2 Gen. If the duke be guiltless, 'Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling Of an ensuing evil, if it fall, Greater than this. 1 Gen. Good angels keep it from us! 160 What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir? 1 Gen. Let me have it; I do not talk much. 2 Gen. I am confident; You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear 1 Gen. Yes; but it held not: For when the king once heard it, out of anger 2 Gen. But that slander, sir, Is found a truth now: for it grows again Fresher than e'er it was; and held for certain, 170 The king will venture at it. Either the cardinal, 180 As all think, for this business. 1 Gen. 'Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor, For For not bestowing on him, at his asking, The archbishoprick of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 2 Gen. I think, you have hit the mark: But is't not cruel, 190 That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal Will have his will, and she must fall. 1 Gen. 'Tis woful. We are too open here to argue this; Let's think in private more. [Exeunt. SCENE 11. An Anti-Chamber in the Palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a Letter. My lord-The horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. They were young and handsome; and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission, and main power, took ' 'em from me; with this reason-His master would be serv'd before a subject, if not before the king: which stopp'd our mouths, sir. 203 I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them; He will have all, I think. Enter the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Nor. Well met, my lord chamberlain. Cham. Cham. Good day to both your graces. Suf. How is the king employ'd? Cham. I left him private, Full of sad thoughts and troubles. Nor. What's the cause? 210 Cham. It seems, the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suf. No, his conscience Has crept too near another lady. Nor. 'Tis so; This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he lists. This king will know him one day. Suf. Pray God, he do! he'll never know himself else. 220 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 ne phew, He dives into the king's soul; and there scatters 230 That That angels love good men with; even of her, These news are every where; every tongue speaks 'em, And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold bad man. Suf. 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 like one lump before him, to be fashion'd Into what pitch he please. Suf. For me, my lords, 240 I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed: 250 If the king please; his curses and his blessings Nor. Let's in; And, with some other business, put the king him : Eiij My My lord, you'll bear us company? Cham. Excuse me; The king hath sent me other-where: besides, Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. 260 [Exit Lord Chamberlain. A Door opens, and discovers the King sitting and reading pensively. Suf. How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted. King. Who's there? ha! Nor. Pray God, he be not angry. King. Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations? Who am I? ha! 270 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. King. You are too bold : Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business: Is this an hour for temporal affairs? ha!— |