William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (377 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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MORE
Good morrow, good son Roper. [
To Lady More
] Sit, good
madam,
Upon an humble seat; the time so craves.
Rest your good heart on earth, the roof of graves.
You see the floor of greatness is uneven,
The cricket and high throne alike near heaven.
Now, daughters, you that like to branches spread
And give best shadow to a private house:
Be comforted, my girls. Your hopes stand fair.
Virtue breeds gentry; she makes the best heir.
To Lady More
] Sit, good
madam,
Upon an humble seat; the time so craves.
Rest your good heart on earth, the roof of graves.
You see the floor of greatness is uneven,
The cricket and high throne alike near heaven.
Now, daughters, you that like to branches spread
And give best shadow to a private house:
Be comforted, my girls. Your hopes stand fair.
Virtue breeds gentry; she makes the best heir.
BOTH DAUGHTERS
Good morrow to your honour.
MORE
Nay, good night rather.
Your honour’s crest-fall’n with your happy father.
ROPER
O, what formality, what square observance,
Lives in a little room! Here public care
Gags not the eyes of slumber. Here fierce riot
Ruffles not proudly in a coat of trust
Whilst, like a pawn at chess, he keeps in rank
With kings and mighty fellows. Yet indeed,
Those men that stand on tiptoe smile to see
Him pawn his fortunes.
Lives in a little room! Here public care
Gags not the eyes of slumber. Here fierce riot
Ruffles not proudly in a coat of trust
Whilst, like a pawn at chess, he keeps in rank
With kings and mighty fellows. Yet indeed,
Those men that stand on tiptoe smile to see
Him pawn his fortunes.
MORE
True, son, here’s not so,
Nor does the wanton tongue here screw itself
Into the ear, that like a vice drinks up
The iron instrument.
Into the ear, that like a vice drinks up
The iron instrument.
LADY MORE
We are here at peace.
MORE Then peace, good wife.
LADY MORE
For keeping still in compass—a strange point
In time’s new navigation—we have sailed
Beyond our course.
In time’s new navigation—we have sailed
Beyond our course.
MORE
Have done.
LADY MORE
We are exiled the court.
MORE Still thou harp’st on that.
‘Tis sin for to deserve that banishment;
But he that ne’er knew court courts sweet content.
But he that ne’er knew court courts sweet content.
LADY MORE
O, but dear husband—
MORE
I will not hear thee, wife.
The winding labyrinth of thy strange discourse
Will ne’er have end. Sit still, and, my good wife,
Entreat thy tongue be stilt—or, credit me,
Thou shalt not understand a word we speak.
We’ll talk in Latin.
[To Roper
]
Humida vallis
raros patitur
fulminis
ictus.
More rest enjoys the subject meanly bred
Than he that bears the kingdom in his head.
Will ne’er have end. Sit still, and, my good wife,
Entreat thy tongue be stilt—or, credit me,
Thou shalt not understand a word we speak.
We’ll talk in Latin.
[To Roper
]
Humida vallis
raros patitur
fulminis
ictus.
More rest enjoys the subject meanly bred
Than he that bears the kingdom in his head.
ROPER
Great men are still musicians, else the world lies:
They learn low strains after the notes that rise.
Good sir, be still yourself, and but remember
How in this general court of short-lived pleasure
The world, creation is the ample food
That is digested in the maw of time.
If man himself be subject to such ruin,
How shall his garment then, or the loose points
That tie respect unto his awe-ful place,
Avoid destruction? Most honoured father-in-law,
The blood you have bequeathed these several hearts
To nourish your posterity stands firm;
And as with joy you led us first to rise,
So with like hearts we’ll lock preferment’s eyes.
They learn low strains after the notes that rise.
Good sir, be still yourself, and but remember
How in this general court of short-lived pleasure
The world, creation is the ample food
That is digested in the maw of time.
If man himself be subject to such ruin,
How shall his garment then, or the loose points
That tie respect unto his awe-ful place,
Avoid destruction? Most honoured father-in-law,
The blood you have bequeathed these several hearts
To nourish your posterity stands firm;
And as with joy you led us first to rise,
So with like hearts we’ll lock preferment’s eyes.
[
Original
Text
(Munday)
]
Original
Text
(Munday)
]
[
Addition I (Chettle)
]
Addition I (Chettle)
]
MORE
Now will I speak like More in melancholy;
For if griefs power could with her sharpest darts
Pierce my firm bosom, here’s sufficient cause
To take my farewell of mirth’s hurtless laws.
Poor humbled lady, thou that wert of late
Placed with the noblest women of the land,
Invited to their angel companies,
Seeming a bright star in the courtly sphere:
Why shouldst thou like a widow sit thus low,
And all thy fair consorts move from the clouds
That overdrip thy beauty and thy worth?
I’ll tell thee the true cause. The court, like heaven,
Examines not the anger of the prince,
And, being more frail-composed of gilded earth,
Shines upon them on whom the king doth shine,
Smiles if he smile, declines if he decline,
Yet, seeing both are mortal, court and king
Shed not one tear for any earthly thing.
For, so God pardon me, in my saddest hour
Thou hast no more occasion to lament,
Nor these, nor those, my exile from the court-
No, nor this body’s torture, were’t imposed,
As commonly disgraces of great men
Are the forewarnings of a hasty death—
Than to behold me after many a toil
Honoured with endless rest. Perchance the King,
Seeing the court is full of vanity,
Has pity lest our souls should be misled
And sends us to a life contemplative.
O, happy banishment from worldly pride,
When souls by private life are sanctified!
For if griefs power could with her sharpest darts
Pierce my firm bosom, here’s sufficient cause
To take my farewell of mirth’s hurtless laws.
Poor humbled lady, thou that wert of late
Placed with the noblest women of the land,
Invited to their angel companies,
Seeming a bright star in the courtly sphere:
Why shouldst thou like a widow sit thus low,
And all thy fair consorts move from the clouds
That overdrip thy beauty and thy worth?
I’ll tell thee the true cause. The court, like heaven,
Examines not the anger of the prince,
And, being more frail-composed of gilded earth,
Shines upon them on whom the king doth shine,
Smiles if he smile, declines if he decline,
Yet, seeing both are mortal, court and king
Shed not one tear for any earthly thing.
For, so God pardon me, in my saddest hour
Thou hast no more occasion to lament,
Nor these, nor those, my exile from the court-
No, nor this body’s torture, were’t imposed,
As commonly disgraces of great men
Are the forewarnings of a hasty death—
Than to behold me after many a toil
Honoured with endless rest. Perchance the King,
Seeing the court is full of vanity,
Has pity lest our souls should be misled
And sends us to a life contemplative.
O, happy banishment from worldly pride,
When souls by private life are sanctified!
WIFE
O, but I fear some plot against your life.
MORE
Why then, ‘tis thus: the King, of his high grace,
Seeing my faithful service to his state,
Intends to send me to the King of Heaven
For a rich present; where my soul shall prove
A true rememb’rer of his majesty.
Come, prithee mourn not. The worst chance is death,
And that brings endless joy for fickle breath.
Seeing my faithful service to his state,
Intends to send me to the King of Heaven
For a rich present; where my soul shall prove
A true rememb’rer of his majesty.
Come, prithee mourn not. The worst chance is death,
And that brings endless joy for fickle breath.
WIFE
Ah, but your children.
MORE
Tush, let them alone.
Say they be stripped from this poor painted cloth,
This outside of the earth, left houseless, bare;
They have minds instructed how to gather more.
There’s no man that’s ingenious can be poor.
And therefore do not weep, my little ones,
Though you lose all the earth. Keep your souls even
And you shall find inheritance in heaven.
But for my servants: there’s my chiefest care.
[
To Catesby
] Come hither, faithful steward. Be not
grieved
That in thy person I discharge both thee
And all thy other fellow officers;
For my great master hath discharged me.
If thou by serving me hast suffered loss,
Then benefit thyself by leaving me.
I hope thou hast not; for such times as these
Bring gain to officers, whoever leese.
Great lords have only name; but in the fall
Lord Spend-All’s steward’s Master Gather-All.
But I suspect not thee. Admit thou hast.
It’s good the servants save when masters waste.
But you, poor gentlemen, that had no place
T’enrich yourselves but by loathed bribery,
Which I abhorred, and never found you loved:
Think, when an oak falls, underwood shrinks down,
And yet may live, though bruised. I pray ye strive
To shun my ruin; for the axe is set
Even at my root, to fell me to the ground.
The best I can do to prefer you all
With my mean store expect; for heaven can tell
That More loves all his followers more than well.
This outside of the earth, left houseless, bare;
They have minds instructed how to gather more.
There’s no man that’s ingenious can be poor.
And therefore do not weep, my little ones,
Though you lose all the earth. Keep your souls even
And you shall find inheritance in heaven.
But for my servants: there’s my chiefest care.
[
To Catesby
] Come hither, faithful steward. Be not
grieved
That in thy person I discharge both thee
And all thy other fellow officers;
For my great master hath discharged me.
If thou by serving me hast suffered loss,
Then benefit thyself by leaving me.
I hope thou hast not; for such times as these
Bring gain to officers, whoever leese.
Great lords have only name; but in the fall
Lord Spend-All’s steward’s Master Gather-All.
But I suspect not thee. Admit thou hast.
It’s good the servants save when masters waste.
But you, poor gentlemen, that had no place
T’enrich yourselves but by loathed bribery,
Which I abhorred, and never found you loved:
Think, when an oak falls, underwood shrinks down,
And yet may live, though bruised. I pray ye strive
To shun my ruin; for the axe is set
Even at my root, to fell me to the ground.
The best I can do to prefer you all
With my mean store expect; for heaven can tell
That More loves all his followers more than well.
[Addition
I (
Chettle
)]
I (
Chettle
)]
[
Original Text
(
Munday
)]
Original Text
(
Munday
)]
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
My lord, there are new lighted at the gate
The Earls of Surrey and of Shrewsbury,
And they expect you in the inner court.
The Earls of Surrey and of Shrewsbury,
And they expect you in the inner court.
MORE
Entreat their lordships come into the hall.
LADY MORE
O God, what news with them?
MORE Why, how now, wife?
They are but come to visit their old friend.
LADY MORE
O God, I fear, I fear.
MORE What shouldst thou fear, fond woman?
Iustum, si fractus illabatur orbis, impavidum ferient ruinae.
Here let me live estranged from great men’s looks.
They are like golden flies on leaden hooks.
Iustum, si fractus illabatur orbis, impavidum ferient ruinae.
Here let me live estranged from great men’s looks.
They are like golden flies on leaden hooks.
Enter the Earls for Surrey and Shrewsbury
]
, Downes, with his mace, and Attendants
SHREWSBURY
Good morrow, good Sir Thomas.
SURREY [
to Lady More
]
to Lady More
]
Good day, good madam.
Kind salutations
MORE
Welcome, my good lords.
What ails your lordships look so melancholy?
O, I know: you live in court, and the court diet
Is only friend to physic.
O, I know: you live in court, and the court diet
Is only friend to physic.
SURREY
O Sir Thomas,
Our words are now the King‘s, and our sad looks
The interest of your love. We are sent to you
From our mild sovereign once more to demand
If you’ll subscribe unto those articles
He sent ye th’other day. Be well advised,
For, on my honour, lord, grave Doctor Fisher,
Bishop of Rochester, at the self-same instant
Attached with you, is sent unto the Tower
For the like obstinacy. His majesty
Hath only sent you prisoner to your house,
But, if you now refuse for to subscribe,
A stricter course will follow.
The interest of your love. We are sent to you
From our mild sovereign once more to demand
If you’ll subscribe unto those articles
He sent ye th’other day. Be well advised,
For, on my honour, lord, grave Doctor Fisher,
Bishop of Rochester, at the self-same instant
Attached with you, is sent unto the Tower
For the like obstinacy. His majesty
Hath only sent you prisoner to your house,
But, if you now refuse for to subscribe,
A stricter course will follow.
LADY MORE (kneeling and weeping)
O dear husband—
BOTH DAUGHTERS
(kneeling and weeping
) Dear father—
(kneeling and weeping
) Dear father—
MORE
See, my lords,
This partner and these subjects to my flesh
Prove rebels to my conscience. But, my good lords,
If I refuse, must I unto the Tower?
Prove rebels to my conscience. But, my good lords,
If I refuse, must I unto the Tower?
SHREWSBURY
You must, my lord. [
Gesturing
to
Downes
] Here is an officer
Ready for to arrest you of high treason.
Gesturing
to
Downes
] Here is an officer
Ready for to arrest you of high treason.
LADY MORE
and
DAUGHTERS
and
DAUGHTERS
O God, O God!
ROPER
Be patient, good madam.
MORE
Ay, Downes, is’t thou? I once did save thy life,
When else by cruel riotous assault
Thou hadst been torn in pieces. Thou art reserved
To be my summ‘ner to yon spiritual court.
Give me thy hand, good fellow. Smooth thy face.
The diet that thou drink’st is spiced with mace,
And I could ne‘er abide it. ’Twill not digest,
’Twill lie too heavy, man, on my weak breast.
When else by cruel riotous assault
Thou hadst been torn in pieces. Thou art reserved
To be my summ‘ner to yon spiritual court.
Give me thy hand, good fellow. Smooth thy face.
The diet that thou drink’st is spiced with mace,
And I could ne‘er abide it. ’Twill not digest,
’Twill lie too heavy, man, on my weak breast.
SHREWSBURY
Be brief, my lord, for we are limited
Unto an hour.
Unto an hour.
MORE
Unto an hour? ’Tis well.
The bell, earth’s thunder, soon shall toll my knell.
LADY MORE
(kneeling)
(kneeling)
Dear loving husband, if you respect not me,
Yet think upon your daughters.
Yet think upon your daughters.
MORE (pondering to himself) Wife, stand up.
I have bethought me;
And I’ll now satisfy the King’s good pleasure.
And I’ll now satisfy the King’s good pleasure.
BOTH DAUGHTERS
O happy alteration!
SHREWSBURY
Come then, subscribe, my lord.
SURREY
I am right glad of this your fair conversion.
MORE O pardon me,
I will subscribe to go unto the Tower
With all submissive willingness, and thereto add
My bones to strengthen the foundation
Of Julius Caesar’s palace. Now, my lord,
I’ll satisfy the King even with my blood.
Nor will I wrong your patience. [
To Downes
] Friend, do
thine office.
With all submissive willingness, and thereto add
My bones to strengthen the foundation
Of Julius Caesar’s palace. Now, my lord,
I’ll satisfy the King even with my blood.
Nor will I wrong your patience. [
To Downes
] Friend, do
thine office.
DOWNES Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, I arrest you in the King’s name of high treason.
MORE Gramercies, friend.
To a great prison, to discharge the strife
Commenced ‘twixt conscience and my frailer life, 185
More now must march. Chelsea, adieu, adieu.
Strange farewell: thou shalt ne’er more see More true,
For I shall ne‘er see thee more.—Servants, farewell.—
Wife, mar not thine indifferent face. Be wise.
More’s widow’s husband, he must make thee rise.—
Daughters, ( ) what’s here, what’s here?
Mine eye had almost parted with a tear.—
Dear son, possess my virtue; that I ne’er gave.
Grave More thus lightly walks to a quick grave.
Commenced ‘twixt conscience and my frailer life, 185
More now must march. Chelsea, adieu, adieu.
Strange farewell: thou shalt ne’er more see More true,
For I shall ne‘er see thee more.—Servants, farewell.—
Wife, mar not thine indifferent face. Be wise.
More’s widow’s husband, he must make thee rise.—
Daughters, ( ) what’s here, what’s here?
Mine eye had almost parted with a tear.—
Dear son, possess my virtue; that I ne’er gave.
Grave More thus lightly walks to a quick grave.
ROPER
Curae leves loquuntur, ingentes stupent.
MORE
You that way in. Mind you my course in prayer.
By water I to prison, to heaven through air.
By water I to prison, to heaven through air.
Exeunt
[
More
,
Downes
,
and Attendants at one door, the
rest
at another
]
Enter the Warders of the Tower, with halberds
FIRST WARDER Ho, make a guard there!
SECOND WARDER
Master Lieutenant gives a strait command
The people be avoided from the bridge.
The people be avoided from the bridge.
THIRD WARDER
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