Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and slie, Sleep in their graves. Lov. Now, sir, you speak of two The most remark'd i'the kingdom. As for Crom well, Beside that of the jewel house, he's made master O'the rolls, and the king's secretary: further, sir, Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments, With which the time will load him: The archbishop Is the king's hand, and tongue; And who dare speak One syllable against him? Gar. Yes, yes, sir Thomas, There are that dare; and I myself have ventur'd To speak my mind of him: and, indeed, this day, Sir (I may tell it you), I think, I have Incens'd the lords o'the council, that he is (For so I know he is, they know he is), A most arch heretick, a pestilence That does infect the land: with which they moved, vant. As Lovell is going out, enter the King, and the Duke of Suffolk. K. Hen. Charles, I will play no more to-night; My mind's not on't, you are too hard for me. Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before. * Set on. + Told their minds. K. Hen. But little, Charles; Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play. Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news? Lov. I could not personally deliver to her What you commanded me, but by her woman I sent your message; who return'd her thanks In the greatest humbleness, and desir'd your high. ness Most heartily to pray for her. K. Hen. What say'st thou ? ha! To pray for her? what, is she crying out? Lov. So said her woman; aud that her sufferance made Almost each pang a death. K. Hen. Alas, good lady! Suf. God safely quit her of her burden, and With gentle travail, to the gladding of Your highness with an heir! K. Hen. 'Tis midnight, Charles, Pr'ythee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember Suf. A quiet night, and my good mistress will Remember in my prayers. K. Hen. I wish your highness Charles, good night. [Exit Suffolk. Enter Sir Anthony Denny. Well, sir, what follows? Den. Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop, As you commanded me. K. Hen. Den. Ay, my good lord. K. Hen. Ha! Canterbury? Den. He attends your highness' pleasure. K. Hen. 'Tis true: Where is he, Denny? Bring him to us. [Exit Denny. Lov. This is about that which the bishop spake ; I am happily come hither. K. Hen. Re-enter Denny, with Cranmer. [Aside. Avoid the gallery. [Lovell seems to stay. [Exeunt Lovell and Denny. Ha!-I have said.-Be gone. What! Cran. I am fearful-Wherefore frowns he thus? 'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well. K. Hen. How now, my lord? You do desire to My good and gracious lord of Canterbury. Come, you and I must walk a turn together; I have news to tell you: Come, come, give me your hand. Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak, Have mov'd us and our council, that you shall us*, It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness Would come against you. Cran. I humbly thank your highness; One of the council. And am right glad to catch this good occasion There's none stands under more calumnious tongues, K. Hen. Stand up, good Canterbury; Thy truth, and thy integrity, is rooted In us, thy friend: Give me thy hand, stand up; Pr'ythee, let's walk. Now, by my holy-dame, What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd You would have given me your petition, that I should have ta'en some pains to bring together Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard you Without indurance, further. Cran. Most dread 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 weigh* not, Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing What can be said against me. K. Hen. Know you not how Your state stands i'the world, with the whole world? Your enemies Are many, and not small; their practices Must bear the same proportion: and not evert God, and your majesty, Cran. * Value. + Always. Think. is laid for me! Protect mine innocence, or I fall into The trap K. Hen. Be of good cheer; They shall no more prevail, than we give way to, Fail not to use, and with what vehemency 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. His language in his tears. [Exit Cranmer. He has strangled Enter an old Lady. Gent. [Within.] Come back; What mean you? Lady. I'll not come back: the tidings that I bring Will make my boldness manuers.-Now, good angels Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person Under their blessed wings! K. Hen. I guess thy message. Is the queen deliver'd? Now, by thy looks Ay, ay, my liege; Lady. Acquainted with this stranger; 'tis as like K. Hen. Lovell, you, |