And is his oracle. Nor. He is vex'd at something. Suff. I would, 'twere something that would fret the string, The master-cord of his heart! Enter the King, reading a Schedule*; and Lovell. lated To his own portion! and what expence by the hour Seems to flow from him! How, i'the name of thrift, Does he rake this together?-Now, my lords; you the cardinal? Saw you Nor. My lord, we have Stood here observing him: Some strange commo tion Is in his brain: he bites his lip, and starts; K. Hen. Nor. It's heaven's will; Some spirit put this paper in the packet, If we did think His contemplation were above the earth, K. Hen. * An inventory. VOL. VII. + Steps. R Know. And fix'd on spiritual object, he should still Wol. [He takes his seat, and whispers Lovell, who goes to Wolsey. Ever God bless your highness! K. Hen. Heaven forgive me! Good my lord, Your are full of heavenly stuff, and bear the inven tory Of your best graces in your mind; the which Wol. Sir, K. Hen. You have said well. Wol. And ever may your highness yoke together, As I will lend you cause, my doing well With my well saying! K. Hen. "Tis well said again; And 'tis a kind of good deed, to say well: And yet words are no deeds. My father lov'd you: I have kept you next my heart; have not alone My bounties upon you. Wol. What should this mean? Sur. The Lord increase this business! [Aside. K. Hen. Have I not made you The prime, man of the state? I pray you, tell me, If what I now pronounce, you have found true : And, if you may confess it, say withal, If you are bound to us, or no. What say you? Wol. My sovereign, I confess, your royal graces, Can nothing render but allegiant thanks; K. Hen. Fairly answer'd; A loyal and obedient subject is Therein illustrated: The honour of it 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 'twere in love's particular, be more To me, your friend, than any. Wol. I do profess, That for your highness' good I ever labour'd More than mine own; that am, have, and will be. Though all the world should crack their duty to you, And throw it from their soul: though perils did Abound, as thick as thought could make them, and Appear in forms more horrid; yet my duty, As doth the rock against the chiding flood, Should the approach of this wild river break, "Tis nobly spoken: Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, Wol. [Exit King, frowning upon Cardinal 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 This paper has undone me :-'Tis the account I writ to his holiness. Nay then, farewell! I haste now to my setting: I shall fall Re-enter the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain. Nor. Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you To render up the great seal presently Into our hands; and to confine yourself Wol. Stay, Where's your commission, lords? words cannot carry Authority so weighty. Who dare cross them? Suff. Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly? Wol. Till I find more than will, or words, to do it, (I mean, your malice,) know, officious lords, I dare, and must deny it. Now I feel Of what coarse metal ye are moulded,-envy. How eagerly ye follow my disgraces, ; As if it fed ye! and how sleek and wanton (Mine, and your master,) with his own hand gave me: Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours, During my life; and, to confirm his goodness, Tied it by letters patents: Now, who'll take it? Sur. The king, that gave it. Wo!. It must be himself then. Proud lord, thou liest Thy ambition, Have burnt that tongue, than said so. Sur. (With thee, and all thy best parts bound together,) Weigh'd not a hair of his. Plague of your policy! You sent me deputy for Ireland; Far from his succour, from the king, from all *Esher, in Surrey. |