Pertains to the state; and front but in that file2
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;3 which are not whole

some

To those which would not know them, and yet must
Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions
Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are
Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear them,
The back is sacrifice to the load. They say,
They are devis'd by you; or else
Too hard an exclamation.

K. Hen.

you suffer

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 subject's 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 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, That tractable obedience is a slave

To each incensed will. I would, your highness

-front but in that file-] i. e. I am merely on a level with the rest, and step in the same line with them.

3 You know no more than others: &c.] That is, you know no more than other counsellors, but you are the person who frame those things which are afterwards proposed, and known equally by all.

— tractable obedience, &c.] i. e. Things are now in such a situation, that'resentment and indignation predominate in every man's breast over duty and allegiance.

Would give it quick consideration, for
There is no primer business."

By my life,

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 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 stints
Our necessary actions, in the fear

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

9

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,

And with a care, exempt themselves from fear

There is no primer business.] No matter of state more urgent.

We must not stint -] To stint is here to stop, to retard.
To cope-] To engage with, to encounter. The word is

still used in some counties.

8 once weak ones,] Once is here used for sometime, or at one time or other.

9 or not allow'd ;] Not approved.

I what worst, as oft,

Hitting a grosser quality,] The worst actions of great men are commended by the vulgar, as more accommodated by the grossness of their notions. JOHNSON.

Things done without example, in their issue
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,2 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.

Wol.

A word with you.

[To the Secretary.

Let there be letters writ to every shire,

Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd com

mons

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.

Enter Surveyor.

Q. Kath. I am sorry, that the duke of Buckingham Is run in your displeasure.

K. Hen. 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.3

Yet see

2 From every tree, lop, -] Lop is a substantive, and signifies the branches.

3

And never seek for aid out of himself.] Beyond the treasures of his own mind.

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 cómplete,
Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,
Almost with ravish'd list'ning, 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.

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'd carry it so
To make the scepter his : These very words
I have heard him utter to his son-in-law,
Lord Aberga'ny; to whom by oath he menac'd
Revenge upon the cardinal.

IVol.

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.

Deliver all with charity.

K. Hen.

My learn'd lord cardinal,

Speak on:

How grounded he his title to the crown,

Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him

At any time speak aught?

Surv.
By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins.
K. Hen. What was that Hopkins?

He was brought to this

4

The duke being at the Rose, within the parish
Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand
What was the speech amongst 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 Court, 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

To me, should utter, with demure confidence
This pausingly ensu'd,-Neither the king, nor his
heirs,

(Tell you the duke) shall prosper : bid him strive
To gain the love of the commonalty; the duke
Shall govern England.

Q. Kath.
If I know you well,
You were the duke's surveyor, and lost your office
On the complaint o' the tenants: Take good heed,

4 The duke being at the Rose, &c.] This house was purchased about the year 1561, by Richard Hill, sometime master of the Merchant Tailors company, and is now the Merchant Tailors school, in Suffolk-lane.

J