William Shakespeare
-
Tragedies
- Antony and Cleopatra
- Coriolanus
- Hamlet
- Julius Caesar
- King Lear
- Macbeth
- Othello
- Romeo and Juliet
- Timon of Athens
- Titus Andronicus
-
Histories
- King Henry IV Part 1
- King Henry IV Part 2
- King Henry V
- King Henry VI Part 1
- King Henry VI Part 2
- King Henry VI Part 3
- King Henry VIII
- King John
- Richard II
- Richard III
-
Comedies
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- All's Well That Ends Well
- As You Like It
- Cymbeline
- Love's Labour's Lost
- Measure for Measure
- Much Ado About Nothing
- Pericles, Prince of Tyre
- The Comedy of Errors
- The Merchant of Venice
- The Merry Wives of Windsor
- The Taming of the Shrew
- The Tempest
- The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- The Winter's Tale
- Troilus and Cressida
- Twelfth Night
-
Poetry
- A Lover's Complaint
- Sonnets 1 to 50
- Sonnets 50 to 100
- Sonnets 100 to 154
- The Passionate Pilgrim
- The Phoenix and the Turtle
- The Rape of Lucrece
- Venus and Adonis
King Henry VIII (c. 1603)
Hans Holbein the Younger, Portrait of Henry VIII, 1540" style="width: 83px; height: 100px; float: right;" class="PopBoxImageSmall" title="Click to magnify/shrink" onclick="Pop(this,50,'/');"/>ACT ONE
PROLOGUE
I COME no more to make you laugh: things now- That bear a weighty and a serious brow,
- Sad, high, and working, full of state and woe,
- Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,
- We now present. Those that can pity, here
- May, if they think it well, let fall a tear;
- The subject will deserve it. Such as give
- Their money out of hope they may believe,
- May here find truth too. Those that come to see
- Only a show or two, and so agree
- The play may pass, if they be still and willing,
- I'll undertake may see away their shilling
- Richly in two short hours. Only they
- That come to hear a merry bawdy play,
- A noise of targets, or to see a fellow
- In a long motley coat guarded with yellow,
- Will be deceiv'd; for, gentle hearers, know,
- To rank our chosen truth with such a show
- As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting
- Our own brains, and the opinion that we bring
- To make that only true we now intend,
- Will leave us never an understanding friend.
- Therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are known
- The first and happiest hearers of the town,
- Be sad, as we would make ye; think ye see
- The very persons of our noble story
- As they were living; think you see them great,
- And follow'd with the general throng and sweat
- Of thousand friends; then, in a moment, see
- How soon this mightiness meets misery;
- And if you can be merry then, I'll say
- A man may weep upon his wedding-day.
ACT ONE
SCENE 1. London. An ante-chamber in the palace.
[Enter the Duke of Norfolk at one door; at the other, the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Abergavenny.]
BUCKINGHAM.
- Good morrow, and well met. How have ye done
- Since last we saw in France?
NORFOLK.
- I thank your Grace,
- Healthful; and ever since a fresh admirer
- Of what I saw there.
BUCKINGHAM
- An untimely ague
- Stay'd me a prisoner in my chamber when
- Those suns of glory, those two lights of men,
- Met in the vale of Andren.
NORFOLK.
- 'Twixt Guynes and Arde.
- I was then present, saw them salute on horseback;
- Beheld them, when they lighted, how they clung
- In their embracement, as they grew together;
- Which had they, what four thron'd ones could have weigh'd
- Such a compounded one?
BUCKINGHAM
- All the whole time
- I was my chamber's prisoner.
NORFOLK.
- Then you lost
- The view of earthly glory. Men might say,
- Till this time pomp was single, but now married
- To one above itself. Each following day
- Became the next day's master, till the last
- Made former wonders its. To-day the French,
- All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,
- Shone down the English; and, to-morrow, they
- Made Britain India: every man that stood
- Show'd like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were
- As cherubins, all gilt; the madams too,
- Not us'd to toil, did almost sweat to bear
- The pride upon them, that their very labour
- Was to them as a painting. Now this masque
- Was cried incomparable; and the ensuing night
- Made it a fool and beggar. The two kings,
- Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst,
- As presence did present them; him in eye,
- Still him in praise; and, being present both,
- 'Twas said they saw but one; and no discerner
- Durst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns—
- For so they phrase 'em—by their heralds challeng'd
- The noble spirits to arms, they did perform
- Beyond thought's compass, that former fabulous story,
- Being now seen possible enough, got credit,
- That Bevis was believ'd.
BUCKINGHAM
- O, you go far!
NORFOLK.
- As I belong to worship and affect
- In honour honesty, the tract of ev'rything
- Would by a good discourser lose some life,
- Which action's self was tongue to. All was royal;
- To the disposing of it nought rebell'd,
- Order gave each thing view; the office did
- Distinctly his full function.
BUCKINGHAM
- Who did guide,
- I mean, who set the body and the limbs
- Of this great sport together, as you guess?
NORFOLK.
- One, certes, that promises no element
- In such a business.
BUCKINGHAM
- I pray you, who, my lord?
NORFOLK.
- All this was ord'red by the good discretion
- Of the right reverend Cardinal of York.
BUCKINGHAM
- The devil speed him! no man's pie is freed
- From his ambitious finger. What had he
- To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder
- That such a keech can with his very bulk
- Take up the rays o' th' beneficial sun,
- And keep it from the earth.
NORFOLK.
- Surely, sir,
- There's in him stuff that puts him to these ends;
- For, being not propp'd by ancestry, whose grace
- Chalks successors their way, nor call'd upon
- For high feats done to the crown; neither allied
- To eminent assistants; but, spider-like,
- Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note,
- The force of his own merit makes his way;
- A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys
- A place next to the King.
ABERGAVENNY.
- I cannot tell
- What heaven hath given him,—let some graver eye
- Pierce into that; but I can see his pride
- Peep through each part of him. Whence has he that?
- If not from hell, the devil is a niggard,
- Or has given all before, and he begins
- A new hell in himself.
BUCKINGHAM.
- Why the devil,
- Upon this French going out, took he upon him,
- Without the privity o' the King, to appoint
- Who should attend on him? He makes up the file
- Of all the gentry; for the most part such
- To whom as great a charge as little honour
- He meant to lay upon; and his own letter,
- The honourable board of council out,
- Must fetch him in he papers.
ABERGAVENNY.
- I do know
- Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have
- By this so sicken'd their estates, that never
- They shall abound as formerly.
BUCKINGHAM.
- O, many
- Have broke their backs with laying manors on 'em
- For this great journey. What did this vanity
- But minister communication of
- A most poor issue?
NORFOLK.
- Grievingly I think
- The peace between the French and us not values
- The cost that did conclude it.
BUCKINGHAM.
- Every man,
- After the hideous storm that follow'd, was
- A thing inspir'd; and, not consulting, broke
- Into a general prophecy, that this tempest,
- Dashing the garment of this peace, aboded
- The sudden breach on't.
NORFOLK.
- Which is budded out;
- For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'd
- Our merchants' goods at Bordeaux.
ABERGAVENNY.
- Is it therefore
- The ambassador is silenc'd?
NORFOLK.
- Marry, is't.
ABERGAVENNY.
- A proper title of a peace, and purchas'd
- At a superfluous rate!
BUCKINGHAM.
- Why, all this business
- Our reverend Cardinal carried.
NORFOLK.
- Like it your Grace,
- The state takes notice of the private difference
- Betwixt you and the Cardinal. I advise you—
- And take it from a heart that wishes towards you
- Honour and plenteous safety—that you read
- The Cardinal's malice and his potency
- Together, to consider further that
- What his high hatred would effect wants not
- A minister in his power. You know his nature,
- That he's revengeful, and I know his sword
- Hath a sharp edge; it's long, and, 't may be said,
- It reaches far, and where 'twill not extend,
- Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel,
- You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that rock
- That I advise your shunning.
[Enter Cardinal Wolsey, the purse borne before him, certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries, with papers. The Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on Buckingham, and Buckingham on him, both full of disdain.]
WOLSEY.
- The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor, ha?
- Where's his examination?
SECRETARY.
- Here, so please you.
WOLSEY.
- Is he in person ready?
SECRETARY.
- Ay, please your Grace.
WOLSEY.
- Well, we shall then know more; and Buckingham
- Shall lessen this big look.
[Exeunt Wolsey and his train.]
BUCKINGHAM.
- This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd, and I
- Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore best
- Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book
- Outworths a noble's blood.
NORFOLK.
- What, are you chaf'd?
- Ask God for temp'rance; that's the appliance only
- Which your disease requires.
BUCKINGHAM.
- I read in 's looks
- Matter against me, and his eye revil'd
- Me as his abject object. At this instant
- He bores me with some trick. He's gone to the King;
- I'll follow, and outstare him.
NORFOLK.
- Stay, my lord,
- And let your reason with your choler question
- What 'tis you go about. To climb steep hills
- Requires slow pace at first. Anger is like
- A full hot horse, who being allow'd his way,
- Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England
- Can advise me like you; be to yourself
- As you would to your friend.
BUCKINGHAM.
- I'll to the King,
- And from a mouth of honour quite cry down
- This Ipswich fellow's insolence, or proclaim
- There's difference in no persons.
NORFOLK.
- Be advis'd;
- Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot
- That it do singe yourself. We may outrun,
- By violent swiftness, that which we run at,
- And lose by over-running. Know you not,
- The fire that mounts the liquor till 't run o'er,
- In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advis'd.
- I say again, there is no English soul
- More stronger to direct you than yourself,
- If with the sap of reason you would quench,
- Or but allay, the fire of passion.
BUCKINGHAM.
- Sir,
- I am thankful to you; and I'll go along
- By your prescription; but this top-proud fellow,
- Whom from the flow of gall I name not, but
- From sincere motions, by intelligence,
- And proofs as clear as founts in July when
- We see each grain of gravel, I do know
- To be corrupt and treasonous.
NORFOLK.
- Say not "treasonous."
BUCKINGHAM.
- To the King I'll say't, and make my vouch as strong
- As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox,
- Or wolf, or both,—for he is equal ravenous
- As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief
- As able to perform't; his mind and place
- Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally—
- Only to show his pomp as well in France
- As here at home, suggests the King our master
- To this last costly treaty, the interview,
- That swallowed so much treasure, and like a glass
- Did break i' the rinsing.
NORFOLK.
- Faith, and so it did.
BUCKINGHAM.
- Pray, give me favour, sir. This cunning Cardinal
- The articles o' the combination drew
- As himself pleas'd; and they were ratified
- As he cried "Thus let be," to as much end
- As give a crutch to the dead. But our count-cardinal
- Has done this, and 'tis well; for worthy Wolsey,
- Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows,—
- Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy
- To the old dam, treason,—Charles the Emperor,
- Under pretence to see the Queen his aunt,—
- For 'twas indeed his colour, but he came
- To whisper Wolsey,—here makes visitation.
- His fears were, that the interview betwixt
- England and France might, through their amity,
- Breed him some prejudice; for from this league
- Peep'd harms that menac'd him. He privily
- Deals with our Cardinal; and, as I trow,—
- Which I do well, for I am sure the Emperor
- Paid ere he promis'd; whereby his suit was granted
- Ere it was ask'd—but when the way was made,
- And pav'd with gold, the Emperor thus desir'd,
- That he would please to alter the King's course,
- And break the foresaid peace. Let the King know,
- As soon he shall by me, that thus the Cardinal
- Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases
- And for his own advantage.
NORFOLK.
- I am sorry
- To hear this of him; and could wish he were
- Something mistaken in't.
BUCKINGHAM.
- No, not a syllable:
- I do pronounce him in that very shape
- He shall appear in proof.
[Enter Brandon, a Sergeant-at-arms before him, and two or three of the Guard.]
BRANDON. Your office, sergeant; execute it.
SERGEANT.
- Sir,
- My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl
- Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, I
- Arrest thee of high treason, in the name
- Of our most sovereign king.
BUCKINGHAM.
- Lo, you, my lord,
- The net has fall'n upon me! I shall perish
- Under device and practice.
BRANDON.
- I am sorry
- To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on
- The business present. 'Tis his Highness' pleasure
- You shall to the Tower.
BUCKINGHAM.
- It will help nothing
- To plead mine innocence; for that dye is on me
- Which makes my whit'st part black. The will of Heaven
- Be done in this and all things! I obey.
- O my Lord Abergavenny, fare you well!
BRANDON.
- Nay, he must bear you company.
- [To Abergavenny.] The King
- Is pleas'd you shall to the Tower, till you know
- How he determines further.
ABERGAVENNY.
- As the Duke said,
- The will of Heaven be done, and the King's pleasure
- By me obey'd!
BRANDON.
- Here is warrant from
- The King to attach Lord Montacute, and the bodies
- Of the Duke's confessor, John de la Car,
- One Gilbert Peck, his chancellor,—
BUCKINGHAM.
- So, so;
- These are the limbs o' the plot. No more, I hope?
BRANDON.
- A monk o' the Chartreux.
BUCKINGHAM
- O, Nicholas Hopkins?
BRANDON.
- He.
BUCKINGHAM.
- My surveyor is false; the o'er-great Cardinal
- Hath show'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, farewell.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE 2. The same. The council-chamber.
[Cornets. Enter the King, leaning on the Cardinal's shoulder, the Nobles, and Sir Thomas Lovell; the Cardinal places himself under the King's feet on his right side.]
KING.
- My life itself, and the best heart of it,
- Thanks you for this great care. I stood i' the level
- Of a full-charg'd confederacy, and give thanks
- To you that chok'd it. Let be call'd before us
- That gentleman of Buckingham's; in person
- I'll hear his confessions justify;
- And point by point the treasons of his master
- He shall again relate.
[A noise within, crying "Room for the Queen!" Enter Queen Katherine, ushered by the Duke of Norfolk, and the Duke of Suffolk; she kneels. The King riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses and placeth her by him.]
QUEEN KATHERINE.
- Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a suitor.
KING.
- Arise, and take place by us. Half your suit
- Never name to us, you have half our power;
- The other moiety, ere you ask, is given.
- Repeat your will and take it.
QUEEN KATHERINE.
- Thank your Majesty.
- That you would love yourself, and in that love
- Not unconsidered leave your honour, nor
- The dignity of your office, is the point
- Of my petition.
KING.
- Lady mine, proceed.
QUEEN KATHERINE.
- I am solicited, not by a few,
- And those of true condition, that your subjects
- Are in great grievance. There have been commissions
- Sent down among 'em, which hath flaw'd the heart
- Of all their loyalties; wherein, although,
- My good Lord Cardinal, they vent reproaches
- Most bitterly on you, as putter on
- Of these exactions, yet the King our master—
- Whose honour Heaven shield from soil!—even he escapes not
- Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks
- The sides of loyalty, and almost appears
- In loud rebellion.
NORFOLK.
- Not "almost appears,"
- It doth appear; for, upon these taxations,
- The clothiers all, not able to maintain
- The many to them longing, have put off
- The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who,
- Unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger
- And lack of other means, in desperate manner
- Daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar,
- And danger serves among them.
KING.
- Taxation!
- Wherein? and what taxation? My Lord Cardinal,
- You that are blam'd for it alike with us,
- Know you of this taxation?
WOLSEY.
- 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 KATHERINE.
- No, my lord?
- You know no more than others? But you frame
- Things that are known alike, which are not wholesome
- To those which would not know them, and yet must
- Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions,
- Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are
- Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear 'em,
- The back is sacrifice to the load. They say
- They are devis'd by you; or else you suffer
- Too hard an exclamation.
KING.
- Still exaction!
- The nature of it? In what kind, let's know,
- Is this exaction?
QUEEN KATHERINE.
- I am much too venturous
- In tempting of your patience; but am bold'ned
- Under your promis'd pardon. The subjects' grief
- Comes through commissions, which compels from each
- The sixth part of his substance, to be levied
- Without delay; and the pretence for this
- 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
- This 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.
WOLSEY.
- And for me,
- I have no further gone in this than by
- A single voice; and that not pass'd me but
- 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
- Our necessary actions, in the fear
- To cope malicious censurers; which ever,
- As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
- That is new-trimm'd, but benefit no further
- Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
- By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
- Not ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oft,
- Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up
- For our best act. If we shall stand still,
- In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at,
- We should take root here where we sit, or sit
- State-statues only.
KING.
- Things done well,
- And with a care, exempt themselves from fear;
- Things done without example, in their issue
- Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent
- Of this commission? I believe, not any.
- We must not rend our subjects from our laws,
- And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?
- A trembling contribution! Why, we take
- From every tree lop, bark, and part o' the timber;
- And, though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd,
- The air will drink the sap. To every county
- Where this is question'd send our letters, with
- Free pardon to each man that has deni'd
- The force of this commission. Pray, look to't;
- I put it to your care.
WOLSEY.
- A word with you. [To the Secretary, aside.]
- Let there be letters writ to every shire,
- Of the King's grace and pardon. The grieved commons
- 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.
[Exit Secretary.]
[Enter Surveyor.]
QUEEN KATHERINE.
- I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham
- Is run in your displeasure.
KING.
- It grieves many.
- The gentleman is learn'd, and a most rare speaker;
- To nature none more bound; his training such
- That he may furnish and instruct great teachers,
- And never seek for aid out of himself. Yet see,
- When these so noble benefits shall prove
- Not well dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt,
- They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly
- Than ever they were fair. This man so complete,
- Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,
- Almost with ravish'd list'ning, could not find
- His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady,
- Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
- That once were his, and is become as black
- As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear—
- This was his gentleman in trust—of him
- Things to strike honour sad. Bid him recount
- The fore-recited practices, whereof
- We cannot feel too little, hear too much.
WOLSEY.
- Stand forth, and with bold spirit relate what you,
- Most like a careful subject, have collected
- Out of the Duke of Buckingham.
KING.
- Speak freely.
SURVEYOR.
- First, it was usual with him, every day
- It would infect his speech, that if the King
- Should without issue die, he'll carry it so
- To make the sceptre his. These very words
- I've heard him utter to his son-in-law,
- Lord Abergavenny; to whom by oath he menac'd
- Revenge upon the Cardinal.
WOLSEY.
- Please your Highness, note
- This dangerous conception in this point.
- Not friended by his wish, to your high person
- His will is most malignant; and it stretches
- Beyond you, to your friends.
QUEEN KATHERINE.
- My learn'd Lord Cardinal,
- Deliver all with charity.
KING.
- Speak on.
- How grounded he his title to the crown?
- Upon our fail? To this point hast thou heard him
- At any time speak aught?
SURVEYOR.
- He was brought to this
- By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Henton.
KING.
- What was that Henton?
SURVEYOR.
- Sir, a Chartreux friar,
- His confessor; who fed him every minute
- With words of sovereignty.
KING.
- How know'st thou this?
SURVEYOR.
- Not long before your Highness sped to France,
- The Duke being at the Rose, within the parish
- Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand
- What was the speech among the Londoners
- Concerning the French journey. I repli'd,
- Men fear the French would prove perfidious,
- To the King's danger. Presently the Duke
- Said, 'twas the fear, indeed; and that he doubted
- 'Twould prove the verity of certain words
- Spoke by a holy monk, "that oft," says he,
- "Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit
- John de la Car, my chaplain, a choice hour
- To hear from him a matter of some moment;
- Whom after under the confession's seal
- He solemnly had sworn, that what he spoke
- My chaplain to no creature living but
- To me should utter, with demure confidence
- This pausingly ensu'd: 'Neither the King nor's heirs,
- Tell you the Duke, shall prosper. Bid him strive
- To gain the love o' the commonalty. The Duke
- Shall govern England."'
QUEEN KATHERINE.
- If I know you well,
- You were the Duke's surveyor, and lost your office
- On the complaint o' the tenants. Take good heed
- You charge not in your spleen a noble person
- And spoil your nobler soul; I say, take heed;
- Yes, heartily beseech you.
KING.
- Let him on.
- Go forward.
SURVEYOR.
- On my soul, I'll speak but truth.
- I told my lord the Duke, by the devil's illusions
- The monk might be deceiv'd; and that 'twas dangerous for him
- To ruminate on this so far, until
- It forg'd him some design; which, being believ'd,
- It was much like to do. He answer'd, "Tush,
- It can do me no damage;" adding further
- That, had the King in his last sickness fail'd,
- The Cardinal's and Sir Thomas Lovell's heads
- Should have gone off.
KING.
- Ha! what, so rank? Ah ha!
- There's mischief in this man. Canst thou say further?
SURVEYOR.
- I can, my liege.
KING.
- Proceed.
SURVEYOR.
- Being at Greenwich,
- After your Highness had reprov'd the Duke
- About Sir William Bulmer,—
KING.
- I remember
- Of such a time; being my sworn servant,
- The Duke retain'd him his. But on; what hence?
SURVEYOR.
- "If," quoth he, "I for this had been committed,"
- —As, to the Tower, I thought,—"I would have play'd
- The part my father meant to act upon
- The usurper Richard; who, being at Salisbury,
- Made suit to come in 's presence; which if granted,
- As he made semblance of his duty, would
- Have put his knife into him."
KING.
- A giant traitor!
WOLSEY.
- Now, madam, may his Highness live in freedom,
- And this man out of prison?
QUEEN KATHERINE.
- God mend all!
KING.
- There's something more would out of thee; what say'st?
SURVEYOR.
- After "the Duke his father," with "the knife,"
- He stretch'd him, and, with one hand on his dagger,
- Another spread on 's breast, mounting his eyes,
- He did discharge a horrible oath; whose tenour
- Was, were he evil us'd, he would outgo
- His father by as much as a performance
- Does an irresolute purpose.
KING.
- There's his period,
- To sheathe his knife in us. He is attach'd.
- Call him to present trial. If he may
- Find mercy in the law, 'tis his; if none,
- Let him not seek 't of us. By day and night,
- He's traitor to th' height.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE 3. An ante-chamber in the palace.
[Enter the Lord Chamberlain and Lord Sandys.]
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Is't possible the spells of France should juggle
- Men into such strange mysteries?
SANDYS.
- New customs,
- Though they be never so ridiculous,
- Nay, let 'em be unmanly, yet are follow'd.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- As far as I see, all the good our English
- Have got by the late voyage is but merely
- A fit or two o' the face; but they are shrewd ones;
- For when they hold 'em, you would swear directly
- Their very noses had been counsellors
- To Pepin or Clotharius, they keep state so.
SANDYS.
- They have all new legs, and lame ones. One would take it,
- That never saw 'em pace before, the spavin
- Or springhalt reign'd among 'em.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Death! my lord,
- Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too,
- That, sure, they've worn out Christendom.
[Enter Sir Thomas Lovell.]
- How now!
- What news, Sir Thomas Lovell?
LOVELL.
- Faith, my lord,
- I hear of none, but the new proclamation
- That's clapp'd upon the court-gate.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- What is't for?
LOVELL.
- The reformation of our travell'd gallants,
- That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- I'm glad 'tis there. Now I would pray our monsieurs
- To think an English courtier may be wise,
- And never see the Louvre.
LOVELL.
- They must either,
- For so run the conditions, leave those remnants
- Of fool and feather that they got in France,
- With all their honourable points of ignorance
- Pertaining thereunto, as fights and fireworks,
- Abusing better men than they can be,
- Out of a foreign wisdom, renouncing clean
- The faith they have in tennis and tall stockings,
- Short blist'red breeches, and those types of travel,
- And understand again like honest men,
- Or pack to their old playfellows. There, I take it,
- They may, "cum privilegio," wear away
- The lag end of their lewdness and be laugh'd at.
SANDYS.
- 'Tis time to give 'em physic, their diseases
- Are grown so catching.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- What a loss our ladies
- Will have of these trim vanities!
LOVELL.
- Ay, marry,
- There will be woe indeed, lords; the sly whoresons
- Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies.
- A French song and a fiddle has no fellow.
SANDYS.
- The devil fiddle 'em! I am glad they are going,
- For, sure, there's no converting of 'em. Now
- An honest country lord, as I am, beaten
- A long time out of play, may bring his plainsong
- And have an hour of hearing; and, by 'r Lady,
- Held current music too.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Well said, Lord Sandys;
- Your colt's tooth is not cast yet.
SANDYS.
- No, my lord;
- Nor shall not, while I have a stump.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Sir Thomas,
- Whither were you a-going?
LOVELL.
- To the Cardinal's.
- Your lordship is a guest too.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- O, 'tis true:
- This night he makes a supper, and a great one,
- To many lords and ladies; there will be
- The beauty of this kingdom, I'll assure you.
LOVELL.
- That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed,
- A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us;
- His dews fall everywhere.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- No doubt he's noble;
- He had a black mouth that said other of him.
SANDYS.
- He may, my lord; has wherewithal; in him
- Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine.
- Men of his way should be most liberal;
- They are set here for examples.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- True, they are so;
- But few now give so great ones. My barge stays;
- Your lordship shall along. Come, good Sir Thomas,
- We shall be late else; which I would not be,
- For I was spoke to, with Sir Henry Guildford,
- This night to be comptrollers.
SANDYS.
- I am your lordship's.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE 4. A hall in York Place.
[Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen as guests, at one door; at another door, enter Sir Henry Guildford.]
GUILDFORD.
- Ladies, a general welcome from his Grace
- Salutes ye all; this night he dedicates
- To fair content and you. None here, he hopes,
- In all this noble bevy, has brought with her
- One care abroad. He would have all as merry
- As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome,
- Can make good people.
[Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sandys, and Sir Thomas Lovell.]
- O, my lord, you're tardy;
- The very thought of this fair company
- Clapp'd wings to me.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
SANDYS.
- Sir Thomas Lovell, had the Cardinal
- But half my lay thoughts in him, some of these
- Should find a running banquet ere they rested,
- I think would better please 'em. By my life,
- They are a sweet society of fair ones.
LOVELL.
- O, that your lordship were but now confessor
- To one or two of these!
SANDYS.
- I would I were;
- They should find easy penance.
LOVELL.
- Faith, how easy?
SANDYS.
- As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,
- Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this.
- His Grace is ent'ring. Nay, you must not freeze;
- Two women plac'd together makes cold weather.
- My Lord Sandys, you are one will keep 'em waking;
- Pray, sit between these ladies.
SANDYS.
- By my faith,
- And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies.
- If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;
- I had it from my father.
ANNE.
- Was he mad, sir?
SANDYS.
- O, very mad, exceeding mad; in love too;
- But he would bite none. Just as I do now,
- He would kiss you twenty with a breath.
[Kisses her.]
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Well said, my lord.
- So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,
- The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
- Pass away frowning.
SANDYS.
- For my little cure,
- Let me alone.
[Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his state.]
WOLSEY.
- You're welcome, my fair guests. That noble lady
- Or gentleman that is not freely merry
- Is not my friend. This, to confirm my welcome;
- And to you all, good health.
[Drinks.]
SANDYS.
- Your Grace is noble.
- Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
- And save me so much talking.
WOLSEY.
- My Lord Sandys,
- I am beholding to you; cheer your neighbours.
- Ladies, you are not merry. Gentlemen,
- Whose fault is this?
SANDYS.
- The red wine first must rise
- In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em
- Talk us to silence.
ANNE.
- You are a merry gamester,
- My Lord Sandys.
SANDYS.
- Yes, if I make my play.
- Here's to your ladyship; and pledge it, madam,
- For 'tis to such a thing,—
ANNE.
- You cannot show me.
SANDYS.
- I told your Grace they would talk anon.
[Drum and trumpet, chambers discharged.]
WOLSEY.
- What's that?
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Look out there, some of ye.
[Exit Servant.]
WOLSEY.
- What warlike voice,
- And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;
- By all the laws of war you're privileg'd.
[Re-enter Servant.]
CHAMBERLAIN.
- How now! what is't?
SERVANT.
- A noble troop of strangers,
- For so they seem. They've left their barge and landed,
- And hither make, as great ambassadors
- From foreign princes.
WOLSEY.
- Good Lord Chamberlain,
- Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue;
- And, pray, receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'em
- Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty
- Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.
[Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables remov'd.]
- You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.
- A good digestion to you all; and once more
- I shower a welcome on ye. Welcome all!
[Hautboys. Enter the King, and others, as masquers, habited like shepherds, usher'd by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him.]
- A noble company! What are their pleasures?
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd
- To tell your Grace, that, having heard by fame
- Of this so noble and so fair assembly
- This night to meet here, they could do no less,
- Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,
- But leave their flocks; and, under your fair conduct,
- Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat
- An hour of revels with 'em.
WOLSEY.
- Say, Lord Chamberlain,
- They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'em
- A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.
[They choose ladies for the dance. The King chooses Anne Bullen.]
KING.
- The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty,
- Till now I never knew thee!
[Music. Dance.]
WOLSEY.
- My lord!
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Your Grace?
WOLSEY.
- Pray, tell 'em thus much from me:
- There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,
- More worthy this place than myself; to whom,
- If I but knew him, with my love and duty
- I would surrender it.
CHAMBERLAIN.
- I will, my lord.
[Whispers the Masquers.]
WOLSEY.
- What say they?
CHAMBERLAIN.
- Such a one, they all confess,
- There is indeed; which they would have your Grace
- Find out, and he will take it.
WOLSEY.
- Let me see, then.
- By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll make
- My royal choice.
KING.
- Ye have found him, Cardinal. [Unmasking.]
- You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord.
- You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, Cardinal,
- I should judge now unhappily.
WOLSEY.
- I am glad
- Your Grace is grown so pleasant.
KING.
- My Lord Chamberlain,
- Prithee come hither. What fair lady's that?
CHAMBERLAIN.
- An't please your Grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter,—
- The Viscount Rochford,—one of her Highness' women.
KING.
- By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,
- I were unmannerly to take you out
- And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen
- Let it go round.
WOLSEY.
- Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready
- I' the privy chamber?
LOVELL.
- Yes, my lord.
WOLSEY.
- Your Grace,
- I fear, with dancing is a little heated.
KING.
- I fear, too much.
WOLSEY.
- There's fresher air, my lord,
- In the next chamber.
KING.
- Lead in your ladies, every one. Sweet partner,
- I must not yet forsake you; let's be merry.
- Good my Lord Cardinal, I have half a dozen healths
- To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure
- To lead 'em once again; and then let's dream
- Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it.
[Exeunt with trumpets.]