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all gone,

The Vision Enter, solemnly tripping one after | What is your pleasure with me? another, six Personages, clad in white robes,

Cap.

Noble lady, wearing on their heads garlands of bays, and First, mine own service to yonr grace; the next, golden vizards on their faces ; branches of bays The king's request that I would visit ron : or palm in their hands. They first congoe unto Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me her, then dance ; and, at certain changes, the Sends you his princely commendations, first two hold a spare garland over her head ; at And heartily entreats you take good comfort. which the other four make reverent court'sies : Kath. O! my good lord, that comfort comes then the two that held the garland deliver the too late ; same to the other next two, who observe the same | 'Tis like a pardon after execution : order in their changes, and holding the garland That gentle physic, given in time, had cur'd me; over her head : which done, they deliver the same But now I am past all comforts here but prayers garland to the last two, who likewise observe the How does his bighness? same order : at which, as it were by inspiration, Сар.

Madam, in good health. she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and Kath. So may he ever do! and ever flourish, holdeth up her hands to heaven i and so in their When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor dancing vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues.

Banish'd the kingdom. Patience, is that letter

I caus'd you write yet sent away? Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye

Pat.

No, madam.

Giving it to KATHARINE And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye ?

Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver Grif. Madam, we are here.

This to my lord the king.
Kath.
It is not you I call for :

Cap.

Most willing, madam. 133 Saw ye none enter since I slept ?

Kath. In which I have commended to his Grif.

None, madam. Kaih. No ? Saw you not, even now, a blessed The model of our chaste loves, his young

goodness troop

daughter : Invite me to a banquet ; whose bright faces

The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun ?

her! They promis'd me eternal happiness, And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel She is young, and of a noble modest nature,

$0 Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding I am not worthy yet to wear : I shall

, assuredly; I hope she will deserve well,--and a little Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good To love her for her mother's sake, that lov'd him. dreams

Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petitiou Possess your fancy.

Is, that his noble grace would have some pity kath. Bid the music leave,

Upon my wretched women, that so long They are harsh and heavy to me. Music reases. Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully : Pat.

Do you note of which there is not one, I dare avow,
How much her grace is alter'd on the sudden ?
How long her face is drawn? how pale she looks, For virtue, and true beauty of the soul,

And now I should not lie, but will deserve,
And of an earthy cold ? Mark her eyes !
Grif. She is going, wench. Pray, pray.

For honesty, and decent carriage,

A right good husband, let him be a noble ; Pat.

Heaven comfort her! And, sure, those men are happy that shall have Enter a Messenger.

'em.

The last is, for my men : they are the poorest, Me88. An't like your grace, —

But poverty could never draw 'em from me ; Kath. You are a saucy fellow : 100

That they may have their wages duly paid 'em, Deserve we no more reverence ?

And something over to remember me by : Grif.

You are to blame, If heaven had pleas'd to have given me longer Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness,

life To use so rude behaviour : go to; kneel. Mess. I humbly do entreat your highness' These are the whole contents: and, goor my

And able means, we had not parted thus. pardon ;

lord, My haste made me unmannerly. Thereisstaying By that you love the dearest in this world, A gentleman, sent from the king, to see you. Kath. Admit him entrance, Griffith : but this stand these poor people's friend, and urge the

As you wish Christian peace to souls departed, fellow

king Let me ne'er see again.

To do me this last right.
Exeunt GRIFFITH and Messenger.

Cap.

By heaven, I will,

Or let me lose the fashion of a man !
Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUS.

Kath. I thank you, honest lord. Remember
If my sight fail not,
You should be lord ambassador from theemperor, In all humility unto his highness :
My royal nephew, and your name Capucius. 110 Say his long trouble now is passing

Cap. Madam, the same; your servant. Out of this world ; tell him, in death I bless'd Kath.

O my lord ! him, The times and titles now are alter'd strangely For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell, With me since first you knew me. But, I pray My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience, you,

You must not leave me yet : I must to bed ;

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Call in more women. When I am dead, good | Stands in the gap and trade of more preferwench,

ments, Let me be us'd with honour: strew me over With which the time will load him. The arch. With maiden flowers, that all the world may bishop know

Is the king's hand and tongue; and who dare I was a chaste wife to my grave : embalm me, speak Then lay me forth : although unqueen'd, yet like One syllable against him? A queen, and daughter to a king, inter me.

Gar.

Yes, yes, Sir Thomas, I can no more. Exeunt, leading KATHARINE. There are that dare; and I myself have ventur'd

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

42
Insens'd the lords o' the council that he is,
ACT V.

For so I know he is, they know he is,

A most arch heretic, a pestilence SCENE I. - London. A Gallery in the Palace.

That does infect the land : with which they

mov'd Enter GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester, a Paye

with a torch before him, met by Sir Thomas Have broken with the king; who hath so far LOVELL.

Given ear to our complaint, of bis great grace

And princely care, foreseeing those fell mischiefs Gar. It's one o'clock, boy, is 't not?

Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded Boy.

It hath struck. To-morrow morning to the council-board Gar. These should be hours for necessities, He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Not for delights ; times to repair our nature

Thomas, With comforting repose, and not for us

And we must root him out. From your affairs To waste these times. Good hour of night, Sir I hinder you too long : good night, Sir Thomas! Thomas!

Lov. Many good nights, my lord. I rest your Whither so late?

servant. Exeunt GARDINER and Page. Lor, Came you from the king, my lord ? Gar. I did, Sir Thomas; and left him at

Enter the King and SUFFOLK. primero

K. Hen. Charles, I will play no more to.night ; With the Duke of Suffolk.

My mind's not on't; you are too hard for me. Lor.

I must to him too, Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before. Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.

K. Ilen. But little, Charles ; Gar. Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the Nor shall not when my fancy's on my play. matter?

10 Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news? It seems you are in baste : an if there be

Lov. I could not personally deliver to her No great offence belongs to 't, give your friend What you commanded me, but by her woman Some touch of your late business : affairs, that I sent your message ; who return'd her thanks walk

In the greatest humbleness, and desir'd your As they say spirits do, at midnight, have

highness In them a wilder nature than the business Most heartily to pray for her. That seeks dispatch by day.

K. Hen.

What say'st thou, ha ? Lor.

My lord, I love you, To pray for her ? what! is she crying out ? And durst commend a secret to your ear

Lov. So said her woman; and that her suffer. Much weightier than this work. The queen 's in ance made labour,

Almost each pang a death. They say, in great extremity; and fear'd

K. Hen.

Alas! good lady. She'll with the labour end.

Suf. God safely quit her of her burden, and Gar.

The fruit she goes with With gentle travail, to the gladding of I pray for heartily, that it may find

21 Your highness with an heir ! Good time, and live: but for the stock, Sir K. Hen.

"Tis midnight, Charles ; Thomas,

Prithee, to bed ; and in thy prayers remember I wish it grubb'd up now.

The estate of my poor queen.

Leave me alone; Lor.

Methinks I could For I must think of that which company
Cry the amen ; and yet my conscience says Would not be friendly to.
She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does Suf.

I wish your highness Deserve our better wishes.

A quiet night; and my good mistress will Gar.

But, sir, sir,

Remember in my prayers. Hear me, Sir Thomas : you're a gentleman К. Неп.

Charles, good night. Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious ;

Erit SUFFOLK. And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,

Enter Sir ANTHONY DENNY.
"Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take 't of me,
Till Crapmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she, Well, sir, what follows ?
Sleep in their graves.

Den. Sir, I have brought my lord the arch. Lov,

Now, sir, you speak of two bishop,
The most remark'd i' the kingdom. As for As you commanded me.
Cromwell,

K. Hen.

Ha! Canterbury ? Beside that of the jewel house, is made master Den. Ay, my good lord. O'the rolls, and the king's secretary ; further, K. Hen. 'Tis true : where is he, Denny ? sir,

Den. He attends your highness' pleasure.

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highness;

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 calumniously
tongues

111

Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.
Enter the KING and BUTTS at a window above.
Butts. I'll show your grace the strangest sight,-
K. Hen.
What's that, Butts?
Butts. Ithink your highness saw this many a day.
K. Hen. Body o' me, where is it?
Butts.
There, my lord:
The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury;
Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants,
Pages, and footboys.

n

K. Hen.

Ha! 'tis he, indeed.
Is this the honour they do one another?
'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had thought
They had parted so much honesty among 'em,
At least good manners, as not thus to suffer
A man of his place, and so near our favour,
Todanceattendance on their lordships' pleasures,
And at the door too, like a post with packets.
By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:
Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close;
We shall hear more anon.
Exeunt.

29

Crom.
The chief cause concerns his grace of Canterbury.
Please your honours,
Gar. Has he had knowledge of it?
Crom.
Yes.
Nor.
Who waits there?
Keep. Without, my noble lords?
Gar.
Keep.

Yes.

My lord archbishop; And has done half-an-hour, to know your

pleasures.

Chan. Let him come in.
Keep.
Your grace may enter now.
CRANMER enters, and approaches the council-table.
Chan. My good lord archbishop, I'm very sorry
To sit here at this present and behold
That chair stand empty: but we all are men, 10
In our own natures frail, and capable

Of our flesh; few are angels: out of which frailty
And want of wisdom, you, that best should

teach us,

Have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little,
Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling
The whole realm, by your teaching and your
chaplains,

For so we are inform'd, with new opinions,
Divers and dangerous; which are heresies,
And, not reform'd, may prove pernicious.

19

Gar. Which reformation must be sudden too, My noble lords; for those that tame wild horses Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle, But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur 'em,

Till they obey the manage. If we suffer,
Out of our easiness and childish pity
To one man's honour, this contagious sickness,
Farewell all physic: and what follows then?
Commotions, uproars, with a general taint
Of the wholestate: as, of late days, our neighbours,
The upper Germany, can dearly witness,
Yet freshly pitied in our memories.

Cran. My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress
Both of my life and office, I have labour'd,
And with no little study, that my teaching
And the strong course of my authority
Might go one way, and safely; and the end
Was ever to do well: nor is there living,
I speak it with a single heart, my lords,
A man that more detests, more stirs against,
Both in his private conscience and his place, 40
Defacers of a public peace, than I do.
Pray heaven the king may never find a heart
With less allegiance in it! Men that make
Envy and crooked malice nourishment
Dare bite the best. I do beseech your lordships
That in this case of justice, my accusers,
Be what they will, may stand forth face to face,
And freely urge against me.

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Cran. Ah! my good lord of Winchester, I Of this man to be vex'd ? thank you;

Chan.

'Tis now too certain : You are always my good friend: if your will pass, How much more is his life in value with him ? I shall both find your lordship judge and juror, | Would I were fairly out on't! You are so merciful. I see your end ;

Crom.

My mind gave me, "Tis my undoing : love and meekness, lord, In seeking tales and informations Become a churchman better than ambition : Against this man, wbose honesty the devil Win straying souls with modesty again, And his disciples only envy at, Cast none away. That I shall clear myself, Ye blew the fire that burns ye: now have at ye! Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience,

Enter the KING, frowning on them; he takes I make as little doubt, as you do conscience

his seat. In doing daily wrongs. I could say more, But reverence to your calling makes me modest. Gar. Dread sovereign, how much are we bound Gar. My lord, my lord, you are a sectary ;

to heaven That's the plain truth : your painted gloss dis. In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince ; covers,

Not only good and wise, but most religious : Tomen that understand you, words and weakness. One that in all obedience makes the church

Crom. My lord of Winchester, you are a little, The chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen By your good favour, too sharp; men so noble, That holy duty, out of dear respect, However faulty, yet should find respect

His royal self in judgment comes to hear For what they have been : ’ris a cruelty The cause betwixt her and this great offender. To load a falling man.

K. Hen. You were ever good at sudden comGar. Good Master secretary,

mendations, I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst Bishop of Winchester; but know, I come pot Of all this table, say so.

To hear such flattery now, and in my presence; Crom.

Why, my lord ? They are too thin and bare to hide offences. Gar. Do not I know you for a favourer 80 To me you cannot reach ; you play the spaniel, Of this new sect? ye are not sound.

Andthink with wagging of your tongue to win me; Crom.

Not sound ? | But, whatsoe'er thou tak'st me for, I'm sure Gar. Not sound, I say.

Thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody. Crom. Would you were half so honest ! | To CRANMER. Good man, sit down. Now let Men's prayers then would seek you, not their fears. me see the proudest

Gar. I shall remember tbis bold language. He, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee: Crom.

Do. | By all that's holy, he had better starve Remember your bold life too.

Than but once think this place becomes thee not. Chan.

This is too much; Sur. May it please your grace, Forbear, for shame, my lords.

K. Hen. No, sir, it does not please me. Gar.

I have done. I had thought I had had men of some under. Crom.

And I. standing Chan. Then thus for you, my lord: it stands And wisdom of my council; but I find none. agreed,

Was it discretion, lords, to let this man, I take it, by all voices, that forthwith

This good man, few of you deserve that title, You be convey'd to the Tower a prisoner; 89 This honest man, wait like a lousy footboy There to remain till the king's further pleasure | At chamber-door ? and one as great as you are ! Be known unto us. Are you all agreed, lords ? Why, what a shame was this! Did my comAU. We are.

mission Cran. Is there no other way of mercy, Bid ye so far forget yourselves? I gave ye But I must needs to the Tower, my lords? Power as he was a counsellor to try him, Gar.

What other Not as a groom. There's some of ye, I see, Would you expect? you arestrangely troublesome. More out of malice than integrity, Let some o' the guard be ready there.

Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean;

Which ye shall never have while I live.
Enter Guard.
Chan.

Thus far, Cran.

For me? My most dread sovereign, may it like your grace Must I go like a traitor thither ?

To let my tongue excuse all. What was purpos'd Gar.

Receive him, Concerning his imprisonment, was rather, And see him safe i' the Tower.

If there be faith in men, meant for his trial Cran.

Stay, good my lords ; And fair purgation to the world, than malice, I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords; I'm sure, in me. By virtue of that ring I take my cause

K. Hen. Well, well, my lords, respect dim; Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it 100 Take him, and use him well; he's worthy of it. To a most noble judge, the king my master. I will say thus inuch for him, if a prince Chan. This is the king's ring.

May be beholding to a subject, I Sur.

"Tis no counterfeit. | Am, for his love and service, so to him. Suf. 'Tis the right ring, by heaven ! I told Make me no more ado, but all embrace him:

Be friends, for shame, my lords ! My lord of When we first put this dangerous stone a-rolling, Canterbury, 'Twould fall upon ourselves.

I have a suit which you must not deny me; 18 Nor.

Do you think, my lords, That is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism, The king will suffer but the little finger You must be godfather, and answer for her.

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