網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Enter WOLSEY and CROMWELL.

Observe, observe, he's moody. Wol. The packet, Cromwell,

Gave 't you the king?

[blocks in formation]

Then out it goes. What though I know her

virtuous

And well deserving? yet I know her for

A spleeny Lutheran, and not wholesome to
Our cause, that she should lie i' the bosom of
Our hard-rul'd king. Again, there is sprung up
An heretic, an arch one, Cranmer; one
Hath crawl'd into the favour of the king,
And is his oracle.

Nor.

102

He is vex'd at something.

Sur. I would 't were something that would fret the string,

The master-cord on 's heart!
Suf.

The king, the king!

Enter the KING, reading a schedule, and LOVELL. K. Hen. What piles of wealth hath he accumulated

To his own portion! and what expense by the

hour

Seems to flow from him! How, i' the name

109

of thrift, Does he rake this together? Now, my lords, Saw you the cardinal?

Nor. My lord, we have Stood here observing him: some strange commotion

Is in his brain: he bites his lip, and starts; Stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground, Then lays his finger on his temple; straight Springs out into fast gait; then stops again, Strikes his breast hard; and anon he casts His eye against the moon: in most strange postures

We have seen him set himself.

121

K. Hen.
It may well be;
There is a mutiny in's mind. [This morning)
Papers of state he sent me to peruse,
As I requir'd: and wot you what I found
There, on my conscience, put unwittingly?
Forsooth, an inventory, thus importing,-
The several parcels of his plate, his treasure,
Rich stuffs, and ornaments of household; which
I find at such proud rate, that it out-speaks
Possession of a subject.

Nor.
It's heaven's will:
Some spirit put this paper in the packet,
To bless your eye withal.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

170

My studied purposes requite; which went
Beyond all man's endeavours: my endeavours
Have ever come too short of my desires,
Yet fil'd2 with my abilities: [mine own ends
Have been mine so, that evermore they pointed
To the good of your most sacred person and
The profit of the state. For your great graces
Heap'd upon me, poor undeserver, I
Can nothing render but allegiant thanks,
My prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty,
Which ever has and ever shall be growing,
Till death, that winter, kill it.

[blocks in formation]

180

A loyal and obedient subject is
Therein illustrated: the honour of it
Does pay the act of it; as, i' the contrary,
The foulness is the punishment. I presume
That, as my hand has open'd bounty to you,
My heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd
honour, more

On you than any, so your hand and heart,
Your brain, and every function of your power,
Should, notwithstanding that your bond of
duty,

As 't were in love's particular, be more 189 To me, your friend, than any.]

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

[Exit, frowning upon Wolsey: the Nobles throng after him, smiling and whispering.

What should this mean? What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd

it?

He parted frowning from me, as if ruin Leap'd from his eyes: so looks the chafed lion

Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him;

Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper;

I fear, the story of his anger. 'Tis so;
This paper has undone me: 't is the account
Of all that world of wealth I have drawn to-
gether

211

For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the Popedom,

And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence,
Fit for a fool to fall by! what cross1 devil
Made me put this main secret in the packet
I sent the king? Is there no way to cure
this?

No new device to beat this from his brains?
I know 't will stir him strongly; yet I know
A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune,
Will bring me off again. What's this? "To
the Pope!"

220

The letter, as I live, with all the business
I writ to 's holiness. Nay, then, farewell!
I have touch'd the highest point of all my

greatness;

And, from that full meridian of my glory, I haste now to my setting: I shall fall Like a bright exhalation in the evening, And no man see me more.

1 Prime, first, foremost.

2 Fil'd, kept pace.

3 Chiding, resounding.

4 Cross, perverse.

« 上一頁繼續 »