some; and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission, and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason,-His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king: which stopped our mouths, sir. I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them: He will have all, I think. Enter the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk. Nor. Lord chamberlain. Cham. Well met, my good Good day to both your graces. Suff. How is the king employ'd? I left him private, What's the cause? Full of sad thoughts and troubles. Nor. Cham. It seems, the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suff. Has crept too near another lady. No, his conscience 'Tis so; This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he lists. The king will know him one day. Suff. Pray God, he do! he'll never know himself else. Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! For, now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew, He dives into the king's soul; and there scatters About his neck, yet never lost her lustre ; These news are every where; every tongue speaks them, And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare Suff And free us from his slavery. Nor. We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all Suff If the king please; his curses and his blessings Nor. Let's in ; And, with some other business, put the king From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him : My lord, you'll bear us company? Cham. Excuse me ; The king hath sent me other-where: Besides, You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him: Health to your lordships. Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. [Exit Lord Chamberlain, (1) High or low. Norfolk opens a folding-door. The King is discovered sitting, and reading pensively. Suff. How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted. K. Hen. Who is there? ha? Nor. 'Pray God, he be not angry. K. Hen. Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations? Who am I? ha? Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offences Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty, this way, Is business of estate; in which, we come To know your royal pleasure. K. Hen. You are too bold; Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business: Is this an hour for temporal affairs? ha? Enter Wolsey and Campeius. Who's there? my good lord cardinal?-O my Wolsey, The quiet of my wounded conscience, Thou art a cure fit for a king.-You're welcome, [To Campeius. Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom; Use us, and it :-My good lord, have great care I be not found a talker. [To Wolsey. Wol. Sir, you cannot. I would your grace would give us but an hour Of private conference. K. Hen. We are busy; go. [To Norfolk and Suffolk. Not to speak of; Nor. This priest has no pride in him? Suff I would not be so sick though, for his Aside. place: But this cannot continue. (1) So sick as he is proud. Nor. If it do, another. I'll venture one heave at him. Suff Aside. [Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk. Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom Above all princes, in committing freely Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? The Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her, Must now confess, if they have any goodness, The trial just and noble. All the clerks, I mean, the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms, Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judg ment, Invited by your noble self, hath sent One general tongue unto us, this good man, And thank the holy conclave for their loves; Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves, You are so noble: to your highness' hand K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted Forthwith, for what you come :- -Where's Gardiner? A woman of less place might ask by law, K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; and my favour To him that does best; God forbid else. Cardinal, Pr'ythee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary; I find him a fit fellow. [Exit Wolsey. Re-enter Wolsey, with Gardiner. Wol. Give me your hand: much joy and favour to you; You are the king's now. Gard. But to be commanded For ever by your grace, whose hand has rais'd me. K. Hen. Come hither, Gardiner. [Aside. [They converse apart. Cam. My lord of York, was not one doctor Pace In this man's place before him? Wol. Cam. Was he not held a learned man? Wol. Yes, he was. Yes, surely. Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread then Even of yourself, lord cardinal. Wol. How! of me? Cam. They will not stick to say, you envied him; And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous, Kept him a foreign man1 still; which so griev'd him, That he ran mad, and died. Wol. Heaven's peace be with him! That's christian care enough: for living murmurers, There's places of rebuke. He was a fool; For he would needs be virtuous: That good fellow, If I command him, follows my appointment; I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother, We live not to be grip'd by meaner persons. K. Hen. Deliver this with modesty to the queen. [Exit Gardiner. The most convenient place that I can think of, For such receipt of learning, is Black-Friars; There ye shall meet about this weighty business:-My Wolsey, see it furnish'd.-O my lord, (1) Out of the king's presence. |