the purse

170

120

180

132

Enter Cardinal WOLSEY,

borne before

To this last costly treaty, the interview, him, certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries That swallow'd so much treasure, and like a glass

Did break i’ the rinsing. with papers. The CARDINAL in his passage

Nor.

Faith, and so it did. fizeth his eye on BUCKINGHAM, and BUCKING

Buck. Pray give une favour, sir. This cunning HAM on him, both full of disdain.

cardinal Wol. The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor, ha? The articles o' the combination drew Where's his examination ?

As himself pleas'd ; and they were ratified First Secr.

Here, so please you. As he cried . Thus let be,' to as much end Wol. Is he in person ready ?

As give a crutch to the dead. But our countFirst Secr. Ay, please your grace.

cardinal Wol. Well, we shall then know more ; and Has done this, and 'tis well ; for worthy Wolser, Buckingham

Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows, Shall lessen this big look.

Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy Exeunt WOLSEY and Train. To the old dam, treason, Charles the emperor, Buck. This butcher's cur is venom-mouth’d, Under pretence to see the queen his aunt, and I

For 'twas indeed his colour, but he came Havenot the powertomuzzle him; therefore best To whisper Wolsey, here makes visitation : Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book His fears were, that the interview betwixt Outworths a noble's blood.

England and France might, through their amits, Nor.

What! are you chaf'd ? Breed him some prejudice; for from this league Ask God fortemperance; that'stheapplianceonly Peep'd harms that menac'd him. He privily Which your disease requires.

Deals with our cardinal, and, as I trow, Buck.

I read in 's looks Which I do well ; for I am sure the emperor Matter against me; and his eye revil'd

Paid ere he promisd; whereby his suit was Me, as his abject object : at this instant

granted He bores me with some trick: he's gone to the Ere it was ask'd ; but when the way was made. king ;

And pav'd with gold, the emperor thus desir'd : I'll follow and outstare him.

That he would please to alter the king's course, Nor.

Stay, my lord, And breaktheforesaid peace. Let theking know, And let your reason with your choler question As soon he shall by me, that thus the cardinal What 'tis you go about. To climb steep hills Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases, 182 Requires slow pace at first : anger is like And for his own advantage. A full-hot horse, who being allow'd his way, Nor.

I am sorry Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England To hear this of him ; and could wish he were Can advise me like you : be to yourself

Something mistaken in 't. As you would to your friend.

Buck.

No, not a syllable: Buck.

I'll to the king ; I do pronounce him in that very shape
And from a mouth of honour quite cry down He shall appear in proof.
This Ipswich fellow's insolence, or proclaim
There's difference in no persons.

Enter BRANDON ; a Sergeant-at-Arms before him, Nor.

Be advis'd;

and two or three of the Guard. Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot

Bran. Your office, sergeant; execute it. That it do singe yourself. We may outrun Serg.

Sir, By violent swiftness that which we run at, My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl And lose by overrunning. Know you not, of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, I The fire that mounts the liquor till 't run o'er, Arrest thee of high treason, in the name In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advis'd: Of our most sovereign king. I say again, there is no English soul

Buck.

Lo you, my lord, More stronger to direct you than yourself, The net has fall’n upon me! I shall perish If with the sap of reason you would quench, Under device and practice. Or but allay, the fire of passion.

Bran,

I am sorry Buck.

Sir,

To see you ta’en from liberty, to look on I am thankful to you, and I'll go along 150 The business present. 'Tis his highness' pleasure By your prescription ; but this top-proud fellow, You shall to the Tower. Whom from the flow of gall I name not, but Buck.

It will help me nothing From sincere motions, by intelligence,

To plead mine innocence, for that dye is on me And proofs as clear as founts in July, when Which makes my whitest part black. The will We see each grain of gravel, I do know

of heaven To be corrupt and treasonous.

Be done in this and all things! I obey. Nor.

Say not "treasonous.' | O! my Lord Abergavenny, fare you well. Buck. To the king I'll say 't, and make my

Bran. Nay, he must bear you company. To vouch as strong

ABERGAVENNY. The king As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox, Is pleas'd you shall to the Tower, till you know Or wolf, or both, for he is equal ravenous How he determines further, As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief

Aber.

As the duke said, As able to perform 't, his mind and place The will of heaven be done, and the king's Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally,

pleasure Only to show his pomp as well in France By me obey'd ! As here at home, suggests the king our master Bran,

Here is a warrant from

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160

a

The king to attach Lord Montacute; and the | The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who, bodies

Unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger

And lack of other means, in desperate manner
Daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar,
And danger serves among them.

K. Hen.

Of the duke's confessor, John de la Car,
One Gilbert Peck, his chancellor,-

Buck.

So, so;
These are the limbs o' the plot: no more, I hope.
Bran. A monk o' the Chartreux.
Buck.

O! Nicholas Hopkins?

Bran.

He.

Buck. My surveyor is false; the o'er-great cardinal

222

Taxation!

Wherein? and what taxation? My lord cardinal,
You that are blam'd for it alike with us,
Know you of this taxation?

Wol.
Please you, sir, 49
I know but of a single part in aught
Pertains to the state; and front but in that file
Where others tell steps with me.

Q. Kath.

No, my lord, You know no more than others; but you frame Things that are known alike; which are not wholesome

To those which would not know them, and yet
Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions,
must
Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are
Most pestilent to the hearing; and to bear 'em,
The back is sacrifice to the load.

They say

50

They are devis'd by you, or else you suffer
Too hard an exclamation.

K. Hen.

Still exaction!
The nature of it? In what kind, let 's know,
Is this exaction?
Q. Kath.

I am much too venturous
In tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd
Under your promis'd pardon. The subjects' grief
Comes through commissions, which compel from

each

The sixth part of his substance, to be levied
Without delay; and the pretence for this
Is nam'd, your wars in France.

This makes

60

bold mouths: Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze

Allegiance in them; their curses now

Live where their prayers did; and it's come to

pass,

This tractable obedience is a slave

To each incensed will. I would your highness
Would give it quick consideration, for
There is no primer business.

K. Hen.

By my life,

70

And for me,
I have no further gone in this than by
A single voice, and that not pass'd me but
By learned approbation of the judges. If I am
Traduc'd by ignorant tongues, which neither know
My faculties nor person, yet will be
The chronicles of my doing, let me say
'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake
That virtue must go through. We must not stint
Our necessary actions, in the fear

This is against our pleasure.
Wol.

To cope malicious censurers; which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
That is new-trimm'd, but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
Not ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oft,
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up
For our best act. If we shall stand still,

In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at,
We should take root here where we sit, or sit
State-statues only.

K. Hen.

Things done well,

80

Surv.
He was brought to this
By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins.
K. Hen. What was that Hopkins?
Surv.
Sir, a Chartreux friar,
His confessor, who fed him every minute
With words of sovereignty.
K. Hen.
How know'st thou this!
Surv. Not long before your highness sped to
France,

150

The duke being at the Rose, within the parish
Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand
What was the speech among the Londoners
Concerning the French journey: I replied,
Men fear'd the French would prove perfidious,
To the king's danger. Presently the duke
Said, 'twas the fear, indeed; and that he doubted
'Twould prove the verity of certain words
Spoke by a holy monk; that oft,' says he,
"Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit
John de la Car, my chaplain, a choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment :
Whom after under the confession's seal
He solemnly had sworn, that what he spoke
My chaplain to no creature living but

Enter Surveyor.

Q. Kath. I am sorry that the Duke of Buck- To me should utter, with demure confidence This pausingly ensu'd: Neither the king nor's heirs,

ingham

110

Is run in your displeasure.

K. Hen.

Tell you the duke, shall prosper: bid him strive
To gain the love o' the commonalty: the duke
Shall govern England.'

Q. Kath.

And with a care, exempt themselves from fear;
Things done without example, in their issue 90
Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent
Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our laws,
And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?
A trembling contribution! Why, we take
From every tree lop, bark, and part o' the timber;
And, though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd,
The air will drink the sap. To every county
Where this is question'd send our letters, with
Free pardon to each man that has denied
The force of this commission. Pray, look to 't;
I put it to your care.

100

Wol. To the Secretary. A word with you.
Let there be letters writ to every shire,
Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd

commons

Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd
That through our intercession this revokement
And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you
Further in the proceeding. Exit Secretary.

It grieves many : The gentleman is learn'd, and a most rare speaker,

To nature none more bound; his training such
That he may furnish and instruct great teachers,
And never seek for aid out of himself. Yet see,
When these so noble benefits shall prove
Not well dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt,
They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly
Than ever they were fair. This man so complete,
Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,
Almost with ravish'd listening, could not find
His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady,
Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
That once were his, and is become as black
As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear,
This was his gentleman in trust, of him
Things to strike honour sad. Bid him recount
The fore-recited practices; whereof
We cannot feel too little, hear too much.

Wol. Stand forth; and with bold spirit relate
what you,
Most like a careful subject, have collected
Out of the Duke of Buckingham.

130

K. Hen.

Speak freely.

Surv. First, it was usual with him, every day
It would infect his speech, that if the king
Should without issue die, he'll carry it so
To make the sceptre his. These very words
I've heard him utter to his son-in-law,
Lord Abergavenny, to whom by oath he menac'd
Revenge upon the cardinal.

140

Wol.
Please your highness, note
This dangerous conception in this point.
Not friended by his wish, to your high person
His will is most malignant; and it stretches
Beyond you, to your friends.

Q. Kath.
My learn'd lord cardinal,
Deliver all with charity.

K. Hen.
Speak on:
How grounded he his title to the crown
Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him Have put his knife into him.'
At any time speak aught?
K. Hen.

122

100

If I know you well, 172 You were the duke's surveyor, and lost your office

On the complaint o' the tenants: take good heed
You charge not in your spleen a noble person,
And spoil your nobler soul. I say, take heed;
Yes, heartily beseech you.

Let him on.

K. Hen.
Go forward.
Surv. On my soul, I'll speak but truth.
I told my lord the duke, by the devil's illusions
The monk might be deceiv'd; and that 'twas
dangerous for him

180

To ruminate on this so far, until

It forg'd him some design, which, being believ'd,
It was much like to do. He answer'd Tush!
It can do me no damage'; adding further,
That had the king in his last sickness fail'd,
The cardinal's and Sir Thomas Lovell's heads
Should have gone off.

K. Hen.
Ha! what, so rank? Ah ha!
There's mischief in this man. Canst thou say
further?

Surv. I can, my liege.

Proceed.

K. Hen.
Surv.
Being at Greenwich,
After your highness had reprov'd the duke
About Sir William Blomer,-
K. Hen.

190

:

I remember
Of such a time being my sworn servant,
The duke retain'd him his. But on; what hence?
Surv. If,' quoth he, 'I for this had been com.
mitted,

As, to the Tower, I thought, I would have play'd
The part my father meant to act upon
The usurper Richard; who, being at Salisbury,
Made suit to come in's presence; which if granted,
As he made semblance of his duty, would

A giant traitor! 200

But half my lay thoughts in him, some of these | And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
Should find a running banquet ere they rested, By all the laws of war you 're privileg'd.
I think would better please 'em by my life,
Re-enter Servant.
They are a sweet society of fair ones.

Lov. O that your lordship were but now

confessor

To one or two of these.
Sands.
I would I were ;
They should find easy penance.
Lov.
Faith, how easy?
Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir
Harry,
Place you that side, I'll take the charge of

20

this;

His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze;
Two women plac'd together makes cold weather:
My Lord Sands, you are one will keep'em waking;
Pray, sit between these ladies.

Sands.

By my faith, And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies:

Seats himself between ANNE BULLEN and
another Lady.
If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;
I had it from my father.

Anne.
Was he mad, sir?
Sands. O very mad, exceeding mad; in love
too:

But he would bite none; just as I do now,
He would kiss you twenty with a breath.

Sands.

Let me alone.

Cham. How now! what is 't?
Serv.
A noble troop of strangers;
For so they seem they 've left their barge and
landed;

And hither make, as great ambassadors
From foreign princes.

Sands.

The red wine first must rise In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em

Wol

Good lord chamberlain, Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French

Kisses her.
Cham.
Well said, my lord.
So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,
The penance lies on you if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.

31

For my little cure,

Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended, and An hour of revels with 'em.

takes his state.

tongue;

And, pray, receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'em
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.

Exit the Lord Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables removed. You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.

61

A good digestion to you all; and once more
I shower a welcome on ye; welcome all.
Hautboys. Enter the KING and Others as masquers,
habited like shepherds, ushered by the Lord Cham
berlain. They pass directly before the CARDINAL,
and gracefully salute him.

A noble company! what are their pleasures? Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd

To tell your grace: that, having heard by fame
Of this so noble and so fair assembly

This night to meet here, they could do no less,
Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,
But leave their flocks; and, under your fair
conduct,

70

Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat

Wol.
Say, lord chamberlain,
They have done my poor house grace; for which
I pay 'em

A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their
pleasures.

Music. Dance.

They choose Ladies for the dance. The
KING chooses ANNE BULLEN.
K. Hen. The fairest hand I ever touch'd! 0
beauty!
Till now I never knew thee.
Wol. My lord!
Cham
Your grace?
Wol. Pray, tell 'em thus much from me:
There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,
More worthy this place than myself; to whom,
If I but knew him, with my love and duty
I would surrender it.

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