I find at such proud rate, that it out-speaks
Possession of a subject.
Nor.

It's heaven's will;
Some spirit put this paper in the packet,
To bless your eye withal.
K, Hen.

If we did think
His contemplation were above the earth,
And fix'd on spiritual object, he should still
Dwell in his musings; but, I am afraid,
His thinkings are below the moon, not worth
His serious considering.

[He takes his seat ; and whispers Lovell, who goes

to Wolsey. Wol.

Heaven forgive me!Ever God bless your highness ! K. Hen.

Good my lord, You are full of heavenly stuff, and bear the inventory Of your best

graces in your mind; the which
You were now running o'er : you have scarce time
To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span,
To keep your earthly audit: Sure, in that
I deem you an ill husband; and am glad
To have you therein my companion.
Wol.

Sir,
For holy offices I have a time; a time
To think upon the part of business, which
I bear i'the state ; and nature does require
Her times of preservation, which, perforce,
I her frail son, amongst my brethren mortal,
Must give my tendance to.

K. Hen.

You have said well. Wol. And ever may your highness yoke together, As I will lend you cause, my doing well With my well saying! K. Hen.

'Tis well said again; And 'tis a kind of good deed, to say well: And yet words are no deeds. My father lov'd

you: He said, he did; and with his deed did crown His word upon you. Since I had my office, I have kept you next my heart; have not alone Employ'd you where high profits might come home, But par'd my present havings, to bestow My bounties upon you. Wol.

What should this mean? Sur. The Lord increase this business! [ Asidle. K. Hen.

Have I not made you The prime man of the state ? I pray you, tell me, If what I now pronounce, you have found true : And, if you may confess it, say withal, If you are bound to us, or no.

What say. you? Wol. My sovereign, I confess, your royal graces, Shower'd on me daily, have been more, than could My studied purposes requite; which went Beyond all man's endeavours :—my endeavours Have ever come too short of my desires, Yet, fil'd with my abilities : Mine own ends Have been mine so, that evermore they pointed To the good of your most sacred person, and The profit of the state. For your great graces

Heap'd upon me, poor undeserver, I
Can nothing render but allegiant thanks ;
My prayers to heaven for you; my loyalty,
Which ever has, and ever shall be growing,
Till death, that winter, kill it.
K. Hen.

Fairly answer'd;
A loyal and obedient subject is
Therein illustrated : The honour of it
Does pay the act of it; as, i’the contrary,
The foulness is the punishment. I presume,
That, as my hand has open'd bounty to you,
My heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd honour,

more

On you,

than

any; so your hand, and heart,
Your brain, and every function of your power,
Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty,
As 'twere in love's particular, be more
To me, your friend, than any.
Wol.

I do profess,
That for your highness' good I ever labour'd
More than mine own; that am, have, and will be.
Though all the world should crack their duty to you,
And throw it from their soul; though perils did
Abound, as thick as thought could make them, and
Appear in forms more horrid; yet my duty,
As doth a rock against the chiding flood,
Should the approach of this wild river break,
And stand unshaken yours.
K, Hen.

'Tis nobly spoken: Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast,

For you have seen him open't.- Read o'er this;

[Giving him papers. And, after, this : and then to breakfast, with What appetite you have.

[Erit King, frowning upon Cardinal Wolsey :

the Nobles throng after him, smiling, and whis

pering Wol.

What should this mean? What sudden anger's this ? how have I reap'd it? He parted frowning from me, as if ruin Leap'd from his eyes : So looks the chafed lion Upon the daring huntsman that has gall’d him; Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper ; I fear, the story of his anger.— 'Tis so; This paper has undone me :— 'Tis the account Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom, And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence, Fit for a fool to fall by! What cross devil Made me put this main secret in the packet I sent the king ? Is there no way to cure this? No new device to beat this from his brains ? I know, 'twill stir him strongly; Yet I know A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune Will bring me off again. What's this—To the Pupe ? The letter, as I live, with all the business I writ to his holiness. Nay then, farewell ! I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness; And, from that full meridian of my glory, I haste now to my setting : I shall fall Vol. IX.

т

Like a bright exhalation in the evening,
And no man see me more.

Re-enter the Dukes of Norfolk and SUPFOLK, the

Earl of SURREY, and the Lord Chamberlain.
Nor. Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who

commands you
To render up the great seal presently
Into our hands; and to confine yourself
To Asher-house, my lord of Winchester's,
Till you hear further from his highness.
Wol.

Stay,
Where's your commission, lords ? words cannot carry
Authority so weighty.
Suf

Who dare cross them? Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly?,

Wol. Till I find more than will, or words, to do it, (I mean, your malice,) know, officious lords, I dare, and must deny it. Now I feel Of what coarse metal ye are moulded, -envy. How eagerly ye follow my disgraces, As if it fed ye? and how sleek and wanton Ye appear in every thing may bring my ruin! Follow your envious courses, men of malice; You have christian warrant for them, and, no doubt, In time will find their fit rewards. That seal, You ask with such a violence, the king, (Mine, and your master,) with his own hand gave

me: Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours,