And,-when I am forgotten, as I shall be ; To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not: Thou fall'st a blessed martyr.-Lead me in:- To the last penny; 'tis the king's: my robe, I dare now call mine own.-O Cromwell, Cromwell, Crom. Good sir, have patience. Wol. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. [Exeunt. ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. An Apartment at Kimbolton. Enter KATHARINE, Dowager, sick, attended by CROMWELL, PATIENCE, AGATHA, and CICELY, who lead her to her Chair. Crom. How does your grace? Kath. O, Cromwell, sick to death: My legs, like loaded branches, bow to the earth, Didst thou not tell me, Cromwell, as thou led'st me, Crom. Yes, madam; but I think, your grace, Out of the pain you suffer'd, gave no ear to't. Kath. Pr'ythee, good Cromwell, tell me how he died: If well, he stepp'd before me, happily, For my example. Crom. Well, the voice goes madam : 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. Kath. Alas, poor man! Crom. At last, with easy roads, he came to Lei cester; Lodg'd in the abbey; where the reverend abbot, So went to bed: where eagerly his sickness He gave his honours to the world again, His blessed part to Heaven, and slept in peace. Kath. So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him! Yet thus far, Cromwell, give me leave to speak him, And yet with charity,-He was a man Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking His promises were, as he then was, mighty; Crom. Noble madam, Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues Kath. Yes, good Cromwell; I were malicious else. Crom. This cardinal, Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly Those twins of learning, that he rais'd in you, The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous, Than man could give him, he died, fearing Heaven. To keep mine honour from corruption, Now in his ashes honour:-Peace be with him!- PATIENCE sings.-KATHARINE falls asleep. Angels ever bright and fair, Take, O, take me to your care; Speed to your bless'd courts my flight, Clad in robes of virgin white! Kath. [Vakes.] Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone? And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye? Crom. Madam, we're here. Kath. It is not you I call for : Saw ye none enter, since I slept? Crom. None, madam. Kath. No? saw you not, even now, a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun? And brought me garlands, Cromwell, which I feel Assuredly. Crom. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy. Enter GUILDFord. Guil. An't like your grace,- Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness, Guil. I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon; Kath. Admit him entrance, Cromwell:-But this fellow Let me ne'er see again. [Exeunt GUILDFORD and CROMWEll. Enter CROMWELL and CAPUCIUS. If my sight fail not, You should be lord embassador from the emperor, Kath. O my lord, The times and titles, now are alter'd strangely Cap. Noble lady, W First, mine own service to your grace; the next, Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me |