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Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and slie, Sleep in their graves.

Lov.

Now, sir, you speak of two The most remark'd i'the kingdom. As for Crom

well,

Beside that of the jewel house, he's made master O'the rolls, and the king's secretary: further, sir, Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments, With which the time will load him: The archbishop Is the king's hand, and tongue; And who dare

speak

One syllable against him?

Gar.

Yes, yes, sir Thomas,

There are that dare; and I myself have ventur'd

To speak my mind of him: and, indeed, this day, Sir (I may tell it you), I think, I have

Incens'd the lords o'the council, that he is (For so I know he is, they know he is),

A most arch heretick, a pestilence

That does infect the land: with which they moved,
Have brokent with the king; who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint (of his great grace
And princely care; foreseeing those fell mischiefs
Our reasons laid before him) he hath commanded,
To-morrow morning to the council-board
He be conventedt. He's a rank weed, sir Thomas,
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long: good night, sir Thomas.
Lov. Many good nights, my lord; I rest your ser-
[Exeunt Gardiner and Page.

vant.

As Lovell is going out, enter the King, and the Duke of Suffolk.

K. Hen. Charles, I will play no more to-night; My mind's not on't, you are too hard for me.

Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before.

* Set on.
Summoned.

+ Told their minds.

K. Hen. But little, Charles; Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play. Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news? Lov. I could not personally deliver to her What you commanded me, but by her woman I sent your message; who return'd her thanks In the greatest humbleness, and desir'd your high.

ness

Most heartily to pray for her.

K. Hen.

What say'st thou ? ha!

To pray for her? what, is she crying out?

Lov. So said her woman; aud that her sufferance

made

Almost each pang a death.

K. Hen.

Alas, good lady!

Suf. God safely quit her of her burden, and With gentle travail, to the gladding of

Your highness with an heir!

K. Hen.

'Tis midnight, Charles,

Pr'ythee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone;
For I must think of that, which company
Will not be friendly to.

Suf.

A quiet night, and my good mistress will

Remember in my prayers.

K. Hen.

I wish your highness

Charles, good night.

[Exit Suffolk.

Enter Sir Anthony Denny.

Well, sir, what follows?

Den. Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop,

As you commanded me.

K. Hen.

Den. Ay, my good lord.

K. Hen.

Ha! Canterbury?

Den. He attends your highness' pleasure.

K. Hen.

'Tis true: Where is he, Denny?

Bring him to us.

[Exit Denny.

Lov. This is about that which the bishop spake ; I am happily come hither.

K. Hen.

Re-enter Denny, with Cranmer.

[Aside.

Avoid the gallery.

[Lovell seems to stay.

[Exeunt Lovell and Denny.

Ha!-I have said.-Be gone.

What!

Cran. I am fearful-Wherefore frowns he thus?

'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.

K. Hen. How now, my lord? You do desire to

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My good and gracious lord of Canterbury.

Come, you and I must walk a turn together;

I have news to tell you: Come, come, give me your hand.

Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,
And am right sorry to repeat what follows:
I have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord,
Grievous complaints of you; which, being consi-
der'd,

Have mov'd us and our council, that you shall
This morning come before us; where, I know,
You cannot with such freedom purge yourself,
But that, till further trial, in those charges
Which will require your answer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented
To make your house our Tower: You a brother of

us*,

It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness

Would come against you.

Cran.

I humbly thank your highness;

One of the council.

And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know,

There's none stands under more calumnious tongues,
Than 1 myself, poor man.

K. Hen.

Stand up, good Canterbury; Thy truth, and thy integrity, is rooted

In us, thy friend: Give me thy hand, stand up; Pr'ythee, let's walk. Now, by my holy-dame, What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd You would have given me your petition, that

I should have ta'en some pains to bring together Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard you Without indurance, further.

Cran.

Most dread liege,

The good I stand on is my truth, and honesty ;

If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies,

Will triumph o'er my person; which I weigh* not, Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing

What can be said against me.

K. Hen.

Know you not how

Your state stands i'the world, with the whole world? Your enemies

Are many, and not small; their practices

Must bear the same proportion: and not evert
The justice and the truth o'the question carries
The due o'the verdict with it: At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you? such things have been done.
You are potently oppos'd; and with a malice
Of as great size. Ween ‡ you of better luck,
I mean, in perjur'd witness, than your master,
Whose minister you are, whiles here he liv'd
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to;
You take a precipice for no leap of danger,
And woo your own destruction.

God, and your majesty,

Cran.

* Value.

+ Always.

Think.

is laid for me!

Protect mine innocence, or I fall into

The trap K. Hen.

Be of good cheer;

They shall no more prevail, than we give way to,
Keep comfort to you, and this morning see
You do appear before them; if they shall chance,
In charging you with matters, to commit you,
The best persuasions to the contrary

Fail not to use, and with what vehemency
The occasion shall instruct you: if entreaties
Will render you no remedy, this ring
Deliver them, and your appeal to us

There make before them.-Look, the good man

weeps!

He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother! I swear, he is true-hearted; and a soul

None better in my kingdom.-Get you gone,

And do as I have bid you.

His language in his tears.

[Exit Cranmer.

He has strangled

Enter an old Lady.

Gent. [Within.] Come back; What mean you? Lady. I'll not come back: the tidings that I bring Will make my boldness manuers.-Now, good angels Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person

Under their blessed wings!

K. Hen.

I guess thy message. Is the queen deliver'd?
Say, ay; and of a boy.

Now, by thy looks

Ay, ay, my liege;

Lady.
And of a lovely boy: The God of heaven
Both now and ever bless her!-'tis a girl,
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen
Desires your visitation, and to be

Acquainted with this stranger; 'tis as like
As cherry is to cherry.

K. Hen.

Lovell,

you,

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