To speak my mind of him; indeed ''this very day.`
(Sir, I may tell it you,) I think I have
Incens'd the Lords o' th' council, that he is
(For fo I know he is, they know he is)
A most arch-heretick, a peftilence

That does infect the land; with which they mov'd
Have broken with the King, who hath fo far
Giv'n ear to our complaint, of his great grace
And princely care, foreseeing thofe fell mifchiefs
Our reafons 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
From your affairs
I hinder you too long: good night, Sir Thomas!
Lov. Many good nights, my Lord! I reft your servant.
[Exeunt feverally.

An Apartment in the Palace.

Enter King and Suffolk.
King Charles, I will play no more to-night,

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

Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before.

King. But little, Charles,

Nor fhall not when my fancy's on my play.

Enter Lovell.

Now, Lovell, from the Queen what is the news?
Lov. I could not perfonally deliver to her
What you commanded me, but by her woman
I fent your meffage, who return'd her thanks
In greatest humblenefs, and begg'd your Highness
Hh2

Moft

6 this day.

Moft heartily to pray for her.

King. What fay'st thou! ha!

To pray for her! what! is fhe crying out?

Lov. So faid her woman, and that her fuff'rance made Almost each pang a death.

King. Alas, good Lady!

Suf. God fafely quit her of her burthen, and With gentle travel, to the gladding of

Your Highness with an heir!

King. 'Tis midnight, Charles;

Pr'ythee to bed, and in thy prayers remember

Th' eftate 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.

King. Charles, a good night:

Well, Sir, what follows?

Enter Sir Anthony Denny.

[Exit Suffolk.

Denny. Sir, I have brought my Lord the Arch-bishop,

As you commanded me.

King. Ha! Canterbury!

Denny. Yea, my good Lord.

King. 'Tis true where is he, Denny?

Denny. He attends your Highness' pleasure.

King. Bring him to us.

[Exit Denny.

[Afide.

Lov. This is about that which the Bishop spake,

Enter Cranmer and Denny.

I am happily come hither.

King. Avoid the gallery. Ha! I have faid

be gone!

[Lovell feemeth to stay.

[Exeunt Lovell and Denny.

SCENE

Cran. 'I am much fearful:` wherefore frowns he thus?

'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.

King. How now, my Lord? you do defire to know Wherefore I fent for you.

Cran. It is my duty

T'attend your Highness' pleasure.

King. Pray you rise,

My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury:
Come, you and I must walk a turn together:
I've news to tell you. Come, give me your hand.
Ah, my good Lord, I grieve at what I speak,
And am right forry to repeat what follows.
I have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous, I do fay, my Lord,

Grievous complaints of you; which being confider'd,
Have mov'd us and our council, that you fhall
This morning come before us, where I know
You cannot with fuch freedom purge your felf,
But that 'till further tryal, in those charges
Which will require your anfwer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented

To make your house our Tower; you a brother of us,
It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness

Would come against you.

Cran. I humbly thank your Highness,

And am right glad to catch this good occafion

Moft throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff

And corn fhall fly afunder. For I know

There's none ftands under more calumnious tongues
Than I my self, poor man.

King. Stand up, good Canterbury;

Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted

In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up,

Hh3

Pr'ythee

Pr'ythee let's walk. Now, by my holy Dame,
What manner of man are you? my Lord, I look'd
You would have giv'n me your petition, that
I fhould have ta'en fome pains to bring together
Your felf and your accufers, and have heard you
Without indurance further.

Cran. Moft dread Liege,

The good I ftand on is my truth and honefty:
If they fhall fall, I with mine enemies

Will triumph o'er my perfon; which I weigh not,
Being of thofe virtues vacant. I fear nothing
What can be faid against me.

King. Know you not

How your state stands i'th' world, with the whole world?
Your foes are many, and not small; their practices
Must bear the fame proportion; and not ever
The juftice and the truth o'th' question carries
The due o' th' verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To fwear against you! fuch things have been done.
You're potently oppos'd; and with a malice
Of as great fize. Ween you of better luck,
I mean in perjur'd witness, than
your Master,
Whofe minifter you are, while 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 deftruction.

Cran. God and your Majefty

Protect mine innocence! or I fall into
The trap is laid for me.

King. Be of good cheer;

They fhall no more prevail than we give way to:
Keep comfort to you, and this morning fee
You do appear before them. If they chance,
In charging you with matters, to commit you;
The best perfuafions to the contrary

Fail not to ufe; and with what vehemency

Th' occafion

Th' occafion fhall inftruct you. If intreaties
Will render you no remedy, this Ring

Deliver them, and your appeal to us

There make before them. Look, the good man weeps! He's honeft, on mine honour. God's bleft mother!

I swear he is true-hearted, and a foul

None better in my kingdom. Get you gone,
And do as I have bid you. 'He has ftrangled

All language in his tears.

8

Enter an old Lady.

[Exit Cranmer.

Gent. within. Come back; what mean you?
Lady. I'll not come back: the tidings that I bring
Will make my boldness manners. Now good angels
Fly o'er thy royal head, and fhade thy perfon
Under their bleffed wings!

King. Now by thy looks

I guess thy meffage.

Say ay, and of a boy.

Is the Queen deliver'd?

Lady. Ay, ay, my Liege;

And of a lovely boy; the God of heav'n
Both now and ever bless her! ---- 'tis a girl
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your Queen
Defires your visitation, and to be

Acquainted with this ftranger; 'tis as like you,
As cherry is to cherry.

King. Lovell!

Lov. Sir.

King. Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the Queen.

[Exit King.

Lady. An hundred marks! by this light, I'll ha' more. An ordinary groom is for fuch payment.

I will have more, or fcold it out of him.
Said I for this, the girl was like him? I'll
H h 4

8 H'as ftrangled all his language

Have