The King takes his state*. The Lords of the Council take their several places. The Cardinal places himself under the King's feet, on his right side. A noise within, crying Room for the Queen. Enter the Queen, ushered by the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk: she kneels. The King riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses, and placeth her by him. Q. Kath. Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a suitor. K. Hen, Arise, and take place by us :-Half your suit Never name to us; you have half our power: The other moiety, ere you ask, is given; Repeat your will, and take it. Q. Kath. Thank your majesty. That you would love yourself; and, in that love, Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor The dignity of your office, is the point Of my petition. K. Hen. Lady mine, proceed. Q. Kath. I am solicited, not by a few, And those of true condition, that your subjects My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches Of these exactions, yet the king our master (Whose honour Heaven shield from soil!) even he escapes not Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks In loud rebellion. * Chair. Nor. Not almost appears, It doth appear; for, upon these taxations, K. Hen. Taxation! Wherein? and what taxation?-My lord cardinal, You that are blam'd for it alike with us, Know you of this taxation? Wol. Please you, sir, I know but of a single part, in aught Pertains to the state; and front but in that file* Q. Kath. some To those which would not know them, and yet must K. Hen. Still exaction! The nature of it? In what kind, let's know, Q. Kath. I am much too venturous In tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd Under your promis'd pardon. The subject's grief Comes through commissions, which compel from each The sixth part of his substance, to be levied * I am only one among the other counsellors. Is nam'd, your wars in France: This makes bold mouths: Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze Allegiance in them; their curses now, Live where their prayers did; and it's come to pass, That tractable obedience is a slave To each incensed will. I would, your highness Would give it quick consideration, for There is no primer business. K. Hen. This is against our pleasure. Wol. By my life, And for me, I have no farther gone in this, than by A single voice; and that not pass'd me, but If I am traduc'd by tongues, which neither know The chronicles of my doing,-let me say, 'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake That virtue must go through. We must not stintt Our necessary actions, in the fear To cope malicious censurers; which ever, K. Hen. Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; *Thicket of thorns. Sometime. + Retard. Approved. Encounter. Sixth part of each? Why, we take, and part o' the timber; We must not rend our subjects from our laws, The force of this commission: Pray, look to't; Wol. A word with you. [To the Secretary. Let there be letters writ to every shire, Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd commons That, through our intercession, this revokement Enter Surveyor. [Exit Secretary. Q. Kath. I am sorry, that the duke of Bucking ham Is run in your displeasure. K. Hen. It grieves many: The gentleman is learn'd, and a most rare speaker, To nature none more bound; his training such, That he may furnish and instruct great teachers, And never seek for aid out of himself. Yet see When these so noble benefits shall prove Not well-dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt, • Beyond. That once were his, and is become as black As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear (This was his gentleman in trust), of him Things to strike honour sad.-Bid him recount We cannot feel too little, hear too much. Wol. Stand forth; and with bold spirit relate what you, Most like a careful subject, have collected K. Hen. Speak freely. Surv. First, it was usual with him, every day Wol. Please your highness, note This dangerous conception in this point. Not friended by his wish, to your high person His will is most malignant; and it stretches Beyond you, to your friends. Q. Kath. Deliver all with charity. K. Hen. My learn'd lord cardinal, Speak on: How grounded he his title to the crown, Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him Surv. By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins. Surv. He was brought to this Sir, a Chartreux friar, How know'st thou this? His confessor; who fed him every minute With words of sovereignty. K. Hen. Surv. Not long before your highness sped to France, * Conduct, manage. |