SCENE II. An Antechamber in the Palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a Letter. Cham. My lord,-The horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. They were young, and handsome and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission, and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason,-His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king: which stopped our mouths, sir. I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them: Enter the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Suff. How is the king employ'd? Cham. I left him private, Full of sad thoughts and troubles. What's the cause? Cham. It seems, the marriage with his bro ther's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suff No, his conscience Has crept too near another lady. Nor. 'Tis so; This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal; That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he lists. The king will know him one day. Suff. Pray God, he do! he'll never know himself else. Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! For, now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew, He dives into the king's soul; and there scatters Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, Fears, and despairs, and all these for his mar riage: And, out of all these to restore the king, About his neck, yet never lost her lustre ; These news are every where; every tongue speaks them, And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare Look into these affairs, see this main end,The French king's sister: Heaven will one day open The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon Suff. And free us from his slavery. Nor. We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all Suff Let's in; Nor. And, with some other business, put the king From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him : My lord, you'll bear us company? Cham. Excuse me; The king hath sent me other-where: besides, You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him: Health to your lordships. Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. NORFOLK opens a folding door. The King is discovered sitting, and reading pensively. Suff. How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted. K. Hen. Who is there? ha? Nor. 'Pray God, he be not angry. K. Hen. Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations? Who am I? ha? Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offences Malice ne'er meant; our breach of duty, this way, Is business of estate; in which, we come To know your royal pleasure. K. Hen. You are too bold; Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business: Is this an hour for temporal affairs? ha? Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS. Who's there? my good lord cardinal?-O, my The quiet of my wounded conscience, Wol. K. Hen. We are busy; go. [To NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Nor. This priest has no pride in him? Not to speak of; Suff. place: But this cannot continue. Nor. If it do, I'll venture one have at him. Suff. I another. >Aside. [Exeunt NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of wisAbove all princes, in committing freely [dom Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: Who can be angry now? what envy reach you The Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her, Must now confess, if they have any goodness, The trial just and noble. All the clerks, I mean, the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms, Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judgment, Invited by your noble self, hath sent One general tongue unto us, this good man, This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius; Whom, once more, I present unto your highness. K. Hen. And, once more, in mine arms I bid him welcome, And thank the holy conclave for their loves; They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for. Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves, You are so noble: To your highness' hand I tender my commission; by whose virtue, (The court of Rome commanding),—you, my lord Cardinal of York, are join'd with me their servant, In the unpartial judging of this business. K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted Forthwith, for what you come :-Where's Gardiner? Wol. I know, your majesty has always lov'd her So dear in heart, not to deny her that K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; and my favour To him that does best; God forbid else. Cardinal, Re-enter WOLSEY, with GARDINER. Wol. Give me your hand: much joy and fa vour to you; You are the king's now. Gard. But to be commanded For ever by your grace, whose hand has rais'd me. K. Hen. Come hither, Gardiner. [Aside. [They converse apart. Cam. My lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace In this man's place before him? Wol. Yes, he was. Cam. Was he not held a learned man? Wol. Yes, surely. Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread then Even of yourself, lord cardinal. Wol. How! of me? Cam. They will not stick to say, you envied him; And, fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous, Kept him a foreign man still; which so griev'd him, That he ran mad, and died. Wol. Heaven's peace be with him! That's Christian care enough: for living mur murers, There's places of rebuke. He was a fool; If I command him, follows my appointment; ness: My Wolsey, see it furnish'd.-O, my lord, O, 'tis a tender place, and I must leave her. SCENE III. [Exeunt. An Antechamber in the Queen's Apartments. His highness having liv'd so long with her: and she So good a lady, that no tongue could ever Stillgrowing in a majesty and pomp,-the which VOL. VI. D |