King John/Henry VIII (Signet Classics) Page 20
Clapped9 wings to me.
CHAMBERLAIN You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.
SANDS Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal
But half my lay12 thoughts in him, some of these
Should find a running banquet13 ere they rested
I think would better please 'em: by my life,
They are a sweet society15 of fair ones.
LOVELL O, that your lordship were but now confessor16
To one or two of these.
SANDS I would I were:
They should find easy penance19.
LOVELL Faith, how easy?
SANDS As easy as a down21 bed would afford it.
To Guildford
CHAMBERLAIN Sweet ladies, will it please you sit?-- Sir Harry,
Place you23 that side, I'll take the charge of this:
His grace is ent'ring. Nay, you must not freeze:
Two women placed together makes cold25 weather:
My lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking26:
Pray sit between these ladies.
SANDS By my faith,
He sits between Anne and another lady
And thank29 your lordship.--
By your leave, sweet ladies,
If I chance to talk a little wild30, forgive me:
I had it from my father.
ANNE Was he mad32, sir?
SANDS O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too:
But he would bite34 none: just as I do now,
He kisses her
He would kiss you twenty with a breath35.
CHAMBERLAIN Well said36, my lord.
So now you're fairly37 seated: gentlemen,
The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies
Pass away39 frowning.
SANDS For my little cure40,
Let me alone41.
Hautboys. Enter Cardinal Wolsey, and takes his state
CARDINAL WOLSEY You're welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady
Or gentleman that is not freely merry,
Is not my friend. This, to confirm my welcome,
He drinks
And to you all, good health.
SANDS Your grace is noble:
Let me have such a bowl may47 hold my thanks,
And save me so much talking.
CARDINAL WOLSEY My lord Sands,
I am beholding to you: cheer50 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 gamester56,
My lord Sands.
SANDS Yes, if I make my play58:
Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it59, madam,
For 'tis to such a thing60--
ANNE You cannot show me.
SANDS I told your grace they would talk anon62.
Drum and Trumpet: chambers discharged
CARDINAL WOLSEY What's that?
To Servants
CHAMBERLAIN Look out there, some of ye.
CARDINAL WOLSEY What warlike voice65,
Exit Servants
And to what end is this? Nay, ladies, fear not:
By all the laws of war you're privileged67.
Enter a Servant
CHAMBERLAIN How now, what is't?
SERVANT A noble troop of strangers69,
For so they seem: they've left their barge and landed,
And hither make71, as great ambassadors
From foreign princes.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Good Lord Chamberlain,
Go, give 'em welcome: you can speak the French tongue:
And pray receive 'em nobly, and conduct 'em
Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty76
Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him.
[Exit Chamberlain, attended]
All rise, and tables removed
You have now a broken78 banquet, but we'll mend it.
A good digestion to you all: and once more
I shower a welcome on ye: welcome all.
Hautboys. Enter King [Henry] and others as Masquers, habited like shepherds, ushered by the Lord Chamberlain. They pass directly before the Cardinal, and gracefully salute him
A noble company: what are their pleasures81?
CHAMBERLAIN Because they speak no English, thus they prayed
To tell your grace: that having heard by fame83
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,
But leave their flocks, and under your fair conduct87,
Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat
An hour of revels89 with 'em.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Say, Lord Chamberlain,
They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'em
A thousand thanks, and pray 'em take their pleasures.
[The Masquers] choose Ladies [for the dance]. [The] King [chooses] Anne Bullen
KING HENRY VIII The fairest hand I ever touched. O beauty,
Till now I never knew thee!
Music. [They] dance
CARDINAL WOLSEY My lord.
CHAMBERLAIN Your grace?
CARDINAL WOLSEY Pray, tell 'em thus much from me:
There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,
More worthy this place99 than myself, to whom,
If I but100 knew him, with my love and duty
I would surrender it.
CHAMBERLAIN I will, my lord.
[He talks in a] whisper [to the Masquers]
CARDINAL WOLSEY What say they?
CHAMBERLAIN Such a one, they all confess,
There is indeed, which they would have your grace
Find out, and he will take it106.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Let me see, then.
By all your good leaves, gentlemen, here I'll make
My royal choice.
KING HENRY VIII Ye have found him, cardinal:
He unmasks
You hold a fair111 assembly: you do well, lord.
You are a churchman, or I'll tell you, cardinal112,
I should judge now unhappily.
CARDINAL WOLSEY I am glad
Your grace is grown so pleasant115.
KING HENRY VIII My Lord Chamberlain,
Prithee117 come hither: what fair lady's that?
CHAMBERLAIN An't118 please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter --
The Viscount Rochford -- one of her highness' women119.
To Anne
KING HENRY VIII By heaven, she is a dainty120 one.-- Sweetheart,
I were unmannerly to take you out121
He drinks
And not to kiss you. A health122, gentlemen:
Let it go round.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet124 ready
I'th'privy chamber125?
LOVELL Yes, my lord.
To the King
CARDINAL WOLSEY Your grace,
I fear, with dancing is a little heated128.
KING HENRY VIII I fear too much.
CARDINAL WOLSEY There's fresher air, my lord,
In the next chamber.
To Anne
KING HENRY VIII Lead in your ladies, ev'ry one: sweet partner,
To Cardinal Wolsey
I must not yet forsake133 you:-- let's be merry,
Good my lord cardinal: I have half a dozen healths
To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure135
To lead 'em once again, and then let's dream136
Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it137.
Exeunt with Trumpets
Act 2 Scene 1
running scene 4
Enter two Gentlemen at several doors
FIRST GENTLEMAN Whither away so fast?
SECOND GENTLEMAN O, God save ye:
Of the great Duke of Buckingham.
FIRST GENTLEMAN I'll save you
That labour, sir. All's now done but the ceremony
Of bringing back the prisoner.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Were you there?
FIRST GENTLEMAN Yes, indeed was I.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Pray speak what has happened.
FIRST GENTLEMAN You may guess quickly what.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Is he found guilty?
FIRST GENTLEMAN Yes, truly is he, and condemned upon't.
SECOND GENTLEMAN I am sorry for't.
FIRST GENTLEMAN So are a number more.
SECOND GENTLEMAN But pray, how passed it16?
FIRST GENTLEMAN I'll tell you in a little17. The great duke
Came to the bar, where to his accusations18
He pleaded still not guilty, and alleged19
Many sharp reasons to defeat the law20.
The king's attorney, on the contrary,
Urged on the examinations, proofs22, confessions
Of divers23 witnesses, which the duke desired
To him brought viva voce24.1 to his face:
At which appeared against him his surveyor,
Sir Gilbert Perk his chancellor, and John Car,
Confessor to him, with that devil monk,
Hopkins, that made this mischief.
SECOND GENTLEMAN That was he
That fed him with his prophecies.
FIRST GENTLEMAN The same:
All these accused him strongly, which he fain32
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 forgotten37.
SECOND GENTLEMAN After all this, how did he bear himself?
FIRST GENTLEMAN When he was brought again to th'bar, to hear
His knell40 rung out, his judgement, he was stirred
With such an agony, he sweat41 extremely,
And something spoke in choler, ill42 and hasty:
But he fell to43 himself again, and sweetly
In all the rest showed a most noble patience.
SECOND GENTLEMAN I do not think he fears death.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Sure he does not:
He never was so womanish: the cause
He may a little grieve at.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Certainly
The cardinal is the end50 of this.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 'Tis likely
By all conjectures: first, Kildare's attainder52,
Then deputy53 of Ireland, who, removed,
Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,
Lest he should help his father55.
SECOND GENTLEMAN That trick of state56
Was a deep envious57 one.
FIRST GENTLEMAN At his58 return
No doubt he will requite59 it: this is noted,
And generally60, whoever the king favours,
The card'nal instantly will find employment,
And far enough from court too.
SECOND GENTLEMAN All the commons
Hate him perniciously64 and, o'my conscience,
Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much
They love and dote on, call him 'bounteous Buckingham,
The mirror67 of all courtesy'--
Enter Buckingham from his arraignment, Tipstaves before him, the axe with the edge towards him, Halberds on each side, accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovell, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir William Sands, and Common People etc.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Stay there, sir,
And see the noble ruined man you speak of.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Let's stand close70 and behold him.
BUCKINGHAM All good people,
You that thus far have come to pity me:
Hear what I say, and then go home and lose73 me.
I have this day received a traitor's judgement74,
And by that name must die: yet heaven bear witness,
And if I have a conscience, let it sink76 me,
Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful.
The law I bear no malice for my death,
'T has done upon the premises79, but justice:
But those that sought it I could wish more80 Christians:
Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em:
Yet let 'em look82 they glory not in mischief,
Nor build their evils83 on the graves of great men,
For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em.
For further life in this world I ne'er hope,
Nor will I sue86, although the king have mercies
More than I dare make faults87. You few that loved me,
And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,
His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave
Is only bitter to him, only dying90:
Go with me like good angels to my end,
And as the long divorce of steel92 falls on me,
Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice93,
To Lovell
And lift my soul to heaven.-- Lead on, i'God's name.
LOVELL I do beseech your grace, for charity,
If ever any malice in your heart
Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.
BUCKINGHAM Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you
As I would be forgiven: I forgive all.
There cannot be those numberless offences
Gainst me that I cannot take peace with: no black envy101
Shall make my grave. Commend me to his grace:
And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him
You met him half in heaven: my vows and prayers
Yet are the king's, and, till my soul forsake105,
Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live
Longer than I have time to tell107 his years:
Ever beloved and loving may his rule be:
And when old time109 shall lead him to his end,
Goodness and he fill up one monument110.
LOVELL To th'water-side I must conduct your grace,
Then give my charge112 up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,
Who undertakes113 you to your end.
VAUX Prepare there,
The duke is coming: see the barge be ready,
And fit it with such furniture116 as suits
The greatness of his person.
BUCKINGHAM Nay, Sir Nicholas,
Let it alone: my state119 now will but mock me.
When I came hither, I was Lord High Constable
And Duke of Buckingham: now, poor Edward Bohun:
Yet I am richer than my base122 accusers,
That never knew what truth meant. I now seal123 it,
And with that blood will make 'em one day groan for't.
My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,
Who first raised head against usurping Richard126,
Flying for succour to his servant Banister,
Being distressed, was by that wretch betrayed,
And without trial fell: God's peace be with him.
Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying
My father's loss, like a most royal prince,
Restored me to my honours, and out of ruins
Made my name once more noble. Now his son,
Henry the Eighth, life, honour, name and all
That made me happy, at one stroke135 has taken
For ever from the world. I had my trial,
And must needs say a noble one, which makes me
A little happier138 than my wretched father:
Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both
Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most:
A most unnatural and faithless service.
Heaven has an end142 in all: yet, you that hear me,
This from a dying man receive as ce
rtain143:
Where you are liberal of144 your loves and counsels,
Be sure you be not loose145: for those you make friends
And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
The least rub147 in your fortunes, fall away
Like water from ye, never found again
But149 where they mean to sink ye. All good people,
Pray for me. I must now forsake ye: the last hour
Of my long weary life is come upon me. Farewell:
And when you would say something that is sad,
Speak how I fell. I have done, and God forgive me.
Exeunt Duke and train
FIRST GENTLEMAN O, this is full of pity. Sir, it calls,
I fear, too many curses on their heads
That were the authors156.
SECOND GENTLEMAN If the duke be guiltless,
'Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling
Of an ensuing evil, if it fall159,
Greater than this.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Good angels keep it from us.
What may it be? You do not doubt my faith162, sir?
SECOND GENTLEMAN This secret is so weighty, 'twill require
A strong faith to conceal it.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Let me have it:
I do not talk much.
SECOND GENTLEMAN I am confident167:
You shall, sir: did you not of late168 days hear
A buzzing169 of a separation
Between the king and Katherine?
FIRST GENTLEMAN Yes, but it held not171:
For when the king once heard it, out of anger
He sent command to the Lord Mayor straight173
To stop the rumour, and allay174 those tongues
That durst disperse it.
SECOND GENTLEMAN But that slander, sir,
Is found a truth now: for it grows again
Fresher than e'er it was, and held for178 certain