SCENE II. The council-chamber. Cornets. Enter King Henry, Cardinal Wolsey, the Lords of the Council, Sir Thomas Lovell, Officers, and Attendants. The King enters, leaning on the Cardinal's shoulder. K. Hen. My life itself, and the best heart of it, Thanks you for this great care: I stood i' the level Of a full-charg'd confederacy, and give thanks Το you that chok'd it.-Let be call'd before us That gentleman of Buckingham's in person I'll hear him his confessions justify; : And point by point the treasons of his master The King takes his state*. The Lords of the Council take their several places. The Cardinal places himself under the King's feet, on his right side. A noise within, crying Room for the Queen. Enter the Queen, ushered by the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk she kneels. The King riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses, and placeth her by him. Q. Kath. Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a suitor. K. Hen. Arise, and take place by us :-Half your suit Never name to us; you have half our power: Q. Kath. Thank your majesty. That you would love yourself; and, in that love, Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor The dignity of your office, is the point K. Hen. Lady mine, proceed. Q. Kath. I am solicited, not by a few, And those of true condition, that your subjects Are in great grievance: there have been commissions Sent down among them, which have flaw'd the heart My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches Of these exactions, yet the king our master Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks In loud rebellion. Nor. K. Hen. Taxation! Wherein and what taxation?-My lord cardinal, Wol. Please you, sir, I know but of a single part, in aught Pertains to the state; and front but in that file * Where others tell steps with me. Q. Kath. No, my lord, You know no more than others: but you frame Things, that are known alike; which are not whole some To those which would not know them, and yet must Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear them, K. Hen. Still exaction! The nature of it? In what kind, let's know, Q. Kath. I am much too venturous In tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd The sixth part of his substance, to be levied Is nam'd, your wars in France: This makes bold mouths: Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze Allegiance in them; their curses now, Live where their prayers did; and it's come to pass, To each incensed will. I would, your highness There is no primer business. K. Hen. This is against our pleasure. By my life, And for me, I have no farther gone in this, than by A single voice; and that not pass'd me, but If I am traduc'd by tongues, which neither know The chronicles of my doing,-let me say, 'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake* That virtue must go through. We must not stint † Our necessary actions, in the fear To cope malicious censures; which ever, That is new trimm'd; but benefit no further *Thicket of thorns. + Retard: Encounter. By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is For our best act. If we shall stand still, In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at, K. Hen. Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; Wol. A word with you. [To the Secretary. Let there be letters writ to every shire, Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd com mons Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd, That, through our intercession, this revokement And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you Further in the proceeding. Enter Surveyor. [Exit Secretary. Q. Kath. I am sorry, that the duke of Bucking ham Is run in your displeasure. It grieves many: K. Hen. The gentleman is learn'd, and a most rare speaker, To nature none more bound; his training such, That he may furnish and instruct great teachers, And never seek for aid out* of himself. Yet see When these so noble benefits shall prove Not well-dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt, We cannot feel too little, hear too much. Wol. Stand forth; and with bold spirit relate what you, Most like a careful subject, have collected K. Hen. Speak freely. Surv. First, it was usual with him, every day Wol. Please your highness, note This dangerous conception in this point. Not friended by his wish, to your high person His will is most malignant; and it stretches Beyond you, to your friends. Q. Kath. Deliver all with charity. K. Hen. My learn'd lord cardinal, Speak on: How grounded he his title to the crown, * Beyond. + Conduct, manage. |