(As, they say, spirits do) at midnight, have In them a wilder nature, than the business That seeks despatch by day.

Lov.

My lord, I love you;

And durst commend a secret to your ear

Much weightier than this work. The queen's in

labor,

They say, in great extremity; and fear'd,

She 'll with the labor end.

Gar.

The fruit, she goes with,

I pray for heartily, that it may find

Good time, and live; but for the stock, sir Thomas, I wish it grubb'd up now.

Lov.

Methinks, I could

Cry the Amen; and yet my conscience says
She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does
Deserve our better wishes.

Gar.

Hear me, sir Thomas.

But, sir, sir.

You are a gentleman

Of mine own way: I know you wise, religious;

And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,—
"Twill not, sir Thomas Lovell, take 't of me,
Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she
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; farther,

sir,

Stands in the gap and trade1 of more preferments, With which the time will load him. The arch

bishop

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

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

A most arch heretic, a pestilence

That does infect the land: with which they moved,
Have broken with 2 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 convented. 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
servant. [Exeunt Gardiner and Page.

As Lovell is going out, enter the KING and DUKEe of

SUFFOLK.

K. Hen. Charles, I will play no more to-night:

1 General course. 2 Told their minds to

Summoned.

My mind's not on 't; you are too hard for me.
Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before.
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 desired your

highness

Most heartily to pray for her.

Το

K. Hen.

What say'st thou? ha!

pray for her? what, is she crying out?

Lov. So said her woman; and 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

Would not be friendly to.

Suf.

I wish your highness

A quiet night, and my good mistress will

Remember in my prayers.

K. Hen.

Charles, good night.

[Exit Suffolk.

Enter SIR ANTHONY DENNY.

Well, sir, what follows?

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

[Exit Denny.

Den. He attends your highness' pleasure.

K. Hen.

Lov. This is about that which the bishop spake :

I am happily come hither.

Re-enter DENNY, with CRANMER.

[aside.

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

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.