However, yet there's no great breach; when it comes, Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him. 2 Gent. Who may that be, I pray you ? 3 Gent. Thomas Cromwell; A man in much esteem with the king, and truly Has made him master o'the jewel-house, 3 Gent. Yes, without all doubt. Come, gentlemen, ye shall go my way, which Both. You may command us, sir. SCENE II.2 [Exeunt. Kimbolton. Enter KATHARINE, Dowager, sick; led between GRIFFITH and PATIENCE. Grif. How does your grace? Kath. O, Griffith, sick to death: My legs, like loaden branches, bow to the earth, Didst thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou led'st me, Grif. Yes, madam ; but, I think, your grace, Kath. Pr'ythee, good Griffith, tell me how he died: If well, he stepp'd before me, happily,3 For my example. Grif. Well, the voice goes, madam : For after the stout earl Northumberland Arrested him at York, and brought him forward (As a man sorely tainted,) to his answer, He fell sick suddenly, and grew so ill, He could not sit his mule. Kath. Alas, poor man! Grif. At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester, [2] This scene is above any other part of Shakspeare's tragedies, and perhaps above any scene of any other poet, tender and pathetic, without gods, or uries, or poisons, or precipices, without the help of romantic circumstances, without improbable sallies of poetical lamentation, and without any throes of tumultuous misery. JOHNS. [3] Happily seems to mean on this occasion-peradventure, haply. STEE. Lodg'd in the abbey ; where the reverend abbot, So went to bed: where eagerly his sickness He gave his honours to the world again, His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace. Kath. So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him! His promises were, as he then was, mighty; Grif. Noble madam, Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues Kath. Yes, good Griffith; 'I were malicious else. Grif. This cardinal, Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly [4] That is, of unbounded pride, or haughtiness. STEEV. 15 A criminal connection with women was anciently called the vice of the body. MAL. He was most princely: Ever witness for him The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous, Now in his ashes honour: Peace be with him! Sad and solemn music. ; Grif. She is asleep: Good wench, let's sit down quiet, For fear we wake her ;-Softly, gentle Patience. The vision. Enter,solemnly tripping one after another, six Personages, clad in white robes, wearing on their heads garlands of bays, and golden vizards on their faces; branches of bays, or palm, in their hands. They first congee unto her, then dance; and, at certain changes, the first two hold a spare garland over her head ; at which, the other four make reverend court'sies then the two, that held the garland, deliver the same to the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the garland over her head : which done, they deliver the same garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order : at which, (as it were by inspiration,) she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven: and so in their dancing they vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues. Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye all gone? And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye? Grif. Madam, we are here. Kath. It is not you I call for: Saw ye none enter, since I slept ? Grif. None, madam. Kath. No? Saw you not, even now, a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun? They promis'd me eternal happiness; And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel Assuredly. Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy. Kath. Bid the music leave, They are harsh and heavy to me. Pat. Do you note, [Music ceases. How much her grace is alter'd on the sudden? How long her face is drawn? How pale she looks, Enter a Messenger. Mes. An't like your grace, Kath. You are a saucy fellow : Knowing, she will not lose her wonted greatness, Mes. I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon; Kath. Admit him entrance, Griffith: but this fellow Let me ne'er see again. [Exe. GRIFF. and Mes. Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUS. If my sight fail not, You should be lord ambassador from the emperor, Cap. Madam, the same, your servant, Kath. O my lord, The times, and titles, now are alter'd strangely With me, since first you knew me. But, I pray you, What is your pleasure with me? Cap. Noble lady, First, mine own service to your grace; the next, The king's request that I would visit you ; Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me 7* VOL. VI. Sends you his princely commendations, And heartily entreats you take good comfort. Kath. O my good lord, that comfort comes too late; 'Tis like a pardon after execution : That gentle physic, given in time, had cur'd me ; Cap. Madam, in good health. Kath. So may he ever do! and ever flourish, Pat. No, madam. [Giving it to KATHARINE. Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver This to my lord the king. Cap. Most willing, madam. Kath. In which I have commended to his goodness To love her for her mother's sake, that lov'd him, A right good husband, let him be a noble ; And, sure, those men are happy that shall have them. If heaven had pleas'd to have given me longer life, These are the whole contents :-And, good my lord, As you wish christian peace to souls departed, Cap. By heaven, I will ; |