For holy offices I have a time; a time K. Hen. You have said well. Wol. And ever may your highness yoke together, As I will lend you cause, my doing well With my well saying!. K. Hen. 'Tis well said again And 'tis a kind of good deed, to say well: And yet words are no deeds. My father lov'd you: He said, he did; and with his deed did crown His word upon you. Since I had my office, I have kept you next my heart; have not alone Employ'd you where high profits might come home, But par'd my present havings, to bestow My bounties upon you. What should this mean? Sur. The Lord increase this business! [Aside. K. Hen. Have I not made you The prime man of the state? I pray you, tell me, If what I now pronounce, you have found true: And, if you may confess it, say withal, If you are bound to us, or no. What say you? Wol. My sovereign, I confess, your royal graces, Shower'd on me daily, have been more, than could My studied purposes requite; which went Beyond all man's endeavours:-my endeavours Have ever come too short of my desires, Yet, fil'd with my abilities: Mine own ends Have been mine so, that evermore they pointed Till death, that winter, kill it. K. Hen. A loyal and obedient subject is Fairly answer'd; Therein illustrated: The honour of it Does pay the act of it; as, i'the contrary, My heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd honour, more On you, than any; so your hand, and heart, Your brain, and every function of your power, Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty, As 'twere in love's particular, be more To me, your friend, than any. Wol. I do profess, That for your highness' good I ever labour'd you, And throw it from their soul; though perils did K. Hen. 'Tis nobly spoken: Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, For you have seen him open't. - Read o'er this; [Giving him papers. And, after, this: and then to breakfast, with Wol. [Exit King, frowning upon Cardinal Wolsey: the Nobles throng after him, smiling, and whispering. What should this mean? What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd it? He parted frowning from me, as if ruin Leap'd from his eyes: So looks the chafed lion Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him; Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper; I fear, the story of his anger.-'Tis so; This paper has undone me:-'Tis the account Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom, And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence, Fit for a fool to fall by! What cross devil Made me put this main secret in the packet I sent the king? Is there no way to cure this? No new device to beat this from his brains? I know, 'twill stir him strongly; Yet I know A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune Will bring me off again. What's this-To the Pope? The letter, as I live, with all the business I writ to his holiness. Nay then, farewel! I have touch'd the highest point of all my great ness; And, from that full meridian of my glory, I haste now to my setting: I shall fall Re-enter the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Nor. Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you To render up the great seal presently Into our hands; and to confine yourself To Asher-house, my lord of Winchester's, Wol. Stay, Where's your commission, lords? words cannot carry Authority so weighty. Suf. Who dare cross them? Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly? Wol. Till I find more than will, or words, to do it, (I mean, your malice,) know, officious lords, As if it fed ye? and how sleek and wanton (Mine, and your master,) with his own hand gave me: Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours, During my life; and, to confirın his goodness, Ty'd it by letters patents: Now, who'll take it? Sur. The king, that gave it. Wol. It must be himself then. Sur. Thou art a proud traitor, priest. Wol. Proud lord, thou liest; Within these forty hours Surrey durst better Have burnt that tongue, than said so. Sur. Thy ambition, Thou scarlet sin, robb'd this bewailing land Of noble Buckingham, my father-in-law: The heads of all thy brother cardinals, (With thee, and all thy best parts bound together,) Weigh'd not a hair of his. Plague of your policy! You sent me deputy for Ireland; Far from his succour, from the king, from all That might have mercy on the fault thou gav'st him; Whilst your great goodness, out of holy pity, Absolv'd him with an axe. Wol. This, and all else This talking lord can lay upon my credit, |