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A most unnatural and faithless service!
Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me,
This from a dying man receive as certain :
Where you are liberal of your loves, and counsels,
Be sure, you be not loose; for those you make
friends,

And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
The least rub in your fortunes, fall away
Like water from ye, never found again

But where they mean to sink ye. All good people,
Pray for me! I must now forsake ye; the last hour,
Of my long weary life is come upon me.

Farewell:

And when you would say something that is sad, Speak how I fell.-I have done; and God forgive me! [Exeunt Buckingham and train.

1 Gent. O, this is full of pity!-Sir, it calls, I fear, too many curses on their heads, That were the authors.

2 Gent. If the duke be guiltless, "Tis full of wo: yet I can give you inkling Of an ensuing evil, if it fall, Greater than this.

1 Gent. Good angels keep it from us! Where may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir? 2 Gent. This secret is so weighty, 'twill require A strong faith1 to conceal it.

1 Gent.

I do not talk much.

2 Gent.

Let me have it;

I am confident;

You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear

A buzzing, of a separation

Between the king and Katharine?

Yes, but it held not;

1 Gent.
For when the king once heard it, out of anger
He sent command to the lord mayor, straight
To stop the rumour, and allay those tongues
That durst disperse it.

2 Gent.
But that slander, sir,
Is found a truth now: for it grows again
Fresher than e'er it was; and held for certain,
The king will venture at it. Either the cardinal,
Or some about him near, have, out of malice
To the good queen, possess'd him with a scruple
That will undo her: To confirm this too,
Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd, and lately;
As all think, for this business.

1 Gent. 'Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor, For not bestowing on him, at his asking, The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 2 Gent. I think, you have hit the mark: But is't not cruel,

That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal
Will have his will, and she must fall.
1 Gent.

We are too open here to argue this;
Let's think in private more.

"Tis woful.

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else.

Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! For, now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew,

He dives into the king's soul; and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,
Fears, and despairs, and all these for his mar-
riage:

And, out of all these to restore the king,
He counsels a divorce; a loss of her,
That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years
About his neck, yet never lost her lustre ;
Of her, that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with; even of her
That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls,
Will bless the king: And is not this course pious?
Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'Tis

most true,

These news are every where; every tongue speaks them,

And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare
Look into these affairs, see this main end,-
The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open
The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon
This bold bad man.
Suff.
And free us from his slavery.

Nor. We had need pray,
And heartily, for our deliverance;
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages: all men's honours
Lie in one lump before him, to be fashion'd
Into what pitch2 he please.
Suff
For me, my lords,
I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed:
As I am made without him, so I'll stand,
If the king please; his curses and his blessings
Touch me alike, they are breath I not believe in.
I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him
To him, that made him proud, the pope.

[Exeunt. SCENE II-An ante-chamber in the palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a letter. Cham. My lord,-The horses your lordship sent Nor. for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, rid-And, with some other business, put the king den, and furnished. They were young, and hand-From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon some; and of the best breed in the north. When

him :-

they were ready to set out for London, a man of My lord, you'll bear us company? my lord cardinal's, by commission, and main Cham.

Let's in;

Excuse me;

power, took 'em from me; with this reason,-His The king hath sent me other-where: Besides, master would be served before a subject, if not be-You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him: fore the king: which stopped our mouths, sir. Health to your lordships.

I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them:

(1) Great fidelity.

Nor.

Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. [Exit Lord Chamberlain.

(2) High or low.

Norfolk opens a folding-door. The King is covered sitting, and reading pensively. Suff. How sad he looks! sure, he is much

flicted.

K. Hen. Who is there? ha?
Nor.

dis-So dear in heart, not to deny her that
A woman of less place might ask by law,
af-Scholars, allow'd freely to argue for her.

'Pray God, he be not angry. K. Hen. Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves

Into my private meditations?
Who am I? ha?

Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offences
Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty, this way,
Is business of estate; in which, we come
To know your royal pleasure.

K. Hen.

You are too bold:

Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business:
Is this an hour for temporal affairs? ha?-

Enter Wolsey and Campeius.

K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; and my favour

To him that does best; God forbid else. Cardinal, Prythee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary; [Exit Wolsey.

I find him a fit fellow.

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Gard.

But to be commanded For ever by your grace, whose hand has rais'd me. [Aside. K. Hen. Come hither, Gardiner. [They converse apart. Cam. My lord of York, was not one doctor Pace

Who's there? my good lord cardinal?-O my In this man's place before him?

Wolsey,

The quiet of my wounded conscience,
Thou art a cure fit for a king.-You're welcome,
[To Campeius.
Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom;
Use us, and it :-My good lord, have great care
I be not found a talker.
[To Wolsey.
Wol.
Sir, you cannot.
I would your grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference.

K. Hen.

We are busy; go.
[To Norfolk and Suffolk.
Nor. This priest has no pride in him?)
Suff
Not to speak of;

I would not be so sick though, for his
place:

But this cannot continue.

Nor.

If it do,

I'll venture one heave at him.
Suff.

I another.

Aside.

Wol.
Yes, he was.
Cam. Was he not held a learned man?
Wol.
Yes, surely.
Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread
then

Even of yourself, lord cardinal.
Wol.
How! of me?
Cam. They will not stick to say, you envied him;
And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous,
Kept him a foreign man2 still; which so griev'd him,
That he ran mad, and died.

Wol.
Heaven's peace be with him!
That's christian care enough: for living murmurers,
There's places of rebuke. He was a fool;
For he would needs be virtuous: That good fellow,
If I command him, follows my appointment;

I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother,
We live not to be grip'd by meaner persons.
K. Hen. Deliver this with modesty to the queen.
[Exit Gardiner.

There ye

[Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk.The most convenient place that I can think of, Wol. Yourgrace has given a precedent of wisdom For such receipt of learning, is Black-Friars; Above all princes, in committing freely shall meet about this weighty business :---My Wolsey, see it furnish'd.-O my lord, Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: Would it not grieve an able man, to leave Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conThe Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her, science,Must now confess, if they have any goodness, The trial just and noble. All the clerks,

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Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all strangers'
loves,

You are so noble: to your highness' hand
I tender my commission; by whose virtue,
(The court of Rome commanding,)-you, my lord
Cardinal of York, are join'd with me their servant,
In the unpartial judging of this business.

K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be
acquainted
Forthwith, for what you come :-Where's Gardiner?
Wol. I know, your majesty has always lov'd her

(1) So sick as he is proud.
(2) Out of the king's presence.

O, 'tis a tender place, and I must leave her. [Exe.
SCENE III-An ante-chamber in the Queen's
apartments. Enter Anne Bullen, and an old
Lady.

Anne. Not for that neither;-Here's the pang
His highness having liv'd so long with her : and she
that pinches :
So good a lady, that no tongue could ever
Pronounce dishonour of her,-by my life,
She never knew harm-doing;-O now, after
So many courses of the sun enthron'd,
Still growing in a majesty and pomp,-the which
To leave is a thousand-fold more bitter, than
'Tis sweet at first to acquire,-after this process,
To give her the avaunt!3 it is a pity
Would move a monster.

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Anne.

Our content

More than my all, is nothing: nor my prayers
Are not words duly hallow'd, nor my wishes
More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers, and
wishes,

Are all I can return. 'Beseech your lordship,
Vouchsafe to speak my thanks, and my obedience,
As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness;
Whose health, and royalty, I pray for.
Cham.

Lady,

By my troth, and maidenhead,|| I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit,6
The king hath of you.-I have perus'd her well;
[Aside.

I would not be a queen.
Old L.

Beshrew me, I would,

And venture maidenhead for't; and so would you,

For all this spice of your hypocrisy :

You, that have so fair parts of woman on you,
Have too a woman's heart; which ever yet
Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty;
Which, to say sooth,3 are blessings: and which
gifts

(Saving your mincing) the capacity

Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive,
you might please to stretch it.
Anne.

If

Nay, good troth,Old L. Yes, troth, and troth,-You would not be a queen?

Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven.
Old L. 'Tis strange; a three-pence bow'd
would hire me,

Old as I am, to queen it: But, I pray you,
What think you of a duchess? have you limbs
To bear that load of title?
No, in truth.

Anne.

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How you do talk!
I swear again, I would not be a queen
For all the world.

Old L.
In faith for little England
You'd venture an emballing: I myself
Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd
No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes
here?

Enter the Lord Chamberlain.

Beauty and honour in her are so mingled,
That they have caught the king: and who knows
yet,

But from this lady may proceed a gem,
To lighten all this isle?-I'll to the king,
And say, I spoke with you.
Anne.

My honour'd lord.
[Exit Lord Chamberlain.
Old L. Why, this it is; see, see!

I have been begging sixteen years in court,
(Am yet a courtier beggarly,) nor could
Come pat betwixt too early and too late,
For any suit of pounds: and you, (O fate!)
A very fresh-fish here, (fie, fie upon
This compell'd fortune!) have your mouth fill'd up,
Before you open it.

Anne.

This is strange to me.
Old L. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no.
There was a lady once ('tis an old story,)
That would not be a queen, that would she not,
For all the mud in Egypt:-Have you heard it?
Anne. Come, you are pleasant.

Old L.
With your theme, I could
O'ermount the lark. The marchioness of Pembroke!
A thousand pounds a year! for pure respect;
No other obligation: By my life,

That promises more thousands: Honour's train
Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time,

I know, your back will bear a duchess;-Say,
Are you not stronger than you were?
Anne.

Good lady,

Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy,
And leave me out on't. 'Would I had no being,

If this salute my blood a jot; it faints me,
To think what follows.

The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful
In our long absence: Pray, do not deliver

Cham. Good-morrow, ladies. What were't worth What here you have heard, to her.
to know

The secret of your conference?

Anne.
My good lord,
Not your demand; it values not your asking:
Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying.

Cham. It was a gentle business, and becoming
The action of good women: there is hope,
All will be well.

Anne.
Now I pray God, amen!
Cham. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly

blessings

Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's
Ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty
Commends his good opinion to you, and
Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
Than marchioness of Pembroke; to which title
A thousand pound a year, annual support,
Out of his grace he adds.

Anne.
I do not know,
What kind of my obedience I should tender;

(1) No longer an Englishwoman. (2) Possession.
(3) Truth. (4) Kid-skin. (5) Crook'd.

Old L. What do you think me? [Exeunt. SCENE IV-A Hall in Black-Friars. Trumpets, sennet, and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, in the habits of doctors; after them, the Archbishop of Canterbury alone; after him, the Bishops of Lincoln, Ely, Rochester, and Saint Asaph; next them, with some small distance, follows a gentleman bearing the purse, with the great seal, and a cardinal's hat; then two Priests, bearing each a silver cross; then a Gentleman Usher bare-headed, accompanied with a Serjeant at Arms, bearing a silver mace; then two Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars after them, side by side, the two Cardinals, Wolsey and Campeius; two Noblemen with the sword and mace. Then enter the King and Queen, and their trains. The King takes place under the cloth of state; the two Cardinals sit under him as judges. The Queen takes place at some

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distance from the King. The Bishops place||(And of your choice,) these reverend fathers; men themselves on each side the court, in manner of Of singular integrity and learning, a consistory; between them, the Scribes. The Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled Lords sit next the Bishops. The Crier and the To plead your cause: It shall be therefore bootless, rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order That longer you desire the court; as well about the stage. For your own quiet, as to rectify What is unsettled in the king. Cam. Hath spoken well, and justly: Therefore, madam, It's fit this royal session do proceed;

Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is read, Let silence be commanded.

K. Hen.

What's the need?
It hath already publicly been read,
And on all sides the authority allow'd:
You may then spare that time.
Wol.

Be't so:-Proceed.

Scribe. Say, Henry, king of England, come into

the court.

Crier. Henry, king of England, &c.
K. Hen. Here.

Scribe. Say, Katharine, queen of England, come
into court.

Crier. Katharine, queen of England, &c. [The Queen makes no answer, rises out of her chair, goes about the court, comes to the King, and kneels at his feet; then speaks.]

His grace

And that, without delay, their arguments

Be now produc'd, and heard.

Q. Kair

1

To you I speak.
Wol.

Q. Kath.

Lord cardinal,

Your pleasure, madain?

Sir,

I am about to weep; but thinking that
We are a queen, (or long have dream'd so,) certain,
The daughter of a king, my drops of tears
I'll turn to sparks of fire.

Wol.

Be patient yet.

Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before,

Or God will punish me. I do believe,

Q. Kath. Sir, I desire you, do me right and Induc'd by potent circumstances, that

justice;

And to bestow your pity on me: for
I am a most poor woman, and a stranger,
Born out of your dominions; having here
No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? what cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,
That thus you should proceed to put me off,
And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness,
I have been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable:
Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,

Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or sorry,
As I saw it inclin'd. When was the hour,
I ever contradicted your desire,

Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends
Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy? what friend of mine
That had to him deriv'd your anger, did I
Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice
He was from thence discharg'd? Sir, call to mind
That I have been your wife, in this obedience,
Upward of twenty years, and have been blest
With many children by you: If, in the course
And process of this time, you can report
And prove it too, against mine honour aught,
My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty,
Against your sacred person, in God's name,
Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up
To the sharpest kind of justice. Please you, sir,
The king, your father, was reputed for
A prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand,
My father, king of Spain, was reckon'd one
The wisest prince, that there had reign'd by many
A year before: It is not to be question'd
That they had gather'd a wise council to them
Of every realm, that did debate this business,
Who deem'd our marriage lawful: Wherefore I
humbly

Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may
Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel
I will implore: if not, i'the name of God,
Your pleasure be fulfill'd!
Wol.

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You are mine enemy; and make my challenge,
You shall not be my judge: for it is you
Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,---
Which God's dew quench!-Therefore, I say again,
I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul,

Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more,
I hold my most malicious foe, and think not
At all a friend to truth.

Wol.
I do profess
You speak not like yourself; who ever yet
Have stood to charity, and display'd the effects
Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom
O'er-topping woman's power. Madam, you do me

wrong:

I have no spleen against you; nor injustice
For you, or any: how far I have proceeded,
Or how far further shall, is warranted
By a commission from the consistory,
Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me,
That I have blown this coal: I do deny it :
The king is present: if it be known to him,
That I gainsay2 my deed, how may he wound,
And worthily, my falsehood? yea, as much
As you have done my truth. But if he know,
That I am free of your report, he knows,
I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him
It lies, to cure me: and the cure is, to
Remove these thoughts from you: The which before
His highness shall speak in, I do beseech
You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking,
And to say so no more.

Q. Kath.
My lord, my lord,
I am a simple woman, much too weak
To oppose your cunning. You are meek, and hum-
ble-mouth'd;

You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,3
With meekness and humility: but your heart
Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
You have, by fortune, and his highness' favours,
Gone slightly o'er low steps; and now are mounted
Where powers are your retainers: and your words,
Domestics to you, serve your will, as't please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,
You tender more your person's honour, than
Your high profession spiritual: That again
I do refuse you for my judge; and here,
Before you all, appeal unto the pope,

(3) Appearance.

Scene III.

KING HENRY VIII.

To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness,
And to be judg'd by him.

[She court'sies to the King, and offers to depart.
The queen 18 obstinate,
Cam.
Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and
Disdainful to be try'd by it; 'tis not well.

She's going away.

K. Hen.

Call her again.

Whether our daughter were legitimate,
Respecting this our marriage with the dowager,
Sometime our brother's wife. This respite shook
The bosom of my conscience, enter'd me,
Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble
The region of my breast; which forc'd such way,
That many maz'd considerings did throng,
And press'd in with this caution. First, methought,

Crier. Katharine, queen of England, come into I stood not in the smile of heaven; who had

the court.

Grif. Madam, you are call'd back.

Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you, keep

your way:

When you are call'd, return.-Now the Lord help,
They vex me past my patience!-pray you, pass on:
I will not tarry; no, nor ever more,
Upon this business, my appearance make
In any of their courts.

[Exe. Queen, Grif. and her other attendants.
K. Hen.
Go thy ways, Kate:

That man i'the world, who shall report he has
A better wife, let him in nought be trusted,
For speaking false in that: Thou art, alone
(If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness,
Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,-
Obeying in commanding,-and thy parts
Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out,')
The queen of earthly queens :-She is noble born;
And, like her true nobility, she has
Carried herself towards me.

Wol.

Most gracious sir,
In humblest manner I require your highness,
That it shall please you to declare, in hearing
Of all these ears (for where I am robb'd and bound,
There must I be unloos'd; although not there
At once and fully satisfied,) whether ever I
Did broach this business to your highness; or
Laid any scruple in your way, which might
Induce you to the question on't? or ever
Have to you, but with thanks to God for such
A royal lady, spake one the least word, might
Be to the prejudice of her present state,
Or touch of her good person?
My lord cardinal,
K. Hen.
I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour,
I free you from't. You are not to be taught
That you have many enemies, that know not
Why they are so, but, like to village curs,
Bark when their fellows do: by some of these
You are excus'd:
The queen is put in anger.

Commanded nature, that my lady's womb,
If not conceiv'd a male child by me, should
Do no more offices of life to't, than

The grave does to the dead: for her male issue
Or died where they were made, or shortly after
This world had air'd them: Hence I took a
thought,

This was a judgment on me; that my kingdom,
Well worthy the best heir o'the world, should not
Be gladded in't by me: Then follows, that

I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in
By this my issue's fail; and that gave to me
Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in
The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
Toward this remedy, whereupon we are
Now present here together; that's to say,
I meant to rectify my conscience,-which
I then did feel full sick, and yet not well,-
By all the reverend fathers of the land,
And doctors learn'd,-First, I began in private
With you, my lord of Lincoln; you remember
How under my oppression I did reek,5
When I first mov'd you.

Lin.

Very well, my liege.
K. Hen. I have spoke long; be pleas'd yourself

to say

How far you satisfied me. So please your highness, Lin. The question did at first so stagger me,Bearing a state of mighty moment in't, And consequence of dread,-that I committed The daring'st counsel which I had, to doubt; And did entreat your highness to this course, Which you are running here. I then mov'd you, K. Hen. My lord of Canterbury; and got your leave To make this present summons:-Unsolicited I left no reverend person in this court; But by particular consent proceeded, Under your hands and seals. Therefore, go on: For no dislike i'the world against the person Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward: Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life, And kingly dignity, we are contented To wear our mortal state to come, with her, And thus far clear him. Now, what mov'd me to't,-Katharine our queen, before the primest creature That's paragon'd' o'the world. I will be bold with time, and Then mark the inducement. Thus it came ;-give heed to't :

But will you be more justified? you ever
Have wish'd the sleeping of this business; never
Desir'd it to be stirr'd; but oft have hinder'd; oft
The passages made toward it:-on my honour,
I speak my good lord cardinal to this point,

your attention :

My conscience first received a tenderness,
Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter'd
By the bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador;
Who had been hither sent on the debating
A marriage, 'twixt the duke of Orleans and
Our daughter Mary: I'the progress of this busi-

ness,

Ere a determinate resolution, he

(I mean the bishop) did require a respite;
Wherein he might the king his lord advertise

(1) Speak out thy merits.

(2) Immediately satisfied.
(3) Closed or fastened.
(4) Floating without guidance.

So please your highness,
Cam.
The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness
That we adjourn this court till further day:
Meanwhile must be an earnest motion
Made to the queen, to call back her appeal
She intends unto his holiness. [They rise to depart.
I may perceive, [Âside.
K. Hen.
These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor
This dilatory sloth, and tricks of Rome.
My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cranmer,
Pr'ythee, return!7 with thy approach, I know,
Break up the court:
My comfort comes along.

I say, set on.

[Exe. in manner as they entered.

(5) Waste, or wear away.

(6) Without compare.

(7) An apostrophe to the absent bishop.

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