Hath crawl'd into the favour of the king, Nor. He is vex'd at something. Suff. I would, 'twere something that would fret the string, The master-cord of his heart! Enter the King, reading a Schedule*; and Lovell. The king, the king. Suff. K. Hen. What piles of wealth hath he accumu lated To his own portion! and what expence by the hour Nor. My lord, we have Stood here observing him: Some strange commotion K. Hen. It may well be; It's Heaven's will; Nor. An inventory. + Steps. Know. paper in the packet, Some spirit put this To bless your eye withal. If he did think His contemplation were above the earth, Wol. [He takes his seat, and whispers Lovell, who goes to Wolsey. Ever God bless your highness! K. Hen. Heaven forgive me! Good my lord, You are full of heavenly stuff, and bear the inven tory Of your best graces in your mind; the which You were now running o'er; you have scarce time Sir, Wol. K. Hen. You have said well. Wol. And ever may your highness yoke together, As I will lend you cause, my doing well With my well saying! K. Hen. 'Tis well said again; And 'tis a kind of good deed, to say well: And yet words are no deeds. My father lov'd you; But par'd my present havings, to bestow My bounties upon you. Wol. What should this mean? Sur. The lord increase this business! [Aside. The prime man of the state? I pray you, tell me, What say you? If you are bound to us, or no. Can nothing render but allegiant thanks; K. Hen. A loyal and obedient subject is Fairly answer'd; Therein illustrated: The honour of it Does pay the act of it; as, i'the contrary, The foulness is the punishment. I presume, more On you, than any; so your hand, and heart, Your brain, and every function of your power, Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty, As 'twere in love's particular, be more To me, your friend, than any, Wol. I do profess, That for your highness' good I ever labour'd More than mine own; that am, have, and will be. Though all the world should crack their duty to you, K. Hen. 'Tis nobly spoken: Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, For you have seen him open't. Read o'er this; [Giving him papers. And, after, this: and then to breakfast, with What appetite you have. Wol. [Exit King, frowning upon Cardinal Wolsey: the Nobles throng after him, smiling, and whispering. What should this mean? What sudden anger 's this? how have I reap'd it? He parted frowning from me, as if ruin Leap'd from his eyes: So looks the chafed lion I writ to his holiness. Nay then, farewell! I haste now to my setting: I shall fall Like a bright exhalation in the evening, Re-enter the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain. Nor. Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you To render up the great seal presently Stay, Where's your commission, lords? words cannot carry Authority so weighty. Suff Who dare cross them? Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly? Wol. Till I find more than will, or words, to do it (I mean, your malice), know, officious lords, I dare, and must deny it. Now I feel Of what coarse metal ye are moulded,-envy. As if it fed ye! and how sleek and wanton (Mine, and your master), with his own hand gave me: Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours, WVol. It must be himself then. WVol. Proud lord, thou liest; * Esher, in Surrey. |