And bears his blushing honours thick upon him: But far beyond my depth: my high-blown pride Never to hope again.— Enter Cromwell, amazedly. Why, how now, Cromwell? Crom. I have no power to speak, sir. Wol. What, amaz'd At my misfortunes? can thy spirit wonder, A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep, I am fallen indeed. Crom. Vol. How does your grace? Why, well; Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. I know myself now; and I feel within me A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience. The king has cur'd me, A load would sink a navy, too much honour: use of it. methinks, Wol. I hope I have: I am able now, Crom. The heaviest, and the worst, Is your displeasure with the king. Wol. God bless him! Crom. The next is, that sir Thomas More is chosen Lord chancellor in your place. Wol. That's somewhat sudden : But he's a learned man. May he continue Long in his highness' favour, and do justice For truth's sake, and his conscience; that his bones, When he has run his course, and sleeps in blessings, May have a tomb of orphans' tears! wept on 'em! What more? Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, Install'd lord archbishop of Canterbury. Wol. That's news, indeed. Crom. Last, that the lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secrecy long married, This day was view'd in open, as his queen, Going to chapel; and the voice is now Only about her coronation. Wol. There was the weight that pull'd me down. The king has gone beyond me, all my glories To be thy lord and master: seek the king; That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him What, and how true thou art: he will advance thee; Some little memory of me will stir him (I know his noble nature,) not to let (1) The chancellor is the guardian of orphans. Thy hopeful service perish too: Good Cromwell, Neglect him not; make usel now, and provide For thine own future safety. Crom. O my lord, Must I then leave you? Must I needs forego So good, so noble, and so true a master? Bear witness, all that have not hearts of iron, With what a sorrow Cromwell leaves his lord.-The king shall have my service; but my prayers For ever, and for ever, shall be yours. Wol. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear Corruption wins not more than honesty. To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not: Thou fall'st a blessed martyr. Serve the king; And,-pr'ythee, lead me in: There take an inventory of all I have, To the last penny: 'tis the king's: my robe, I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell, Crom. Good sir, have patience. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I-A street in Westminster. Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1 Gent. You are well met once again. 2 Gent. And so are you. 1 Gent. You come to take your stand here, and behold The lady Anne pass from her coronation? 2 Gent. 'Tis all my business. At our last encounter, The duke of Buckingham came from his trial. 1 Gent. 'Tis very true: but that time offered sorrow; This, general joy. 2 Gent. 'Tis well: The citizens, I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds; As, let them have their rights, they are ever forward In celebration of this day with shows, Pageants, and sights of honour. 1 Gent. Never greater, Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir. 2 Gent. May I be bold to ask what that contains, That paper in your hand? 1 Gent. Yes; 'tis the list Of those, that claim their offices this day, By custom of the coronation. The duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims To be high steward; next, the duke of Norfolk, He to be earl-marshal; you may read the rest. I should have been beholden to your paper. 1 Gent. That I can tell you too. The archbishop 2 Gent. Alas, good lady !— [Trumpets. The trumpets sound: stand close, the queen is coming. THE ORDER OF THE PROCESSION. A lively flourish of trumpets; then enter 1. Two judges. 2. Lord Chancellor, with the purse and mace before him. 3. Choristers singing. [Music. 4. Mayor of London, bearing the mace. Then Garter, in his coat of arms, and on his head, a gilt copper crown. 5. Marquis Dorset, bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head a demi-coronal of gold. With him, the earl of Surrey, bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned with an earl's coronet. Collars of SS. (1) The marriage lately considered as valið. |