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Well worthy the best heir o' the world, should not
Be gladded in 't by me: then follows that
I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in
By this my issue's fail; and that gave to me
Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in
The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
Toward this remedy whereupon we are
Now present here together; that 's to say,
I meant to rectify my conscience, which
I then did feel full sick and yet not well,
By all the reverend fathers of the land
And doctors learn'd. First I began in private
With you, my Lord of Lincoln; you remember
How under my oppression I did reek,

When I first moved you.

LIN.

Very well, my liege.

200

KING. I have spoke long: be pleased yourself to say 210 How far you satisfied me.

So please your highness,

LIN.
The question did at first so stagger me,
Bearing a state of mighty moment in 't

196 gladded] gladdened.

66

198 my issue's fail] the failure of my issue; cf. I, ii, 145, our fail." 199-200 hulling in... conscience] drifting like a dismasted hulk in

the troubled sea of my conscience. A ship is said to “hull" when she is dismasted and her hull or hulk is at the mercy of the waves. 208 How . . . I did reek] How I sweated, perspired with this weight of anxiety.

209 moved] consulted.

213 bearing a state. . . in 't] engendering a momentous situation of affairs, involving crucial issues.

And consequence of dread, that I committed
The daring'st counsel which I had to doubt,
And did entreat your highness to this course
Which
you are running here.

KING.
I then moved you,
My Lord of Canterbury, and got your leave
To make this present summons: unsolicited
I left no reverend person in this court;
But by particular consent proceeded

Under your hands and seals: therefore, go on;
For no dislike i' the world against the person
Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points
Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward:
Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life
And kingly dignity, we are contented

To wear our mortal state to come with her,
Katharine our queen, before the primest creature
That 's paragon'd o' the world.

220

231

CAM. So please your highness, The queen being absent, 't is a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till further day:

214-215 I committed . . . to doubt] The bishop's courage allowed him to go no further in offering counsel than to admit that the point was open to grave doubt and required fullest investigation. 228 To wear .. with her] To adapt our life so as to enjoy her companionship. 229-230 the primest. . . o' the world] the most perfect creature that admits of comparison with her in the world. Shakespeare often uses the word "paragon as a verb in the sense of compare or "admit of comparison"; cf. Othello, II, i, 61–62, “a maid That paragons description and wild fame."

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Meanwhile must be an earnest motion

Made to the queen, to call back her appeal
She intends unto his holiness.

KING.

[Aside] I may perceive

These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor

This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.

My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cranmer,
Prithee, return; with thy approach, I know,

My comfort comes along. - Break up the court:
I say, set on.

[Exeunt in manner as they entered.

238-239 Cranmer, Prithee, return] Cranmer was at the moment absent on a foreign mission. Cf. III, ii, 64, infra.

240

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AKE THY LUTE, WENCH: my soul grows sad with troubles; Sing, and disperse 'em, if thou canst leave working.

[graphic]

SONG

Orpheus with his lute made trees,
And the mountain tops that freeze,
Bow themselves when he did sing:
To his music plants and flowers
Ever sprung, as sun and showers
There had made a lasting spring.

Every thing that heard him play,
Even the billows of the sea,

Hung their heads, and then lay by.

In sweet music is such art,
Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep, or hearing die.

10 sea] pronounced to rhyme with "play."

10

KING HENRY VIII

Enter a Gentleman

Q. KATH. How now!

VIII

ACT III

GENT. An 't please your grace, the two great cardinals

Wait in the presence.

Q. KATH.

Would they speak with me?

GENT. They will'd me say so, madam.
Q. KATH.

Pray their graces

To come near. [Exit Gent.] What can be their business
With me, a poor weak woman, fall'n from favour?
I do not like their coming. Now I think on 't,
They should be good men, their affairs as righteous:
But all hoods make not monks.

Enter the two CARDINALS, WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS Peace to your highness! Q. KATH. Your graces find me here part of a house

WOL.

wife;

I would be all, against the worst may happen.
What are your pleasures with me, reverend lords?
WOL. May it please you, noble madam, to withdraw
Into your private chamber, we shall give you

The full cause of our coming.

Q. KATH.

Speak it here;

There's nothing I have done yet, o' my conscience,
Deserves a corner: would all other women

17 presence] presence-chamber, where a royal personage receives visitors. 23 all hoods make not monks] a familiar proverb, which Shakespeare twice quotes in Latin, viz.: Meas. for Meas., V, i, 261 and Tw. Night, I, v, 50-51; "cucullus non facit monachum."

31 Deserves a corner] Requires privacy.

20

309

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