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Nor. Which is budded out;

For Francehathflaw'd the league, and hath attach'd
Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux.

Aber. Is it therefore

The ambassador is silenc'd1?

Nor. Marry, is't.

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Aber. A propertitle of a peace2; and purchas'd That it do singe yourself: We may out-run,

At a superfluous rate!

Buck. Why, all this business Our reverend cardinal carry'd.

Nor. Like it 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, [rock,
You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that
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?

Secr. Here, so please you.
Wol. Is he in person ready?
Secr. Ay, please your grace.

By violent swiftness, that which we run at,
And lose by over-running. Know you not,
10 The fire, that mounts the liquor 'till it run o'er,
In seeming to augment it, wastes it? Be advis'd;
I say again, there is no English soul
More stronger to direct you than yourself;
If with the sap of reason you would quench,
15 Or but allay, the fire of passion.
Buck. Sir,

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
20 From sincere motions") 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.

25

30

Nor. Say not, treasonous.
[as strong
Buck. To the king I'll say't; and make myvouch
As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox,
Or wolf, or both, (for he is equal ravenous
As he is subtle; and as prone to mischief
As able to perform 't: his mind and place
Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally)
Only to shew his pomp as well in France
As here at home, suggests the king our master
To this last costly treaty, the interview,
That swallow'd so much treasure, and like a glass

[ingham 35 Did break i' the rinsing.

Wol. Well, we shall then know more; and BuckShall lessen this big look.

[Exeunt Cardinal, and his train. Buck.Thisbutcher'scur' is venom-mouth'd, and 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
Which your disease requires.

Buck. I read in his looks

40

Nor. 'Faith, and so it did.
[cardinal
Buck. Pray, give me favour, sir. This cunning
The articles o' the combination drew,
As himself pleas'd; and they were ratify'd,
As he cry'd, Thus let be: to as much end,
As give a crutch to the dead: But our courtcardinal
Has done this, and 'tis well; for worthy Wolsey,
Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows,
(Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy
[only, 45 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
50 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
55 Pay'dere he promis'd; wherebyhissuitwasgranted,
Ere it was ask'd:-but when the way was made,
And pav'd with gold, the emperor thus desir'd;-
That he would please to alter the king's course,

Matter against me; and his eye revil'd
Me, as his abject object: at this instant [king;
He bores' me with some trick: He's gone to the
I'll follow, and out-stare him.

Nor. Stay, my lord,

And let your reason with your choler question
What 'tis you go about: To climb steep hills,
Requires slow pace at first: Anger is like
A full-hot horse; who being allow'd his way,
Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England
Can advise me like you: be to yourself
As you would to your friend.

'Silenc'd for recalled. A fine name of a peace! spoken ironically. 'Wolsey, as has been before observed, is said to have been the son of a butcher. + That is, the literary qualifications of a bookish beggar are more prized than the high descent of hereditary greatness. This is a contemptuous exclamation very naturally put into the mouth of one of the ancient, unletter'd, martial nobility. i.e. he stabs or wounds me by some artifice or fiction. ⚫i. e. from honest indignation; warmth of integrity. ? i. e. excites.

And break the foresaid peace. Let the king know,
(As soon he shall by me) that thus the cardinal
Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases,
And for his own advantage.

Nor. I am sorry

To hear this of him; and could wish, he were
Something mistaken in't.

Buck. No, not a syllable;

I do pronounce him in that very shape,
IIe shall appear in proof.

Enter Brandon; a Serjeant at Arms before him, and two or three of the guard.

Bran. Your office, serjeant; execute it.
Serj. Sir,

My lord the duke of Buckingham, and earl
Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, I
Arrest thee of high treason, in the naine
Of our most sovereign king.

Buck. Lo you, my lord,

The net has fallen upon me; I shall perish
Under device and practice.

Bran. I am sorry

To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on

10

Of a full-charg'd confederacy; and give thanks
To you that choak'd it.-Let be call'd before us
That gentleman of Buckingham's: in person
I'll hear him his confessions justify;

And point by point the treasons of his master'
He shall again relate.

A noise within, crying, Room for the Queen. Enter the Queen, ushered by the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk: she kneels. The king riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses, and places her by him.

Queen. Nay,we must longer kneel; I am a suitor. King. Arise, and take your place by us :-Half your suit

15 Never name to us; you have half our power: The other moiety, ere you ask, is given; Repeat your will, and take it.

Queen. Thank your majesty.

That you would love yourself; and, in that love, 20 Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor The dignity of your office, is the point

Of my petition.

Kig. Lady mine, proceed.

Queen. I am solicited, not by a few,

The business present: 'Tis his highness' pleasure, 25 And those of true condition, that your subjects 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.-
O my lord Aberga'ny, fare you well.

Bran. Nay, he must bear you company:-The
king
[To Aberg.

30

Is pleas'd, you shall to the Tower, 'till you know 35
How he determines further.

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Buck. So, so;

40

Are in great grievance: There have been com

missions

[heart Sent down among them, which have flaw'd the Of all their loyalties:-wherein, although, [To Wolsey. My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches Most bitterly on you, as putter-on Of these exactions, yet the king our master, (Whose honour heaven shield from soil!) even he

escapes not

Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks
The sides of loyalty, and almost appears
In loud rebellion.

Nor. Not almost appears,

It doth appear: for, upon these taxations,
The clothiers all, not able to maintain

The many to them 'longing, have put off
The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who,
Unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger

These are the limbs of the plot: No more, I hope. 45 And lack of other means, in desperate manner

Bran. A monk o' the Chartreux.

Buck. O, Nicholas Hopkins?

Bran. He.

[dinal

Buck. My surveyor is false; the o'er-great car-
Hath shewn him gold: my life is spann'd already:50
I am the shadow of poor Buckingham;
Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on,
By dark'ning my clear sun.-My lord, farewell.

SCENE II.

The Council Chamber.

[Exeunt.

55

Cornet. Enter King Henry,leaning on the Cardinal's shoulder; the Nobles, and Sir Thomas Lovel. The Cardinal places himself under the King's 60 feet, on his right side.

King. My life itself, and the best heart of it, Thanks you for this great care: I stood i' the level

i.e. the multitude.

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i. e. I am but first in the row of counsellors.

The

The back is sacrifice to the load. They say, They are devis'd by you; or else you suffer Too hard an exclamation.

King. Still exaction!

The nature of it? In what kind, let's know, Is this exaction?

Queen. I ain much too venturous

Let there be letters writ to every shire,
Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd

commons

Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd, 5 That, through our intercession, this revokement And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you Further in the proceeding. [Exit Secretary. Enter Surveyor.

In tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd
Under your promis'd pardon. The subject's grief
Comes through commissions, which compel from 10
each

The sixth part of his substance, to be levy'd
Without delay; and the pretence for this
Is nam'd, your wars in France: This makes bold
mouths:
[freeze 15
Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts
Allegiance in them; their curses now,
Live where their prayers did; and it's come to pass,
That tractable obedience is a slave

To each incensed will. I would, your highness
Would give it quick consideration, for
There is no primer business'.

King. By my life,

This is against our pleasure.
Wol. And for me,

I have no further gone in this, than by

A single voice; and that not past me, but

By learned approbation of the judges. If I am
Traduc'd by ignorant tongues, which neither know
My faculties, nor person, yet will be
The chronicles of my doing,-let me say,
'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake
That virtue must go through. We must not stint
Our necessary actions, in the fear

To cope' malicious censurers; which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
That is new trimin'd; but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is
Not ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oft
Hitting a grosser quality, is cry'd up
For our best act. If we shall stand still,
In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at,
We should take root here where we sit, or sit
State statues only.

King. Things done well,

Queen. I am sorry, that the duke of Buckingham Is run in your displeasure.

King. It grieves many:

The gentleman is learn'd, a most rare speaker, To nature none more bound; his training such, That he may furnish and instruct great teachers, And never seek for aid out of himself. Yet see, 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, 20 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 25 As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear (This was his gentleman in trust) of him Things to strike honour sad.-Bid him recount The fore-recited practices; whereof

130

35

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.

King. 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 carry it so To make the sceptre his: These very words I have heard him utter to his son-in-law, 40 Lord Aberga'ny; to whom by oath he menac' Revenge upon the cardinal.

Wol. Please your highness, note
This dangerous conception in this point.
Not friended by his wish, to your high person
45 His will is most malignant; and it stretches
Beyond you, to your friends.

Queen. My learn'd lord cardinal,
Deliver all with charity.
King. Speak on:

50 How grounded he his title to the crown,
Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him
At any time speak ought?

And with a care, exempt themselves from fear:
Things done without example, in their issue
Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent
Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our laws,
And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?
A trembling contribution! Why, we take,
From every tree, lop', bark, and part o' the timber;
And, though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd, 55
The air will drink the sap. To every county,
Where this is question'd, send our letters, with
Free pardon to each man that has deny'd
The force of this commission: Pray, look to 't;
I put it to your care.

Wol. A word with you. [To the Secretary.

60

Surv. He was brought to this

By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins. King. What was that Hopkins?

Sure. Sir, a Chartreux friar,

His confessor; who fed him every minute With words of sovereignty.

[France,

King. How know'st thou this? Surv. Not long before your highness sped to The duke being at the Rose, within the parish

2 i. e. stop.

1i. e. no matter of state that more earnestly presses a dispatch. 3 i. e. to enOnce is not unfrequently used for sometime, or at one time or other, among our anLop signifies the branches.

counter with.

cient writers.

Xx2

Saint

Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand
What was the speech among the Londoners
Concerning the French journey? I reply'd,
Men fear'd, the French would prove perfidious,
To the king's danger. Presently the duke
Said, 'Twas the fear, indeed; and that he doubted,
Twould prove the verity of certain words
Spoke by a holy monk; that oft, says he,
Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit
John de la Court, my chaplain, à choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment:
Who (after under the confession's seal.
He solemnly had sworn, that, what he spoke,
My chaplain to no creature living, but
To me,should utter) with demure confidence [heirs,
Thus pausingly ensu'd,—Neither the king, nor his
(Tell you the duke) shall prosper: bid him strive
For the love of the commonalty; the duke
Shall govern England.-

Queen. If I know you well,

You were the duke's surveyor, and lost your office
On the complaint o' the tenants: Take good heed,
You charge not in your spleen a noble person,
And spoil your nobler soul; I say, take heed;
Yes, heartily beseech you.

King. Let him on:

Go forward.

Surv. On my soul, I'll speak but truth.

I told my lord the duke, By the devil's illusions The monk might be deceiv'd; and that 'twas dang'rous for him

To ruminate on this so far, until

It forg'd him some design, which, being believ'd,
It was much like to do: He answer'd, Tush!
It can do me no damage: adding further,
That, had the king in his last sickness fail'd,
The cardinal's and Sir Thomas Lovel's heads
Should have gone off.

King. Ha! what, so rank1? Ah, ha! [further?
There's mischiefin this man:-

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Cham. Death! my lord,

Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too,

[ly,

Canst thou say 40 That,sure,they have worn out Christendom. How

After your highness had reprov'd the duke
About Sir William Blomer,-

King. I remember

What news, Sir Thomas Lovel?

Enter Sir Thomas Lovel.

Lov. Faith, my lord,

I hear of none, but the new proclamation 45 That's clapp'd upon the court gate.

Of such a time:-Being my sworn servant,
The duke retain'd him his.-But on; What hence?
Sure. If, quoth he, I for this had been committed,
As to the Tower, I thought, I would have play'd "|50|
The part my father meant to act upon

The usurper Richard: who, being at Salisbury,
Made suit to come in his presence; which,ifgranted,
As he made semblance of his duty, would

Have put his knife into him.

Cham. What is 't for?

[now ?

Lov. The reformation of our travell'd gallants, That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors. Cham. I am glad 'tis there; now I would pray

our monsieurs

To think an English courtier may be wise,
And never see the Louvre.

Lov. They must either

(For so run the conditions) leave these remnants |55|Of fool, and feather', that they got in France,

1 Rank weeds are weeds that are grown up to great height and strength.-What, says the king, was he advanced to this pitch? Mysteries were allegorical shews, which the mummers of those times exhibited in odd and fantastic habits. Mysteries are used, by an easy figure, for those that exhibited mysteries; and the sense is only, that the travelled Englishmen were metamorphosed, by foreign fashions, into such an uncouth appearance, that they looked like mummers in a mystery. A fit of the face seems to be what we now term a grimace, an artificial cast of the countenance. 4 The stringhalt, or springhalt, is a disease incident to horses, which gives them a convulsive motion in their paces. This does not allude to the feathers anciently worn in the hats and caps of our countrymen a circumstance to which no ridicule could justly belong), but to an effeminate fashion of young gentemen carrying fans of feathers in their hands.

With

With all their honourable points of ignorance
Pertaining thereunto, (as fights, and fireworks;
Abusing better men than they can be,
Out of a foreign wisdom) renouncing clean
The faith they have in tennis, and tall stockings, 5
Short blister'd breeches', and those types of travel,
And understand again like honest men;

Or pack to their old play-fellows: there, I take it,
They may, cum privilegio, wear away
The lag end of their lewdness, and be laugh'd at. 10
Sa ds. "Tis time to give them physick, their
Are grown so catching.
[diseases

Chum. What a loss our ladies
Will have of these trim vanities!

Loc. Av, marry,

Salutes you all: This night he dedicates
To fair content, and you: noné here, he hopes,
In all this noble bevy, has brought with her
One care abroad; he would have all as merry
As first-good company, good wine, good welcome,
Can make good people.-O,mylord, youare tardy;
Enter Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sands, and Sir
Thomas Lovel.

The very thought of this fair company
Clapp'd wings to me.

Cham. You are young, Sir Harry Guilford.
Sands. Sir Thomas Lovel, had the cardinal
But half my lay-thoughts in him, some of these
Should find a running banquet ere they rested,
[sons 15 I think, would better please 'em: By my life,
They are a sweet society of fair ones.

There will be woe indeed, lords: the sly whore-
Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies;
A French song, and a fiddle, has no fellow. [going;
Sands. The devil fiddle'em! I am glad, they're
(For, sure, there's no converting of 'em) now
An honest country lord, as I am, beaten

A long time out of play, may bring his plain song,
And have an hour of hearing; and, by 'r lady,
Held current music too.

Cham. Well said, lord Sands;
Your colt's tooth is not cast yet.
Sunts. No, my lord;

Nor shall not, while I have a stump.

Cham. Sir Thomas, Whither were you a-going? Lov. To the cardinal's; Your lordship is a guest too.

Cham. O, 'tis true:

This night he makes a supper, and a great one,
To many lords and ladies; there will be
The beauty of this kingdom, I'll assure you.

Lov. That churchman bears a bounteous mind
indeed;

A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us;
His dews fall every where.

Cham. No doubt, he's noble;

He had a black mouth, that said other of him.
Sands. He may, my lord, he has wherewithal;

in him,

20

[fessor Lov. O, that your lordship were but now conTo one or two of these!

Sands. I would, I were;

They should find easy penance.

Lov. 'Faith, how easy?

Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it.
Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir

Harry,

25 Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this:
His grace is ent'ring.-Nay, you must not freeze;
Twowomen plac'd together make cold weather:-
My lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking:
Pray, sit between these ladies.

30 Sands. By my faith,

35

40

And thank your lordship.-By your leave, sweet ladies:

If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;

I had it from my father.

Anne. Was he mad, sir?

[Sits.

[too:

Sands. O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love
But he would bite none; just as I do now,
He would kiss you twenty with a breath.

[Kisses her.

Cham. Well said, my lord.—
So, now you are fairly seated:-Gentlemen,
The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.

Sands. For my little cure,

Sparing would shew a worse sin than ill doctrine: 45 Let me alone.

Men of his way should be most liberal,

They are set here for examples.

Cham. True, they are so;

But few now give so great ones. My barge stays;

Your lordship shall along:

Thomas,

-Come, good Sir 50

We shall be late else; which I would not be,
For I was spoke to, with Sir Henry Guilford,
This night to be comptrollers.
Sands. I am your lordship's.
SCENE IV.

Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his

state.

Wol. You are welcome, my fair guests; that noble lady,

Or gentleman, that is not freely merry,

Is not my friend: This, to confirm my welcome;
And to you all good health.
[Drinks.

Sands. Your grace is noble :-
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,

[Exeunt. 55 And save me so much talking.

Changes to York-Place. Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table for the guests. Then enter Anne Bullen, and divers other Ladies and Gen-60 tlewomen, as guests, at one door; at another door, enter Sir Henry Guilford.

Guil, Ladies, a general welcome from his grace

Wol. My lord Sands,

I am beholden to you:-cheer your neighbours:-
Ladies, you are not merry;-Gentlemen,
Whose fault is this?

Sands. The red wine first must rise
In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have'em
Talk us to silence.

Anne. You are a merry gamester,

i. e. breeches puff'd, swell'd out like blisters.
X x 3

My

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