King John/Henry VIII (Signet Classics) Page 44
44 bowed bent, i.e. worthless (puns on "bawd")
45 queen it play the queen; puns on "quean" meaning "prostitute"
47 bear endure/support during sex/give birth to
47 load of title title of duchess/duke himself/duke's child 49 pluck off come down (in aspiration; literally "undress") 50 count i.e. rank lower than a duke; puns on "cunt"
50 way path/condition (of being a virgin)
51 For ... to i.e. on account of sexual modesty 52 vouchsafe permit, accept
52 burden i.e. of a man's body during sex
53 get beget, conceive
57 little England affectionate term for England itself/Pembrokeshire, south Wales, where most people spoke English rather than Welsh/Westminster Hall 58 emballing to be invested with the orb of sovereignty (as queen)/ sexual intercourse 59 Caernarvonshire a poor rural county in north Wales
59 longed belonged
62 conference conversation
64 values not is not worth
66 gentle noble/kind
74 Commends declares, offers
75 purpose intend
78 grace favor
80 kind manifestation
80 tender offer (in return)
81 More ... nothing more than all I am able to offer is still insufficient (nothing may pick up on the sense of "vagina," which is of course what Anne is required to supply) 82 hallowed blessed, sanctified
83 More of more
85 Vouchsafe agree
89 t'approve to corroborate, confirm
89 conceit opinion, notion
90 perused observed, examined
93 gem i.e. an heir (anticipating Elizabeth's birth) 94 lighten illuminate (some jewels were thought to emit light) 99 beggarly still poor
100 Come ... late i.e. ask at the appropriate time 100 pat neatly
101 suit of pounds request for money
101 pound plays on the sense of rags/(fish) ponds
102 fresh young/blooming
102 fish woman/whore
102 fie expression of reproach
103 compelled enforced/unsought
103 have ... it i.e. to get plenty without even needing to ask (probably also refers to oral sex) 105 strange odd, incomprehensible/new, unfamiliar
106 tastes probably continues to play on the idea of oral sex 106 Forty pence i.e. I'll bet a small amount 108 queen continues to pun of "quean" (i.e. prostitute) 109 mud i.e. wealth, since
109 Egypt was known for its rich soil
110 pleasant merry, joking
111 your theme your subject (i.e. the same advancement as you) 112 O'ermount rise higher than
115 honour's ... foreskirt i.e. more rewards will follow, just as the train of a dress is longer than the front of the skirt (perhaps with some sexual suggestion of lifting one's skirt) 117 your ... duchess i.e. you will marry a duke and bear his children 120 particular fancy personal imaginings
121 on't of it
122 salute affects, excites
122 blood passions, spirits (perhaps with play on "sexual desires") 122 faints me makes me faint
125 deliver report
2.4 Location: Blackfriars (a Dominican monastery in London)
2.4 sennet trumpet fanfare signaling a procession 2.4 Vergers officials carrying rods of office who process in front of Church dignitaries 2.4 habit of doctors academic robes worn by Doctors of Law, i.e. black gowns and flat hats 2.4 St Asaph Llanelwy, an ancient bishopric in north Wales 2.4 purse it contained the great seal of England, used by the king to authenticate documents; the Lord Chancellor (Wolsey) was its official keeper 2.4 cloth of state canopy over a throne
2.4 consistory ecclesiastical court
5 th'authority allowed its authority recognized
16 stranger foreigner
18 indifferent impartial
19 equal fair
19 proceeding course of action/legal proceedings
22 proceed ... off go about to dismiss me/take legal action to discard me 23 grace favor/royal person
25 conformable compliant, obedient
26 dislike displeasure
27 countenance facial expression/favor/disposition
33 to him derived drawn upon himself
38 many children Katherine had six children by Henry, of whom only one (Mary) survived infancy 40 honour good name
40 aught anything
42 Against toward
48 wit wisdom
49 one The wisest the very wisest
54 Wherefore for which reason
60 reverend fathers clergymen
62 elect best, most choice men
63 bootless useless
64 longer any longer
64 desire request (i.e. the trial's postponement)
65 quiet peace of mind
69 session court, judicial gathering
77 certain certainly
81 before i.e. before you are humble (which you'll never be) 84 challenge formal objection (legal term)
86 blown this coal i.e. stirred up trouble (proverbial) 88 abhor reject
94 stood to upheld
97 spleen malice
104 gainsay deny
105 worthily justly
107 free innocent
107 report condemnation, allegation
108 your wrong the wrong you do me in making such statements 111 in about, with regard to
117 sign display
117 in full seeming to all appearances
121 slightly with ease
122 powers officials in power/power of position
122 retainers servants
123 Domestics servants
123 as't ... office in whatever manner you wish, as soon as you utter their tasks 125 tender regard, are concerned with
126 that so that
129 cause legal case
130 offers attempts, makes to
132 Stubborn resistant
132 apt quick, ready
138 keep your way keep going
141 tarry stay, linger
148 rare excellent/exceptional
149 government control (of self and others)
150 Obeying in commanding behaving with restraint even when issuing orders/behaving both like a queen and a dutiful wife 150 parts ... else other superior and pious qualities 150 Sovereign excellent/royal
151 speak thee out declare themselves as being in you 154 Carried conducted
156 require request
160 satisfied compensated
166 prejudice detriment
166 state situation/rank
167 touch taint, stain
169 excuse exonerate
170 you ... taught i.e. you know full well
172 curs dogs
178 passages proceedings
179 speak support
182 mark th'inducement note what persuaded me
183 tenderness sensitivity
187 'twixt between
189 determinate resolution conclusive outcome
191 advertise notify, discuss with
193 dowager i.e. Katherine, the widow of Henry's brother Arthur 194 Sometimes formerly
196 spitting piercing, stabbing
198 mazed considerings bewildered thoughts, confused wonderings 200 smile i.e. favor
203 offices duties, services
2.4 two ... pillars like the mace, emblems of Wolsey's role as cardinal 205 Or either
206 This ... them i.e. birth
209 gladded made glad
211 issue's offspring's
212 throe pain (a word often used of labor pains)
212 hulling drifting (with sails furled)
217 full very
217 yet still (now)
219 doctors scholars
221 oppression burdensome distress
221 reek sweat
222 moved put the matter to, appealed to
225 satisfied reassured
228 Bearing ... dread given that it concerned a matter of great importance and potentially alarming consequences 229 committed ... do
ubt questioned the most extreme, audacious advice I was inclined to give (i.e. to pursue divorce) 237 particular individual
238 Under ... seals i.e. with your formal written agreement 238 hands signatures
242 Prove but if you can only prove
244 wear ... come spend our remaining life (or perhaps "our earthly sovereignty") 245 primest most supreme (perhaps plays on the sense of "youngest, freshest") 246 paragoned put forth as an ideal model
248 a needful fitness necessarily appropriate behavior 249 further another
250 motion request
252 his holiness i.e. the Pope
255 dilatory delaying (with specifically legal sense of entering a dilatory plea to delay proceedings) 257 return the clergyman Thomas Cranmer was at this point in Europe, gathering support for Henry's divorce 259 set on advance, proceed
3.1 Location: the royal court, London
1 lute stringed musical instrument played like a guitar
2 leave stop
3 Orpheus legendary Greek poet, whose music had the power to charm trees, animals, and stones 3 made i.e. made them bow
7 as as if
10 billows swelling waves
11 lay by subsided, became calm
13 Killing fatal, deadly
17 presence royal reception chamber
19 willed ordered
20 Pray ask (politely)
24 as righteous i.e. as their goodness
27 part of partly
28 all i.e. wholly a housewife
28 against in anticipation of
28 worst i.e. divorce from Henry (which would necessitate careful domestic and economic management for a woman living alone) 35 corner i.e. secrecy
36 free innocent
37 happy fortunate
38 a number many others
40 Envy malice
41 even straightforward, constant
42 that ... in it concerns my wifely status
44 Tanta ... serenissima "So great is my integrity toward you, most serene queen" (Latin) 46 truant negligent student
46 coming i.e. to England from Spain
48 strange foreign
52 willing'st most deliberate
57 all only
57 faith loyalty, integrity, honesty
58 by the way for the purpose of
62 minded inclined
62 difference disagreement
64 free honorable, upright
76 suddenly immediately, spontaneously
78 wit intelligence
80 set seated
81 looking prepared
83 her ... been i.e. my sake as the queen I was till now 84 fit brief period
90 profit benefit
93 desperate reckless
94 live a subject i.e. continue to be treated as a loyal subject to Henry (despite supporting the queen) 94 forsooth in truth
95 weigh out counterbalance, compensate for/outweigh/assess fully 106 part away depart
109 Out upon ye dismissive exclamation, "Away with you"
112 mistakes causes you to misunderstand
114 cardinal virtues there were four of these: justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude 115 cardinal sins the seven deadly sins: pride, covetousness, envy, wrath, gluttony, sloth, and lechery (cardinal, as well as playing on the men's ecclesiastical titles, may pun on "carnal") 117 cordial heart-restoring remedy
121 at once suddenly/all at once
123 mere distraction complete frenzy
124 envy hatred, ill will
126 professors those who profess to be Christians
128 habits garments, i.e. the mere outer appearance 130 his from his
132 fellowship partnership/sexual intimacy
134 above more than
134 studies efforts
137 speak speak for, defend
139 vainglory boasting
141 full affections complete love
142 Still always, with constancy
142 next next to
143 fondness affection/foolishness
143 superstitious excessively devoted, idolatrous
150 wander from stray from/mistake
154 dignities nobleness, high rank
156 Would I wish
168 ends intentions
170 places (Church) positions
175 carriage behavior
179 temper temperament
180 even level
180 calm calm sea
184 casts rejects (plays on sense of melting metal to form coins) 188 studies efforts
190 used conducted
193 do my service pay my respects
197 That who
197 set footing here arrived in England
2 force urge, press
2 a constancy persistence
3 omit ... time neglect this current opportunity
9 duke i.e. of Buckingham
10 him i.e. Wolsey
12 uncontemned unscorned, not treated contemptuously
13 neglected disregarded/slighted
15 Out of beyond
19 Gives way favors
19 fear doubt
22 in's in his
24 out ended, lost
26 he's may apply to Wolsey or to Henry
27 come off escape (if Wolsey)/ desist (if Henry)
27 his i.e. Henry's
32 contrary oppositional/contradictory
33 unfolded exposed
36 practices schemes
39 miscarried went astray/were intercepted
42 stay delay
45 creature dependant, servant
49 perceives him perceives
49 coasts And hedges is indirect and devious (as if traveling in a roundabout manner along a coastline or by hedgerows) 51 physic remedy
58 Trace the conjunction follow the marriage
60 All men's puns on amen
62 Marry by the Virgin Mary (picks up on the notion of marriage) 62 young i.e. recent news
62 may ... unrecounted perhaps not everyone will have heard it/not everyone needs to hear it 64 gallant fine, splendid
64 complete perfect
65 persuade me am convinced
66 fall befall/be born
67 memorized made memorable
69 Digest endure, stomach
76 cause i.e. the divorce
76 unhandled unresolved, without management
77 Is posted has gone in haste
84 He ... opinions i.e. letters from him have been received ahead of his arrival; the opinions may be Cranmer's own or, more likely, those that he was sent to gather on the divorce 88 published announced publicly
100 moody sullen, angry
101 packet dispatch, packet of letters
103 Looked ... paper? i.e. Did he open it?
105 Presently immediately
107 heed care, attention
111 abroad out of his bedchamber
112 this this time
117 visage face
125 late former
127 clear bright
127 snuff it trim its wick
130 spleeny Lutheran hot-headed Protestant
130 wholesome beneficial, healthy
131 lie i'th'bosom of i.e. have sex with/share the secrets of 132 hard-ruled difficult to manage; possible erectile connotations 133 arch-one major, principal one (plays on "archbishop") 134 Hath who has
136 schedule document
137 fret gnaw, fray/add frets or ridges (to aid tuning on a stringed instrument) 138 master-cord main sinew, chief string
138 on's of his
141 portion share
146 commotion agitation
149 straight straight away
152 against toward
157 wot know
159 importing concerning
160 several parcels various pieces
160 plate gold or silver tableware
161 stuffs material, cloth
161 ornaments of household furnishings
162 proud rate great cost/vast quantity
; 162 outspeaks ... subject far exceeds what a subject ought to own 166 withal with
168 contemplation thoughts/religious musing
169 should would be allowed (to)
171 below the moon i.e. worldly
176 stuff matter (plays on the sense of "(rich) fabric"; the king's loaded language continues with inventory, steal, audit) 177 graces virtues
179 leisure time for contemplation
180 keep ... audit see to your worldly accounts (as opposed to the spiritual reckoning at Judgment Day) 181 ill husband poor domestic manager
181 glad i.e. because Wolsey is so unconcerned with self-seeking material matters (ironic) 187 times of preservation life-sustaining activities (i.e. eating, sleeping) 187 perforce of necessity
189 tendance attention
197 crown ... you i.e. by investing Wolsey with Church promotions 199 alone only
201 pared trimmed, reduced
201 havings fortune
206 prime foremost, most powerful (under the king)
207 pronounce declare
208 withal moreover, in addition
210 graces favors
211 could ... requite my most deliberate efforts could repay 215 filed kept pace
216 so only to the extent
220 allegiant loyal
226 the ... it "honor is the reward of virtue" was proverbial 228 foulness dishonor, public shame
232 power faculties
233 notwithstanding ... duty despite your duty to the Church/beyond the debt of allegiance of any subject to his king 233 that your i.e. that
234 in love's particular on account of the intimacy of close friendship 238 that ... be I who am, have been and will be (after digressing, Wolsey never in fact finishes this sentence) 239 crack violate, destroy
242 horrid frightening
243 chiding tumultuous, angry
244 break interrupt/stem
254 chafed enraged
255 galled wounded/angered
256 makes him nothing destroys him (the huntsman) 257 story cause/narrative
258 undone ruined
258 account may play on the sense of "story, narrative"
259 world vast quantity
261 fee pay/bribe
262 cross perverse, thwarting
263 main chief, significant
265 device strategy, trick
266 stir anger
267 take right works properly, succeeds
268 bring me off rescue me
272 meridian highest point (of the sun)
273 setting decline, sunset
274 exhalation shooting star, meteor
277 presently immediately
279 Asher House Esher House, Surrey, which belonged to Wolsey as Bishop of Winchester 282 commission warrant, authority
284 cross challenge
286 it i.e. obey their orders
289 metal material/mettle (i.e. disposition, spirit) 289 envy malice
291 sleek fawning, oily
291 wanton unprincipled, lawless, merciless
295 rewards i.e. punishments
298 enjoy use, benefit from
300 Tied authorized, confirmed
300 letters patents documents signed by the king conferring land, title or official position 305 forty hours used indefinitely to convey a broad period of time 308 scarlet sin refers to the color of a cardinal's robes; also to Isaiah 1:18 which describes sins as "red like scarlet"
311 parts qualities
312 Weighed equaled in weight