Arst publication in 1623, manifestly and repeatedly al-That he get good allowance for the Enterlude of King ludes to the title of the play which was represented on the 29th of June, 1613, and which we know to have been founded on the history of King Henry the Eighth, affords a strong proof of their identity, as appears by the following passages:

Such, as give

Their money out of hope they may believe,
May here find truth too,' &c.

Gentle readers know
To rank our chosen truth with such a show
As fool and fight is," &c.

"To make that only true we now intend.'
And though Sir Henry Wotton mentions it as a new play,
we have Stowe and Lorkin who call it The play of
Henry the Eighth.'

Henry VIII. before he begin to print it; and with the warden's hand to yt, he is to have the same for his copy.' Stowe has observed that Robert Greene had written somewhat on the same story; but there is no evidence that it was in a dramatic form: it may have been something historical, and not by the dramatic poet of that name: as Stowe cites the authority of Robert Greene, with Robert Brun, Fabian, &c. in other places of his Chronicle.

This historical drama comprises a period of twelve years, commencing in the twelfth year of King Henry VIII. (1521), and ending with the christening of Elizabeth in 1533. The poet has deviated from history in placing the death of Queen Katharine before the birth of Elizabeth, for in fact Katharine did not die till 1536. In constructing his scenes he has availed himself largely That the Prologue and Epilogue were not written by of the eloquent narrative of Wolsey's faithful servant Shakspeare is, I think, clear from internal evidence,' and biographer, George Cavendish, as copied by the says Mr. Boswell; to whose opinion I have no hesitation Chronicles; and indeed the pathos of the Cardinal's dy. in subscribing: but it does not follow that they were the ing scene is almost as effective in the simple narrative production of Ben Jonson's pen. That gentleman has of Cavendish as in the play. The fine picture which the clearly shown that there was no intention of covertly poet has drawn of the suffering and defenceless virtue of eneering at Shakspeare's other works in this prologue; Queen Katharine, and the just and spirited, though sofbut that this play is opposed to a rude kind of farcical tened, portrait he has exhibited of the impetuous and senrepresentation of the same subject by Samuel Rowley sual character of Henry, are above all praise. It has been (see the first note on the Prologue). This play, or justly said that this play contains little action or viointerlude, which was printed in 1605, is probably refer-lence of passion, yet it has considerable interest of a more red to in the following entry on the books of the Sta- mild and thoughtful cast, and some of the most striking tioners' Company:-Nathaniel Butter, Feb. 12, 1604, passages that are to be found in the poet's works.'

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.
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.

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, after-
terwards divorced.

ANNE BULLEN, her Maid of Honour; afterwards
Queen.

An old Lady, Friend to Anne Bullen.

SIR HENRY GUILDFORD. SIR THOMAS LOVELL. PATIENCE, Woman to Queen Katharine.

SIR ANTHONY DENNY. SIR NICHOLAS VAUX.

Secretaries to Wolsey.

CROMWELL, Servant to Wolsey.

GRIFFITH, Gentleman Usher to Queen Katharine.
Three other Gentlemen.

DOCTOR BUTTS, Physician to the King.
Garter, King at Arms.

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.

PROLOGUE.

I COME no more to make you laugh; things now,
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 see
Only a show or two, and so agree,

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,

1 i. e. faced or trimmed. This long motley coat was the usual dress of a fool.

The Prologue and Epilogue to this play are apparently not by the hand of Shakspeare. They have been attributed to Ben Jonson; but this opinion is controverted by Mr. Gifford. The intention of the writer (says Mr. Boswell) was to contrast the historical truth and taste displayed in the present play with the performance of a contemporary dramatist, When you see me you know me, or the famous Chronicle of King Henry the Eighth, &c. by Samuel Rowley,' in which Will Summers, the jester, is a principal character. There are other incidents in this merry bajody play,'

Will be deceiv'd: for, gentle hearers, know,
To rank our chosen truth with such a show
As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting
Our own brains, and the opinion that we bring,
(To make that only true we now intend,)
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.
besides the perversion of historical fact, which make
it more than probable that it is here alluded to.

2 Opinion seems here to mean character; as in King Henry IV. Part 1. Act v. Sc. 4: Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion. To realize that opinion of character is our present object, not to forfeit it by introducing absurdities.

3 Huppiest being here used in a Latin sense for propitious or favourable. Sis bonus o fælixque tuis! has been thought a reason for attributing this Prologue to Jonson; but we have shown that Shakspeare often uses words in a Latin sense.

(For so they phrase them) by their heralds chal-
leng'd

The noble spirits to arms, they did perform
Beyond thought's compass; that former fabulous

Would by a good discourser lose some life,
Which action's self was tongue to. All was royal;
To the disposing of it nought rebell'd,
Order gave each thing view; the office did
Distinctly his full function."
Who did guide,

I

mean, who set the body and the limbs Of this great sport together, as you guess Nor. One, certes, 10 that promises no element11

In such a business.

9 The course of these triumphs, however well rela. ted, must lose in the description part of that spirit and energy which were expressed in the real action. The commission for regulating them was well executed, and gave exactly to every particular person and action the proper place.

Why, all this business

Our reverend cardinal carried.4
Nor.
Like 't 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
Honour and plenteous safety,) that you read
The cardinal's malice and his potency
Together: to consider further, that

What his high hatred would effect, wants not
A minister in his power: You know his nature,
That he's revengeful; and I know, his sword
Hath a sharp edge: it's long, and, it may be said,
It reaches far; and where 'twill not extend,
Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel,

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,1") 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 it; and make my vouch
as strong

ravenous,

As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox,
Or wolf, or both (for he is equal
As he is subtle; and as prone to mischief,
As able to perform it: his mind and place

You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally,)

rock,

That I advise your shunning.

Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY (the purse borne before
him,) certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries
with papers.
The CARDINAL in his passage fixeth
his eye on BUCKINGHAM, and BUCKINGHAM 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.

ingham

Ay, please your grace.

Shall lessen this big look.
[Exeunt WOLSEY and Train.
Buck. This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd,

and I

Only to show his pomp as well in France
As here at home, suggests12 the king our master
To this last costly treaty, the interview,
That swallow'd so much treasure, and like a glass
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 be: to as much end, As give a crutch to the dead: But our count cardinal Has done this, and 'tis well: for worthy Wolsey Wol. Well, we shall then know more; and Buck-Who 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 emperor, Under pretence to see the queen his aunt, (For, 'twas, indeed, his colour; but he came To whisper Wolsey,) here makes visitation : His fears were, that the interview, betwixt England and France, might, through their 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 ;He bores me with some trick: He's gone to the That he would please to alter the king's course,

Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore, best
Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book
Out-worths a noble's blood."

Nor.

What, are you chaf'd?
Ask God for temperance; that's the appliance only,
Which disease requires.
your

Buck.

I read in his looks
Matter against me: and his eye revil'd
Me, as his abject object: at this instant

1 Monday the xviii of June was such an hideous storme of winde and weather, that many conjectured it did prognosticate trouble and hatred shortly after to follow between princes.'-Holinshed.

2 The French ambassador, being refused an audience, may be said to be silene'd.

3A fine name of a peace: this is ironically said. 4 Conducted.

5 The common rumour ran that Wolsey was the son of a butcher; but his faithful biographer Cavendish says nothing of his father being in trade: he tells us that he was an honest poor man's son.'

6 That is, the literary qualifications of a bookish

Enter BRANDON; a Sergeant at Arms before him, Never name to us; you have half our power:
and two or three of the Guard.
The other moiety, ere you ask, is given;
Repeat your will, and take it.'

The king, to attach Lord Montacute, and the bodies Daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar, Of the duke's confessor, John de la Car,^

10 Warburton is full of admiration at this sudden Tuis was Henry Pole, grandson to George duke of rising of the poet to a height truly sublime where by Cirence and eldest brother to Cardinal Pole. He had the noblest stretch of fancy Danger is personified as servLarried Lord Abergavenny's daughter. Though re-ing in the rebel army, and shaking the established red to favour at this juncture, he was executed for government. Gower, Chaucer, Skelton, and Spenser ather alleged treason in this reign. have also personified Danger.

4 The name of this monk of the Chartreux was John de la Car, alias de la Court. See Holinshed, p.

(This was his gentleman in trust) of him Things to strike honour sad.-Bid him recount The fore-recited practices; whereof

We cannot feel too little, hear too much

9

When these so noble benefits shall prove
Not well dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt,
They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly

Than ever they were fair. This man so complete,
Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,
Almost with ravish'd list'ning, could not find
His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady,
Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
That once were his, and is become as black
As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear

1 The meaning (says Malone) appears to be, things are now in such a situation that resentment and indig. nation predominate in every man's breast over duty and allegiance.

2 The old copy reads 'There is no primer baseness. Warburton made the alteration, which Steevens seems to think unnecessary, though he has retained it in his text. 3 Thicket of thorns.

4 To stint is to stop or retard.

i. e. to engage with, to encounter.

6 Once is not unfrequently used for sometime or at one time or other.

8 Holinshed says that this surveyor's name was Suffolk Lane. Charles Knyvet.