Have msidemean'd yourself, and not a little, Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling The whole realm, by your teaching, and your chap lains, (For so we are inform'd,) with new opinions, Divers, and dangerous; which are herries, And, not reform'd, may prove pernicious. Gar. Which reformation must be sudden too, My noble lords: for those, that tame wild horses, Pace them not in their hands to make them gentle; But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur them, Till they obey the manage. If we suffer (Out of our easiness, and childish pity To one man's honour) this contagious sickness, Yet freshly pitied in our memories. Cran. My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress 'Pray heaven, the king may never find a heart Nay, my lord, Suf. And, by that virtue, no man dare accuse you. Gar. My lord, because we have business of more moment, We will be short with you. 'Tis his highness' pleasure, From hence you be committed to the Tower; Cran. Ah, my good lord of Winchester, I thank you, "Tis my undoing: Love, and meekness, lord, That's the plain truth; your painted gloss discovers, For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty, Gar. Good master secretary, I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst Of all this table, say so. Crom. Why, my lord? Gar. Do not I know you for a favourer Of this new sect? ye are not sound. Crom. Not sound? 'Would you were half so honest! Gar. Not sound, I say. Crom. Men's prayers then would seek you, not their fears. Remember your bold life too. Chan. Forbear, for shame, my lords. Gar. Crom. Do. This is too much; I have done. And L Chan. Then thus for you, my lord,-It stands a greed, I take it, by all voices, that forthwith You be convey'd to the Tower a prisoner; There to remain, till the king's further pleasure Cran. Is there no other way of mercy, But I must needs to the Tower, my lords? Gar. What other Would you expect? You are strangely troublesome.Let some o'the guard be ready there. I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords; By virtue of that ring, I take my cause Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it Sur. 'Tis no counterfeit. Suf. 'Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all, When we first put this dangerous stone a rolling, Do you think, my lords, "Twould fall upon ourselves. Nor. The king will suffer but the little finger Cham. 'Tis now too certain : How much more is his life in value with him? 'Would I were fairly out on't. Crom. My mind gave me, In seeking tales, and informations, honesty the devil Against this man, Ye blew the fire that burns ye: Now have at ye. Enter King, frowning on them; takes his seat. Gar. Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince; His royal self in judgement comes to hear K. Hen. You were ever good at sudden commenda- Bishop of Winchester. But know, I come not Good man, [To Cranmer.] sit down. Now let me see the proudest He, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee: By all that's holy, he had better starve, Than but once think his place becomes thee not. K. Hen. No, sir, it does not please me. This good man, (few of you deserve that title,) Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean; Chan. (If there be faith in men.) meant for his trial, And fair purgation to the world, than malice; I am sure, in me. K. Hen. Well, well, my lords, respect him; Take him, and use him well; he's worthy of it. I will say thus much for him, If a prince May be beholden to a subject, I Am, for his love and service, so to him. Make me no more ado, but all embrace him; Be friends, for shame, my lords.-My lord of Canter bury, I have a suit which you must not deny me; That is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism, You must be godfather, and answer for her. Cran. The greatest monarch now alive may glory In such an honour; How may I deserve it, That am a poor and humble subject to you? K. Hen. Come, come, my lord, you'd spare your spoons; you shall have |