Lov. [Aside.] This is about that which the bishop

spake:

I am happily come hither.

Enter Cranmer and Denny.

84

Exeunt Lovell and Denny.

Wherefore frowns he thus? 88
All's not well.

'Tis his aspect of terror.

King. How now, my lord! You do desire to know Wherefore I sent for you.

Cran.

[Kneeling.] It is my duty

T'attend your highness' pleasure.

King.

Pray you, arise, 92

My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury.

Come, you and I must walk a turn together:

I have news to tell you. Come, come, give me your

hand.

Ah! my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,

And am right sorry to repeat what follows.

I have, and most unwillingly, of late

Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord,

96

Grievous complaints of you; which, being consider'd,
Have mov'd us and our council, that you shall
This morning come before us; where, I know,

85 happily: fortunately

Avoid: go out from

You cannot with such freedom purge yourself,
But that, till further trial in those charges
Which will require your answer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented

104

108

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. [Kneeling.] I humbly thank your highness;
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most thoroughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder; for I know

There's none stands under more calumnious tongues Than I myself, poor man.

King.

112

Stand up, good Canterbury:

Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up:
Prithee, let's walk. Now, by my holidame,
What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd
You would have given me your petition, that
I should have ta'en some pains to bring together
Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard you,
Without indurance, further.

Cran.

Most dread liege,

The good I stand on is my truth and honesty:

If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies,

Will triumph o'er my person, which I weigh not,
Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing
What can be said against me.

King.

Know you not

116

120

124

How your state stands i' the world, with the whole

world?

128

107 you... us: since you are of nearly royal rank (as head of the church) 117 holidame: halidom, a customary oath 122 indurance: imprisonment 123 The good I stand on: my defense 125 my person weigh not: my body which I do not value

126 Being: if it be

nothing: not at all

132

Your enemies are many, and not small; their practices
Must bear the same proportion; and not ever
The justice and the truth o' the question carries
The due o' the verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you? Such things have been done.
You are potently oppos'd, and with a malice
Of as great size. Ween you of better luck,
I mean in perjur'd witness, than your Master,
Whose minister you are, whiles 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 destruction.

136

140

God and your majesty

Cran.
Protect mine innocence! or I fall into

The trap is laid for me!

Be of good cheer;

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

Fail not to use, and with what vehemency

Th' occasion shall instruct you. If entreaties
Will render you no remedy, this ring

Deliver them, and your appeal to us

144

148

152

There make before them. Look! the good man weeps:
He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother!
I swear he is true-hearted; and a soul
None better in my kingdom. Get you gone,

129 practices: plots

130 bear proportion: likewise be many and not small

ever: in every case

143 is: which is

156

136 Ween: dream

And do as I have bid you.

Exit Cranmer.

He has strangled

His language in his tears.

Enter Old Lady.

Gent. within. Come back: what mean you?

159

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 shade thy person Under their blessed wings!

King.

Now, by thy looks

164

I guess thy message. Is the queen deliver❜d?

Say, ay; and of a boy.

Lady.
Ay, ay, my liege;
And of a lovely boy: the God of heaven
Both now and ever bless her! 'Tis a girl,
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen
Desires your visitation, and to be

Acquainted with this stranger: 'tis as like you
As cherry is to cherry.

168

Lady. An hundred marks! By this light, I'll ha'

more.

An ordinary groom is for such payment.

I will have more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this, the girl was like to him?
I will have more, or else unsay't; and now,
While it is hot, I'll put it to the issue.

176

Exit Lady [with Lovell].

Scene Two

[The Lobby before the Council-Chamber]

Enter Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Cran. I hope I am not too late; and yet the gentle

man,

That was sent to me from the council, pray'd me
To make great haste. All fast? what means this? Ho!
Who waits there?

Keep. Your Grace must wait till you be call'd for.

Cran.

Enter Doctor Butts.

So.

Butts. [Aside.] This is a piece of malice. I am glad I came this way so happily. The king

Shall understand it presently.

Cran.

[Aside.] 'Tis Butts,

The king's physician. As he pass'd along,

How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me.

8

Pray heaven he sound not my disgrace! For cer

tain,

This is of purpose laid by some that haté me,—

12

God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice,— To quench mine honour: they would shame to make

me

Wait else at door, a fellow-counsellor

16

'Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures 12 sound: penetrate, discover