Act 5 — Scene II. Before the council-chamber.
Reading edition
Pursuivants, Pages, &c. attending.
Enter Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury.[790]
Cran. I hope I am not too late; and yet the gentleman[791] That was sent to me from the council pray'd me To make great haste. All fast? what means this? Ho! Who waits there? Sure, you know me?
Enter Keeper.
Enter Doctor Butts.[793]
Keep. Your grace must wait till you be call'd for.[792] Cran. So. Butts. [Aside] This is a piece of malice. I am glad[794] I came this way so happily: the king[795] Shall understand it presently. [Exit. Cran. [Aside] 'Tis Butts,[796] 10 The king's physician: as he pass'd along, How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me! Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain,[797] This is of purpose laid by some that hate me— God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice— 15 To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me Wait else at door, a fellow-councillor, 'Mong boys, grooms and lackeys. But their pleasures[798] Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.[799]
Enter the King and Butts at a window above.
Butts. I'll show your grace the strangest sight—[800] King. What's that, Butts?20 Butts. I think your highness saw this many a day. King. Body o' me, where is it?[801] Butts. There, my lord: The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury; Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants, Pages and footboys. King. Ha! 'tis he, indeed: 25 Is this the honour they do one another? 'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had thought[802] They had parted so much honesty among 'em,[803] At least good manners, as not thus to suffer A man of his place and so near our favour 30 To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures, And at the door too, like a post with packets. By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery: Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close; We shall hear more anon. [Exeunt.[804] 35