne Bullen."
  58. Earl of Surrey
  59. 1756 Has the King this?
  60. Duke of Suffolk
  61. 1757 Believe it.
  62. Earl of Surrey
  63. 1758 Will this work?
  64. Lord Chamberlain
  65. 1759 The King in this perceives him, how he coasts
  66. 1760 And hedges his own way. But in this point
  67. 1761 All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic
  68. 1762 After his patient's death. The King already
  69. 1763 Hath married the fair lady.
  70. Earl of Surrey
  71. 1764 Would he had!
  72. Duke of Suffolk
  73. 1765 May you be happy in your wish, my lord!
  74. 1766 For, I profess, you have it.
  75. Earl of Surrey
  76. 1767 Now, all my joy
  77. 1768 Trace the conjunction!
  78. Duke of Suffolk
  79. 1769 My amen to't!
  80. Duke of Norfolk
  81. 1770 All men's!
  82. Duke of Suffolk
  83. 1771 There's order given for her coronation.
  84. 1772 Marry, this is yet but young, and may be left
  85. 1773 To some ears unrecounted. But, my lords,
  86. 1774 She is a gallant creature, and complete
  87. 1775 In mind and feature. I persuade me, from her
  88. 1776 Will fall some blessing to this land, which shall
  89. 1777 In it be memoriz'd.
  90. Earl of Surrey
  91. 1778 But, will the King
  92. 1779 Digest this letter of the Cardinal's?
  93. 1780 The Lord forbid!
  94. Duke of Norfolk
  95. 1781 Marry, amen!
  96. Duke of Suffolk
  97. 1782 No, no;
  98. 1783 There be moe wasps that buzz about his nose
  99. 1784 Will make this sting the sooner. Cardinal Campeius
  100. 1785 Is stolen away to Rome; hath ta'en no leave;
  101. 1786 He's left the cause o' the King unhandled, and
  102. 1787 Is posted, as the agent of our Cardinal,
  103. 1788 To second all his plot. I do assure you
  104. 1789 The King cried "Ha!" at this.
  105. Lord Chamberlain
  106. 1790 Now, God incense him,
  107. 1791 And let him cry "Ha!" louder!
  108. Duke of Norfolk
  109. 1792 But, my lord,
  110. 1793 When returns Cranmer?
  111. Duke of Suffolk
  112. 1794 He is return'd in his opinions; which
  113. 1795 Have satisfied the King for his divorce,
  114. 1796 Together with all famous colleges
  115. 1797 Almost in Christendom. Shortly, I believe,
  116. 1798 His second marriage shall be publish'd, and
  117. 1799 Her coronation. Katherine no more
  118. 1800 Shall be call'd Queen, but Princess Dowager
  119. 1801 And widow to Prince Arthur.
  120. Duke of Norfolk
  121. 1802 This same Cranmer's
  122. 1803 A worthy fellow, and hath ta'en much pain
  123. 1804 In the King's business.
  124. Duke of Suffolk
  125. 1805 He has; and we shall see him
  126. 1806 For it an archbishop.
  127. Duke of Norfolk
  128. 1807 So I hear.
  129. Duke of Suffolk
  130. 1808 'Tis so.
  131. [Enter Wolsey and Cromwell.]
  132. Duke of Suffolk
  133. 1809 The Cardinal!
  134. Duke of Norfolk
  135. 1810 Observe, observe, he's moody.
  136. Cardinal Wolsey
  137. 1811 The packet, Cromwell,
  138. 1812 Gave't you the King?
  139. Thomas Cromwell
  140. 1813 To his own hand, in 's bedchamber.
  141. Cardinal Wolsey
  142. 1814 Look'd he o' the inside of the paper?
  143. Thomas Cromwell
  144. 1815 Presently
  145. 1816 He did unseal them; and the first he view'd,
  146. 1817 He did it with a serious mind; a heed
  147. 1818 Was in his countenance. You he bade
  148. 1819 Attend him here this morning.
  149. Cardinal Wolsey
  150. 1820 Is he ready
  151. 1821 To come abroad?
  152. Thomas Cromwell
  153. 1822 I think, by this he is.
  154. Cardinal Wolsey
  155. 1823 Leave me awhile.
  156. [Exit Cromwell.]
  157. [Aside.]
  158. Cardinal Wolsey
  159. 1824 It shall be to the Duchess of Alencon,
  160. 1825 The French king's sister; he shall marry her.
  161. 1826 Anne Bullen! No; I'll no Anne Bullens for him;
  162. 1827 There's more in't than fair visage. Bullen!
  163. 1828 No, we'll no Bullens. Speedily I wish
  164. 1829 To hear from Rome. The Marchioness of Pembroke!
  165. Duke of Norfolk
  166. 1830 He's discontented.
  167. Duke of Suffolk
  168. 1831 May be, he hears the King
  169. 1832 Does whet his anger to him.
  170. Earl of Surrey
  171. 1833 Sharp enough,
  172. 1834 Lord, for thy justice!
  173. [Aside.]
  174. Cardinal Wolsey
  175. 1835 The late queen's gentlewoman, a knight's daughter,
  176. 1836 To be her mistress' mistress! the Queen's queen!
  177. 1837 This candle burns not clear: 'tis I must snuff it;
  178. 1838 Then out it goes. What though I know her virtuous
  179. 1839 And well deserving? yet I know her for
  180. 1840 A spleeny Lutheran; and not wholesome to
  181. 1841 Our cause, that she should lie i' the bosom of
  182. 1842 Our hard-rul'd King. Again, there is sprung up
  183. 1843 An heretic, an arch one, Cranmer; one
  184. 1844 Hath crawl'd into the favour of the King,
  185. 1845 And is his oracle.
  186. Duke of Norfolk
  187. 1846 He's vex'd at something.
  188. [Enter the King, reading a schedule, and Lovell.]
  189. Earl of Surrey
  190. 1847 I would 'twere something that would fret the string,
  191. 1848 The master-cord on 's heart!
  192. Duke of Suffolk
  193. 1849 The King, the King!
  194. King Henry VIII
  195. 1850 What piles of wealth hath he accumulated
  196. 1851 To his own portion! and what expense by the hour
  197. 1852 Seems to flow from him! How, i' the name of thrift,
  198. 1853 Does he rake this together! Now, my lords,
  199. 1854 Saw you the Cardinal?
  200. Duke of Norfolk
  201. 1855 My lord, we have
  202. 1856 Stood here observing him. Some strange commotion
  203. 1857 Is in his brain; he bites his lip, and starts;
  204. 1858 Stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground,
  205. 1859 Then lays his finger on his temple; straight
  206. 1860 Springs out into fast gait; then stops again,
  207. 1861 Strikes his breast hard; and anon he casts
  208. 1862 His eye against the moon. In most strange postures
  209. 1863 We have seen him set himself.
  210. King Henry VIII
  211. 1864 It may well be;
  212. 1865 There is a mutiny in 's mind. This morning
  213. 1866 Papers of state he sent me to peruse,
  214. 1867 As I requir'd; and wot you what I found
  215. 1868 There,—on my conscience, put unwittingly?
  216. 1869 Forsooth, an inventory, thus importing
  217. 1870 The several parcels of his plate, his treasure,
  218. 1871 Rich stuffs, and ornaments of household; which
  219. 1872 I find at such proud rate, that it out-speaks
  220. 1873 Possession of a subject.
  221. Duke of Norfolk
  222. 1874 It's Heaven's will!
  223. 1875 Some spirit put this paper in the packet,
  224. 1876 To bless your eye withal.
  225. King Henry VIII
  226. 1877 If we did think
  227. 1878 His contemplation were above the earth ,
  228. 1879 And fix'd on spiritual object, he should still
  229. 1880 Dwell in his musings; but I am afraid
  230. 1881 His thinkings are below the moon, not worth
  231. 1882 His serious considering.
  232. [King takes his seat; whispers Lovell, who goes to the Cardinal.]
  233. Cardinal Wolsey
  234. 1883 Heaven forgive me!
  235. 1884 Ever God bless your Highness!
  236. King Henry VIII
  237. 1885 Good my lord,
  238. 1886 You are full of heavenly stuff, and bear the inventory
  239. 1887 Of your best graces in your mind; the which
  240. 1888 You were now running o'er. You have scarce time
  241. 1889 To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span
  242. 1890 To keep your earthly audit. Sure, in that
  243. 1891 I deem you an ill husband, and am glad
  244. 1892 To have you therein my companion.
  245. Cardinal Wolsey
  246. 1893 Sir,
  247. 1894 For holy offices I have a time; a time
  248. 1895 To think upon the part of business which
  249. 1896 I bear i' the state; and Nature does require
  250. 1897 Her times of preservation, which perforce
  251. 1898 I, her frail son, amongst my brethren mortal,
  252. 1899 Must give my tendance to.
  253. King Henry VIII
  254. 1900 You have said well.
  255. Cardinal Wolsey
  256. 1901 And ever may your Highness yoke together,
  257. 1902 As I will lend you cause, my doing well
  258. 1903 With my well saying!
  259. King Henry VIII
  260. 1904 'Tis well said again;
  261. 1905 And 'tis a kind of good deed to say well;
  262. 1906 And yet words are no deeds. My father lov'd you;
  263. 1907 He said he did; and with his deed did crown
  264. 1908 His word upon you. Since I had my office,
  265. 1909 I have kept you next my heart; have not alone
  266. 1910 Employ'd you where high profits might come home,
  267. 1911 But par'd my present havings, to bestow
  268. 1912 My bounties upon you.
  269. [Aside.]
  270. Cardinal Wolsey
  271. 1913 What should this mean?
  272. [Aside.]
  273. Earl of Surrey
  274. 1914 The Lord increase this business!
  275. King Henry VIII
  276. 1915 Have I not made you
  277. 1916 The prime man of the state? I pray you, tell me,
  278. 1917 If what I now pronounce you have found true
  279. 1918 And, if you may confess it, say withal,
  280. 1919 If you are bound to us or no. What say you?
  281. Cardinal Wolsey
  282. 1920 My sovereign, I confess your royal graces,
  283. 1921 Shower'd on me daily, have been more than could
  284. 1922 My studied purposes requite, which went
  285. 1923 Beyond all man's endeavours. My endeavours
  286. 1924 Have ever come too short of my desires,
  287. 1925 Yet fil'd with my abilities. Mine own ends
  288. 1926 Have been mine so that evermore they pointed
  289. 1927 To the good of your most sacred person and
  290. 1928 The profit of the state. For your great graces
  291. 1929 Heap'd upon me, poor undeserver, I
  292. 1930 Can nothing render but allegiant thanks,
  293. 1931 My prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty,
  294. 1932 Which ever has and ever shall be growing,
  295. 1933 Till death, that winter, kill it.
  296. King Henry VIII
  297. 1934 Fairly answer'd.
  298. 1935 A loyal and obedient subject is
  299. 1936 Therein illustrated. The honour of it
  300. 1937 Does pay the act of it, as i' the contrary,
  301. 1938 The foulness is the punishment. I presume
  302. 1939 That, as my hand has open'd bounty to you,
  303. 1940 My heart dropp'd love, my pow'r rain'd honour, more
  304. 1941 On you than any, so your hand and heart,
  305. 1942 Your brain, and every function of your power,
  306. 1943 Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty,
  307. 1944 As 'twere in love's particular, be more
  308. 1945 To me, your friend, than any.
  309. Cardinal Wolsey
  310. 1946 I do profess
  311. 1947 That for your Highness' good I ever labour'd
  312. 1948 More than mine own, that am, have, and will be—
  313. 1949 Though all the world should crack their duty to you,
  314. 1950 And throw it from their soul; though perils did
  315. 1951 Abound, as thick as thought could make 'em, and
  316. 1952 Appear in forms more horrid,—yet my duty,
  317. 1953 As doth a rock against the chiding flood,
  318. 1954 Should the approach of this wild river break,
  319. 1955 And stand unshaken yours.
  320. King Henry VIII
  321. 1956 'Tis nobly spoken.
  322. 1957 Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast,
  323. 1958 For you have seen him open't. Read o'er this;
  324. [Giving him papers.]
  325. King Henry VIII
  326. 1959 And, after, this; and then to breakfast with
  327. 1960 What appetite you have.
  328. [Exit King, frowning upon Cardinal Wolsey; the Nobles throng after him, smiling and whispering.]
  329. Cardinal Wolsey
  330. 1961 What should this mean?
  331. 1962 What sudden anger's this? How have I reap'd it?
  332. 1963 He parted frowning from me, as if ruin
  333. 1964 Leap'd from his eyes. So looks the chafed lion
  334. 1965 Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him;
  335. 1966 Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper;
  336. 1967 I fear, the story of his anger. 'Tis so;
  337. 1968 This paper has undone me. 'Tis the account
  338. 1969 Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together
  339. 1970 For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom
  340. 1971 And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence,
  341. 1972 Fit for a fool to fall by! What cross devil
  342. 1973 Made me put this main secret in the packet
  343. 1974 I sent the King? Is there no way to cure this?
  344. 1975 No new device to beat this from his brains?
  345. 1976 I know 'twill stir him strongly; yet I know
  346. 1977 A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune,
  347. 1978 Will bring me off again. What's this? "To the Pope!"
  348. 1979 The letter, as I live, with all the business
  349. 1980 I writ to 's Holiness. Nay then, farewell!
  350. 1981 I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness;
  351. 1982 And from that full meridian of my glory,
  352. 1983 I haste now to my setting. I shall fall
  353. 1984 Like a bright exhalation in the evening,
  354. 1985 And no man see me more.
  355. [Re-enter to Wolsey, the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Earl Of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain.]
  356. Duke of Norfolk
  357. 1986 Hear the King's pleasure, Cardinal! who commands you
  358. 1987 To render up the great seal presently
  359. 1988 Into our hands; and to confine yourself
  360. 1989 To Asher House, my Lord of Winchester's,
  361. 1990 Till you hear further from his Highness.
  362. Cardinal Wolsey
  363. 1991 Stay!
  364. 1992 Where's your commission, lords? Words cannot carry
  365. 1993 Authority so weighty.
  366. Duke of Suffolk
  367. 1994 Who dares cross 'em,
  368. 1995 Bearing the King's will from his mouth expressly?
  369. Cardinal Wolsey
  370. 1996 Till I find more than will or words to do it,
  371. 1997 I mean your malice, know, officious lords,
  372. 1998 I dare and must deny it. Now I feel
  373. 1999 Of what coarse metal ye are moulded, envy.
  374. 2000 How eagerly ye follow my disgraces,
  375. 2001 As if it fed ye! and how sleek and wanton
  376. 2002 Ye appear in every thing may bring my ruin!
  377. 2003 Follow your envious courses, men of malice!
  378. 2004 You have Christian warrant for 'em, and, no doubt,
  379. 2005 In time will find their fit rewards. That seal
  380. 2006 You ask with such a violence, the King,
  381. 2007 Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me,
  382. 2008 Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours,
  383. 2009 During my life; and, to confirm his goodness,
  384. 2010 Tied it by letters-patents. Now, who'll take it?
  385. Earl of Surrey
  386. 2011 The King, that gave it.
  387. Cardinal Wolsey
  388. 2012 It must be himself, then.
  389. Earl of Surrey
  390. 2013 Thou art a proud traitor, priest.
  391. Cardinal Wolsey
  392. 2014 Proud lord, thou liest!
  393. 2015 Within these forty hours Surrey durst better
  394. 2016 Have burnt that tongue than said so.
  395. Earl of Surrey
  396. 2017 Thy ambition,
  397. 2018 Thou scarlet sin, robb'd this bewailing land
  398. 2019 Of noble Buckingham, my father-in-law.
  399. 2020 The heads of all thy brother cardinals,
  400. 2021 With thee and all thy best parts bound together,
  401. 2022 Weigh'd not a hair of his. Plague of your policy!
  402. 2023 You sent me deputy for Ireland,
  403. 2024 Far from his succour, from the King, from all
  404. 2025 That might have mercy on the fault thou gav'st him;
  405. 2026 Whilst your great goodness, out of holy pity,
  406. 2027 Absolv'd him with an axe.
  407. Cardinal Wolsey
  408. 2028 This, and all else
  409. 2029 This talking lord can lay upon my credit,
  410. 2030 I answer is most false. The Duke by law
  411. 2031 Found his deserts. How innocent I was
  412. 2032 From any private malice in his end,
  413. 2033 His noble jury and foul cause can witness.
  414. 2034 If I lov'd many words, lord, I should tell you
  415. 2035 You have as little honesty as honour,
  416. 2036 That in the way of loyalty and truth
  417. 2037 Toward the King, my ever royal master,
  418. 2038 Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be
  419. 2039 And all that love his follies.
  420. Earl of Surrey
  421. 2040 By my soul,
  422. 2041 Your long coat, priest, protects you; thou shouldst feel
  423. 2042 My sword i' the life-blood of thee else. My lords,
  424. 2043 Can ye endure to hear this arrogance?
  425. 2044 And from this fellow? If we live thus tamely,
  426. 2045 To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet,
  427. 2046 Farewell nobility! Let his Grace go forward
  428. 2047 And dare us with his cap like larks.
  429. Cardinal Wolsey
  430. 2048 All goodness
  431. 2049 Is poison to thy stomach.
  432. Earl of Surrey
  433. 2050 Yes, that goodness
  434. 2051 Of gleaning all the land's wealth into one,
  435. 2052 Into your own hands, Cardinal, by extortion;
  436. 2053 The goodness of your intercepted packets
  437. 2054 You writ to the Pope against the King. Your goodness,
  438. 2055 Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious.
  439. 2056 My Lord of Norfolk, as you are truly noble,
  440. 2057 As you respect the common good, the state
  441. 2058 Of our despis'd nobility, our issues,
  442. 2059 Who, if he live, will scarce be gentlemen,
  443. 2060 Produce the grand sum of his sins, the articles
  444. 2061 Collected from his life. I'll startle you
  445. 2062 Worse than the sacring bell, when the brown wench
  446. 2063 Lay kissing in your arms, Lord Cardinal.
  447. Cardinal Wolsey
  448. 2064 How much, methinks, I could despise this man,
  449. 2065 But that I am bound in charity against it!
  450. Duke of Norfolk
  451. 2066 Those articles, my lord, are in the King's hand:
  452. 2067 But, thus much, they are foul ones.
  453. Cardinal Wolsey
  454. 2068 So much fairer
  455. 2069 And spotless shall mine innocence arise,
  456. 2070 When the King knows my truth.
  457. Earl of Surrey
  458. 2071 This cannot save you.
  459. 2072 I thank my memory, I yet remember
  460. 2073 Some of these articles; and out they shall.
  461. 2074 Now, if you can blush and cry "guilty," Cardinal,
  462. 2075 You'll show a little honesty.
  463. Cardinal Wolsey
  464. 2076 Speak on, sir;
  465. 2077 I dare your worst objections. If I blush,
  466. 2078 It is to see a nobleman want manners.
  467. Earl of Surrey
  468. 2079 I had rather want those than my head. Have at you!
  469. 2080 First, that, without the King's assent or knowledge,
  470. 2081 You wrought to be a legate; by which power
  471. 2082 You maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops.
  472. Duke of Norfolk
  473. 2083 Then, that in all you writ to Rome, or else
  474. 2084 To foreign princes, "Ego et Rex meus"
  475. 2085 Was still inscrib'd; in which you brought the King
  476. 2086 To be your servant.
  477. Duke of Suffolk
  478. 2087 Then, that, without the knowledge
  479. 2088 Either of king or council, when you went
  480. 2089 Ambassador to the Emperor, you made bold
  481. 2090 To carry into Flanders the great seal.
  482. Earl of Surrey
  483. 2091 Item, you sent a large commission
  484. 2092 To Gregory de Cassado, to conclude,
  485. 2093 Without the King's will or the state's allowance,
  486. 2094 A league between his Highness and Ferrara.
  487. Duke of Suffolk
  488. 2095 That, out of mere ambition, you have caus'd
  489. 2096 Your holy hat to be stamp'd on the King's coin.
  490. Earl of Surrey
  491. 2097 Then, that you have sent innumerable substance—
  492. 2098 By what means got, I leave to your own conscience—
  493. 2099 To furnish Rome, and to prepare the ways
  494. 2100 You have for dignities; to the mere undoing
  495. 2101 Of all the kingdom. Many more there are;
  496. 2102 Which, since they are of you, and odious,
  497. 2103 I will not taint my mouth with.
  498. Lord Chamberlain
  499. 2104 O my lord,
  500. 2105 Press not a falling man too far! 'tis virtue.
  501. 2106 His faults lie open to the laws; let them,
  502. 2107 Not you, correct him. My heart weeps to see him
  503. 2108 So little of his great self.
  504. Earl of Surrey
  505. 2109 I forgive him.
  506. Duke of Suffolk
  507. 2110 Lord Cardinal, the King's further pleasure is,
  508. 2111 Because all those things you have done of late
  509. 2112 By your power legatine within this kingdom,
  510. 2113 Fall into the compass of a praemunire,
  511. 2114 That therefore such a writ be sued against you;
  512. 2115 To forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements,
  513. 2116 Chattels, and whatsoever, and to be
  514. 2117 Out of the King's protection. This is my charge.
  515. Duke of Norfolk
  516. 2118 And so we'll leave you to your meditations
  517. 2119 How to live better. For your stubborn answer
  518. 2120 About the giving back the great seal to us,
  519. 2121 The King shall know it, and, no doubt, shall thank you.
  520. 2122 So fare you well, my little good Lord Cardinal.
  521. [Exeunt all but Wolsey.]
  522. Cardinal Wolsey
  523. 2123 So farewell to the little good you bear me.
  524. 2124 Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness!
  525. 2125 This is the state of man: to-day he puts forth
  526. 2126 The tender leaves of hopes; to-morrow blossoms,
  527. 2127 And bears his blushing honours thick upon him;
  528. 2128 The third day comes a frost, a killing frost,
  529. 2129 And, when he thinks, good easy man, full surely
  530. 2130 His greatness is a-ripening, nips his root,
  531. 2131 And then he falls, as I do. I have ventur'd,
  532. 2132 Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders,
  533. 2133 This many summers in a sea of glory,
  534. 2134 But far beyond my depth. My high-blown pride
  535. 2135 At length broke under me, and now has left me,
  536. 2136 Weary and old with service, to the mercy
  537. 2137 Of a rude stream, that must for ever hide me.
  538. 2138 Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye!
  539. 2139 I feel my heart new open'd. O, how wretched
  540. 2140 Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours!
  541. 2141 There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to,
  542. 2142 That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,
  543. 2143 More pangs and fears than wars or women have;
  544. 2144 And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,
  545. 2145 Never to hope again.
  546. [Enter Cromwell, standing amazed.]
  547. Cardinal Wolsey
  548. 2146 Why, how now, Cromwell!
  549. Thomas Cromwell
  550. 2147 I have no power to speak, sir.
  551. Cardinal Wolsey
  552. 2148 What, amaz'd
  553. 2149 At my misfortunes? Can thy spirit wonder
  554. 2150 A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep,
  555. 2151 I am fallen indeed.
  556. Thomas Cromwell
  557. 2152 How does your Grace?
  558. Cardinal Wolsey
  559. 2153 Why, well,
  560. 2154 Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell.
  561. 2155 I know myself now; and I feel within me
  562. 2156 A peace above all earthly dignities,
  563. 2157 A still and quiet conscience. The King has cur'd me,
  564. 2158 I humbly thank his Grace; and from these shoulders,
  565. 2159 These ruin'd pillars, out of pity, taken
  566. 2160 A load would sink a navy, too much honour.
  567. 2161 O, 'tis a burden, Cromwell, 'tis a burden
  568. 2162 Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven!
  569. Thomas Cromwell
  570. 2163 I am glad your Grace has made that right use of it.
  571. Cardinal Wolsey
  572. 2164 I hope I have. I am able now, methinks,
  573. 2165 Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,
  574. 2166 To endure more miseries and greater far
  575. 2167 Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer.
  576. 2168 What news abroad?
  577. Thomas Cromwell
  578. 2169 The heaviest and the worst
  579. 2170 Is your displeasure with the King.
  580. Cardinal Wolsey
  581. 2171 God bless him!
  582. Thomas Cromwell
  583. 2172 The next is, that Sir Thomas More is chosen
  584. 2173 Lord Chancellor in your place.
  585. Cardinal Wolsey
  586. 2174 That's somewhat sudden;
  587. 2175 But he's a learned man. May he continue
  588. 2176 Long in his Highness' favour, and do justice
  589. 2177 For truth's sake and his conscience; that his bones,
  590. 2178 When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings,
  591. 2179 May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on 'em!
  592. 2180 What more?
  593. Thomas Cromwell
  594. 2181 That Cranmer is return'd with welcome,
  595. 2182 Install'd Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
  596. Cardinal Wolsey
  597. 2183 That's news indeed.
  598. Thomas Cromwell
  599. 2184 Last, that the Lady Anne,
  600. 2185 Whom the King hath in secrecy long married,
  601. 2186 This day was view'd in open as his queen,
  602. 2187 Going to chapel; and the voice is now
  603. 2188 Only about her coronation.
  604. Cardinal Wolsey
  605. 2189 There was the weight that pull'd me down.
  606. 2190 O Cromwell,
  607. 2191 The King has gone beyond me! All my glories
  608. 2192 In that one woman I have lost for ever.
  609. 2193 No sun shall ever usher forth mine honours,
  610. 2194 Or gild again the noble troops that waited
  611. 2195 Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell!
  612. 2196 I am a poor fallen man, unworthy now
  613. 2197 To be thy lord and master. Seek the King!
  614. 2198 That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him
  615. 2199 What and how true thou art. He will advance thee;
  616. 2200 Some little memory of me will stir him—
  617. 2201 I know his noble nature—not to let
  618. 2202 Thy hopeful service perish too. Good Cromwell,
  619. 2203 Neglect him not; make use now, and provide
  620. 2204 For thine own future safety.
  621. Thomas Cromwell
  622. 2205 O my lord,
  623. 2206 Must I, then, leave you? Must I needs forgo
  624. 2207 So good, so noble, and so true a master?
  625. 2208 Bear witness, all that have not hearts of iron,
  626. 2209 With what a sorrow Cromwell leaves his lord.
  627. 2210 The King shall have my service; but my prayers
  628. 2211 For ever and for ever shall be yours.
  629. Cardinal Wolsey
  630. 2212 Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear
  631. 2213 In all my miseries; but thou hast forc'd me,
  632. 2214 Out of thy honest truth, to play the woman.
  633. 2215 Let's dry our eyes; and thus far hear me, Cromwell;
  634. 2216 And when I am forgotten, as I shall be,
  635. 2217 And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention
  636. 2218 Of me more must be heard of, say, I taught thee;
  637. 2219 Say, Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory,
  638. 2220 And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour,
  639. 2221 Found thee a way, out of his wreck, to rise in;
  640. 2222 A sure and safe one, though thy master miss'd it.
  641. 2223 Mark but my fall, and that that ruin'd me.
  642. 2224 Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition!
  643. 2225 By that sin fell the angels; how can man, then,
  644. 2226 The image of his Maker, hope to win by it?
  645. 2227 Love thyself last. Cherish those hearts that hate thee;
  646. 2228 Corruption wins not more than honesty.
  647. 2229 Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace,
  648. 2230 To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not;
  649. 2231 Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's,
  650. 2232 Thy God's, and truth's; then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell,
  651. 2233 Thou fall'st a blessed martyr! Serve the King!
  652. 2234 And, prithee, lead me in.
  653. 2235 There take an inventory of all I have,
  654. 2236 To the last penny; 'tis the King's. My robe,
  655. 2237 And my integrity to Heaven, is all
  656. 2238 I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell!
  657. 2239 Had I but serv'd my God with half the zeal
  658. 2240 I serv'd my king, He would not in mine age
  659. 2241 Have left me naked to mine enemies.
  660. Thomas Cromwell
  661. 2242 Good sir, have patience.
  662. Cardinal Wolsey
  663. 2243 So I have. Farewell
  664. 2244 The hopes of court! My hopes in heaven do dwell.
  665. [Exeunt.]