I was my chamber's prisoner. Nor. 6 Then you lost The view of earthly glory: Men might say, Till this time, pomp was single; but now married 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, Shone down the English: and, to-morrow, they Made Britain, India: every man, that stood, Show'd like a mine. Their dwarfish Their dwarfish pages were As cherubins, 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 cry'd 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." tongue in censure." When these suns (For so they phrase them) by their heralds leng'd Buck. I pray you, who, my lord? Nor. All this was order'd by the good discretion Of the right reverend cardinal of York. Buck. The devil speed him! no man's pie is freed Surely, sir, From his ambitious finger. What had he Aber. If not from hell, the devil is a niggard; chal-Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have The noble spirits to arms, they did perform Beyond thought's compass; that former fabulous story, Being now seen possible enough, got credit, Buck. 8 The old romantic legend of Bevis of Hampton. This Bevis (or Beavois) a Saxon, was for his prowess created earl of Southampton by William the Conqueror. See Camden's Britannia. But minister communication of A most poor issue? Nor. Grievingly I think, The peace between the French and us not values The cost that did conclude it. 10 Certes, i. e. certainly, is here used as a monosyl lable. 11 No initiation, no previous practice. Elements are the first_principles of things, or rudiments of knoinledge. The word is here applied, not without a catachresis, to a person. 12 Johnson remarks that fierce is here used, like the French fier, for proud. 13 A round lump of fat. The Prince calls Falstaft tallow-keech in the First Part of King Henry IV. Act ii. Sc.4. It has been thought that there was some allusion here to the Cardinal, being reputed the son of a butcher. We have Goodwife Keech, the butcher's wife,' mentioned by Dame Quickly, in King Henry IV. Part II. Act ii. Sc. 1. 14 List. 15 He papers, a verb; i. e. his own letter, by his own single authority, and without the concurrence of the council, must fetch him in whom he papers down 9 The course of these triumphs, however well rela-Wolsey published a list of the several persons whom he 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 Droper place had appointed to attend on the king at this interview, and addressed his letters to them. 16 In the ancient Interlude of Nature, blk. 1. no date apparently printed in the reign of King Henry VIII. similar stroke is aimed at this expensive expedition. Why, all this business I am thankful to you; and I'll go along Nor. What his high hatred would effect, wants not 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. As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox, Only to show his pomp as well in France 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 cardin.u 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, ingham Shall lessen this big look. and I Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore, best (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 leagnė 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, Nor. Buck. I read in his looks king; Nor. I'll to the king; 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 silenc'd. 3 Á 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.' That is, the literary qualifications of a bookish And break the foresaid peace. Let the king know Nor. I am sorry Enter BRANDON; a Sergeant at Arms before him, | Never name to us; you have half our power: My lord the duke of Buckingham, and earl Sir, Lo you, my lord, The net has fall'n upon me; I shall perish Under device and practice.1 Bran. I am sorry To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on The business present.2 'Tis his highness' pleasure, You shall to the Tower. Buck. It will help me nothing, To plead mine innocence; for that dye is on me, Which makes my whitest part black. The will of heaven Be done in this and all things!-I obey.my lord Aberga'ny, fare you well. Bran. Nay, he must bear you company :-The king To ABERGAVENNY. Is pleas'd, you shall to the Tower, till you know How he determines further. As the duke said, Aber. The will of heaven be done, and the king's pleasure By me obey'd. Bran. Here is a warrant from 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. Kath. I am solicited, not by a few, And those of true condition, that your subjects Are in great grievance: there have been commissions Sent down among them, which hath flaw'd the heart Of all their loyalties: wherein, although, My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches Most bitterly on you, as putter on9 Of these exactions, yet the king our master Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks Nor. It doth appear; for, upon these taxations, The king, to attach Lord Montacute, and the bodies Daring the event to the teeth, are all in K. Hen. My life itself, and the best heart of it, And point by point the treasons of his master The King takes his state. The Lords of the Council 2 I am sorry that I am obliged to be present, and an eye witness of your loss of liberty. Taxation! Wherein? and what taxation?—My lord cardinal, You that are blam'd for it alike with us, Know you of this taxation? Wol. Please you, sir, To those which would not know them, and yet must The sixth part of his substance, to be levied Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze 6 i. e. measured, the duration of it determined. Man's life is said in scripture to be but a span long. 7 The old copy reads 'this instant sun puts on.' 8 To stand in the level of a gun, is to stand in a line with its mouth, so as to be hit by the shot. 9 i. e. promoter or instigator. 10 Warburton is full of admiration at this sudder. 3 This was Henry Pole, grandson to George duke of rising of the poet' to a height truly sublime where by Clarence, and eldest brother to Cardinal Pole. He had the noblest stretch of fancy Danger is personified as servmarried Lord Abergavenny's daughter. Though re-ing in the rebel army, and shaking the established stored to favour at this juncture, he was executed for government. Gower, Chaucer, Skelton, and Spenser, another alleged treason in this reign. have also personified Danger. 4 The game of this monk of the Chartreux was John de l Car, alias de la Court. See Holinshed, p. 363. 11 He means to say that he is but one among many counsellors, who proceed in the same course with him in the business of the state. 5 Nicholas Hopkins, another monk of the same order, that he frames things, or they originate with him, which To this the queen replies, belonging to a religious house called Henton-beside-are afterwards known to the council and promulgated by Bristow. them And for me, A single voice; and that not pass'd me, but The chronicles of my doing,-let me say, is To cope malicious censurers; which ever, K. Hen. Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; A word with you. Enter Surveyor.R Q. Kath. I am sorry, that the duke of Buckingham Is run in your displeasure. K. Hen, It grieves many : The gentleman is learn'd, and a most rare speaker, T› nature none more bound; his training such, That he furnish and instruct great teachers, And never seek for aid out of himself.10 Yet see may When these so noble benefits shall prove 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 hink unnecessary, though he has retained it in his text. 3 Thicket of thorns. (This was his gentleman in tr.1st) of him Things to strike honour sad.-Bid him recount The fore-recited practices; whereof We cannot feel too little, hear too much Wol. Stand forth; and with bold spirit relate what you, Most like a careful subject, have collected Out of the Duke of Buckingham. K. Henry. Speak freely Surv. First, it was usual with him, every day It would infect his speech, That if the king Should without issue die, he'd carry12 it so To make the sceptre his: These very words I have heard him utter to his son-in-law, Lord Aberga'ny; to whom by oath he menac'd Revenge upon the cardinal. Wol. Please your highness, note This dangerous conception in this point. Not friended by his wish, to your high person His will is most malignant; and it stretches Beyond you, to your friends. Q. Kath. Deliver all with charity. K. Hen My learn'd lord cardinal, Speak on: How grounded he his title to the crown, Surv. He was brought to this By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins. His confessor; who fed him Sir, a Chartreux friar, every minute How know'st thou this? Surv. Not long before your highness sped to France, The duke being at the Rose, 13 within the parish Το me, should utter, with demure confidence This pausingly ensued,-Neither the king, nor his heirs (Tell you the duke,) shall prosper : bid him strive To gain the love of the commonalty ; the duke Shall govern England. Q. Kath. If I know you well, You were the duke's surveyor, and lost your office You charge not in your spleen a noble On the complaint o' the tenants: Take good heed person, And spoil your nobler soul! I say, take heed Yes, heartily heseech you. 9 It appears from the prologue to the Romance of the Knight of the Swanne, that it was translated from the French at the request of this unfortunate nobleman The duke was executed on Friday the 17th of May, 1521. The book has no date. 10 i. e. beyond the treasures of his own mind. 11 Great gifts of nature and education not joined with good dispositions. 12 Conduct, manage. 13 This house was purchased about the year 1561, by Richard Hill, sometime master of the merchant tailors: company, and is now the merchant tailors' school, in 8 Holinshed says that this surveyor's name was Suffolk Lane. Charles Knyvet. 14 The old copy has 'commission's seal.' K. Hen. I remember, Of such a time :-Being my servant sworn, The usurper Richard: who, being at Salisbury, A giant traitor! God mend all! in And this man out of prison? He stretch'd him, and, with one hand on his dagger, K. Hen. There's his period, may To sheath his knife in us. [Exeunt. 6 1 Rank weeds are weeds grown up to great height and strength. What, (says the king,) was he advanced to this pitch? 2 Sir William Blomer (Holinshed calls him Bulmer) was reprimanded by the king in the Star Chamber, for that, being his sworn servant, he had left the king's service for the duke of Buckingham's. 3 The accuracy of Holinshed, from whom Shakspeare took his account of the accusations and punishment, together with the qualities of the duke of Buckingham, is proved in the most authentic manner by a very curious report of his case in East. Term. 13 Hen. VIII. in the year books published by authority, edit. 1597, f. 11, 12. 4 Steevens takes unnecessary pains to explain this phrase. I wonder he could doubt that it was an adjura tion. Have got by the late voyage, is but merely A fit or two o' the face; but they are shrewd ones; To Pepin, or Clotharius, they keep state so. Cham. That never saw them pace before, the spavin, now? What news, Sir Thomas Lovell ? Lov. Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it, What a loss our ladies Lov. Sands. The devil fiddle them! I am glad, they're going, (For, sure, there's no converting of them :) now A long time out of play, may bring his plain-song. Cham. Well said, Lord Sands; Your colt's tooth is not cast yet. to horses, which makes them limp in their paces. It is 8 The springhalt or stringhalt is a disease incident a humorous comparison of the mincing gait of the Frenchified courtiers to this convulsive motion. Jonson, in his Bartholomew Fair, uses it : 'Poor soul, she has had a stringhalt.' Ben 9 The text may receive illustration from Nashe's Life of Jacke Wilton, 1594:-'At that time (viz. in the court of King Henry VIII.) I was no common squire, no undertrodden torchbearer, I had my feather in my cap as big as a flag in the fore top, my French doublet gelte in the belly, as though, (lyke a pig readie to be spitted, all my guts had beene pluckt out, a paire of side paned hose that hung down like two scales filled with Holland cheeses, my long stock that sate close to my dock,-my rapier pendant, like a round sticke, &c. my blacke cloake of cloth, overspreading my backe lyke a thorn backe or an elephant's eare; and in consummation of my curiositie, my handes without gloves, all a more French,' &c. Mr. Douce justly observes that Sir Thomas Lovell's is an allusion to the feathers which were formerly worn by fools in their caps, as may be seen in a print of Jordan's after Voert; and which is alluded to Hein the Ballad of News and no News: 5 Shakspeare has placed this scene in 1521. Charles earl of Worcester was then lord chamberlain, and continued in the office until his death, in 1526. But Cavendish, from whom this was originally taken, places this event at a later period, when Lord Sands himself was chamberlain. Sir William Sands, of the Vine, near Basingstoke, Hants, was created a peer in 1524. succeeded the earl of Worcester as chamberlain. 6 Mysteries are arts, and here artificial fashions. 7 A fit of the face seems to be a grimace, an artificial tast of the countenance. 'And feathers wagging in a fool's cap.' 10 i. e. breeches puffed or swelled out like blisters. 11 The late edition of Mr. Boswell reads hold, noticing that held is the reading of the first folio |