King John/Henry VIII (Signet Classics) Read online

  The Prologue

  [Enter Prologue]

  I come no more to make you laugh: things now

  That bear a weighty and a serious brow,

  Sad, high, and working, full of state3 and woe:

  Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow

  We now present. Those that can pity here

  May, if they think it well, let fall a tear:

  The subject will deserve it. Such as give

  Their money out of hope they may believe,

  May here find truth too. Those that come to see

  Only a show10 or two, and so agree

  The play may pass, if they be still, and willing11,

  I'll undertake may see away their shilling12

  Richly in two short hours13. Only they

  That come to hear a merry, bawdy play,

  A noise of targets15, or to see a fellow

  In a long motley coat guarded with yellow16,

  Will be deceived. For, gentle hearers, know17

  To rank our chosen truth with such a show

  As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting19

  Our own brains, and the opinion that we bring20

  To make that only true we now intend,

  Will leave us never an understanding22 friend.

  Therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are known

  The first and happiest24 hearers of the town,

  Be sad25, as we would make ye. Think ye see

  The very persons of our noble story

  As they were living: think you see them great27,

  And followed 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 may weep upon his wedding day.

  [Exit]

  Act 1 Scene 1

  running scene 1

  Enter the Duke of Norfolk at one door. At the other, the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Abergavenny

  BUCKINGHAM Good morrow, and well met. How have ye done

  Since last we saw2 in France?

  NORFOLK I thank your grace:

  Healthful, and ever since a fresh4 admirer

  Of what I saw there5.

  BUCKINGHAM An untimely ague6

  Stayed7 me a prisoner in my chamber when

  Those suns of glory, those two lights of men,

  Met in the vale of Andres.

  NORFOLK 'Twixt Guines and Ardres10:

  I was then present, saw them salute on horseback,

  Beheld them when they lighted12, how they clung

  In their embracement as13 they grew together,

  Which had they, what four throned ones could have weighed14

  Such a compounded one?

  BUCKINGHAM All the whole time

  I was my chamber's prisoner.

  NORFOLK Then you lost

  The view of earthly glory: men might say

  Till this time pomp20 was single, but now married

  To one above itself. Each following day21

  Became the next day's master22, till the last

  Made former wonders its23. Today the French,

  All clinquant24, all in gold, like heathen gods

  Shone down the English; and tomorrow they25

  Made Britain India26: every man that stood

  Showed27 like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were

  As cherubins, all gilt: the madams28 too,

  Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear

  The pride upon them, that their very labour30

  Was to them as a painting. Now this masque31

  Was cried incomparable, and th'ensuing night32

  Made it a fool and beggar33. The two kings,

  Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst34,

  As presence did present them: him in eye35,

  Still him in praise, and being present both36,

  'Twas said they saw but one, and no discerner37

  Durst wag his tongue in censure38. When these suns --

  For so they phrase39 'em -- by their heralds challenged

  The noble spirits to arms, they did perform40

  Beyond thought's compass, that former fabulous story41,

  Being now seen possible enough, got credit,

  That Bevis43 was believed.

  BUCKINGHAM O, you go far44.

  NORFOLK As I belong to worship, and affect45

  In honour honesty, the tract46 of ev'rything

  Would by a good discourser lose some life47,

  Which action's self was tongue to. All was royal:

  To the disposing of it nought rebelled49:

  Order gave each thing view. The office did50

  Distinctly his full function.

  BUCKINGHAM Who did guide --

  I mean, who set the body and the limbs

  Of this great sport54 together, as you guess?

  NORFOLK One, certes, that promises no element55

  In such a business.

  BUCKINGHAM I pray you who, my lord?

  NORFOLK All this was ordered by the good discretion58

  Of the right reverend Cardinal of York59.

  BUCKINGHAM The devil speed60 him! No man's pie is freed

  From his ambitious finger. What had he

  To do in these fierce vanities62? I wonder

  That such a keech63 can with his very bulk

  Take up the rays o'th'beneficial sun64

  And keep it from the earth.

  NORFOLK Surely, sir,

  There's in him stuff that puts67 him to these ends:

  For being not propped by ancestry, whose grace68

  Chalks69 successors their way, nor called upon

  For high feats70 done to th'crown, neither allied

  To eminent assistants71, but spider-like,

  Out of his self-drawing web, a gives us note72,

  The force of his own merit makes his way

  A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys

  A place next to75 the king.

  ABERGAVENNY I cannot tell

  What heaven hath given him -- let some graver77 eye

  Pierce into that -- but I can see his pride

  Peep through each part of him: whence has he that,

  If not from hell? The devil is a niggard80,

  Or has given all before, and he81 begins

  A new hell in himself.

  BUCKINGHAM Why the devil,

  Upon this French going out84, took he upon him,

  Without the privity85 o'th'king, t'appoint

  Who should attend on him? He makes up the file86

  Of all the gentry: for the most part such87

  To whom as great a charge as little honour

  He meant to lay upon: and his own letter89,

  The honourable board of council out90,

  Must fetch him in, he papers91.

  ABERGAVENNY I do know

  Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have

  By this so sickened94 their estates, that never

  They shall abound95 as formerly.

  BUCKINGHAM O, many

  Have broke their backs with laying manors on 'em97

  For this great journey. What did this vanity98

  But minister communication of99

  A most poor issue?

  NORFOLK Grievingly101 I think

  The peace between the French and us not values102

  The cost that did conclude it.

  BUCKINGHAM Every man,

  After the hideous storm that followed, was

  A thing inspired, and, not consulting106, broke

  Into a general107 prophecy: that this tempest,

  Dashing the garment of this peace, aboded108

  The sudden breach on't109.

  NORFOLK Which is budded out110,

  For France hath flawed the league, and hath attached111

  Our merchants' goods at Bordeaux.

  ABERGAVENNY Is it therefo
re113

  Th'ambassador is silenced114?

  NORFOLK Marry115, is't.

  ABERGAVENNY A proper title of116 a peace, and purchased

  At a superfluous rate117.

  BUCKINGHAM Why, all this business

  Our reverend cardinal carried119.

  NORFOLK Like it120 your grace,

  The state takes notice of the private difference121

  Betwixt you and the cardinal. I advise you --

  And take it from a heart that wishes towards you

  Honour and plenteous safety -- that you read124

  The cardinal's malice and his potency125

  Together: to consider further that

  What his high hatred would effect wants127 not

  A minister128 in his power. You know his nature,

  That he's revengeful: and I know his sword

  Hath a sharp edge: it's long and't may be said,

  It reaches far, and where 'twill not extend,

  Thither he darts it. Bosom up132 my counsel,

  You'll find it wholesome. Lo133, where comes that rock

  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

  CARDINAL WOLSEY The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor135, ha?

  Where's his examination136?

  SECRETARY Here, so please you.

  CARDINAL WOLSEY Is he in person ready?

  SECRETARY Ay, please your grace.

  CARDINAL WOLSEY Well, we shall then know more, and Buckingham

  Shall lessen this big141 look.

  Exeunt Cardinal and his train

  BUCKINGHAM This butcher's cur142 is venom-mouthed, and I

  Have not the power to muzzle him: therefore best

  Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book144

  Outworths a noble's blood.

  NORFOLK What, are you chafed146?

  Ask God for temp'rance: that's th'appliance only147

  Which your disease requires.

  BUCKINGHAM I read in's looks

  Matter150 against me, and his eye reviled

  Me as his abject object151: at this instant

  He bores152 me with some trick: he's gone to th'king:

  I'll follow, and outstare him.

  NORFOLK Stay, my lord,

  And let your reason with your choler155 question

  What 'tis you go about: to climb steep hills

  Requires slow pace at first. Anger is like

  A full hot158 horse, who being allowed his way,

  Self-mettle159 tires him: not a man in England

  Can advise me like you: be to yourself

  As you would to your friend.

  BUCKINGHAM I'll to the king,

  And from a mouth of honour quite163 cry down

  This Ipswich164 fellow's insolence, or proclaim

  There's difference165 in no persons.

  NORFOLK Be advised166:

  Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot

  That it do singe yourself. We may outrun,

  By violent swiftness, that which we run at,

  And lose by overrunning170: know you not

  The fire that mounts171 the liquor till't run o'er,

  In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advised:

  I say again there is no English soul

  More stronger to direct you than yourself,

  If with the sap of reason you would quench

  Or but allay176 the fire of passion.

  BUCKINGHAM Sir,

  I am thankful to you, and I'll go along

  By your prescription: but this top-proud179 fellow --

  Whom from the flow of gall180 I name not, but

  From sincere motions -- by intelligence181,

  And proofs as clear as founts182 in July when

  We see each grain of gravel, I do know

  To be corrupt and treasonous.

  NORFOLK Say not 'treasonous'.

  BUCKINGHAM To th'king I'll say't, and make my vouch186 as strong

  As shore of rock: attend. This holy fox,

  Or wolf, or both -- for he is equal188 rav'nous

  As he is subtle189, and as prone to mischief

  As able to perform't, his mind and place190

  Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally --

  Only to show his pomp192 as well in France

  As here at home, suggests193 the king our master

  To this last costly treaty, th'interview194

  That swallowed so much treasure195, and like a glass

  Did break i'th'wrenching196.

  NORFOLK Faith, and so it did.

  BUCKINGHAM Pray give me favour198, sir: this cunning cardinal

  The articles o'th'combination drew199

  As himself pleased: and they were ratified

  As he cried 'Thus let be', to as much end201

  As give a crutch to th'dead. But our count-cardinal202

  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 th'old dam treason -- Charles the Emperor206,

  Under pretence to see the queen his aunt --

  For 'twas indeed his colour208, but he came

  To whisper209 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

  Peeped harms that menaced him. He privily213

  Deals with our cardinal, and as I trow214 --

  Which I do well, for I am sure the emperor

  Paid ere216 he promised, whereby his suit was granted

  Ere it was asked -- but217 when the way was made

  And paved with gold, the emperor thus desired

  That he219 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 he222 pleases,

  And for his own advantage.

  NORFOLK I am sorry

  To hear this of him, and could wish he were

  Something mistaken226 in't.

  BUCKINGHAM No, not a syllable:

  I do pronounce him in that very shape

  He shall appear in proof229.

  Enter Brandon, a Sergeant-at-Arms before him, and two or three of the Guard

  BRANDON Your office230, sergeant: execute it.

  To Buckingham

  SERGEANT Sir,

  My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl

  Of Hertford233, Stafford and Northampton, I

  Arrest thee of high treason, in the name

  Of our most sovereign king.

  BUCKINGHAM Lo you, my lord,

  The net has fall'n upon me: I shall perish

  Under device and practice238.

  BRANDON I am sorry

  To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on240

  The business present. 'Tis his highness' pleasure241

  You shall to th'Tower242.

  BUCKINGHAM It will help me nothing243

  To plead mine innocence, for that dye is on me

  Which makes my whit'st part black. The will of heav'n

  Be done in this and all things: I obey.

  O my Lord Aberga'nny, fare you well.

  To Abergavenny

  BRANDON Nay, he must bear you company.-- The king

  Is pleased you shall to th'Tower, till you know

  How he determines further.

  ABERGAVENNY As the duke said,

  The will of heaven be done, and the king's pleasure

  By me obeyed.

  BRANDON Here is a warrant from

  The king t'attach Lord Montague and the bodies255

  Of the duke's conf
essor, John de la Car,

  One Gilbert Perk, his chancellor--

  BUCKINGHAM So, so;

  These are the limbs o'th'plot: no more, I hope.

  BRANDON A monk o'th'Chartreux260.

  BUCKINGHAM O, Nicholas Hopkins?

  BRANDON He.

  BUCKINGHAM My surveyor is false263: the o'er-great cardinal

  Hath showed him gold: my life is spanned264 already:

  I am the shadow of poor Buckingham265,

  Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on267,

  By dark'ning my clear sun. My lord, farewell.

  Exeunt

  Act 1 Scene 2

  running scene 2

  Cornets. Enter King Henry [VIII], leaning on the Cardinal [Wolsey]'s shoulder, the Nobles, [Wolsey's Secretary] and Sir Thomas Lovell: the Cardinal places himself under the King's feet on his right side

  KING HENRY VIII My life itself, and the best heart1 of it,

  Thanks you for this great care: I stood i'th'level2

  Of a full-charged confederacy3, and give thanks

  To you that choked it. Let be called before us

  That gentleman of Buckingham's: in person

  I'll hear him his confessions justify6,

  And point by point the treasons of his master

  He shall again relate.

  A noise within crying 'Room for the Queen, ushered by the Duke of Norfolk'. Enter the Queen [Katherine], Norfolk and Suffolk: she kneels. [The] King riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses and placeth her by him

  QUEEN KATHERINE Nay, we must longer kneel: I am a suitor9.

  KING HENRY VIII Arise, and take place10 by us: half your suit

  The Queen moves to his side

  Never name to us: you have half our power:

  The other moiety12 ere you ask is given:

  Repeat your will13 and take it.

  QUEEN KATHERINE Thank14 your majesty.

  That you would love yourself, and in that love

  Not unconsidered leave your honour, nor

  The dignity17 of your office, is the point

  Of my petition.