594
3 Gent. As well as I am able. The rich stream]
Of lords, and ladies, having brought the queen
To a prepar'd place in the choir, fell off
A distance from her: while her grace sat down
To rest awhile, some half an hour, or so,
In a rich chair of state, opposing freely
The beauty of her person to the people.
Believe me, sir, she is the goodliest woman
That ever lay by man: which when the people
Had the full view of, such a noise arose
As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest,
As loud, and to as many tunes: Hats, cloaks,
(Doublets, I think) flew up; and had their faces
Been loose, this day they had been lost. Such joy
I never saw before. Great-belly'd women,
like rams
That had not half a week to go,
In the old time of war, would shake the press,
No man living
And make 'em reel before 'em.
Could say, This is my wife, there; all were woven
So strangely in one piece.
1
2 Gent. But what follow'd?
[paces 3 Gent. At length her grace rose, andwith modest Came to the altar; where she kneel'd, and, saintlike,
Cast her fair eyes to heaven, and pray'd devoutly. 25
Then rose again, and bow'd her to the people:
When by the archbishop of Canterbury,
She had all the royal makings of a queen;
As holy oil, Edward Confessor's crown,
The rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems 30
Lay'd nobly on her; which perform'd, the choir,
With all the choicest music of the kingdom,
Together sung Te Deum. So she parted,
And with the same full state pac'd back again
To York place, where the feast is held.
1 Gent. You must no more call it York place,
that's past:
For, since the cardinal fell, that title's lost;
'Tis now the king's, and call'd-Whitehall.
3 Gent. I know it;
But 'tis so lately alter'd, that the old name
Is fresh about me.
And one, already, of the privy-council.
2 Gent. He will deserve more.
3 Gent. Yes, without all doubt.
Come, gentiemen, ye shall go my way, which
5 Is to the court, and there shall be my guests;
Something I can command. As I walk thither,
I'll tell ye more.
Both. You may command us, sir.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Kimbolton.
Enter Katharine, Dowager,sick, led between Griffith
her Gentleman-usher, and Patience her woman.
Grif. How does your grace?
15
Kath. O, Griffith, sick to death:
My legs, like loaded branches, bow to the earth,
Willing to leave their burden: Reach a chair ;—
So, now, methinks, I feel a little ease.
20
Did'st thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou led'st me,
That the great child of honour, cardinal Wolsey,
Was dead?
(Newly preferr'd from the king's secretary)
The other, London.
2 Gent, He of Winchester
Grif. Yes, madam: but, I think your grace,
Out of the pain you suffer'd, gave no ear to 't.
Kath. Pr'ythee,goodGriffith, tell me how he dy'd:
If well, he stepp'd before me, happily 2,
For my example,
madam :
Grif. Well, the voice goes,
For after the stout earl Northumberland
Arrested him at York, and brought him forward
(As a man sorely tainted) to his answer,
He fell sick suddenly, and grew so ill,
He could not sit his mule,
2 Gent. What two reverend bishops
Were those that went on each side of the queen?
3 Gent. Stokesly, and Gardiner; the one, of 45
Winchester,
Kath. Alas, poor man!
[cester,
Grif. At last, with easy roads 3 he came to Lei-
35 Lodg'd in the abbey; where the reverend abbot,
With all his convent, honourably receiv'd him;
To whom he gave these words "O father abbot,
"An old man, broken with the storms of state,
"Is come to lay his weary bones among ye;
40" Give him a little earth for charity!"
So went to bed; where eagerly his sickness
Pursu'd him still; and, three nights after this,
About the hour of eight, (which he himself
Foretold should be his last) full of repentance,
Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows,
He gave his honours to the world again,
His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace.[him!
Kath. So may he rest; his faults lie gently on
Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him,
50 And yet with charity;-He was a man
Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking
Himself with princes; one, that by suggestion
Ty'd all the kingdom: simony was fair play;
His own opinion was his law; I' the presence
55 He would say untruths; and be ever double,
Both in his words and meaning: He was never,
But where he meant to ruin, pitiful :
His promises were, as he then was, mighty;
But his performance, as he is now, nothing.
Is held no great good lover of the archbishop,
The virtuous Cranmer.
[comes,
3 Gent, All the land knows that:
However, yet there's no great breach; when it
Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him.
2 Gent. Who may that be, I pray you?
3 Gent. Thomas Cromwell;
A man in much esteem with the king, and truly
A worthy friend, The king has made him
Master o' the jewel-house,
2
1i. e. like battering-rams. Happily seems to mean on this occasion-peradventure, haply. i.e. by short stages. i. e. (says Mr. Tollet) He was a man of an unbounded stomach, or pride, ranking hmself with princes, and, by suggestion to the king and the pope, he ty'd, i. e. limited, circumscribed, and set bounds to the liberties and properties of all persons in the kingdom. That he did so, appears from various passages in the play.
Of
Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues
We write in water'. May it please your highness 5
To hear me speak his good now?
Kath. Yes, good Griffith;
I were malicious else.
order: at which, (as it were by inspiration) she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven; and so, in their dancing, they vanish, carrying the garland with them. The
musick continues.
Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone?
Grif. This cardinal,
And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?
Grif. Madam, we are here.
10
Kath. It is not you I call for:
Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly
Was fashion'd to much honour. From his cradle,
He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one:
Exceeding wise, fair spoken, and persuading:
Lofty and sour, to them that lov'd him not;
But, to those men that sought him, sweet as sum- 15 Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces
Saw you none enter, since I slept?
Grif. None, madam.
Kath. No? Saw you not, even now, a blessed
troop
And though he were unsatisfy'd in getting, [mer.
(Which was a sin) yet in bestowing, madam,
He was most princely: Ever witness for him
Those twins of learning, that he rais'd in you,
Ipswich, and Oxford! one of which fell with him, 20 Assuredly.
Unwilling to out-live the good he did it;
The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous,
So excellent in art, and still so rising,
That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.
His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him;
For then, and not 'till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little :
And, to add greater honours to his age
Than man could give him, he dy'd, fearing God.
Kath. After my death, I wish no other herald, 30
No other speaker of my living actions,
To keep mine honour from corruption,
But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.
Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me,
With thy religious truth, and modesty,
Now in his ashes honour: Peace be with him!—
Patience, be near me still; and set me lower:
I have not long to trouble thee.-Good Griffith,
Cause the musicians play me that sad note
I nam'd my knell, whilst I sit meditating
On that celestial harmony I go to.
Sad and solemn musick.
35
Grif. She is asleep: Good wench, let's sit down quiet,
For fear we wake her:-Softly, gentle Patience. 45
The vision. Enter, solemnly tripping, one after an-
Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?
They promis'd me eternal happiness;
And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel
I am not worthy yet to wear : .I shall,
They are harsh and heavy to me. [Musick ceases.
Pat. Do you note,
25
How much her grace is alter'd on the sudden?
How long her face is drawn? how pale she looks,
And of an earthy cold? Mark her eyes.
Grif. She is going, wench; pray, pray,
Pat. Heaven comfort her!
Enter a Messenger.
Mes, An't like your grace,-
Kath. You are a sawcy fellow:
Deserve we no more reverence?
other, six personages, clad in white robes, wear-
ing on their heads garlands of bays, and golden
rizards on their faces; branches of bays, or
palm, in their hands. They first congee unto her, 50
then dance; and, at certain changes, the first two
hold a spare garland over her head; at which,
the other four make reverend curtsies; then the
two, that held the garland, deliver the same to
the other next two, who observe the same order in 55
their changes, and holding the garland over her
head; which done, they deliver the same garland
to the last two, who likewise observe the same
[dreams
Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good Possess your fancy.
Kath. Bid the musick leave,
Grif. You are to blame,
Knowing, she will not lose her wonted greatness,
To use so rude behaviour: go to, kneel.
Mes, I humblydo entreat your highness' pardon;
My haste made me unmannerly: There is staying
40A gentleman, sent from the king, to see you,
Kath. Admit him entrance, Griffith: But this
Let me ne'er see again.
[fellow
[Exeunt Griffith, and Messenger,
Re-enter Griffith, with Capucius.
If my sight fail not,
You should be lord ambassador from the emperor
My royal nephew, and your name Capucius.
Cap. Madam, the same, your servant.
Kath, O my lord,
The times, and titles, now are alter'd strangely
With me, since first you knew me. But, I pray
What is your pleasure with me?
[you,
Cup. Noble lady,
First, mine own service to your grace; the next,
The king's request that I would visit you;
Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me
Sends you his princely commendations,
And heartily entreats you take good comfort.
1 A criminal connection with women was anciently call'd the vice of the body. So, in Holinshed, p. 1258,"he labour'd by all means to cleare mistresse Sanders of committing evill of her bodie with him." 2 Dr. Percy remarks, that "this reflection bears a great resemblance to a passage in Sir Thomas More's History of Richard III. where, speaking of the ungrateful turns which Jane Shore experienced from those whom she had served in her prosperity; More adds, "Men use, if they have an evil turne, to write it in marble, and whoso doeth us a good turne, we write it in duste."
Kath.
Y y 4
name
Banish'd the kingdom!-Patience, is that letter,
I caus'd you write, yet sent away?
Pat. No, madam.
Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver This to my lord the king.
Cap. Most willing, madam.
[ness
Kath. In which I have commended to his good-
The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter:
The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!|
Beseeching him, to give her virtuous breeding;
(She is young, and of a noble modest nature;
I hope, she will deserve well) and a little
To love her for her mother's sake, that lov'd him,
Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor pe-
tition
25
Is, that his noble grace would have some pity
Upon my wretched women, that so long
Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully:
Of which there is not one, I dare avow,
(And now I should not lye) but will deserve,
For virtue, and true beauty of the soul,
For honesty, and decent carriage,
A right good husband; let him be a noble:
And,sure,those men are happy that shall have 'em.
The last is, for my men;-they are the poorest,
5 But poverty could never draw 'em from me;-
That they may have their wages duly paid 'em,
And something over to remember me by:
If heaven had pleas'd to have given me longer life,
And able means, we had not parted thus. [lord,
10 These are the whole contents:-And, good my
By that you love the dearest in this world,
As you wish christian peace to souls departed,
Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the king
To do me this last right.
15
Cap. By heaven, I will;
Or let me lose the fashion of a man!
Lov. I must to him too,
Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.
Gard. Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovel. What's
the matter?
[me
Kath. I thank you, honest lord. Remeniber In all humility unto his highness:
Say, his long trouble now is passing
20
Out of this world: tell him, in death I blest him,
For so I will.-Mine eyes grow dim.-Farewell,
My lord.-Griffith, farewell.-Nay, Patience,
You must not leave me yet. I must to bed;-
Call in more women. When I am dead, good
wench,
Let me be us'd with honour; strew me over
With maiden flowers, that all the world may know
I was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me,
Then lay me forth: although unqueen'd, yet like
30 A queen, and daughter to a king, interr me.
I can no more.- [Exeunt, leading Katharine.
SCENE I.
Some Part of the Palace.
Enter Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a torch before him, met by Sir Thomas Lovel. Gard. IT's one a'clock, boy, is't not?
Boy. It hath struck.
Gard. These should be hours for necessities,
Not for delights; times to repair our nature
With comforting repose, and not for us [Thomas!
To waste these times.- -Good hour of night, sir 50
Whither so late?
Lov. Came you from the king, my lord?
Gard. I did, Sir Thomas; and left him at pri-
With the duke of Suffolk.
[mero'
Some touch of your late business: Affairs, that walk
40
(As, they say, spirits do) at midnight, have
In them a wilder nature, than the business
That seeks dispatch by day.
Lov. My lord, I love
you;
45 And durst commend a secret to your ear
Much weightier than this work. The queen's in
labour,
They say, in great extremity; and fear'd,
She'll with the labour end.
Gard. The fruit she goes with,
pray for heartily; that it find
may
[mas,
Good time, and live; but for the stock, Sir Tho-
I wish it grubb'd up now.
Lov. Methinks, I could
55 Cry the Amen; and yet my conscience says She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does Deserve our better wishes.
Gard. But, sir, sir,
Hear me, Sir Thomas: You are a gentleman
It seems, you are in haste: an if there be
No great offence belongs to 't, give your friend (60 Of mine own way 2; I know you wise, religious;
1 Primero and primarista, two games at cards, that is, first, and first seen: because he that can shew such an order of cards first, wins the game. i. e. of mine own opinion in religion.
And,
And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,-
"Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovel, take 't of me,-
'Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she,
Sleep in their graves.
Loc. Now, sir, you speak of two [well,-5
The most remark'd i' the kingdom. As for Crom-
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 arch-10
bishop
[speak
Is the king's hand, and tongue: And who dare
One syllable against him?
Gard. 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 mov'd,
Have broken' 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, 25
To-morrow morning to the council-board [mas,
He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Tho-
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long: good night, Sir Thomas!
Loc. Many good nights, my lord! I rest your
servant. [Exeunt Gardiner and Page.
As Lovel is going out, enter the King, and the Duke
of Suffolk.
King. Charles, I will play no more to-night;
My mind's not on't, you are too hard for ine.
Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before.
King. But little, Charles;
Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.-
Now, Lovel, 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 desired your high-
Most heartily to pray for her.
[ness
King. What say'st thou? ha!
To
pray for her? what, is she crying out? [made Loc. So said her woman; and that her sufferance Almost each pang a death.
King. Alas, good lady!
Suf. God safely quit her of her burden, and
With gentle travail, to the gladding of
Your highness with an heir!
King. 'Tis midnight, Charles;
Suf. I wish your highness
A quiet night, and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers.
King. Charles, good night.
Enter Sir Anthony Denny.
Well, sir, what follows?
Re-enter Denny, with Cranmer.
King. Avoid the gallery. [Lovel seemeth to stay. Ha-I have said.-Be gone.
15 What!
[bishop,
Denny. Sir, I have brought my lord the arch-
As you commanded me.
King. Ha! Canterbury?
Denny. Ay, my good lord.
King. 'Tis true: Where is he, Denny?
Denny. He attends your highness' pleasure.
King. Bring him to us.
[Exit Denny.
Lot. This is about that which the bishop spake;
am happily come hither.
[Aside.
I
[Exeunt Lovel, and Denny. Cran. I am fearful: Wherefore frowns he thus? Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well. [know King. How now, my lord? You do desire to Wherefore I sent for you.
20
Cran. It is my duty,
To attend your highness' pleasure.
King. Pray you, arise,
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:
have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord,
Grievous complaints of you; which, being con-
sider'd,
I
Cran. I humbly thank your highness;
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
45 Most thoroughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know,
There'snonestandsundermorecalumnioustongues,
Than I myself, poor man.
King. Stand up, good Canterbury;
50 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
Pr'ythee to bed; and in thy prayers remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone; 55 I should have ta'en some pains to bring together
For I must think of that, which company
Would not be friendly to.
Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard you
Without indurance, further.
Cran. Most dread liege,
Have mov'd us and our council, that you shall
This morning come before us; where, I know,
35 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 contended
To make your house our Tower: You a brother
of us 4,
40
It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness
Would come against you.
[Exit Suffolk.
'i.e. the practised method, the general course. minds to the king. i.e. summon'd, conven'd.
The good I stand on is my truth and honesty; 60 If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies, Will triumph o'er my person! which I weigh not,
2i.e. they have broken silence, and told their i.e. you being one of the council.
Being
An ordinary groom is for such payment.
I will have more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this, the girl was like to him?
I will have more, or else unsay 't; and now,
While it is hot, I'll put it to the issue. [Exeunt.
5
Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing
What can be said against me.
King. Know you not
[world How your state stands i' the world, with the whole Your enemies are many, and not small; their practices
10
Must bear the same proportion: and not ever
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.
Cran. God, and your majesty,
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is laid for me!
King. 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, 25
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!
15
Who waits there?-Sure, you know me?
D. Keep. Yes, my lord';
But yet I cannot help you.
Cran. Why?
SCENE II.
Before the Council Chamber.
Cranmer, Servants, Door-keeper, &c. attending.
Cran. I hope, I'm not too late; and yet the
gentleman,
That was sent to me from the council, pray'd me
To make great haste. All fast? what means
this?-Hoa!
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.-He has strangled
His language in his tears. [Exit Cranmer.
Enter an Old Lady.
Gent. [within.] Come back; what mean you
Lady. I'll not come back; the tidings that I
bring
[angels
Will make my boldness manners. Now, good
Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person
Under their blessed wings!
40
King. Now, by thy looks
I guess thy message. Is the queen deliver❜d?
Say, ay; and of a boy.
Lady. Ay, ay, my liege;
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 you,
As cherry is to cherry.
King. Lovel,-
Enter Lovel.
D. Keep. Your grace must wait 'till you be called for.
Enter Doctor Butts.
The king's physician: As he pass'd along, How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me! 30 Pray heaven he sound not my disgrace! For certain, This is of purpose lay'd, by some that hate me, (God turn their hearts !I never sought theirmalice) To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me
Cran. So.
Butts. This is a piece of malice. I am glad, came this way so happily: The king Shall understand it presently.
[Exit Butts.
Cran. [Aside.] "Tis Butts,
35 Wait else at door; a fellow counsellor, [sures
Among boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their plea
Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.
Enter the King, and Butts, at a window above.
Butts. I'll shew your grace the strangest sight,→
King. What's that, Butts?
Butts. I think, your highness saw this many a day.
King. Body o' me, where is it?
Butts. There, my lord:
Loc. Sir.
King. Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the
[Ext King. 60
Lady. An hundred marks! by this light, I'll
queen.
have more.
The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury; 45 Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants, Pages, and foot-boys.
King. Ha! "Tis he, indeed:
Is this the honour they do one another?
"Tis well, there's one above 'em yet. I had thought,
50 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,
To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures,
And at the door too, like a post with packets.
55 By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:
Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close:
We shall hear more anon.
Enter the Lord Chancellor, places himself at the up-
per
end of the table on the left hand; a seat being
left void above him, as for the Archbishop of Can-
terbury. Duke of Suffolk, Duke of Norfolk,Sur-
rey, Lord Chamberlain, and Gardiner, seat them
To ween is to think, to imagine, Obsolete.
|