Act 3 — Scene II. Ante-chamber to the King's apartment.
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Enter the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain.[498]
Nor. If you will now unite in your complaints And force them with a constancy, the cardinal Cannot stand under them: if you omit The offer of this time, I cannot promise But that you shall sustain moe new disgraces,[499] 5 With these you bear already. Sur. I am joyful To meet the least occasion that may give me Remembrance of my father-in-law, the duke, To be revenged on him. Suf. Which of the peers Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least[500] 10 Strangely neglected? when did he regard[501] The stamp of nobleness in any person[502] Out of himself?[502] Cham. My lords, you speak your pleasures: What he deserves of you and me I know; What we can do to him, though now the time 15 Gives way to us, I much fear. If you cannot[503] Bar his access to the king, never attempt Any thing on him; for he hath a witchcraft Over the king in's tongue. Nor. O, fear him not; His spell in that is out: the king hath found 20 Matter against him that for ever mars The honey of his language. No, he's settled, Not to come off, in his displeasure. Sur. Sir,[504] I should be glad to hear such news as this Once every hour. Nor. Believe it, this is true: 25 In the divorce his contrary proceedings Are all unfolded; wherein he appears As I would wish mine enemy.[505] Sur. How came His practices to light? Suf. Most strangely. Sur. O, how, how?[506] Suf. The cardinal's letters to the pope miscarried,[507] 30 And came to the eye o' the king: wherein was read[508] How that the cardinal did entreat his holiness To stay the judgement o' the divorce; for if It did take place, 'I do' quoth he 'perceive My king is tangled in affection to 35 A creature of the queen's, Lady Anne Bullen.' Sur. Has the king this? Suf. Believe it. Sur. Will this work?[509] Cham. The king in this perceives him, how he coasts And hedges his own way. But in this point[510] All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic 40 After his patient's death: the king already Hath married the fair lady. Sur. Would he had! Suf. May you be happy in your wish, my lord![511] For, I profess, you have it. Sur. Now, all my joy[512] Trace the conjunction! Suf. My amen to't! Nor. All men's! 45 Suf. There's order given for her coronation: Marry, this is yet but young, and may be left[513] To some ears unrecounted. But, my lords, She is a gallant creature and complete In mind and feature: I persuade me, from her 50 Will fall some blessing to this land, which shall In it be memorized. Sur. But will the king Digest this letter of the cardinal's?[514] The Lord forbid![515] Nor. Marry, amen! Suf. No, no; There be moe wasps that buzz about his nose[516] 55 Will make this sting the sooner. Cardinal Campeius Is stol'n away to Rome; hath ta'en no leave;[517] Has left the cause o' the king unhandled, and[518] Is posted as the agent of our cardinal, To second all his plot. I do assure you 60 The king cried 'Ha!' at this. Cham. Now God incense him, And let him cry 'Ha!' louder! Nor. But, my lord, When returns Cranmer? Suf. He is return'd in his opinions, which[519] Have satisfied the king for his divorce, 65 Together with all famous colleges[520] Almost in Christendom: shortly, I believe, His second marriage shall be publish'd, and Her coronation. Katharine no more Shall be call'd queen, but princess dowager 70 And widow to Prince Arthur.[521] Nor. This same Cranmer's A worthy fellow, and hath ta'en much pain[522] In the king's business. Suf. He has; and we shall see him For it an archbishop. Nor. So I hear. Suf. 'Tis so. The cardinal!
Enter Wolsey and Cromwell.
Nor. Observe, observe, he's moody.[523] 75 Wol. The packet, Cromwell,[524] Gave 't you the king?[524] Crom. To his own hand, in's bedchamber.[525] Wol. Look'd he o' the inside of the paper?[526] Crom. Presently He did unseal them, and the first he view'd, He did it with a serious mind; a heed 80 Was in his countenance. You he bade[527] Attend him here this morning.[528] Wol. Is he ready[528] To come abroad?[528] Crom. I think, by this he is.[528] Wol. Leave me awhile. [Exit Cromwell. [Aside] It shall be to the Duchess of Alençon,[529] 85 The French king's sister: he shall marry her. Anne Bullen! No; I'll no Anne Bullens for him: There's more in't than fair visage. Bullen![530] No, we'll no Bullens. Speedily I wish To hear from Rome. The Marchioness of Pembroke! 90 Nor. He's discontented. Suf. May be, he hears the king Does whet his anger to him. Sur. Sharp enough. Lord, for thy justice! Wol. [Aside] The late queen's gentlewoman, a knight's daughter,[529][531] To be her mistress' mistress! the queen's queen! 95 This candle burns not clear: 'tis I must snuff it; Then out it goes. What though I know her virtuous And well deserving? yet I know her for A spleeny Lutheran, and not wholesome to Our cause, that she should lie i' the bosom of[532] 100 Our hard-ruled king. Again, there is sprung up[532] An heretic, an arch one, Cranmer, one Hath crawl'd into the favour of the king, And is his oracle. Nor. He is vex'd at something.[533] Sur. I would 'twere something that would fret the string,[534] 105 The master-cord on's heart![535]
Enter King, reading of a schedule, and Lovell.
Suf. The king, the king! King. What piles of wealth hath he accumulated To his own portion! and what expense by the hour[536] Seems to flow from him! How, i' the name of thrift, Does he rake this together! Now, my lords, 110 Saw you the cardinal? Nor. My lord, we have Stood here observing him: some strange commotion Is in his brain: he bites his lip, and starts;[537] Stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground, Then lays his finger on his temple; straight 115 Springs out into fast gait; then stops again, Strikes his breast hard, and anon he casts[538][539] His eye against the moon: in most strange postures[539] We have seen him set himself.[539][540] King. It may well be;[541] There is a mutiny in's mind. This morning[541] 120 Papers of state he sent me to peruse, As I required: and wot you what I found There, on my conscience, put unwittingly? Forsooth, an inventory, thus importing, The several parcels of his plate, his treasure, 125 Rich stuffs, and ornaments of household, which I find at such proud rate that it out-speaks[542] Possession of a subject. Nor. It's heaven's will: Some spirit put this paper in the packet, To bless your eye withal. King. If we did think, 130 His contemplation were above the earth,[543] And fix'd on spiritual object, he should still[544] Dwell in his musings: but I am afraid His thinkings are below the moon, not worth[545] His serious considering.
[King takes his seat; whispers Lovell, who goes to the Cardinal.
Wol. Heaven forgive me! 135 Ever God bless your highness! King. Good my lord, You are full of heavenly stuff, and bear the inventory Of your best graces in your mind; the which[546] You were now running o'er: you have scarce time To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span[547] 140 To keep your earthly audit: sure, in that I deem you an ill husband, and am glad[548] To have you therein my companion. Wol. Sir, For holy offices I have a time; a time[549] To think upon the part of business which[550] 145 I bear i' the state; and nature does require Her times of preservation, which perforce I, her frail son, amongst my brethren mortal, Must give my tendance to. King. You have said well. Wol. And ever may your highness yoke together, 150 As I will lend you cause, my doing well With my well saying! King. 'Tis well said again; And 'tis a kind of good deed to say well: And yet words are no deeds. My father loved you: He said he did, and with his deed did crown[551] 155 His word upon you. Since I had my office,[552] I have kept you next my heart; have not alone Employ'd you where high profits might come home, But pared my present havings, to bestow My bounties upon you. Wol. [Aside] What should this mean?[553] 160 Sur. [Aside] The Lord increase this business![553] King. 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? 165 Wol. My sovereign, I confess your royal graces, Shower'd on me daily, have been more than could My studied purposes requite; which went[554] Beyond all man's endeavours: my endeavours[555] Have ever come too short of my desires, 170 Yet filed with my abilities: mine own ends[556] Have been mine so that evermore they pointed[557] To the good of your most sacred person and The profit of the state. For your great graces Heap'd upon me, poor undeserver, I 175 Can nothing render but allegiant thanks, My prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty, Which ever has and ever shall be growing[558] Till death, that winter, kill it. King. Fairly answer'd; A loyal and obedient subject is 180 Therein illustrated: the honour of it Does pay the act of it; as, i' the contrary,[559] The foulness is the punishment. I presume That, as my hand has open'd bounty to you, My heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd honour, more 185 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[560] 190 That for your highness' good I ever labour'd More than mine own; that am, have, and will be—[561] Though all the world should crack their duty to you,[562] And throw it from their soul; though perils did Abound, as thick as thought could make 'em, and[563] 195 Appear in forms more horrid—yet my duty, As doth a rock against the chiding flood, Should the approach of this wild river break, And stand unshaken yours. King. 'Tis nobly spoken. Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, 200 For you have seen him open't. [Giving him papers.] Read o'er this;[564] And after, this: and then to breakfast with What appetite you have.[565]
[Exit King, frowning upon the Cardinal: the nobles throng after him, smiling and whispering.
Wol. What should this mean? What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd it?[566] He parted frowning from me, as if ruin 205 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;[567] This paper has undone me: 'tis the account 210 Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together[568] For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom, And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence![569] Fit for a fool to fall by: what cross devil[569] Made me put this main secret in the packet 215 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!' 220 The letter, as I live, with all the business I writ to's holiness. Nay then, farewell![570] I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness;[570] And, from that full meridian of my glory, I haste now to my setting: I shall fall 225 Like a bright exhalation in the evening. And no man see me more.[571]
Re-enter to Wolsey the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain.
Nor. Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you[572] To render up the great seal presently Into our hands; and to confine yourself 230 To Asher-house, my Lord of Winchester's,[573] Till you hear further from his highness. Wol. Stay: Where's your commission, lords? words cannot carry[574] Authority so weighty.[575] Suf. Who dare cross 'em, Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly? 235 Wol. Till I find more than will or words to do it—[576] I mean your malice—know, officious lords, I dare, and must deny it. Now I feel Of what coarse metal ye are moulded—envy:[577] How eagerly ye follow my disgraces,[578] 240 As if it fed ye! and how sleek and wanton[579] Ye appear in every thing may bring my ruin![580] Follow your envious courses, men of malice;[580] You have Christian warrant for 'em, and, no doubt,[581] In time will find their fit rewards. That seal 245 You ask with such a violence, the king,[582] Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me; Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours, During my life; and, to confirm his goodness, Tied it by letters-patents: now, who'll take it?[583] 250 Sur. The king, that gave it. Wol. It must be himself, then. Sur. Thou art a proud traitor, priest.[584] Wol. Proud lord, thou liest: Within these forty hours Surrey durst better[585] Have burnt that tongue than said so. Sur. Thy ambition, Thou scarlet sin, robb'd this bewailing land 255 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; 260 Far from his succour, from the king, from all That might have mercy on the fault thou gavest him; Whilst your great goodness, out of holy pity, Absolved him with an axe. Wol. This, and all else This talking lord can lay upon my credit, 265 I answer, is most false. The duke by law Found his deserts. How innocent I was From any private malice in his end, His noble jury and foul cause can witness. If I loved many words, lord, I should tell you 270 You have as little honesty as honour,[586] That in the way of loyalty and truth[587] Toward the king, my ever royal master, Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be,[588] And all that love his follies. Sur. By my soul, 275 Your long coat, priest, protects you; thou shouldst feel[589] My sword i' the life-blood of thee else. My lords, Can ye endure to hear this arrogance? And from this fellow? If we live thus tamely, To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet,[590] 280 Farewell nobility; let his grace go forward, And dare us with his cap like larks.[591] Wol. All goodness Is poison to thy stomach. Sur. Yes, that goodness Of gleaning all the land's wealth into one, Into your own hands, cardinal, by extortion; 285 The goodness of your intercepted packets You writ to the pope against the king: your goodness, Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious. My Lord of Norfolk, as you are truly noble,[592] As you respect the common good, the state 290 Of our despised nobility, our issues, Who, if he live, will scarce be gentlemen,[593] Produce the grand sum of his sins, the articles Collected from his life. I'll startle you Worse than the sacring bell, when the brown wench[594] 295 Lay kissing in your arms, lord cardinal. Wol. How much, methinks, I could despise this man. But that I am bound in charity against it![595] Nor. Those articles, my lord, are in the king's hand: But, thus much, they are foul ones. Wol. So much fairer 300 And spotless shall mine innocence arise, When the king knows my truth. Sur. This cannot save you:[596] I thank my memory, I yet remember Some of these articles, and out they shall. Now, if you can blush and cry 'guilty,' cardinal,[597] 305 You'll show a little honesty. Wol. Speak on, sir; I dare your worst objections: if I blush, It is to see a nobleman want manners. Sur. I had rather want those than my head. Have at you![598] First that, without the king's assent or knowledge, 310 You wrought to be a legate; by which power You maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops. Nor. Then that in all you writ to Rome, or else To foreign princes, 'Ego et Rex meus' Was still inscribed; in which you brought the king 315 To be your servant. Suf. Then that, without the knowledge[599] Either of king or council, when you went Ambassador to the emperor, you made bold To carry into Flanders the great seal. Sur. Item, you sent a large commission 320 To Gregory de Cassado, to conclude,[600] Without the king's will or the state's allowance, A league between his highness and Ferrara.[601] Suf. That, out of mere ambition, you have caused Your holy hat to be stamp'd on the king's coin.[602] 325 Sur. Then that you have sent innumerable substance—[599][603] By what means got, I leave to your own conscience— To furnish Rome and to prepare the ways You have for dignities, to the mere undoing[604] Of all the kingdom. Many more there are; 330 Which, since they are of you and odious, I will not taint my mouth with. Cham. O my lord! Press not a falling man too far; 'tis virtue: His faults lie open to the laws; let them, Not you, correct him. My heart weeps to see him 335 So little of his great self. Sur. I forgive him. Suf. Lord cardinal, the king's further pleasure is— Because all those things you have done of late, By your power legatine, within this kingdom,[605] Fall into the compass of a præmunire—[606] 340 That therefore such a writ be sued against you; To forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements, Chattels, and whatsoever, and to be[607] Out of the king's protection. This is my charge.[608] Nor. And so we'll leave you to your meditations 345 How to live better. For your stubborn answer About the giving back the great seal to us, The king shall know it, and, no doubt, shall thank you. So fare you well, my little good lord cardinal.
[Exeunt all but Wolsey.
Wol. So farewell to the little good you bear me.[609] 350 Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness![610] This is the state of man: to-day he puts forth The tender leaves of hopes; to-morrow blossoms,[611] And bears his blushing honours thick upon him; The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, 355 And, when he thinks, good easy man, full surely His greatness is a-ripening, nips his root,[612] And then he falls, as I do. I have ventured, Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders, This many summers in a sea of glory,[613] 360 But far beyond my depth: my high-blown pride[614] At length broke under me and now has left me, Weary and old with service, to the mercy Of a rude stream that must for ever hide me. Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye:[615] 365 I feel my heart new open'd. O, how wretched Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours! There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to,[616] That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,[617] More pangs and fears than wars or women have: 370 And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, Never to hope again.
Enter Cromwell, and stands amazed.[618]
Why, how now, Cromwell! Crom. I have no power to speak, sir. Wol. What, amazed At my misfortunes? can thy spirit wonder[619] A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep,[620] 375 I am fall'n indeed. Crom. How does your grace? Wol. 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 cured me, 380 I humbly thank his grace; and from these shoulders, These ruin'd pillars, out of pity, taken[621] A load would sink a navy, too much honour. O, 'tis a burden, Cromwell, 'tis a burden Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven! 385 Crom. I am glad your grace has made that right use of it.[595][622] Wol. I hope I have: I am able now, methinks,[622] Out of a fortitude of soul I feel, To endure more miseries and greater far Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer. 390 What news abroad? 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[623] Lord chancellor in your place. Wol. That's somewhat sudden: But he's a learned man. May he continue 395 Long in his highness' favour, and do justice For truth's sake and his conscience; that his bones,[624] When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings, May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on 'em![625] What more? Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, 400 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 405 Only about her coronation. Wol. There was the weight that pull'd me down. O Cromwell,[626] The king has gone beyond me: all my glories In that one woman I have lost for ever: No sun shall ever usher forth mine honours, 410 Or gild again the noble troops that waited Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell; I am a poor fall'n man, unworthy now[627] To be thy lord and master: seek the king; That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him[628] 415 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 Thy hopeful service perish too: good Cromwell, Neglect him not; make use now, and provide 420 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. 425 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 In all my miseries; but thou hast forced me, Out of thy honest truth, to play the woman. 430 Let's dry our eyes: and thus far hear me, Cromwell; And, when I am forgotten, as I shall be, And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention Of me more must be heard of, say, I taught thee,[629] Say, Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory,[630] 435 And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour, Found thee a way, out of his wreck, to rise in; A sure and safe one, though thy master miss'd it. Mark but my fall and that that ruin'd me.[631] Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition: 440 By that sin fell the angels; how can man then, The image of his Maker, hope to win by it?[632] Love thyself last: cherish those hearts that hate thee;[633] Corruption wins not more than honesty.[634] Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, 445 To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not: Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy God's, and truth's; then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, Thou fall'st a blessed martyr! Serve the king;[635][636] And prithee, lead me in:[635][636][637] 450 There take an inventory of all I have,[635][638] To the last penny; 'tis the king's: my robe,[635][638] And my integrity to heaven, is all[635] I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell! Had I but served my God with half the zeal 455 I served my king, he would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies. Crom. Good sir, have patience. Wol. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell.
[Exeunt.