Not you, correct him. My heart weeps to see him SURREY. SUFFOLK. · I forgive him. Lord cardinal, the king's further pleasure is That therefore such a writ be sued against you; Out of the king's protection. This is my charge. And so we'll leave you to your meditations 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.) WOLSEY. So farewell to the little good you bear me. (Enter Cromwell, & stands amazed.) CROMWELL. I have no power to speak, sir. WOLSEY. What, amaz'd At my misfortunes? can thy spirit wonder CROMWELL. WOLSEY. How does your grace? Why, well; Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience. The king has cur'd me, I humbly thank his grace; and from these shoulders, These ruin'd pillars, out of pity, taken A load would sink a navy, too much honour. Oh, 'tis a burden, Cromwell, 'tis a burden Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven! CROMWELL. I am glad your grace has made that right use of it. WOLSEY. I hope I have: I am able now, methinks, Out of a fortitude of soul I feel, To endure more miseries and greater far The next is, that Sir Thomas More is chosen WOLSEY. 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! CROMWELL. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, Install'd lord archbishop of Canterbury. WOLSEY. That's news indeed. There was the weight that pull'd me down. OCromwell, 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, 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 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; (I know his noble nature) not to let Thy hopeful service perish too: good Cromwell, CROMWELL. O my lord, Must I then leave you? must I needs forgo WOLSEY. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear In all my miseries; but thou hast forc'd me, Let's dry our eyes: and thus far hear me, Cromwell; And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention Of me more must be heard of, say, I taught thee; Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, 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; And prithee, 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! CROMWELL. Good sir, have patience. WOLSEY. 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 one another. FIRST GENTLEMAN. You're well met once again. SECOND GENTLEMAN. FIRST GENTLEMAN. So are you. You come to take your stand here and behold The Lady Anne pass from her coronation? SECOND GENTLEMAN. 'Tis all my business. At our last encounter, The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial. FIRST GENTLEMAN. 'Tis very true: but that time offer'd sorrow; This, general joy. SECOND GENTLEMAN. MAN 'Tis well: the citizens, I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds Pageants and sights of honour. FIRST GENTLEMAN. Never greater, Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir. SECOND GENTLEMAN. May I be bold to ask what that contains, FIRST GENTLEMAN. 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, I thank you, sir: had I not known those customs, That I can tell you too. The Archbishop 88 88 |