Cate. Withdraw, my lord, I'll help you to a horse.
K. Rich. Slave, I have set my life upon a And I will stand the hazard of the die: [cast, I think, there be six Richmonds in the field; Five have I slain to day, instead of him :A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! [Exeunt. Alarums. Enter King RICHARD and RICHMOND; and exeunt fighting. Retreat, and flourish. Then enter RICHMOND, STANLEY, bearing the crown, with divers other Lords, and Forces. Richm. God, and your arms, be prais'd, victorious friends;
The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead. Stan. Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee!
Lo, here, this long-usurped royalty, From the dead temples of this bloody wretch Have I pluck'd off, to grace thy brows withal; Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it. Richm. Great God of heaven, say, Amen, to [ing? But tell me first, is young George Stanley liv- Stan. He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester
Whither, if it please you, we may now withdraw us.
Richm. What men of name are slain on either side?
Stan. John duke of Norfolk, Walter lord Ferrers, [don. Sir Robert Brakenbury, and Sir William Bran
Richm. Inter their bodies as becomes their births.
Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled, That in submission will return to us; And then, as we have ta'en the sacrament, We will unite the white rose with the red:- Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction, That long hath frown'd upon their enmity!— What traitor hears me, and says not,-Amen? England hath long been mad, and scarr'd her-
The brother blindly shed the brother's blood, The father rashly slaughter'd his own son, The son, compell'd, been butcher to the sire All this divided York and Lancaster, Divided, in their dire division.- O, now, let Richmond and Elizabeth, The true succeeders of each royal house, By God's fair ordinance conjoin together! And let their heirs, (God, if thy will be so,) Enrich the time to come with smooth-fac'd peace,
With smiling plenty, and fair prosperous days! Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord, That would reduce these bloody days again, And make poor England weep in streams of
Let them not live to taste this land's increase, That would with treason wound this fair land's peace!
Now civil wounds are stopp'd, peace lives again;
That she may long live here, God say-Amen. [Exeunt.
CARDINAL WOLSEY.-CARDINAL CAMPEIUS. CAPUCIUS, Ambassador from the Emperor, Charles V.
CRANMER, Archbishop of Canterbury. DUKE OF NORFOLK.-DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. DUKE OF SUFFOLK.-EARL OF SURREY. LORD CHAMBERLAIN.-LORD CHANCEllor. GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester.
BISHOP OF LINCOLN.-LORD ABERGAVENNY. LORD SANDS.
SIR HENRY GUILDFORD.-SIR THOMAS LOVELL. SIR ANTHONY DENNY.-SIR NICHOLAS VAUX. SECRETARIES to Wolsey.
CROMWELL, Servant to Wolsey. GRIFFITH, Gentleman-Usher to Queen Katha-
THREE OTHER GENTLEMEN.
DOCTOR BUTTS, Physician to the King. GARTER, King at Arms.
SURVEYOR to the Duke of Buckingham. BRANDON, and a Sergeant at Arms. DOOR-KEEPER of the Council-Chamber. PORTER, and his Man.
PAGE to Gardiner.-A CRIER.
QUEEN KATHARINE, Wife to King Henry; afterwards divorced.
ANNE BULLEN, her Maid of Honour; afterwards Queen.
AN OLD LADY, Friend to Anne Bullen. PATIENCE, Woman to Queen Katharine.
Several Lords and Ladies in the Dumb Shows; Women attending upon the Queen; Spirits, which appear to her; Scribes, Officers, Guards, and other Attendants.
SCENE, chiefly in London and Westminster; once, at Kimbolton.
I COME no more to make you laugh; things SCENE 1.-London.—An Ante-chamber in the
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 Only a show or two, and so agree, [see 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 foot and fight is, beside forfeiting Our own brains, and the opinion that we bring, (To make that only true we now intend,t) 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. + Pretend.
Enter the Duke of NORFOLK, at one door; at the other, the Duke of BUCKINGHAM, and the Lord ABERGAVENNY.
Buck. Good morrow, and well met. How have you done,
Since last we saw in France? Nor. I thank your grace: Healthful; and ever since a fresh admirer Of what I saw there.
Buck. 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 Arde.
Nor. "Twixt Guynes and Arde:
I was then present, saw them salute on horse- [clung Beheld them, when they lighted, how they In their embracement, as they grew together; Which had they, what four thron'd ones could have weigh'd Such a compounded one?
Buck. All the whole time I was my chamber's prisoner. Nor. Then you lost
The view of earthly glory: Men might say, Till this time, pomp was single; but now mar-
To one above itself. Each following day Became the next day's master, till the last Made former wonders it's: To-day, the French, All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,
* Henry VIII. and Francis I. king of France. + Glittering, shining.
As cherubims, 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 mask 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 [challeng'd (For so they phrase them,) by their heralds The noble spirits to arms, they did perform Beyond thought's compass; that former fabu- lous story,
Being now seen possible enough, got credit, That Bevist was believ'd.
Nor. As I belong to worship, and affect In honour honesty, the tract of every thing Would by a good discourser lose some life, Which action's self was tongue to.
To the disposing of it nought rebell'd, Order gave each thing view; the office did Distinctly his full function.
Buck. Who did guide,
I mean, who set the body and the limbs Of this great sport together, as you guess? Nor. One, certes, that promises no elements In such a business.
Buck. I pray you, who, my lord?
Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have By this so sicken'd their estates, that never They shall abound as formerly.
[them Have broke their backs with laying manors on For this great journey. What did this vanity, But minister communication of A most poor issue?
Nor. Grievingly I think,
[values The peace between the French and us not The cost that did conclude it. Buck. 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.
Nor. Which is budded out;
[tach'd For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath atOur merchants' goods at Bourdeaux.
Aber. Is it therefore
The ambassador is silenc'd?
Nor. Marry, is't.
Aber. A proper title of a peace; and purchas'd
At a superfluous rate!
Buck. Why, all this business Our reverend cardinal carried.t
Nor. '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
Nor. All this was order'd by the good dis- Honour and plenteous safety,) that you read The cardinal's malice and his potency Together: to consider further, that
Of the right reverend cardinal of York.
Buck. The devil speed him! no man's pie is What his high hatred would effect, wants not
A minister in his power: You know his na
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 SECRE- TARIES with papers. The Cardinal in his pas- sage fixeth his eye on BUCKINGHAM, and BUCK- INGHAM on him, both full of disdain.
Wol. The duke of Buckingham's surveyor? ha? Where's his examination? 1 Secr. Here, so please you. Wol. Is he in person ready?
1 Secr. Ay, please your grace. Wol. Well, we shall then know more; and Buckingham
Shall lessen this big look.
[Exeunt WOLSEY, and train. Buck. This butcher's cur‡ is venom-mouth'd, and I [best Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore, Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's Out-worths a noble's blood. look
* Sets down in his letter without consulting the council. + Conducted. Wolsey was the son of a butcher.
Nor. What, are you chaf'd?
His fears were, that the interview, betwixt Ask God for temperance; that's the appliance England and France, might, through their
Which your disease requires.
Buck. I read in his 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 out-stare him.
Nor. 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.
And from a mouth of honour quite cry down This Ipswich fellow's insolence; or proclaim, There's difference in no persons.
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 fill it 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.
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.
Nor. Say not, treasonous.
Buck. 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 it: 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 swallow'd so much treasure, and like a Did break i' the rinsing.
Nor. 'Faith, and so it did.
Buck. 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 it be: to as much end, As give a crutch to the dead: But our count- cardinal
[sey, Has done this, and 'tis well; for worthy WolWho 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 em
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 aforesaid peace. Let the king know, [nal
(As soon he shall by me,) that thus the cardiDoes buy and sell his honour as he pleases, And for his own advantage.
To hear this of him; and could wish, he were Something mistaken in't.
Buck. 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.
Bran. Your office, sergeant; execute it. Serg. 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.
Buck. Lo you, my lord,
The net has fallen upon me; I shall perish Under device and practice.
To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on The business present: "Tis his highness' plea[sure
You shall to the Tower.
Buck. It will help me nothing, To plead mine innocence; for that die is on me, Which makes my whitest part black. The will of heaven
Be done in this and all things!-I obey.- O my lord Aberg'any, fare you well. Bran. Nay, he must bear you company:- The king [To ABERGAVENNY. Is pleas'd you shall to the Tower, till you How he determines further. Aber. As the duke said, The will of heaven be done, and the king's pleasure
Bran. Here is a warrant from
Bran. A monk o' the Chartreux. Buck. O, Nicholas Hopkins? Brun. He.
Buck. My surveyor is false; the o'er great cardinal
[ready; Hath show'd him gold: my life is spann'd alI am the shadow of poor Buckingham; Whose figure even this instant clouds put on, By dark'ning my clear sun. My lord, farewell. [Exeunt.
SCENE II.-The Council-Chamber.
Cornets. Enter King HENRY, Cardinal WOLSEY, the Lords of the Council, Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Officers, and Attendants. The KING enters, leaning on the CARDINAL's shoulder.
K. Hen. My life itself, and the best heart of it, [level Thanks you for this great care: I stood i'the 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 him his confessions justify;
And point by point the treasons of his master He shall again relate.
The KING takes his state. The Lords of the Council take their several places. The CARDI- NAL places himself under the KING's feet on his right side.
A noise within, crying, Room for the Queen. Enter the QUEEN, ushered by the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK: she kneels. The KING riseth from his state, takes her up, kiss- es, and placeth her by him.
Q. Kath. Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a suitor.
K. Hen. 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.
Q. Kath. Thank your majesty.
That you would love yourself; and, in that love, Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor The dignity of your office, is the point Of my petition.
K. Hen. Lady, mine!-proceed.
Q. Kuth. I am solicited, not by a few, And those of true condition, that your subjects Are in great grievance: there hath been com- missions [heart Sent down among them, which have flaw'd the 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.
Nor. 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.
Wherein? and what taxation?—My lord cardi- You that are blam'd for it alike with us, Know you of this taxation?
I know but of a single part, in aught Pertains to the state; and front but in that filet Where others tell steps with me.
You know no more than others: but you frame Things, that are known alike; which are not wholesome [must To those which would not know them, and yet
* Chair. I am only one among the other counsellors.
The back is sacrifice to the load. They say, They are devis'd by you; or else you suffer Too hard an exclamation.
K. Hen. Still exaction!
The nature of it? In what kind, let's know Is this exaction?
Q. Kath. I am much too venturous In tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd Under your promis'd pardon. The subject's grief
Comes through commissions, which compel 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: [freeze Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts Allegiance in them; their curses now, Live where their prayers did; and it's come
That tractable obedience is a slave To each incensed will. I would, your highnes Would give it quick consideration, for There is no primer business.
K. Hen. By my life, This is against our pleasure. Wol. And for me,
I have no farther 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 tongues, which neither My faculties, nor person, yet will be [know 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 Our necessary actions, in the fear [stint To copet 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, onces 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.
K. Hen. 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 tim- ber; [hack'd, And, though we leave it with a root, thus 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 denied The force of this commission: Pray, look to't; I put it to your care.
Wol. A word with you.
[To the SECRETARY. Let there be letters writ to every shire, Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd
Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd, That, through our intercession, this revokement * Thicket of thorns. + Retard. 1 Encounter Sometime. il Approved.
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