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, That tractable obedience is a slave To each incensed will. I would, your highness There is no primer business. K. Hen. This is against our pleasure. Wol. 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 Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake3 To cope malicious censurers; which ever, For our best act. If we shall stand still, In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at, 3 Thicket of thorns. 4 Retard. 5 Encounter. Sometime. 7 Approved. K. Hen. Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; From every tree, lop, bark, and part o' the timber; I 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. [Exit Secretary. Enter Surveyor. Q. Kath. I am sorry, that the duke of Buckingham Is run in your displeasure. K. Hen. 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 Out of the Duke of Buckingham. 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, Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him At any time speak aught? Surv. By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins. Surv. He was brought to this Sir, a Chartreux friar, His confessor; who fed him every minute K. Hen. How know'st thou this? Surv. Not long before your highness sped to France, The duke being at the Rose,' within the parish Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand What was the speech amongst the Londoners Concerning the French journey: I replied, Men fear'd, the French would prove perfidious, To the king's danger. Presently the duke Said, 'Twas the fear, indeed; and that he doubted, 'Twould prove the verity of certain words Spoke by a holy monk; That oft, says he, Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit John de la Court, my chaplain, a choice hour To hear from him a matter of some moment : Whom after under the confession's seal He solemnly had sworn, that, what he spoke, My chaplain to no creature living, but * Now Merchant Taylor's School. To me, should utter, with demure confidence This pausingly ensu'd,-Neither the king, nor his heirs, (Tell you the duke) shall prosper: bid him strive To gain the love of the commonalty; the duke Shall govern England. If I know you well, Q. Kath. You were the duke's surveyor, and lost your office On the complaint o' the tenants: Take good heed, You charge not in your spleen a noble person, And spoil your nobler soul! I say, take heed; Yes, heartily beseech K. Hen. Go forward. Surv. you. Let him on : On my soul, I'll speak but truth. I told my lord the duke, By the devil's illusions The monk might be deceiv'd; and that 'twas dang'rous for him, To ruminate on this so far, until It forg'd him some design, which, being believ'd, It can do me no damage: adding further, That, had the king in his last sickness fail'd, After your highness had reprov'd the duke About sir William Blomer,— |