Bran. He. Buck. My surveyor is false; the o'er-great cardinal Hath shew'd him gold: my life is spann'd already : I am the shadow of poor Buckingham; Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, By dark'ning my clear sun.--My lord, farewel. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The Council-Chamber. Cornet. Enter King HENRY, leaning on the Cardinal's Shoulder; the Nobles, and Sir THOMAS LOVEL. The Cardinal places himself under the King's Feet, on his right Side. King. My life itself, and the best heart of it, And point by point the treasons of his master A Noise within, crying, Room for the Queen. Enter the Queen, ushered by the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK: she kneels. The King riseth from his State, takes her up, kisses, and placeth her by him. Queen. Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a suitor. King. Arise, and take your place by us :-Half your suit Never name to us; you have half our power : Queen. Thank your majesty. That you would love yourself; and, in that love, The dignity of your office, is the point King. Lady mine, proceed. Queen. I am solicited, not by a few, And those of true condition, that your subjects 289 Are in great grievance: There have been commis sions 289 Sent down among them, which have flaw'd the heart Of all their loyalties wherein, although, [TO WOLSEY. My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches Of these exactions, yet the king our master (Whose honour heaven shield from soil!) even he escapes not Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks In loud rebellion. Nor. Not almost appears, It doth appear: for, upon these taxations, The The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who, King. Taxation! Wherein? and what taxation ?My lord cardinal, You that are blam'd for it alike with us, Wol. Please you, sir, I know but of a single part, in aught Pertains to the state; and front but in that file Where others tell steps with me. Queen. No, my lord, 310 You know no more than others: but you frame Things, that are known alike; which are not whole some To those which would not know them, and yet must Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions, 320 Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear them, The back is sacrifice to the load. They are devis'd by you; or else Too hard an exclamation. King. Still exaction ! They say, you suffer The nature of it? In what kind, let's know, Queen. I am much too venturous In tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd Cij 330 Comes Comes through commissions, which compel from each The sixth part of his substance, to be levy'd Is nam'd, your wars in France: This makes bold mouths: 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 Would give it quick consideration, for There is no primer business. King. By my life, This is against our pleasure. Wol. And for me, I have no further gone in this, than by 341 By learned approbation of the judges. If I am Traduc'd by ignorant tongues-which neither know My faculties, nor person, yet will be The chronicles of my doing-let me say, 'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake That virtue must go through. We must not stint Το cope malicious censurers; which ever, 350 Not Not ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oft, For our best act. If we shall stand still, In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at, King. Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; 360 *370 From every tree, lop, bark, and part o' the timber; The force of this commission: Pray, look to't; Wol. A word with you. $80 [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. Ciij [Exit Secretary. Enter |