O, many

ABER.

I do know Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY (the purse borne before By this so sicken'd their estates, that never

him), certain of the Guard, and two SecreThey shall abound as formerly.

taries with papers.

The CARDINAL in his Buck.

passage fixeth his eye on BUCKINGHAM, and Have broke their backs with laying manors on BUCKINGHAM on him, both full of disdain.

'em For this great journey. What did this vanity Wol. The duke of Buckingham's surveyor, ha? But minister communication of

Where's his examination ? A most poor issue ? *

1 SECR.

Here, so please you. NORF. Grievingly I think,

Wol. Is he in person ready ? The peace between the French and us not values 1 SECR.

Ay, please your grace. The cost that did conclude it.

Wol. Well, we shall then know more; and Всск. Every man,

Buckingham After the hideous storm that follow'd, was

Shall lessen this big look. thing inspir'd ; and, not consulting, broke

[Exeunt CARDINAL and Train. Into a general prophecy,—That this tempest,

Buck. This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd,* Dashing the garment of this peace,

aboded

and I The sudden breach on't.

Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore Norf. Which is budded out;

best For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book • attach'd

Out-worths a noble's blood. Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux.

Norf.

What, are you chaf d ? ABER.

Is it therefore Ask God for temperance; that's the appliance The ambassador is silenc'd ?

only, NORF.

Marry, is't.

Which your disease requires. ABER. A proper title of a peace; and pur- Buck.

I read in's looks chas'd

Matter against me ; and his eye revild At a superfluous rate!

Me, as his abject object : at this instant Buck.

Why, all this business He boresd me with some trick: he's gone to the Our reverend cardinal carried.

king; NORF.

Like it your grace," I'll follow, and out-stare him. The state takes notice of the private difference

NORF.

Stay, my lord, Betwixt

you
and the cardinal. I advise you, And let your reason with your

choler question (And take it from a heart that wishes towards What 't is you go about: to climb steep hills, you

Requires slow pace at first: anger is like Honour and plenteous safety,) that you read A full-hot horse, who being allow'd his way, The cardinal's malice and his potency

Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England Together : to consider further, that

Can advise me like you : be to yourself
What his high hatred would effect, wants not As you would to your friend.
A minister in his

power.
You know his nature,
Buck.

I'll to the king; That he's revengeful; and I know his sword And from a mouth of honour quite cry down Hath a sharp edge : it's loug, and ’t may be This Ipswich fellow's insolence; or proclaim said,

There's difference in no persons. It reaches far; and where 't will not extend,

NORF.

Be advis'd; Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel, Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that That it do singe yourself: we may outrun, rock

By violent swiftness, that which we run at, That I advise your shunning.

And lose by over-running. Know you not,

But minister communication of
A most poor issue?]

(*) Old text, renom'd-mouth'd.

I am sorry

I am sorry,

The fire that mounts the liquor till’t run o'er,

And break the foresaid peace.

Let the king In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advis'd :

know I say again, there is no English soul

(As soon he shall by me) that thus the cardinal More stronger to direct you than yourself, Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases, If with the sap of reason you would quench, And for his own advantage. Or but allay, the fire of passion.

NORF. Buck. Sir, I am thankful to you ; and I'll go To hear this of him; and could wish he were along

Something mistaken in 't. By your prescription :—but this top-proud fellow, Всск.

No, not a syllable ; (Whom from the flow of gall I name not, but I do pronounce him in that very shape From sincere motions,) by intelligence,

He shall appear in proof.
And proofs as clear as founts in Júly, when
We see each grain of gravel, I do know

Enter BRANDON ; a Sergeant-at-arms before him,
To be corrupt and treasonous.
NORF.
Say not, treasonous.

and two or three of the Guard. Buck. To the king I'll say't ; and make my vouch as strong

Bran. Your office, sergeant; execute it. As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox,

SERG.

Sir, Or wolf, or both,-for he is equal ravenous My lord the duke of Buckingham, and earl As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief

Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, I As able to perform 't; his mind and place Arrest thee of high treason, in the name Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally,

Of our most sovereign king. Only to show his pomp as well in France

Buck.

Lo, you, my lord, As here at home, suggests the king our master The net has fall’n upon me! I shall perish To this last costly treaty, the interview,

Under device and practice. That swallow'd so much treasure, and like a BRAN. glass

To see you ta’en from liberty, to look on Did break i' the rinsing :-*

The business present : 'tis his highness' pleasure, NORF.

Faith, and so it did. You shall to the Tower. Buck. Pray, give me favour, sir—this cunning Buck.

It will help me nothing cardinal

To plead mine innocence ; for that dye is on me The articles o’ the combination drew

Which makes my whit'st part black. The will of As himself pleas'd ; and they were ratified,

heaven As he cried, Thus let be, to as much end

Be done in this and all things I obey.As give a crutch to the dead : but our count- O my lord Aberga'ny, fare you

well! cardinal

Bran. Nay, he must bear you company.Has done this, and 'tis well; for worthy Wolsey,

The king [To ABERGAVENNY. Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows, Is pleas'd you shall to the Tower, till you know (Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy

How he determines further. To the old dam, treason,)-Charles the emperor,

ABER

As the duke said, Under pretence to see the queen his aunt,

The will of heaven be done, and the king's (For 't was indeed his colour ; but he came

pleasure To whisper Wolsey,) here makes visitation : By me obey'd ! His fears were, that the interview betwixt

BRAN. Here is a warrant from England and France might, through their amity, The king, to attach lord Montacute; and the Breed him some prejudice ; for from this league

bodies Peep'd harms that menac'd him: het privily Of the duke's cónfessor, John de la Car, Deals with our cardinal; and, as I trow,

One Gilbert Peck, his chancellor, * Which I do well, for, I am sure,—the emperor Buck. Paid ere he promis'd; whereby his suịt was These are the limbs o' the plot :—no more, I granted

hope? Ere it was ask’d; but when the way was made, BRAN. A monk o' the Chartreux. And pav'd with gold, the emperor thus desir’d ;- Buck.

0, Nicholas + Hopkins ? That he would please to alter the king's course,

So, so ;

Buck. My surveyor is false; the o'er-great Are in great grievance: there have been comcardinal

missions Hath show'd him gold : my life is spann'd already : Sent down among 'em, which hath flaw'd the heart I am the shadow of poor Buckingham,

Of all their loyalties :—wherein, although, Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches By dark’ning my clear sun,“ — My lord,* farewell. Most bitterly on you, as putter-on

[Exeunt. Of these exactions, yet the king our master,

(Whose honour heaven shield from soil !) even he

escapes not

Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks SCENE II.-The same. The Council Chamber.

The sides of loyalty, and almost appears

In loud rebellion. Cornets. Enter King Henry, CARDINAL WOLSEY,

NORF.

Not almost appears, – the Lords of the Council, Sir Thomas LOVELL,

It doth appear ; for, upon these taxations, Officers, and Attendants. The King enters

The clothiers all, not able to maintain leaning on the CARDINAL’S shoulder.

The many to them ’longing, have put off

The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who, K. Hen. My life itself, and the best heart of it,

Unfit for other life, compellid by hunger Thanks for this great care: I stood i’ the level

And lack of other means, in desperate manner you Of a full-charg'd confederacy, and give thanks Daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar, To that chok'd it.—Let be call'd before us

And danger serves among

them. you That gentleman of Buckingham's : in person

K. HEN.

Taration ! I'll hear him his confessions justify;

Wherein ? and what taxation ?- My lord cardinal, And point by point the treasons of his master

You that are blam’d for it alike with us,
He shall again relate.

Know you of this taxation ?
Wol.

Please you, sir,

I know but of a single part, in aught The KING takes his state. The Lords of the

Pertains to the state ; and front but in that file Council take their several places. The

Where others tell steps with me. CARDINAL places himself under the King's

Q. KΑΤΗ.

No, my lord, feet, on his right side.

You know no more than others : but

you

frame

Things, that are known alike, which are not wholeA noise without, crying, “ Room for the Queen.”

Enter the QUEEN, ushered by the Dukes of | To those which would not know them, and yet must NORFOLK and SUFFOLK : she kneels. The Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions, KING riseth from his state, takes her up, Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are kisses, and placeth her by him.

Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear 'em,

The back is sacrifice to the load. They say Q. Kath. Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a They are devis’d by you ; or else

you

suffer suitor.

Too hard an exclamation. K. HEN. Arise, and take place by us :-half K. HEN.

Still exaction !

The nature of it? In what kind, let's know,
Never name to us; you have half our power : Is this exaction ?
The other moiety, ere you ask, is given ;

Q. KΑΤΗ. I am much too venturous
Repeat your will, and take it.

In tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd Q. KΑΤΗ.

Thank your majesty. Under your promis'd pardon. The subjects' grief That you would love yourself, and in that love Comes through commissions, which compel from Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor

each The dignity of your office, is the point

The sixth part of his substance, to be levied Of my petition.

Without delay; and the pretence for this K. HEN. Lady mine, proceed.

Is nam’d, your wars in France : this makes bold Q. Kath. I am solicited, not by a few,

mouths : And those of true condition, that your subjects Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze

some

your suit

(*) Old text, Lords.
I am the shadow of poor Buckingham,
Whose figure even this instant cloud pnts on,

affords an intelligible meaning. Our idea of it is, that by hgure is meant his own forin, and that the expression" cloud puts on. signities assumes obscurily; or possibly, is eclipsed by cloud.

what you,

commons

Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up

The fore-recited practices; whereof For our best act. If we shall stand still,

We cannot feel too little, hear too much.
In fear our motion will be mock’d or carp'd at, Wol. Stand forth, and with bold spirit relate
We should take root here where we sit, or sit
State-statues only.

Most like a careful subject, have collected
K. ILEN.
Things done well,

Out of the duke of Buckingham.
And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; K. IIEN.

Speak freely. Things done without example, in their issue

Surv. First,-it was usual with him, every day Are to be fear’d. Have you a precedent

It would infect his speech,—that if the king Of this commission ? I believe, not any.

Should without issue die, he'd * carry it so We must not rend our subjects from our laws, To make the sceptre his : these very words And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each ? I have heard him utter to his son-in law, A trembling" contribution ! Why, we take Lord Aberga'ny ; to whom by oath he menac'd From every tree, lop," bark, and part o’the timber; Revenge upon the cardinal. And, though we leave it with a root, thus hack’d,

Wol.

Please your higliness, note The air will drink the sap. To every county

This dangerous conception in this point: Where this is question’d send our letters, with

Not friended by his wish to your high person, Free pardon to each man that has denied

Ilis will is most malignant; and it stretches
The force of this commission : pray, look to’t ; Beyond you, to your friends.
I put it to your care.

Q. Kath.

My learn d lord cardinal,
WOL.
A word with you.

Deliver all with charity.
[To the Secretary
K. ILEN.

Speak on :
Let there be letters writ to every shire,

Ilow grounded he his title to the crown, Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him

At any time speak anght? Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd,

Surv.

He was brought to this That through our intercession this revokement By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins. And pardon comes : I shall anon advise you

K. HEN. What was that Hopkins ? Further in the proceeding. [Exit Secretary

Surv.

Sir, a Chartreux friar,

His cónfessor ; who fed him every minute
Enter Surveyor.

With words of sovereignty.
K. IIEN.

How know'st thou this ? Q. Kath. I am sorry that the duke of Buck- Surv. Not long before your highness sped to ingham

France, Is run in your displeasure.

The duke being at the Rose,' within the parish K. HEN.

It grieves many : Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand The gentleman is learn'd, and a most rare speaker; What was the speech amongst the Londoners To nature none more bound ; his training such, Concerning the French journey : I replied, That he may furnish and instruct great teachers, Men fuard + the French would prove perfidious, And never seek for aid out of himself. Yet see, To the king's danger. Presently the duke When these so noble benefits shall prove

Said, 'twas the fear, indecd; and that he doubted Not well dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt, ’T would prove the verity of certain words They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly Spoke by a holy monk ; that oft, says he, Than ever they were fair. This man so complete,- Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit Who was enrollid ’mongst wonders, and when we, John de la Car, my chaplain, a choice hour Almost with ravish'd list’ning, could not find To hear from him a matter of some moment : His hour of speech a minute-he, my lady, Whom after under the confession's I seal Hath into monstrous habits put the graces

He solemnly had sworn, that what he spoke That once were his, and is become as black

My chaplain to no creature living, but As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us ; you shall hear To me, should utter, with demure confidence (This was his gentleman in trust) of bim

This pausingly ensued,- Neither the king nor's Things to strike honour sad.—Bid him recount

: