William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (579 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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Enter
⌈
at
one
door
⌉
Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester; before him, a Page with a torch
GARDINER
It’s one o’clock, boy, is’t not?
PAGE
It hath struck.
GARDINER
These should be hours for necessities,
Not for delights; times to repair our nature
With comforting repose, and not for us
To waste these times.
Not for delights; times to repair our nature
With comforting repose, and not for us
To waste these times.
Enter
⌈
at another door
⌉
Sir Thomas Lovell, meeting
them
Good hour of night, Sir Thomasl
Whither so late?
LOVELY
Came you from the King, my lord?
GARDINER
I did, Sir Thomas, and left him at primero
With the Duke of Suffolk.
With the Duke of Suffolk.
LOVELL
I must to him too,
Before he go to bed. I’ll take my leave.
GARDINER
Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell—what’s the matter?
It seems you are in haste. An if there be
No great offence belongs to’t, give your friend
Some touch of your late business. Affairs that walk,
As they say spirits do, at midnight, have
In them a wilder nature than the business
That seeks dispatch by day.
It seems you are in haste. An if there be
No great offence belongs to’t, give your friend
Some touch of your late business. Affairs that walk,
As they say spirits do, at midnight, have
In them a wilder nature than the business
That seeks dispatch by day.
LOVELL
My lord, I love you,
And durst commend a secret to your ear
Much weightier than this work. The Queen’s in labour—
They say in great extremity—and feared
She’ll with the labour end.
Much weightier than this work. The Queen’s in labour—
They say in great extremity—and feared
She’ll with the labour end.
GARDINER
The fruit she goes with
I pray for heartily, that it may find
Good time, and live. But, for the stock, Sir Thomas,
I wish it grubbed up now.
Good time, and live. But, for the stock, Sir Thomas,
I wish it grubbed up now.
LOVELL
Methinks I could
Cry the amen, and yet my conscience says
She’s a good creature and, sweet lady, does
Deserve our better wishes.
She’s a good creature and, sweet lady, does
Deserve our better wishes.
GARDINER
But sir, sir,
Hear me, Sir Thomas. You’re a gentleman
Of mine own way. I know you wise, religious.
And let me tell you, it will ne’er be well—
’Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take’t of me—
Till Cranmer, Cromwell—her two hands—and she,
Sleep in their graves.
Of mine own way. I know you wise, religious.
And let me tell you, it will ne’er be well—
’Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take’t of me—
Till Cranmer, Cromwell—her two hands—and she,
Sleep in their graves.
LOVELL
Now, sir, you speak of two
The most remarked i‘th’ kingdom. As for Cromwell,
Beside that of the Jewel House is made Master
O’th’ Rolls and the King’s secretary. Further, sir,
Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments
With which the time will load him. Th’Archbishop
Is the King’s hand and tongue, and who dare speak
One syllable against him?
Beside that of the Jewel House is made Master
O’th’ Rolls and the King’s secretary. Further, sir,
Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments
With which the time will load him. Th’Archbishop
Is the King’s hand and tongue, and who dare speak
One syllable against him?
GARDINER
Yes, yes, Sir Thomas—
There are that dare, and I myself have ventured
To speak my mind of him, and, indeed, this day,
Sir—I may tell it you, I think—I have
Incensed the lords o’th’ Council that he is—
For so I know he is, they know he is—
A most arch heretic, a pestilence
That does infect the land; with which they, moved,
Have broken with the King, who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint, of his great grace
And princely care, foreseeing those fell mischiefs
Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded so
Tomorrow morning to the Council board
He be convented. He’s a rank weed, Sir Thomas,
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long. Good night, Sir Thomas.
To speak my mind of him, and, indeed, this day,
Sir—I may tell it you, I think—I have
Incensed the lords o’th’ Council that he is—
For so I know he is, they know he is—
A most arch heretic, a pestilence
That does infect the land; with which they, moved,
Have broken with the King, who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint, of his great grace
And princely care, foreseeing those fell mischiefs
Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded so
Tomorrow morning to the Council board
He be convented. He’s a rank weed, Sir Thomas,
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long. Good night, Sir Thomas.
LOVELL
Many good nights, my lord; I rest your servant.
Exeunt Gardiner
and Page at one door
and Page at one door
Enter King Henry and Suffolk at another door
KING HENRY (
to Suffolk
)
to Suffolk
)
Charles, I will play no more tonight.
My mind’s not on’t. You are too hard for me.
My mind’s not on’t. You are too hard for me.
SUFFOLK
Sir, I did never win of you before.
KING HENRY But little, Charles,
Nor shall not when my fancy’s on my play.
Now, Lovell, from the Queen what is the news?
Now, Lovell, from the Queen what is the news?
LOVELL
I could not personally deliver to her
What you commanded me, but by her woman
I sent your message, who returned her thanks
In the great’st humbleness, and desired your highness
Most heartily to pray for her.
What you commanded me, but by her woman
I sent your message, who returned her thanks
In the great’st humbleness, and desired your highness
Most heartily to pray for her.
KING HENRY
What sayst thou? Ha?
To pray for her? What, is she crying out?
LOVELL
So said her woman, and that her suffrance made
Almost each pang a death.
Almost each pang a death.
KING HENRY
Alas, good lady.
SUFFOLK
God safely quit her of her burden, and
With gentle travail, to the gladding of
Your highness with an heir.
With gentle travail, to the gladding of
Your highness with an heir.
KING HENRY
’Tis midnight, Charles.
Prithee to bed, and in thy prayers remember
Th’estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone,
For I must think of that which company
Would not be friendly to.
Th’estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone,
For I must think of that which company
Would not be friendly to.
SUFFOLK
I wish your highness
A quiet night, and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers.
Remember in my prayers.
KING HENRY
Charles, good night.
Exit Suffolk
Enter Sir Anthony Denny
Well, sir, what follows?
DENNY
Sir, I have brought my lord the Archbishop,
As you commanded me.
As you commanded me.
KING HENRY
Ha, Canterbury?
DENNY
Ay, my good lord.
KING HENRY
’Tis true—where is he, Denny?
DENNY
He attends your highness’ pleasure.
KING HENRY
Bring him to us.
Exit Denny
LOVELL. (aside)
This is about that which the Bishop spake.
I am happily come hither.
I am happily come hither.
Enter
Cranmer
the Archbishop, ushered by
Denny
KING HENRY (to
Lovell
and Denny) Avoid the gallery.
Lovell
and Denny) Avoid the gallery.
⌈
Denny begins to depart
.⌉
Lovell seems to stay
Ha? I have said. Be gone.
What?
What?
Exeunt Lovell and Denny
CRANMER (aside)
I am fearful. Wherefore frowns he thus?
’Tis his aspect of terror. All’s not well.
KING HENRY
How now, my lord? You do desire to know
Wherefore I sent for you.
Wherefore I sent for you.
CRANMER (
kneeling
) It
is
my duty
kneeling
) It
is
my duty
T’attend your highness’ pleasure.
KING HENRY
Pray you, arise,
My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury.
Come, you and I must walk a turn together.
I have news to tell you. Come, come—give me your
hand.
Come, you and I must walk a turn together.
I have news to tell you. Come, come—give me your
hand.
⌈
Cranmer rises. They walk
⌉
Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,
And am right sorry to repeat what follows.
I have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous—I do say, my lord,
Grievous—complaints of you, which, being considered,
Have moved us and our Council that you shall
This morning come before us, where I know
You cannot with such freedom purge yourself
But that, till further trial in those charges
Which will require your answer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented
To make your house our Tower. You a brother of us,
It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness
Would come against you.
And am right sorry to repeat what follows.
I have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous—I do say, my lord,
Grievous—complaints of you, which, being considered,
Have moved us and our Council that you shall
This morning come before us, where I know
You cannot with such freedom purge yourself
But that, till further trial in those charges
Which will require your answer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented
To make your house our Tower. You a brother of us,
It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness
Would come against you.
CRANMER (
kneeling
)
kneeling
)
I humbly thank your highness, And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnowed, where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder. For I know
There’s none stands under more calumnious tongues
Than I myself, poor man.
Most throughly to be winnowed, where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder. For I know
There’s none stands under more calumnious tongues
Than I myself, poor man.
KING HENRY
Stand up, good Canterbury.
Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand. Stand up.
Prithee, let’s walk.
In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand. Stand up.
Prithee, let’s walk.
Cranmer rises. They walk
Now, by my halidom,
What manner of man are you? My lord, I looked
You would have given me your petition that
I should have ta’en some pains to bring together
Yourself and your accusers, and to have heard you
Without indurance further.
What manner of man are you? My lord, I looked
You would have given me your petition that
I should have ta’en some pains to bring together
Yourself and your accusers, and to have heard you
Without indurance further.
CRANMER
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.
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.
KING HENRY
Know you not
How your state stands i’th’ world, with the whole
world?
Your enemies are many, and not small; their practices
Must bear the same proportion, and not ever
The justice and the truth o’th’ question carries
The dew o’th’ verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you? Such things have been
done.
You are potently opposed, and with a malice
Of as great size. Ween you of better luck,
I mean in perjured witness, than your master,
Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to.
You take a precipice for no leap of danger,
And woo your own destruction.
world?
Your enemies are many, and not small; their practices
Must bear the same proportion, and not ever
The justice and the truth o’th’ question carries
The dew o’th’ verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you? Such things have been
done.
You are potently opposed, and with a malice
Of as great size. Ween you of better luck,
I mean in perjured witness, than your master,
Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to.
You take a precipice for no leap of danger,
And woo your own destruction.
CRANMER
God and your majesty
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is laid for me.
The trap is laid for me.
KING HENRY
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 shall chance,
In charging you with matters, to commit you,
The best persuasions to the contrary
Fail not to use, and with what vehemency
Th’occasion shall instruct you. If entreaties
Will render you no remedy, ⌈
giving
his
ring
⌉ this ring
Deliver them, and your appeal to us
There make before them.
Keep comfort to you, and this morning see
You do appear before them. If they shall chance,
In charging you with matters, to commit you,
The best persuasions to the contrary
Fail not to use, and with what vehemency
Th’occasion shall instruct you. If entreaties
Will render you no remedy, ⌈
giving
his
ring
⌉ this ring
Deliver them, and your appeal to us
There make before them.
Cranmer weeps
Look, the good man weeps.
He’s honest, on mine honour. God’s blest mother,
I swear he is true-hearted, and a soul
None better in my kingdom. Get you gone,
And do as I have bid you.
I swear he is true-hearted, and a soul
None better in my kingdom. Get you gone,
And do as I have bid you.
Exit Cranmer
He has strangled
His language in his tears.
Enter the Old Lady
⌈LOVELL⌉ (within) Come back! What mean you?
⌈
Enter Lovell, following her
⌉
OLD LADY
I’ll not come back. The tidings that I bring
Will make my boldness manners. (To the King) Now
good angels
Fly o’er thy royal head, and shade thy person
Under their blessed wings.
Will make my boldness manners. (To the King) Now
good angels
Fly o’er thy royal head, and shade thy person
Under their blessed wings.
KING HENRY
Now by thy looks
I guess thy message. Is the Queen delivered?
Say, ‘Ay, and of a boy.’
OLD LADY
Ay, ay, my liege,
And of a lovely boy. The God of heaven
Both now and ever bless her! ’Tis a girl
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen
Desires your visitation, and to be
Acquainted with this stranger. ’Tis as like you
As cherry is to cherry.
Both now and ever bless her! ’Tis a girl
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen
Desires your visitation, and to be
Acquainted with this stranger. ’Tis as like you
As cherry is to cherry.
KING HENRY
Lovell—
LOVELL
Sir?
KING HENRY
Give her an hundred marks. I’ll to the Queen.
Exit
OLD LADY
An hundred marks? By this light, I’ll ha’ more.
An ordinary groom is for such payment.
I will have more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this the girl was like to him? I’ll
Have more, or else unsay’t; and now, while ’tis hot,
I’ll put it to the issue.
An ordinary groom is for such payment.
I will have more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this the girl was like to him? I’ll
Have more, or else unsay’t; and now, while ’tis hot,
I’ll put it to the issue.
Exeunt
5.2Enter ⌈
pursuivants
, pages, footboys, and grooms. Then
enter
⌉
Cranmer,
Archbishop of Canterbury
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