546

a

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a

K. Hen.

Ha! Canterbury ? You are potently oppos’d, and with a malice Den. Ay, my good lord.

Of as great size. Ween you of better luck, K. Hen.

'Tis true: where is he, Denny? I mean in perjur'd witness, than your Master, Den. He attends your highness' pleasure

Whose minister you are, whiles here he liv'd K. Hen.

Bring him to us. [Erit Denny. Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to: Lov. This is about that which the bishop spake : You take a precipice for no leap of danger,

[Aside. And woo your own destruction. I am happily come hither.

Cran.

God, and your majesty,
Re-enter DENNY, with CRANMER.

Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
K. Hen. Avoid the gallery. [Lovell seems to stay. The trap is laid for me!
Ha! I have said.—Be gone.

K. Hen.

Be of good cheer; What!—

(Exeunt Lovell and Denny. They shall no more prevail, than we give way to. Cran. I am fearful.—Wherefore frowns he thus? Keep comfort to you; and this morning, see

[Aside. You do appear before them. If they shall chance, "Tis his aspect of terror: all's not well.

In charging you with matters, to commit you, K. Hen. How now, my lord! You do desire to know The best persuasions to the contrary Wherefore I sent for you.

Fail not to use, and with what vehemency Cran.

It is my duty [Kneeling. The occasion shall instruct you: if entreaties T' attend your highness' pleasure.

Will render you no remedy, this ring K. Hen.

Pray you, arise, Deliver them, and your appeal to us My good and gracious lord of Canterbury.

There make before them.-Look, the good man weeps : Come, you and I must walk a turn together;

He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother!
I have news to tell you. Come, come, give me your I swear, he is true-hearted; and a soul
hand.

None better in my kingdom.-Get you gone,
Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak, And do as I have bid you.—[Exit Cranmer.) He has
And am right sorry to repeat what follows.

strangled I have, and most unwillingly, of late

His language in his tears. Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord,

Enter an old Lady, in haste. Grievous complaints of you; which being consider'd Gent. [Within.] Come back: what mean you? Have mov'd us and our council, that you

shall

Lady. I'll not come back; the tidings that I bring
This morning come before us: where, I know, Will make my boldness manners.—Now, good angels
You cannot with such freedom purge yourself, Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person
But that, till farther trial in those charges

Under their blessed wings !
Which will require your answer, you must take

K. Hen.

Now, by thy looks Your patience to you, and be well contented

I

guess thy message. Is the queen deliver'd ? To make your house our Tower: to a brother of us, Say, ay; and of a boy. It fits me thus proceed, or else no witness

Lady.

Ay, ay, my liege; Would come against you.

And of a lovely boy : the God of heaven Cran.

I humbly thank your highness, Both now and ever bless her!—'tis a girl, And am right glad to catch this good occasion Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen

[Kneeling. Desires your visitation, and to be Most thoroughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff Acquainted with this stranger : 'tis as like you, And corn shall fly asunder; for, I know,

As cherry is to cherry. There's none stands under more calumnious tongues K. Hen.

Lovell!
Than I myself, poor man.

Re-enter Lovell.
K. Hen.
Stand up, good Canterbury : Lov.

Sir,
Thy truth, and thy integrity, is rooted

K. Hen. Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up:

queen.
(Rising.

Lady. An hundred marks! By this light, I'll ha'
Pr’ythee, let's walk. Now, by my holy dame,
What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd An ordinary groom is for such payment:
You would have given me your petition, that I will have more, or scold it out of him.
I should have ta'en some pains to bring together Said I for this the girl was like to him?
Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard you, I will have more, or else unsay't ; and now,
Without indurance, farther.

While it is hot, I'll put it to the issue.
Cran.

Most dread liege,
The ground I stand on, is my truth, and honesty:

SCENE II.— The Lobby before the Council-Chamber. If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies,

Enter Cranmer; Servants, Door-Keeper, fc. attending. Will triumph o'er my person, which I weigh not,

Cran. I hope, I am not too late; and yet the gentleBeing of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing

man, What can be said against me.

That was sent to me from the council, pray'd me
K. Hen.

Know you not

To make great haste. All fast! what means this ? How your state stands i' the world, with the whole Hoa! world?

Who waits there ?-Sure, you know me? Your enemies are many, and not small;

lord; their practices

Yes, my

D. Keep. Must bear the same proportion : and not ever

But yet I cannot help you. The justice and the truth o' the question carries

Cran.

Why?
The due o' the verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves, as corrupt,

D. Keep. Your grace must wait, till you be call'd for.

Enter Doctor Butts.
To swear against you: such things have been done:

So.
Cran.

a

[Exit King.

more.

[Exeunt.

THE COUNCIL-CHAMBER.

Butts. This is a piece of malice. I am glad, [Aside. But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur them, I came this way so happily: the king

Till they obey the manage. If we suffer, Shall understand it presently.

[Exit Butts. Out of our easiness and childish pity Cran.

'Tis Butts,

To one man's honour, this contagious sickness, The king's physician. As he past along,

Farewell all physic: and what follows then ?
How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me.

Commotions, uproars, with a general taint
Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain, Of the whole state: as, of late days, our neighbours,
This is of purpose laid by some that hate me, The upper Germany, can dearly witness,
(God turn their hearts ! I never sought their malice) Yet freshly pitied in our memories.
To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me Cran. My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress
Wait else at door, a fellow counsellor

Both of my life and office, I have labour'd, 'Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures And with no little study, that my teaching, Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.

And the strong course of my authority,
Enter the King and Butts, at a window above. Might go one way, and safely; and the end
Butts. I'll show your grace the strangest sight,- Was ever, to do well: nor is there living
K. Hen.

What's that, Butts ? (I speak it with a single heart, my lords,)
Butts. I think, your highness saw this many a day. A man, that more detests, more strives against,
K. Hen. Body o' me, where is it?

Both in his private conscience and his place,
Butts.

There, my lord : Defacers of the public peace, than I do.
The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury; Pray heaven, the king may never find a heart
Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants, With less allegiance in it! Men, that make
Pages, and footboys.

Envy and crooked malice nourishment,
K. Hen.
Ha! 'Tis he, indeed.

Dare bite the best. I do beseech your lordships,
Is this the honour they do one another?

That in this case of justice, my accusers, 'Tis well, there's one above 'em yet. I had thought, Be what they will, may stand forth face to face, They had parted so much honesty among 'em,

And freely urge against me. (At least good manners) as not thus to suffer

Suf.

Nay, my lord, A man of his place, and so near our favour,

That cannot be: you are a counsellor, To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures,

And by that virtue no man dare accuse you. And at the door too, like a post with packets.

Gar. My lord, because we have business of more By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery :

moment, Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close;

We will be short with you. 'Tis his highness' pleasure, We shall hear more anon.

[Exeunt. And our consent, for better trial of you,

From hence you be committed to the Tower:
Enter the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Suffolk, Earl Where, being but a private man again,

of Surrey, Lord Chamberlain, Gardiner, and Crom. You shall know many dare accuse you boldly,
WELL. The Chancellor places himself at the upper end More than, I fear, you are provided for.
of the table on the left hand; a seat being left void

Cran. Ah! my good lord of Winchester, I thank you;

will above him, as for the Archbishop of CANTERBURY. You are always my good friend : if your pass, The rest seat themselves in order on each side. Crom- I shall both find your lordship judge and juror, WELL at the lower end, as secretary.

You are so merciful. I see your end; Chan. Speak to the business, master secretary :

'Tis my undoing. Love and meekness, lord, Why are we met in council ?

Become a churchman better than ambition :
Crom.

Please your honours, Win straying souls with modesty again,
The chief cause concerns his grace of Canterbury. Cast none away. That I shall clear myself,
Gar. Has he had knowledge of it?

Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience,
Crom.

Yes.

I make as little doubt, as you do conscience Nor.

Who waits there? In doing daily wrongs. I could say more, D. Keep. Without, my noble lords?

But reverence to your calling makes me modest. Gar.

Yes.

Gar. My lord, my lord, you are a sectary;

My lord archbishop ; That's the plain truth: your painted gloss discovers,
And has done half an hour, to know your pleasures. To men that understand you, words and weakness,
Chan. Let him come in.

Crom. My lord of Winchester, you are a little,
Your grace may enter now. By your good favour, too sharp: men so noble,
[Cranmer approaches the Council-table. However faulty, yet should find respect
Chan. My good lord archbishop, I am very sorry

For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty,
To sit here at this present, and behold

To load a falling man. That chair stand empty: but we all are men,

Gar.

Good master secretary, In our own natures frail, and culpable

I cry your honour mercy : you may, worst Of our flesh ; few are angels : out of which frailty,

Of all this table, say so. And want of wisdom, you, that best should teach us, Crom.

Why, my lord ?
Have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little,

Gar. Do not I know you for a favourer
Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling Of this new sect? ye are not sound.
The whole realm, by your teaching, and your chaplains,

Not sound? (For so we are inform’d) with new opinions,

Gar. Not sound, I say. Divers, and dangerous; which are heresies,

Crom.

Would you were half so honest; And, not reform'd, may prove pernicious.

Men's prayers, then, would seek you, not their fears. Gar. Which reformation must be sudden too,

Gar. I shall remember this bold language.
My noble lords; for those that tame wild horses

Crom.
Pace them not in their hands to make them gentle, Remember your bold life too.

D. Keep

D. Kеер.

Do:

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Chan.

This is too much : This good man, (few of you deserve that title)
Forbear, for shame, my lords.

This honest man, wait like a lousy footboy
Gar.

I have done.

At chamber door ? and one as great as you are ?
Crom.

And I. Why, what a shame was this ! Did my commission
Chan. Then thus for you, my lord.— It stands agreed, Bid ye so far forget yourselves ? I gave ye
I take it, by all voices, that forth with

Power, as he was a counsellor to try him,
You be convey'd to the Tower a prisoner;

Not as a groom. There's some of ye, I see,
There to remain, till the king's farther pleasure More out of malice than integrity,
Be known unto us. Are you all agreed, lords ? Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean;
All. We are.

Which

ye

shall never have the while I live.
Cran.
Is there no other way of mercy,
Chan.

Thus far,
But I must needs to the Tower, my lords?

My most dread sovereign, may it like your grace
Gar.

What other To let my tongue excuse all. What was purpos'd
Would you expect? You are strangely troublesome. Concerning his imprisonment, was rather
Let some o' the guard be ready there.

(If there be faith in men) meant for his trial,
Cran.

For me? And fair purgation to the world, than malice,
Must I go like a traitor thither?

I'm sure, in me.
Enter Guard.

K. Hen. Well, well, my lords, respect him :
Gar.

Receive him, Take him, and use him well; he's worthy of it.
And see him safe i' the Tower.

I will say thus much for him: if a prince
Cran.

Stay, good my lords; May be beholding to a subject, I
I have a little yet to say.-Look there, my lords : Am, for his love and service, so to him.
By virtue of that ring I take my cause

Make me no more ado, but all embrace him :
Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it

[They embrace him : Gardiner last. To a most noble judge, the king my master.

Be friends, for shame, my lords !-My lord of CanterCham. This is the king's ring.

bury, Sur.

"Tis no counterfeit. I have a suit which you must not deny me; Suf. 'Tis the right ring, by heaven! I told ye all, That is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism, When we first put this dangerous stone a rolling, You must be godfather, and answer for her. "Twould fall upon ourselves.

Cran. The greatest monarch now alive may glory
Nor.

Do you think, my lords, In such an honour: how may I deserve it,
The king will suffer but the little finger

That am a poor and humble subject to you?
Of this man to be vex'd ?

K. Hen. Come, come, my lord, you'd spare your
Cham.
'Tis now too certain,

spoons.
How much more is his life in value with him. You shall have two noble partners with you;
Would I were fairly out on't.

The old duchess of Norfolk, and lady marquess Dorset:
Crom.

My mind gave ine,

Will these please you?
In seeking tales, and informations,

Once more, my lord of Winchester, I charge you,
Against this man, whose honesty the devil

Embrace, and love this man.
And his disciples only envy at,

Gar.

With a true heart, Ye blew the fire that burns ye. Now, have at ye. And brother's love, I do it.

[Embrace again. Enter the King, frowning on them: he takes his seat. Cran.

And let heaven Gar. Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to Witness, how dear I hold this confirmation. heaven

K. Hen. Good man! those joyful tears show thy In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince ;

true heart.
Not only good and wise, but most religious :

The common voice, I see, is verified
One that in all obedience makes the church

Of thee, which says thus, “ Do my lord of Canterbury
The chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen A shrewd turn, and he is your friend for ever."-
That holy duty, out of dear respect,

Come, lords, we trifle time away ; I long
His royal self in judgment comes to hear

To have this young one made a Christian.
The cause betwixt her and this great offender. As I have made ye one, lords, one remain ;
K. Hen. You were ever good at sudden commenda- So I grow stronger, you more honour gain. (Ereunt.
tions,

SCENE III.-- The Palace Yard.
Bishop of Winchester; but know, I come not
To hear such flattery now, and in my presence:

Noise and Tumult within. Enter Porter and his Man.
They are too thin and base to hide offences.

Port. You'll leave your noise anon, ye rascals : do To me you cannot reach. You play the spaniel, you take the court for Paris-garden? ye rude slaves, And think with wagging of your tongue to win me; leave your gaping

. But, whatsoe'er thou tak'st me for, I'm sure,

[Within.) Good master porter, I belong to the larder.

. Thou hast a cruel nature, and a bloody.

Port. Belong to the gallows, and be hanged, you Good man, [ To Cranmer.] sit down. Now, let me see rogue! Is this a place to roar in ?-Fetch me a dozen the proudest,

[Cranmer sits. crab-tree staves, and strong ones: these are but switches He that dares most, but wag his finger at thee: to them.—I'll scratch your heads: you must be seeing By all that's holy, he had better starve,

christenings? Do you look for ale and cakes here, Than but once think this place becomes thee not. you rude rascals?

[Tumult within. Sur. May it please your grace,

Man. Pray, sir, be patient: 'tis as much impossible,
K. Hen.

No, sir, it does not please me. Unless we sweep 'em from the door with cannons,
I had thought, I bad had men of some understanding To scatter 'em, as 'tis to make 'em sleep
And wisdom of my council ; but I find none. On May-day morning; which will never be.
Was it discretion, lords, to let this man,

We may as well push against Paul's, as stir 'em.

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Port. How got they in, and be hang'd ?

And here ye lie baiting of bombards, when [Trumpets. Man. Alas, I know not: how gets the tide in ? Ye should do service. Hark! the trumpets sound; As much as one sound cudgel of four foot

They 're come already from the christening.
(You see the poor remainder) could distribute, Go, break among the press, and find a way out
I made no spare, sir.

To let the troop pass fairly, or I'll find
Port.
You did nothing, sir.

A Marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months.
Man. I am not Samson, nor sir Guy, nor Colbrand, Port. Make way there for the princess.
To mow 'em down before me; but if I spared any, Man. You great fellow, [Tumult and confusion.
That had a head to hit, either young or old,

Stand close up, or I'll make your head ache.
He or she, cuckold or cuckold-maker,

Port. You i' the camblet, get up o' the rail ; Let me ne'er hope to see a queen again;

I'll peck you o'er the pole else.

[Ereunt. And that I would not for a crown, God save her.

SCENE IV.—The Palace at Greenwich. [Within.) Do you hear, master Porter? Port. I shall be with you presently, good master Enter Trumpets, sounding; then two Aldermen, Lord puppy.—Keep the door close, sirrah.

Mayor, Garter, CRANMER, Duke of Norfolk, with Man. What would you have me do?

his Marshal's staff, Duke of Suffolk, two Noblemen

bearing great standing bowls for the christening gifts : Port. What should you do, but knock 'em down by the dozens? Is this Moorfields to muster in? or

then, four Noblemen bearing a canopy, under which have we some strange Indian with the great tool come

the Duchess of Norfolk, godmother, bearing the

child richly habited in a mantle, 8c. Train borne by to court, the women so besiege us ? [Noise.] Bless me,

a Lady : then follows the Marchioness of Dorset, what a fry of fornication is at door! On my Christian conscience, this one christening will beget a thousand :

the other godmother, and Ladies. The Troop pass here will be father, godfather, and all together.

once about the stage, and Garter speaks. Man. The spoons will be the bigger, sir. There is a Gart. Heaven, fellow somewhat near the door, he should be a brazier From thy endless goodness, send prosperous life, by his face, for, o' my conscience, twenty of the dog- Long, and ever happy, to the high and mighty days now reign in's nose: all that stand about him are Princess of England, Elizabeth ! under the line; they need no other penance. That

Flourish. Enter King, and Train. fire-drake did I hit three times on the head, and three Cran. And to your royal grace, and the good queen, times was his nose discharg'd against me: he stands

[Kneeling. there, like a mortar-piece, to blow us. There was a My noble partners, and myself, thus pray :haberdasher's wife of small wit near him, that railed All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady, upon me till her pink'd porringer fell off her head, Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy, for kindling such a combustion in the state. I miss'd May hourly fall upon ye! the meteor once, and hit that woman, who cried out, K. Hen. Thank you, good lord archbishop. clubs! when I might see from far some forty trun- What is her name? cheoners draw to her succour, which were the hope o'

Cran.

Elizabeth. the Strand, where she was quartered. They fell on;

K. Hen.

Stand up, lord.—[Cran. rises, I made good my place; at length they came to the With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee! broomstaff with me: I defied 'em still; when suddenly Into whose hand I give thy life. [Kissing the child. a file of boys behind 'em, loose shot, delivered such a Cran.

Amen. shower of pebbles, that I was fain to draw mine honour K. Hen. My noble gossips, ye have been too prodiin, and let 'em win the work. The devil was amongst gal. 'em, I think, surely.

[Shouts. I thank ye heartily : so shall this lady, Port. These are the youths that thunder at a play- When she has so much English. house, and fight for bitten apples; that no audience, Cran.

Let me speak, sir, but the Tribulation of Tower-hill

, or the limbs of For Heaven now bids me; and the words I utter
Limehouse, their dear brothers, are able to endure. I Let none think flattery, for they'll find them truth.
have some of 'em in Limbo Patrum, and there they This royal infant-heaven still move about her!
are like to dance these three days, besides the running Though in her cradle, yet now promises
banquet of two beadles, that is to come.

Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
[Tumult and Shouts. Which time shall bring to ripeness. She shall be
Enter the Lord Chamberlain.

(But few now living can behold that goodness)
Cham. Mercy o' me, what a multitude are here ! A pattern to all princes living with her,
They grow still, too; from all parts they are coming, And all that shall succeed: Sheba was never
As if we kept a fair!

Where are these porters, More covetous of wisdom, and fair virtue,
These lazy knaves ?-Ye have made a fine hand, Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces,
fellows:

That mould up such a mighty piece as this is,
There's a trim rabble let in. Are all these

With all the virtues that attend the good,
Your faithful friends o' the suburbs? We shall have Shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse her;
Great store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies, Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:
When they pass back from the christening.

She'shall be lov'd, and fear'd: her own shall bless her:
Port.

An't please your honour Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn, We are but men; and what so many may do,

And hang their heads with sorrow: good grows with Not being torn a pieces, we have done :

her. An army cannot rule 'em.

In her days every man shall eat in safety
Cham.
As I live,

Under his own vine what he plants, and sing
If the king blame me for't, I'll lay ye all

The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours. By the heels, and suddenly; and on your heads God shall be truly known; and those about her Clap round fines for neglect. Y'are lazy knaves;

From her shall read the perfect ways of honour,

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And by those claim their greatness, not by blood. An aged princess; many days shall see her,
Nor shall this peace sleep with her : but as when And yet no day without a deed to crown it.
The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phænix,

Would I had known no more! but she must die :
Her ashes new create another heir,

She must; the saints must have her : yet a virgin,
As great in admiration as herself;

A most unspotted lily shall she pass
So shall she leave her blessedness to one,

To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.
(When heaven shall call her from this cloud of dark- K. Hen. O, lord archbishop!
ness)

Thou hast made me now a man: never, before
Who, from the sacred ashes of her honour,

This happy child, did I get any thing.
Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was, This oracle of comfort has so pleased me,
And so stand fix'd. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror, That when I am in heaven I shall desire
That were the servants to this chosen infant,

To see what this child does, and praise my Maker.
Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him: I thank ye all.— To you, my good lord mayor,
Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine, And you, good brethren, I am much beholding:
His honour and the greatness of his name

I have receiv'd much honour by your presence,
Shall be, and make new nations : he shall flourish, And ye shall find me thankful.--Lead the way, lords :-
And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches Ye must all see the queen, and she must
To all the plains about him. Our children's children She will be sick else. This day, no man think
Shall see this, and bless heaven.

He has business at his house, for all shall stay :
K. Hen.

Thou speakest wonders. This little one shall make it holiday. (Exeunt. Cran. She shall be, to the happiness of England,

a

nk ye;

EPILOGUE.

'Tis ten to one, this play can never please
All that are here. Some come to take their ease,
And sleep an act or two; but those, we
We have frighted with our trumpets; so, 'tis clear,
They'll say, 'tis naught: others, to hear the city
Abus'd extremely, and to cry,—“that's witty,'
Which we have not done neither : that, I fear,

All the expected good we 're like to hear
For this play, at this time, is only in
The merciful construction of good women;
For such a one we show'd 'em. If they smile,
And say, 'twill do, I know, within a while
All the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap,
If they hold, when their ladies bid 'em clap.