Dramatic Works from the Text of Johnson and Stevens

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GARTER, king at arms.

Surveyor to the Duke of Buckingham.
BRANDON, and a Sergeant at Arms.
Door-keeper of the Council-chamber. Por
ter, and his Man.
Page to Gardiner. A Crier.

Queen KATHARINE, wife to King Henry, afterwards divorced.

ANNE BULLEN, her maid of honour, afterwards Queen.

An old Lady, friend to Anne Bullen. PATIENCE, woman to Queen Katharine. Several Lords and Ludies in the dumb shows; Women attending upon the Queen; Spirits which appear to her; Scribes, Officers, Guards, and other Attendants.

Scene,-chiefly in London and Westminster; once at Kimbolton.

PROLOGUE.

COME no more to make you laugh; things now.

bear a weighty and a serious brow, high, and working, full of state and woe, noble scenes as draw the eye to flow, now present. Those that can pity, here if they think it well, let fall a tear; ubject will deserve it. Such as give money out of hope they may believe, bere find truth too. Those that come to ste

show or two, and so agree

play may pass, if they be still, and willing, dertake, may see away their shilling ly in two short hours. Only they, Teone to hear a merry, bawdy play, e of targets; or to see a fellow

long motley coat, guarded with yellow,

ACT

Will be deceived: for, gentle hearers, know,
To rank our chosen truth with such a show
As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting
Onr own brains, and the opinion that we bring,
(To make that only true we now intend +,)
Will leave us never an understanding friend.
Therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are
known

The first and happiest hearers of the town,
Be sad as we would make ye: Think, ye see
The very persons of our noble history,
As they were living; think, you see them great,
And follow'd with the general throng, and

sweat

Of thousand friends; then, in a moment, see
How soon this mightiness meets misery!
And, if you can be merry then, I'll say,
A man inay weep upon bis wedding-day.

NE 1. London. An Antechamber in Stay'd me a prisoner in my chamber, when Those suns of glory, these two lights of ment, Met in the vale of Arde.

the Palace.

er the Duke of NORFOLK, at one door; the other, the Duke of BUCKINGHAM, në the Lord ABERGAVENNY. fuck. Good morrow, and well met. How - last we saw in France? [have yon done, I thank your grace, thral; and ever since a fresh admirer bat I saw there.

Laced.

An untimely agne

1 Pretend

Nor.

I was then present, saw them salute on horse 'Twixt Guynes and Arde: back; [clong Beheld them, when they lighted, how they In their embracement, as they grew together; Which had they, what four throned ones could Such a compounded one? [have weigh'd

Buck.

All the whole time

I was my chamber's prisoner.

Henry VIII. and Francis I. king of France.

Nor.

The view of earthly glory: Till this time, Pomp was married

Then you lost Men might say, single; but now

To one above itself. Each following day
Became the next day's master, till the last
Made former wonders its. 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 pages
As cherubims, all gilt: the madains too, [were
Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear
The pride upon them, that their very labour
Was to thein 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. When these
[challenged
(For so they phrase them) by their heralds
The noble spirits to arms, they did perform
Beyond thought's compass; that former fabu-
lous story,

suns

Being now seen possible enough, got credit-
That Bevis was believed.

Buck.
O, you go far.
Nor. As I belong to worship, and affect
In honour honesty, the tract of every thing
Would by a good discourser lose some life,
Which action's self was tongue to. All was
To the disposing of it nought rebell'd, [royal;
Order gave each thing view; the office did
Distinctly his full function.

Buck.

Who did guide,
I mean, who set the body and the limbs
Of this great sport together, as you guess?
Nor. One, ceites, that promises no ele-
In such a business.

[ment

Buck.
I pray you, who, my lord?
Nor. All this was order'd by the good dis-
Of the right reverend cardinal of York. [cretion
Buck. The devil speed him! no man's pie
is freed

From his ambitious finger. What had he
To do in these fierce ¶ vanities? I wonder
That such a keech ** can with his very bulk
Take up the rays o' the beneficial sun,
And keep it from the earth.

Nor.
Surely, sir,
There's in him stuff that puts him to these ends:
For, being not propp'd by ancestry, (whose

grace

Chalks successors their way,) nor call'd upon
For high feats done to the crown; neither al-
To eminent assistants, but, spider-like, [lied
Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note
The force of his own merit makes his way;
A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys

• Glittering, shining.

Sir Bevis, an old romance.
¶ Proud.

O, many tha
Have broke their backs with laying mar
For this great journey. What did this vant
But minister communication of
A most poor issue?

Nor.
Grievingly I think, (vad
The peace between the French and a
The cost that did conclude it.

Buck.
Every y
After the hideous storm that follow'd, w
A thing inspired: and, not consulting, br
Into a general prophecy,-That this leg
Dashing the garment of this peace, abedal
The sudden breach on't.

Nor.

Which is beddel For France hath flaw'd the league, and Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux atta Aber.

The ambassador is silenced?

Nor.

Is it the

Marry, ist.

Aber. A proper title of a peace; At a superfluous rate!

Buck.

Why, all this badg Our reverend cardinal carried §§.

Nor.

Lake it your The state takes notice of the private dif Betwixt you and the cardinal. I advise (And take it from a heart that wishes towa

you

Honour and plenteous safety,) that you tij
The cardinal's malice, and his potency
Together to consider further, that
What his high hatred would effect was
A minister in his power: You know his
That he's revengeful; and I know, his s
Hath a sharp edge: it's long, and, it may
said,

It reaches far; and where 'twill not exten
Thither he darts it. Bosom up my co
You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where
That I advise your shunning.

+ In opinion, which was most noble.
Certainly.

* Lump of fat.
#Sets down in his letter without consulting the council.

Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, (the purse borne | Only to show his pomp as well in France before him,) certain of the guard, and two As here at home, suggests the king our master Secretaries with papers. The Cardinal in To this last costly treaty, the interview, [glass his passage fixeth his eye on BUCKING-That swallow'd so much treasure, and like a BAM, and BUCKINGHAM on him, both full Did break i' the rinsing. of disdain.

Wol. The dake of Buckingham's surveyor? Where's his examination ?

1 Secr.

[ha?

Here, so please you. Wol. Is he in person ready? 1 Secr. Ay, please your grace. Wol. Well, we shall then know more; and Shall lessen this big look. [Buckingham [Exeunt WOLSEY, and Train. Buck. This butcher's curis venom-mouth'd, and I [best Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore, Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's Out-worths a noble's blood. [book Nor. What, are you chafed? Ask God for temperance; that's the appliance Which your disease requires. (only, Buck. I read in his looks Matter against me; and his eye reviled Me, as his abject object: at this instant He borest me with some trick: He's gone to Pil follow, and out-stare him. [the king; 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

full-hot horse; who being allow'd his way, felf-mettie tires him. Not a man in England an advise me like you: be to yourself you would to your friend. Buck.

I'll to the king; ini from a month of honour quite cry down This Ipswich fellow's insolence; or proclaim, Bere's difference in no persons. Nor.

Nor.

'Faith, and so it did. Buck, Pray, give me favour, sir. This cun

ning cardinal

The articles o'the combination drew, As himself pleased; and they were ratified, As he cried, Thus let be: to as much end, As give a crutch to the dead: But our countcardinal [sey Has done this, and 'tis well; for worthy WolWho cannot err, he did it. Now this follows, (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 league Peep'd harms that menaced him: He privily Deals with our cardinal; and, as I trow, Which I do well-for, I am sure, the emperor Paid ere he promised, whereby his suit was granted

Ere it was ask'd; but when the way was made,
And paved with gold, the emperor thus desired;
That he would please to alter the king's course,
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
He shall appear in proof.
Enter BRANDON; a Sergeant at Arms before
him, and two or three of the Guard.
Bran. Your office, sergeant; execute it.
Serg.

Be advised; feat not a furnace for your foe so hot hat it do singe yourself: We may outrun, lg violent swiftness, that which we run at, And lose by over-running. Know you not, he fire that mounts the liquor till it run o'er, seeming to augment it, wastes it? Be aday again, there is no English soul [vised: Sir, dore stronger to direct you than yourself; My lord the duke of Buckingham, and earl f with the sap of reason you would quench,Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, I but allay, the fire of passion. Arrest thee of bigh treason in the name Of our most sovereign king. Buck.

Buck.

Sir,

Bran.

am thankful to you; and I'll go along [low,
Lo you, my lord,
ly your prescription:-but this top-proud fel-The net has fall'n upon me; I shall perish
Whum from the flow of gall I name not, but Under device and practice §.
From sincere motions,) by intelligence,
And proofs as clear as founts in July, when
A see each grain of gravel, I do know
To be corrupt and treasonous.
Nor.
Say not treasonous.
Buck. To the king I'll say't; and make my

voach as strong

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 it: his mind and place Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally,)

• Wolsey was the son of a butcher.

I am sorry To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on The business present: '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

Aber.

Is pleased, you shall to the Tower, till you
How he determines further.
[know
As the duke said,
The will of heaven be done, and the king's
By me obey'd.
[pleasure
Bran. Here is a warrant from [bodies
The king, to attach lord Montacute; and the
Of the duke's confessor, John de la Court,
One Gilbert Peck, his chancellor,-

Buck.

So, so; These are the limbs of the plot: no more, I Bran. A monk o' the Chartreux. [hope. Buck. O, Nicholas Hopkins? Bran.

He. Buck. My surveyor is false; the o'er-great cardinal [ready: Hath show'd him gold: my life is spann'd alI am the shadow of poor Buckingham; Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, By dark'ning my clear sun.-My lord, farewell. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. The Council-Chamber. Cornets. Enter King HENRY, Cardinal WOLSEY, the Lords of the Council, Sir THOMAS LOVELL, Officers, and Attendants. The King enters, leaning on the

Cardinal's shoulder.

K. Hen. My life itself, and the best heart of it, [level Thanks you for this great care: I stood i' the Of a fall-charged confederacy, and give thanks To you that choked 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.

The King takes his statet. The Lords of
the Council take their several places.
The Cardinal places himself under the
King's feet, on his right side.
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 placeth her by him.
Q. Kath. Nay, we must longer kneel; I am
[Half your suit
K. Hen. Arise, and take place by us:-
Never name to us; you have half our power:
The other moiety, ere yon ask, is given;
Repeat your will, and take it.
Q. Kath.
Thank your majesty.
That you would love yourself; and, in that
Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor [love,
The dignity of your office, is the point
Of my petition.

a suitor.

missions

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 com[heart Sent down among them, which hath flaw'd the Of all their loyalties:wherein although, My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches Most bitterly on you, as putter-on + Chair.

• Measured.

Of these exactions, yet the king our master,
(Whose honour heaven shield from soil!) even
he escapes not

Nor

Language unmannerly, yen, such which brink
The sides of loyalty, and almost appears
In loud rebellion.
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, whd,
Unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger
And lack of other means, in desperate manner
Daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar,
And danger, serves among them.
K. Hen.

Taxation!

Wherein? and what taxation?-My lord
You that are blamed for it alike with us, [dis,
Know you of this taxation?
Wol.
Please you, sir,
I know but of a single part, in aught
Pertains to the state; and front but in that file!
Where others tell steps with me.

Q. Kath.

No, my land, You know no more than others, but you frat Things, that are known alike; which are not

wholesome

To those which would not know them, and yet Perforce be their acquaintance. These ex tions,

Whereof my sovereign would have note, they
Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear thes,
The back is sacrifice to the load. They ay
They are devised by you; or else you sufer
Too hard an exclamation.
K. Hen.
Still exaction!
The nature of it? In what kind, let's know,
Is this exaction?
Q. Kath. I am much too venturies
In tempting of your patience; but am boldest
Under your promised pardon. The subje
[from each

grief

Comes through commissions, which compe
The sixth part of his substance, to be levied
Without delay; and the pretence for this
Is named, your wars in France: This m

bold months:

Tongues spit their duties out, and cold betra
Allegiance in them; their carses now
Live where their prayers did; and it's co
That tractable obedience is a slave [to pa
To each incensed will. I would your high
Would give it quick consideration, for
There is no primer business.
K. Hen.
This is against our pleasure.

Wol.

By my life,

And for me,
I have no farther gone in this, than by
A single voice; and that not pass'd me, hat
By learned approbation of the judges.
If I am traduced by tongues, which neith
My faculties, nor person, yet will be kn
The chronicles of my doing, let me sty
Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brakef
That virtue must go through. We must not sin!!
t I am only one among the other counsellors.
Retard.

Thicket of thorns.

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