I have, and most unwillingly, of late Grievous complaints of you; which, being consider'd, Have mov'd us and our council, that you shall It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness Cran. I humbly thank your Highness; And am right glad to catch this good occasion Than I myself, poor man. K. Hen. Stand up, good Canterbury; In us, thy friend: Give me thy hand, stand up; 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. K. Hen. Know you not how Your state stands i' the world, with the whole world? Your enemies Are many, and not small; their practices I mean, in perjur'd witness, than your master, Cran. God, and your Majesty, K. Hen. Be of good cheer; 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 should chance, Fail not to use, and with what vehemency There make before them. Look, the good man weeps! He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mo¬ ther! I swear, he is true-hearted; and a soul None better in any kingdom. Get you gone, [Exit CRANMER.] He has strangled And do as I have bid you. His language in his tears. Enter an old Lady. Gent. [Within.] Come back; what mean you? Lady. I'll not come back; the tidings that I bring Will make my boldness manners. angels Now, good Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person K. Hen. Now, by thy looks I guess thy message. Is the Queen deliver'd? Lady. Ay, ay, my Liege; And of a lovely boy: The God of heaven 'tis a girl, Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your Queen Acquainted with this stranger; 'tis as like you, K. Hen. Lovell, Lov. Sir. Enter LOVELL. K. Hen. Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the Queen. [Exit King. Lady. An hundred marks! By this light I'll have more. An ordinary groom is for such payment. I will have more, or else unsay't; and now SCENE II. Lobby before the Council-Chamber. Enter CRANMER; Servants, Door-Keeper, etc. attending. Cran. I hope, I am not too late; and yet the That was sent to me To make great haste. Who waits there? gentleman, from the council, pray'd me All fast? what means this? Hoa! Sure, you know me? D. Keep. Yes, my Lord; But yet I cannot help you, D. Keep. Your Grace must wait, till you be Cran. So. call'd for. Enter Doctor BUTTS. Butts. This is a piece of malice. I am glad, Cran. [Aside.] 'Tis Butts, [Exit BUTTS. The King's physician; As he past along, Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain, This is of purpose lay'd, by some that hate me, (God turn their hearts! I never sought their ma→ lice,) To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me Wait else at door; a fellow counsellor, Among boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience. Enter, at a window above, the King and BUTTS. Butts, I'll show your Grace the strangest sight,K. Hen. What's that, Butts? Butts. I think, your Highness saw this many a day. K. Hen. Body o' me, where is it? Butts. There, my Lord: The high promotion of his Grace of Canterbury; Who holds his state at door, 'inongst pursuivants, Pages, and footboys. K. Hen, Ha! 'Tis he, indeed : Is this the honour they do one another? 'Tis well, there's one above them yet, I had thought, They had parted so much honesty among them, |