King John/Henry VIII (Signet Classics) Read online

  Is that his noble grace would have some pity

  Upon my wretched women, that so long

  Have followed both my fortunes159 faithfully: Of which there is not one, I dare avow,

  And now I should not lie, but will deserve

  For virtue and true beauty of the soul,

  For honesty and decent carriage163, A right good husband -- let him be a noble --

  And sure those men are happy165 that shall have 'em.

  The last is for my men -- they are the poorest,

  But poverty could never draw 'em from me --

  That they may have their wages duly paid 'em,

  And something over169 to remember me by.

  If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life

  And able171 means, we had not parted thus.

  These are the whole contents, and, good my lord,

  By that you love the dearest in this world,

  As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,

  Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the king

  To do me this last right.

  CAPUTIUS By heaven, I will,

  Or let me lose the fashion178 of a man.

  KATHERINE I thank you, honest179 lord. Remember me

  In all humility unto his highness:

  Say his long trouble now is passing

  Out of this world. Tell him in death I blessed him,

  For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell,

  My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,

  You must not leave me yet. I must to bed:

  Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,

  Let me be used187 with honour: strew me over With maiden flowers188, that all the world may know I was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me,

  Then lay me forth190: although unqueened, yet like A queen and daughter to a king inter me.

  I can192 no more.

  Exeunt leading Katherine

  Act 5 Scene 1

  running scene 12

  Enter Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a torch before him, met by Sir Thomas Lovell

  GARDINER It's one o'clock, boy, is't not?

  PAGE It hath struck.

  GARDINER These should be hours for necessities3,

  Not for delights: times to repair our nature

  With comforting repose, and not for us

  To waste these times. Good hour of night, Sir Thomas:

  Whither7 so late?

  LOVELL Came you from the king, my lord?

  GARDINER I did, Sir Thomas, and left him at primero9

  With the Duke of Suffolk.

  LOVELL I must11 to him too,

  Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.

  GARDINER Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter?

  It seems you are in haste: an if14 there be No great offence15 belongs to't, give your friend Some touch of your late16 business: affairs that walk, As they say spirits do, at midnight, have

  In them a wilder nature than the business

  That seeks dispatch by day.

  LOVELL My lord, I love you,

  And durst commend21 a secret to your ear Much weightier than this work22. The queen's in labour --

  They say in great extremity -- and feared23

  She'll with the labour end.

  GARDINER The fruit she goes with25

  I pray for heartily, that it may find

  Good time, and live: but for the stock27, Sir Thomas, I wish it grubbed up28 now.

  LOVELL Methinks I could

  Cry the amen30, and yet my conscience says She's a good creature and, sweet lady, does

  Deserve our better wishes.

  GARDINER But, sir, sir,

  Hear me, Sir Thomas: you're a gentleman

  Of mine own way35. I know you wise, religious, And let me tell you, it will ne'er be well --

  'Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me --

  Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands38, and she Sleep in their graves.

  LOVELL Now, sir, you speak of two

  The most remarked41 i'th'kingdom. As for Cromwell, Beside that of the Jewel House, is made Master42

  O'th'Rolls and the king's secretary. Further, sir,

  Stands in the gap and trade44 of more preferments, With which the time45 will load him. Th'archbishop Is the king's hand and tongue, and who dare speak

  One syllable against him?

  GARDINER Yes, yes, Sir Thomas,

  There are49 that dare, and I myself have ventured To speak my mind of him: and indeed this day,

  Sir, I may tell it you, I think I have

  Incensed52 the lords o'th'council, that he is --

  For so I know he is, they know he is --

  A most arch-heretic54, a pestilence That does infect the land: with which they, moved55, Have broken56 with the king, who hath so far Given ear to our complaint, of his great grace

  And princely care, foreseeing those fell mischiefs58

  Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded

  Tomorrow morning to the council board

  He be convented. He's a rank61 weed, Sir Thomas, And we must root him out. From your affairs

  I hinder you too long. Goodnight, Sir Thomas.

  LOVELL Many good nights, my lord: I rest64 your servant.

  Exeunt Gardiner and Page

  Enter King [Henry] and Suffolk

  To Suffolk

  KING HENRY VIII Charles, I will play no more tonight:

  My mind's not on't: you are too hard66 for me.

  SUFFOLK Sir, I did never win of you before.

  KING HENRY VIII But little, Charles,

  Nor shall not when my fancy's69 on my play.

  Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news?

  LOVELL I could not personally deliver to her

  What you commanded me, but by her woman

  I sent your message, who returned her thanks

  In the great'st humbleness, and desired your highness

  Most heartily to pray for her.

  KING HENRY VIII What say'st thou? Ha?

  To pray for her? What, is she crying out?

  LOVELL So said her woman, and that her suff'rance78 made

  Almost each pang a death.

  KING HENRY VIII Alas, good lady.

  SUFFOLK God safely quit81 her of her burden, and

  With gentle travail, to the gladding82 of Your highness with an heir!

  KING HENRY VIII 'Tis midnight, Charles.

  Prithee to bed, and in thy prayers remember

  Th'estate86 of my poor queen. Leave me alone, For I must think of that which company

  Would not be friendly to.

  SUFFOLK I wish your highness

  A quiet night, and my good mistress will

  Remember in my prayers.

  KING HENRY VIII Charles, goodnight.

  Exit Suffolk

  Enter Sir Anthony Denny

  Well, sir, what follows?

  DENNY Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop,

  As you commanded me.

  KING HENRY VIII Ha? Canterbury?

  DENNY Ay, my good lord.

  KING HENRY VIII 'Tis true: where is he, Denny?

  DENNY He attends99 your highness' pleasure.

  KING HENRY VIII Bring him to us.

  [Exit Denny]

  Aside

  LOVELL This is about that which the bishop101 spake.

  I am happily102 come hither.

  Enter Cranmer and Denny

  KING HENRY VIII Avoid the gallery103.

  Lovell seems to stay

  Ha? I have said. Be gone.

  Exeunt Lovell and Denny

  What?

  Aside

  CRANMER I am fearful: wherefore frowns he thus?

  'Tis his aspect of terror106. All's not well.

  KING HENRY VIII How now, my lord? You desire to know

  Wherefore I sent for you.

  He kneels

  CRANMER It is my duty

  T'attend y
our highness' pleasure.

  KING HENRY VIII Pray you, arise,

  My good and gracious lord of Canterbury.

  Come, you and I must walk a turn together:

  Cranmer stands. They walk

  I have news to tell you. Come, come, give me your hand

  Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,

  And am right sorry to repeat what follows.

  I have, and most unwillingly, of late

  Heard many grievous118 -- I do say, my lord, Grievous -- complaints of you, which, being considered,

  Have moved120 us and our council, that you shall This morning come before us, where I know

  You cannot with such freedom purge122 yourself, But that, till further trial in those charges

  Which will require your answer, you must take124

  Your patience to you, and be well contented

  To make your house our Tower. You a brother of us126, It fits127 we thus proceed, or else no witness Would come against you.

  He kneels

  CRANMER I humbly thank your highness,

  And am right glad to catch this good occasion

  Most throughly to be winnowed131, where my chaff And corn shall fly asunder. For I know

  There's none stands under more calumnious133 tongues Than I myself, poor man.

  KING HENRY VIII Stand up, good Canterbury:

  Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted

  In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up:

  Cranmer stands. They walk

  Prithee, let's walk. Now, by my halidom138, What manner of man are you? My lord, I looked139

  You would have given me your petition140 that I should have ta'en some pains to bring together

  Yourself and your accusers, and to have heard you

  Without endurance further143.

  CRANMER Most dread144 liege,

  The good I stand on is my truth and honesty:

  If they shall fail, I with mine enemies

  Will triumph o'er my person, which I weigh147 not, Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing148

  What can be said against me.

  KING HENRY VIII Know you not

  How your state stands i'th'world, with the whole world?

  Your enemies are many, and not small: their practices152

  Must bear the same proportion, and not ever153

  The justice and the truth o'th'question carries

  The dew o'th'verdict with it: at155 what ease Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt

  To swear157 against you? Such things have been done.

  You are potently opposed, and with a malice

  Of as great size. Ween you of159 better luck --

  I mean in perjured witness -- than your master160, Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived

  Upon this naughty162 earth? Go to, go to: You take a precipice for no leap of danger163, And woo164 your own destruction.

  CRANMER God and your majesty

  Protect mine innocence, or I fall into

  The trap is167 laid for me.

  KING HENRY VIII Be of good cheer:

  They shall no more prevail than we give way to169.

  Keep comfort to you, and this morning see

  You do appear before them. If they shall chance171, In charging you with matters, to commit172 you, The best persuasions to the contrary

  Fail not to use, and with what vehemency

  Th'occasion shall instruct you. If entreaties

  Will render you no remedy, this ring

  Deliver them, and your appeal to us

  Cranmer weeps

  There make before them. Look, the good man weeps:

  He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother,

  I swear he is true-hearted, and a soul

  None better in my kingdom. Get you gone,

  And do as I have bid you.

  Exit Cranmer

  He has strangled

  His language in his tears.

  Enter Old Lady

  LOVELL Come back: what mean you?

  Within

  OLD LADY I'll not come back: the tidings that I bring

  To the King

  Will make my boldness manners.-- Now186 good angels Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person

  Under their blessed wings.

  KING HENRY VIII Now by thy looks

  I guess thy message. Is the queen delivered190?

  Say, 'Ay, and of a boy.'

  OLD LADY Ay, ay, my liege,

  And of a lovely boy: the God of heaven

  Both now and ever bless her. 'Tis a girl194

  Promises195 boys hereafter. Sir, your queen Desires your visitation, and196 to be Acquainted with this stranger: 'tis as like you

  As cherry is to cherry.

  KING HENRY VIII Lovell.

  LOVELL Sir?

  KING HENRY VIII Give her an hundred marks201. I'll to the queen.

  Exit King

  OLD LADY An hundred marks? By this light, I'll ha' more.

  An ordinary groom is for203 such payment.

  I will have more, or scold it out of him.

  Said I for this, the girl was like to him? I'll

  Have more, or else unsay't: and now, while 'tis hot206, I'll put it to the issue207.

  Exit [Old] Lady [with Lovell]

  Act 5 Scene 2

  running scene 13

  Enter Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury

  CRANMER I hope I am not too late, and yet the gentleman

  That was sent to me from the council prayed me

  To make great haste. All fast3? What means this? Ho!

  Who waits there?

  Enter [Door] Keeper

  Sure4 you know me?

  KEEPER Yes, my lord,

  But yet I cannot help you.

  CRANMER Why?

  KEEPER Your grace must wait till you be called for.

  Enter Doctor Butts [passing over the stage]

  CRANMER So9.

  Aside

  DOCTOR BUTTS This is a piece of malice. I am glad

  I came this way so happily11. The king Shall understand it presently12.

  Exit [Doctor] Butts

  Aside

  CRANMER 'Tis Butts,

  The king's physician: as he passed along

  How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me:

  Pray heaven he sound16 not my disgrace: for certain This is of purpose laid17 by some that hate me --

  God turn18 their hearts, I never sought their malice --

  To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me

  Wait else at door, a fellow councillor,

  'Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures

  Must be fulfilled, and I attend22 with patience.

  Enter the King [Henry] and [Doctor] Butts at a window above

  DOCTOR BUTTS I'll show your grace the strangest sight--

  KING HENRY VIII What's that, Butts?

  DOCTOR BUTTS I think your highness saw this many a day.

  KING HENRY VIII Body o'me26, where is it?

  DOCTOR BUTTS There, my lord:

  The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury,

  Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants29, Pages, and footboys30.

  KING HENRY VIII Ha? 'Tis he, indeed.

  Is this the honour they do one another?

  'Tis well there's one above 'em33 yet: I had thought They had parted so much honesty34 among 'em --

  At least good manners -- as not thus to suffer35

  A man of his place36, and so near our favour, To dance attendance37 on their lordships' pleasures --

  And at the door, too, like a post with packets38.

  By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:

  Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close40: We shall hear more anon.

  [Exeunt above]

  A council table brought in with chairs and stools, and placed under the state. Enter Lord Chancellor, places himself at the upper end of the table, on the left hand: a seat being l
eft void above him, as for Canterbury's seat. Duke of Suffolk, Duke of Norfolk, Surrey, Lord Chamberlain, Gardiner, seat themselves in order on each side. Cromwell at lower end, as secretary

  To Cromwell

  CHANCELLOR Speak to the business, master secretary:

  Why are we met in council?

  CROMWELL Please your honours,

  The chief cause concerns his grace of Canterbury.

  GARDINER Has he had knowledge of it?

  CROMWELL Yes.

  NORFOLK Who waits there?

  KEEPER Without49, my noble lords?

  GARDINER Yes.

  KEEPER My lord archbishop:

  And has done half an hour to know your pleasures.

  CHANCELLOR Let him come in.

  KEEPER Your grace may enter now.

  Cranmer [Enters below and] approaches the council table

  CHANCELLOR My good lord archbishop, I'm very sorry

  To sit here at this present56, and behold That chair57 stand empty: but we all are men, In our own natures frail, and capable58

  Of our flesh59: few are angels: out of which frailty And want60 of wisdom, you that best should teach us, Have misdemeaned yourself61, and not a little: Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling

  The whole realm, by your teaching and your chaplains

  For so we are informed -- with new opinions,

  Divers and dangerous, which are heresies65, And, not reformed, may prove pernicious66.

  GARDINER Which reformation must be sudden too,

  My noble lords, for those that tame wild horses

  Pace 'em not in their hands69 to make 'em gentle, But stop their mouths with stubborn70 bits and spur 'em Till they obey the manage. If we suffer71, Out of our easiness72 and childish pity To one man's honour, this contagious sickness,

  Farewell all physic74: and what follows then?

  Commotions, uproars, with a general taint75