King John/Henry VIII (Signet Classics) Page 21
The king will venture at it179. Either the cardinal,
Or some about him near180, have, out of malice
To the good queen, possessed him with a scruple181
That will undo her: to confirm this too,
Cardinal Campeius183 is arrived, and lately,
As all think, for this business.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 'Tis the cardinal:
And merely to revenge him on the emperor186
For not bestowing on him at his asking
The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purposed188.
SECOND GENTLEMAN I think you have hit the mark189: but is't not cruel
That she should feel the smart190 of this? The cardinal
Will have his will, and she must fall.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 'Tis woeful.
We are too open193 here to argue this:
Let's think in private more.
Exeunt
Act 2 Scene 2
running scene 5
Enter Lord Chamberlain, reading this letter
CHAMBERLAIN 'My lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with
all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden and furnished2.
They were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the
north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of
my lord cardinal's, by commission and main5 power, took 'em
from me, with this reason: his master would be served before
a subject, if not before the king, which stopped our mouths,
sir.' I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them: he will have
all, I think.
Enter to the Lord Chamberlain the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk
NORFOLK Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.
CHAMBERLAIN Good day to both your graces.
SUFFOLK How is the king employed?
CHAMBERLAIN I left him private13,
Full of sad14 thoughts and troubles.
NORFOLK What's the cause?
CHAMBERLAIN It seems the marriage with his brother's wife
Has crept too near his conscience.
SUFFOLK No, his conscience18
Has crept too near another lady.
NORFOLK 'Tis so:
This is the cardinal's doing: the king-cardinal,
That blind22 priest, like the eldest son of fortune,
Turns what he list. The king will know23 him one day.
SUFFOLK Pray God he do: he'll never know himself else.
NORFOLK How holily he25 works in all his business,
And with what zeal! For now he has cracked the league
Between us and the emperor, the queen's great-nephew,
He dives into the king's soul, and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,
Fears, and despairs, and all these for his marriage.
And out of all these, to restore the king,
He counsels a divorce, a loss of her
That like a jewel has hung twenty years
About his neck, yet never lost her lustre:
Of her that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with: even of her
That when the greatest stroke of fortune falls
Will bless the king: and is not this course pious?
CHAMBERLAIN Heaven keep me from such counsel: 'tis most true
These news are everywhere, every tongue speaks 'em,
And every true heart weeps for't. All that dare
Look into these affairs see this main end42:
The French king's sister43. Heaven will one day open
The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon44
This bold45 bad man.
SUFFOLK And free us from his slavery.
NORFOLK We had need pray,
And heartily, for our deliverance,
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages: all men's honours
Lie like one lump51 before him, to be fashioned
Into what pitch52 he please.
SUFFOLK For53 me, my lords,
I love him not, nor fear him: there's my creed:
As I am made without him, so I'll stand55,
If the king please: his curses and his blessings
Touch me alike: they're breath57 I not believe in.
I knew him, and I know him: so I leave him
To him that made him proud: the Pope.
NORFOLK Let's in,
And with some other business put the king
From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him:
My lord, you'll bear us company?
CHAMBERLAIN Excuse me,
The king has sent me otherwhere65: besides,
You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him:
Health to your lordships.
NORFOLK Thanks, my good Lord Chamberlain.
Exit Lord Chamberlain, and the King [Henry] draws the curtain and sits reading pensively
SUFFOLK How sad he looks: sure, he is much afflicted.
KING HENRY VIII Who's there? Ha?
NORFOLK Pray God he be not angry.
KING HENRY VIII Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves
Into my private meditations?
Who am I? Ha?
NORFOLK A gracious king that pardons all offences
Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty this way76
Is business of estate77, in which we come
To know your royal pleasure.
KING HENRY VIII Ye are too bold:
Go to80: I'll make ye know your times of business:
Is this an hour for temporal81 affairs? Ha?
Enter [Cardinal] Wolsey and [Cardinal] Campeius with a commission
Who's there? My good lord cardinal? O my Wolsey,
The quiet83 of my wounded conscience:
Thou art a cure84 fit for a king.-- You're welcome,
To Cardinal Campeius
Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom:
Use us and it.-- My good lord, have great care
To Cardinal Wolsey
I be not found a talker87.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Sir, you cannot:
I would your grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference.
To Norfolk and Suffolk
KING HENRY VIII We are busy: go.
Norfolk and Suffolk speak
NORFOLK This priest92 has no pride in him?
aside
SUFFOLK Not to speak of:
I would not be so sick94 though for his place:
But this cannot continue.
NORFOLK If it do,
I'll venture one have-at-him97.
SUFFOLK I another.
Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk
CARDINAL WOLSEY Your grace has given a precedent99 of wisdom
Above all princes, in committing freely
Your scruple to the voice of Christendom101:
Who can be angry now? What envy102 reach you?
The Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her103,
Must now confess104, if they have any goodness,
The trial just and noble. All the clerks105,
I mean the learned ones in Christian kingdoms,
Have their free voices107. Rome, the nurse of judgement,
Invited by your noble self, hath sent
One general tongue109 unto us: this good man,
This just and learned priest, Card'nal Campeius,
Whom once more I present unto your highness.
KING HENRY VIII And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome,
And thank the holy conclave113 for their loves:
They have sent me such a man I would have wished for.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS Your grace must needs deserve all strangers115' loves,
You are so noble: to your highness' hand
I tender my commission, by whose virtue117,
The court of Rome commanding, you my lord
Cardinal of York, are joined with me their servant
In the unpartial120 judging of this business.
KING HENRY VIII Two equal men: the queen shall be acquainted
Forthwith for what you come. Where's Gardiner?
CARDINAL WOLSEY I know your majesty has always loved her
So dear in heart, not to deny her that124
A woman of less place125 might ask by law:
Scholars allowed freely to argue for her.
KING HENRY VIII Ay, and the best she shall have, and my favour
To him that does best, God forbid else. Cardinal,
Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary.
Cardinal Wolsey calls Gardiner
I find him a fit130 fellow.
Enter Gardiner
CARDINAL WOLSEY Give me your hand: much joy and favour to you;
Aside to Gardiner
You are the king's now.
Aside to Wolsey
GARDINER But to be commanded
For ever by your grace, whose hand has raised me.
KING HENRY VIII Come hither, Gardiner.
[The King] walks and whispers [with Gardiner]
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS My lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace
In this man's place before him?
CARDINAL WOLSEY Yes, he was.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS Was he not held a learned man?
CARDINAL WOLSEY Yes, surely.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread then,
Even of yourself, lord cardinal.
CARDINAL WOLSEY How? Of me?
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS They will not stick144 to say you envied him,
And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous,
Kept him a foreign man still146, which so grieved him,
That he ran mad and died.
CARDINAL WOLSEY Heav'n's peace be with him:
That's Christian care enough: for living murmurers149
There's places of rebuke. He was a fool,
For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow,
If I command him, follows my appointment152:
I will have none so near else153. Learn this, brother,
We live not to be griped by meaner154 persons.
To Gardiner
KING HENRY VIII Deliver this with modesty155 to th'queen.
Exit Gardiner
The most convenient place that I can think of
For such receipt of learning is Blackfriars157:
There ye shall meet about this weighty business.
My Wolsey, see it furnished159. O, my lord,
Would it not grieve an able160 man to leave
So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience161, conscience:
O, 'tis a tender place, and I must leave her.
Exeunt
Act 2 Scene 3
running scene 6
Enter Anne Bullen and an Old Lady
ANNE Not for that neither: here's the pang that pinches1:
His highness having lived so long with her, and she
So good a lady that no tongue could ever
Pronounce4 dishonour of her -- by my life,
She never knew harm-doing -- O, now, after
So many courses of the sun6 enthroned,
Still growing in a majesty and pomp, the which
To leave a thousandfold more bitter than
'Tis sweet at first to acquire -- after this process9,
To give her the avaunt, it is a pity10
Would move a monster.
OLD LADY Hearts of most hard temper12
Melt and lament for her.
ANNE O, God's will! Much better
She ne'er had known pomp: though't be temporal15,
Yet, if that quarrel16, fortune, do divorce
It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance panging17
As soul and body's severing.
OLD LADY Alas, poor lady,
She's a stranger20 now again.
ANNE So much the more
Must pity drop upon her: verily,
I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born,
And range with humble livers24 in content,
Than to be perked up in a glist'ring25 grief,
And wear a golden sorrow.
OLD LADY Our content
Is our best having28.
ANNE By my troth and maidenhead29,
I would not be a queen.
OLD LADY Beshrew31 me, I would,
And venture maidenhead for't, and so would you,
For all this spice33 of your hypocrisy:
You, that have so fair parts34 of woman on you,
Have, too, a woman's heart, which ever yet
Affected36 eminence, wealth, sovereignty:
Which, to say sooth37, are blessings: and which gifts,
Saving your mincing38, the capacity
Of your soft cheverel39 conscience would receive,
If you might please to stretch it.
ANNE Nay, good troth41.
OLD LADY Yes, troth and troth: you would not be a queen?
ANNE No, not for all the riches under heaven.
OLD LADY 'Tis strange: a three-pence bowed44 would hire me,
Old as I am, to queen it45: but, I pray you,
What think you of a duchess? Have you limbs
To bear that load of title47?
ANNE No, in truth.
OLD LADY Then you are weakly made: pluck off49 a little:
I would not be a young count in your way50,
For more than blushing comes to51: if your back
Cannot vouchsafe this burden52, 'tis too weak
Ever to get53 a boy.
ANNE How you do talk!
I swear again, I would not be a queen
For all the world.
OLD LADY In faith, for little England57
You'd venture an emballing58: I myself
Would for Caernarvonshire, although there longed59
No more to th'crown but that. Lo, who comes here?
Enter Lord Chamberlain
CHAMBERLAIN Good morrow, ladies: what were't worth to know
The secret of your conference62?
ANNE My good lord,
Not your demand: it values not64 your asking:
Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying.
CHAMBERLAIN It was a gentle66 business, and becoming
The action of good women: there is hope
All will be well.
ANNE Now I pray God, amen.
CHAMBERLAIN You bear a gentle mind, and heav'nly blessings
Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's
Ta'en of your many virtues: the king's majesty
Commends74 his good opinion of you, and
Does purpose75 honour to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke: to which title
A thousand pound a year, annual support,
Out of his grace78 he adds.
ANNE I do not know
What kind of my obedience I should tender80:
More than my all is nothing81: nor my prayers
Are not words duly hallowed82, nor my wishes
More83 worth than empty vanities: yet prayers and wishes
Are all I can return. Beseech your lordship,
Vouchsafe85 to speak my thanks and my obedience,
As from a blushing handmaid to his highness,
Whose health and royalty I pray for.
CHAMBERLAIN Lady,
I shall not fail t'approve the fair conceit89
Aside
The king hath of you.-- I have perused90 her well:
Beauty and honour in her are so mingled
That they have caught the king: and who knows yet
But from this lady may proceed a gem93
To Anne
To lighten94 all this isle.-- I'll to the king
And say I spoke with you.
ANNE My honour
ed lord.
Exit Lord Chamberlain
OLD LADY Why, this it is: see, see!
I have been begging sixteen years in court,
Am yet a courtier beggarly99, nor could
Come pat100 betwixt too early and too late
For any suit of pounds101, and you -- O fate! --
A very fresh fish here -- fie102, fie, fie upon
This compelled fortune! -- have your mouth filled up103
Before you open it.
ANNE This is strange105 to me.
OLD LADY How tastes it? Is it bitter? Forty pence106, no:
There was a lady once, 'tis an old story,
That would not be a queen108, that would she not
For all the mud in Egypt109: have you heard it?
ANNE Come, you are pleasant110.
OLD LADY With your theme111, I could
O'ermount112 the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke?
A thousand pounds a year for pure respect?
No other obligation? By my life,
That promises more thousands: honour's train115
Is longer than his foreskirt: by this time
I know your back will bear a duchess117. Say,
Are you not stronger than you were?
ANNE Good lady,
Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy120,
And leave me out on't121. Would I had no being
If this salute my blood a jot: it faints me122,
To think what follows.
The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful
In our long absence: pray, do not deliver125
What here you've heard to her.
OLD LADY What do you think me?
Exeunt
Act 2 Scene 4
running scene 7
Trumpets, sennet and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them two Scribes in the habit of doctors [and a Crier]: after them, the [Arch]bishop of Canterbury alone: after him, the Bishops of Lincoln, Ely, Rochester and St Asaph: next them, with some small distance, follows a Gentleman bearing the purse, with the great seal, and a cardinal's hat: then two Priests, bearing each a silver cross: then a Gentleman-usher bare-headed, accompanied with a Sergeant-at-arms, bearing a silver mace: then two Gentlemen bearing two great silver pillars: after them, side by side, the two Cardinals