The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare

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,)
Only to show 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,
Did break i'the rinsing.

Nor. 'Faith, and so it did.

Bran. Here is a warrant from

The king, to attach lord Montacute, and the bodies
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,
Bran. A monk o' the Chartreux.
Buck. O, Nicholas Hopkins?

Bran. He.

I hope.

Buck. My surveyor is false; the o'er-great cardinal Hath show'd him gold: my life is spann'd already: I am the shadow of poor Buckingham,

Buck. Pray, give me favour, sir! This cunning car- Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, dinal

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-cardinal
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

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 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:
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.

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,
Thanks you for this great care: I stood i'the level
Of a full-charg'd confederacy, and give thanks
To you, that chok'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.

The King takes his state. The Lords of the Council
take their several places. The Cardinal places him-
self 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. Cath. Nay, we must longer kneel: I am a suitor.
K. Hen. Arise, and take place by us! -Half your suit
Never name to us! you have half our power;
The other moiety, ere you ask, is given:
Repeat your will, and take it!

Q. Cath. Thank your majesty!

That you would love yourself, and, in that love,
Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor

Enter BRANDON; a Sergeant at Arms before him, and The dignity of your office, is the point

two or three of the Guard.

Bran. Your office, sergeant! execute it.
Serg. Sir,

My lord the duke of Buckingham, and earl
Of Hereford, Stafford, Northampton, 1
Arrest thee of high treason, in the name
Of our most sovereign king.

Buck. Lo you, my lord!

The net has fall'n upon me; I shall perish
Under device and practice.

Of my petition.

K. Hen. Lady mine, proceed!

Q. Cath. 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-on

Of these exactions, yet the king, our master,

(Whose honour heaven shield from soil!) even he State statues only.

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
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!

You know no more, than others: but you frame
Things, that are known alike; which are not whole-

some

K. Hen. Things, done well,

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,
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 denied
The force of this commission! Pray, look to't!
I put it to your care.

To those, which would not know them, and yet must
Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions,
Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are
Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear them,
The back is sacrifice to the load. They say,
They are devis'd by you, or else you suffer
Too hard an exclamation.

K. Hen. Still exaction!

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

Q. Cath. I am much too venturous

Wol. A word with you! [To the Secretary.
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,
That through our intercession this revokement
And pardon comes. I shall anon advise you
Further in the proceeding. [Exit Secretary.

In tempting of your patience, but am bolden'd
Under your promis'd pardon. The subject's grief
Comes through commissions, which compel from each
The sixth part of his substance, to be levied
Without delay; and the pretence for this

Is nam'd, your wars in France. This makes bold
mouths:

Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze
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.

K. Hen. 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 pass'd me, but

By learned approbation of the judges.

If I am traduc'd by 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 trimm'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 cried 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

Enter Surveyor.

Q. Cath. 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,
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,
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,
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
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. Hen. 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,
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. Cath. My learn'd lord cardinal,
Deliver all with charity!

K. Hen. Speak on!

How grounded he his title to the crown,

Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him
At any time speak aught?

Surv. He was brought to this

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

Surv. Sir, a Chartreux friar,

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

K. Hen. How know'st thou this?

Surv. Not long before your highness sped to France, The duke, being at the Rose, within the parish Saint Lawrency Poultney, did of me demand, What was the speech amongst the Londoners Concerning the French journey? I replied, 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, a choice hour, To hear from him a matter of some moment: Whom 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 This pausingly ensu'd, - 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. Cath. 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.

K. Hen. Let him on!

Go forward!

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

1 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 Lovell's heads
Should have gone oll.

K. Hen. Ha! what, so rank? Ah, ha!
There's mischief in this mau

further?

Surv. I can, my liege!

K. Hen. Proceed!

Surv. Being at Greenwich,

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

K. Hen. I remember

SCENE III.A room in the palace.
Enter the Lord Chamberlain, and Lord SANDS.
Cham. Is it possible, the spells of France should
juggle

Men into such strange mysteries?
Sands. New customs,

Though they be never so ridiculous,
Nay, let them be unmanly, yet are follow'd.
Cham. As far as I see, all the good, our English
Have got by the late voyage, is but merely
A fit or two o' the face; but they are shrewd ones;
For, when they hold them, you would swear directly,
Their very noses had been counsellors

To Pepin, or Clotharius, they keep state so.
Sands. They have all new legs, and lame ones ;
one would take it,

That never saw them pace before, the spavin,
A springhalt reign'd among them.
Cham. Death! my lord,

Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too,
That sure, they have worn out christendom. How now?
What news, sir Thomas Lovell?

Enter Sir THOMAS LOVELL.

Lov. 'Faith, my lord,

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

Cham. What is't for?

Lov. The reformation of our travell'd gallants, That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailers. 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
Canst thou say of fool, and feather, that they got in France,
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,
Short blister'd breeches, and those types of travel,
And understand again like honest men;
Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it,
They may, cum privilegio, wear away
The lag end of their lewdness, and be langh'd at.
Sunds. 'Tis time to give them physic, their diseases
Are grown so catching.

Of such a time: - being my servant sworn,
The duke retain'd him his. But on! What hence?
Surv. If, quoth he, I for this had been committed,
As, to the Tower, I thought, I would have play'd
The part, my father meant to act upon
The usurper Richard: who, being at Salisbury,
Made suit to come in his presence; which, if granted,
As he made semblance of his duty, would
Have put his knife into him.

K. Hen. A giant traitor!

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

Lov. Ay, marry,

There will be woe indeed, lords; the sly whoresons
Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies;

Wol. Now, madam, may his highness live in freedom, A French song, and a fiddle, has no fellow.
And this man out of prison?

Sands. The devil fiddle them! I am glad, they're going;

(For, sure, there's no converting of them ;) 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.

Nor shall not, while I have a stump,

So now you are fairly seated.

Sands. No, my

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 churchmau bears a bounteous mind indeed,

A hand is 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

Sparing would show a worse sin, than ill doctrine.
Men of his way should be most liberal;
They are set here for examples.

Cham. True, they are so;

Gentlemen,

The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning.

Sands. For my little cure,

Let me alone!

Hautboys. Enter Cardinal WOLSEY, attended; 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!

Sands. Your grace is noble:
Let me have such a bowl, may hold my thanks,
And save me so much talking.
Wol. My lord Sands,

But few now give so great ones. My barge stays; Your lordship shall along. - Come, good sir Thomas, We shall be late else: which I would not be, For I was spoke to with sir Henry Guildford This night to be comptrollers. Sands. I am your lordship's. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The presence-chamber in Yorkplace. Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table for the guests. Enter at one door ANNE BULLEN, and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as guests; at another door enter Sir HENRY GUILDFORD. Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his grace Salutes ye all. This night he dedicates

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 them
Talk us to silence.

Anne. You are a merry gamester,
My lord Sands.

Sands. Yes, if I make my play.
Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam,
Anne. You cannot show me.
For 'tis to such a thing,

Lov. O, that your lordship were but now confessor
To one or two of these!

Sands. I would, I were;

They should find easy penance. Lov, 'Faith, how easy?

Sands. I told your grace, they would talk anon.
[Drums and trumpets within; Chambers
discharged.

Wol. What's that?
Cham. Look out there, some of you!

[Exit a Servant,
Wol. What warlike voice?
And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not!
By all the laws of war you are privileg'd.

Re-enter Servant.

Cham. How now? what is't?

For so they seem: they have left their barge, and

Serv. A noble troop of strangers;

Janded,

And hither make, as great ambassadors From foreign princes.

Sands. As easy, as a down-bed would afford it. Cham, Sweet ladies! will it please you sit? Sir Harry, Place you that side, I'll take the charge of this: His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze; Two women plac'd together makes cold weather: My lord Sands, you are one, will keep them waking; Pray, sit between these ladies!

Sands. By my faith,

And thank your lordship!- By your leave, sweet ladies! [Seats himself between Anne Bullen

and another Lady.

If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me! I had it from my father.

Anne. Was he mad, sir?

Wol. Good lord chamberlain,

Go, give them welcome, you can speak the French tongue;

And, pray, receive them nobly, and conduct them Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty, Shall shine at full upon them! Some attend him![Exit Chamberlain, attended. All arise, and tables removed.

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

You have now a broken banquet; bat we'll mend it. A good digestion to you all! and, once more, I shower a welcome on you: Welcome all! Hautboys. Enter the King, and twelve Others, torch-bearers, ushered by the Lord Chamberas Maskers, habited like Shepherds, with sixteen lain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him.

A noble company! what are their pleasures? Cham. Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd

To tell your grace: that, having heard by fame
Of this so noble and so fair assembly
This night to meet here, they could do no less,
Out of the great respect, they bear to beauty,
Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat
But leave their flocks, and, under your fair conduct,
An hour of revels with them.
Wol. Say, lord chamberlain,

Cham. I will, my lord!

[Cham. goes to the Company, and returns. Wol. What say they?

Cham. Such a one, they all confess,
There is indeed; which they would have your grace
Find out, and he will take it.
Wol. Let me see then! [Comes from his state.
By all your good leaves, gentlemen! Here I'll make
My royal choice.

K. Hen. You have found him, cardinal: [Unmasking.
You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord:
You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal,
I should judge now unhappily.

Wol. I am glad,

Your grace is grown so pleasant.
K. Hen. My lord chamberlain,

Pr'ythee, come hither! What fair lady's that?
Cham. An't please your grace, sir Thomas Bullen's
daughter,

The viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women.
K. Hen. By heaven, she is a dainty one.
heart,

I were unmannerly, to take you out,
And not to kiss
you. -A health, gentlemen!

Let it go round!

2 Gent. I am sorry for't.

1 Gent. So are a number more.
2 Gent. But pray, how pass'd it?

1 Gent. I'll tell you in a little. The great duke
Came to the bar; where, to his accusations,
He pleaded still, not guilty, and alleg'd
Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
The king's attorney, on the contrary,
Urg'd on the examinations, proofs, confessions
Of divers witnesses; which the duke desir'd
To him brought, viva voce, to his face:
At which appear'd against him, his surveyor,
Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor, and John Court,
Confessor to him, with that devil-monk,
Hopkins, that made this mischief.

2 Gent. That was he,

That fed him with his prophecies?
1 Gent. The same.

All these accus'd him strongly, which he fain
Would have flung from him, but, indeed, he could not:
And so his peers, upon this evidence,
Have found him guilty of high treason. Much
He spoke, and learnedly, for life; but all
Was either pitied in him, or forgotten

2 Gent. After all this, how did he bear himself?
1 Gent. When he was brought again to the bar,
to hear

His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr'd
With such an agony, he sweat extremely,
And something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty:
But he fell to himself again and sweetly,
In all the rest show'd a most noble patience.
2 Gent. I do not think, he fears death.
1 Gent. Sure, he doth not,

Sweet-He never was so womanish; the cause
He may a little grieve at.
2 Gent. Certainly,

Wol. Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready I'the privy chamber?

Lov. Yes, my lord!

Wol. Your grace,

I fear, with dancing is a little heated.

K. Hen. I fear, too much.

Wol. There's fresher air, my lord,

In the next chamber.

Enter two Gentlemen, meeting.

1 Gent. Whither away so fast?

2 Gent. 0,- God save you!

Even to the hall, to hear, what shall become

Of the great duke of Buckingham.

1 Gent. I'll save you

The cardinal is the end of this.

1 Gent. 'Tis likely,

By all conjectures. First, Kildair's attainder,
Then deputy of Ireland; who remov❜d,

Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,
Lest he should help his father.

2 Gent. That trick of state.
Was a deep envious one.

1 Gent. At his return,

No doubt, he will requite it. This is noted,
And generally; whoever the king favours,
The cardinal instantly will find employment,
And far enough from court too.

2 Gent. All the commons

Hate him perniciously, and, oʼ my conscience,
Wish him ten fathom deep; this duke as much
They love and dote on, call him, bounteous Bucking-
ham,

The mirror of all courtesy ;

1 Gent. Stay there, sir,

And see the noble ruin'd man, you speak of.
Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tip-
staves before him: the axe with the edge towards
him; halberds on each side: with him, Sir THO-
MAS LOVELL, Sir NICHOLAS VAUX, Sir WILLIAM
SANDS, and common People.

2 Gent. Let's stand close, and behold him!
Buck. All good people,

That labour, sir! All's now done, but the ceremony You, that thus far have come to pity me,

Of bringing back the prisoner.

2 Gent. Were you there?

1 Gent. Yes, indeed, was I.

2 Gent. Pray, speak, what has happen'd?

1 Gent. You may guess quickly, what.

2 Gent. Is he found guilty?

Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me!

I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgment,

And by that name must die; yet, heaven bear witness,
And if I have a conscience, let it sink me,,
Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful!
The law I bear no malice for my death,

1 Gent. Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon it. It has done, upon the premises, but justice:

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