Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks 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. No, my lord, You know no more than others: but you frame Things, that are known alike; which are not whole some To those which would not know them, and yet must Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions, Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear them, 3 Warburton is full of admiration at this sudden rising of the poet to a height truly sublime!' where by the noblest stretch of fancy Danger is personified as serving in the rebel army, and shaking the established government. Gower, Chaucer, Skelton, and Spenser have also personified Danger. He means to say that he is but one among many counsellors, who proceed in the same course with him in the business of the state. To this the queen replies that he frames things, or they originate with him, which are afterward known to the council and promulgated by them. The nature of it? In what kind, let's know, Is this exaction? 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 Without delay and the pretence for this 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 will5. 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 The chronicles of my doing,-let me say, 5 The meaning (says Malone) appears to be, things are now in such a situation that resentment and indignation predominate in every man's breast over duty and allegiance. 6 The old copy reads 'There is no primer baseness.' Warburton made the alteration, which Steevens seems to think unnecessary, though he has retained it in his text. 'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake7 That virtue must go through. We must not stint3 Our necessary actions, in the fear To cope malicious censurers; which ever, 11 10 is what worst, as oft, Not ours, or not allow'd 11; For our best act. If we shall stand still, In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at, K. Hen. Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; From every tree, lop, bark, and part o' the timber; 7 Thicket of thorns. 8 To stint is to stop or retard. Vide Romeo and Juliet, Act i. Sc. 3. 9 i. e. to engage with, to encounter. Thus in As You Like It: 'I love to cope him in these sullen fits.' 10 Once is not unfrequently used for sometime, or at one time or other. Thus Drayton in his Thirteenth Idea: This diamond shall once consume to dust.' And in The Merry Wives of Windsor: night give my sweet Nan this ring.' I pray thee once to Free pardon to each man that has denied 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 12. [Exit Secretary. Q. Kath. I am sorry, that the duke of Buckingham Is run in your displeasure. K. Hen. It grieves many: The gentleman is learn'd, and a most rare speaker 13, To nature none more bound; his training such, That he may furnish and instruct great teachers, And never seek for aid out of himself 14. Yet see When these so noble benefits shall prove Not well dispos'd 15, the mind growing once corrupt, They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly Than ever they were fair. This man so cómplete, Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we, Almost with ravish'd list'ning, could not find 12 Holinshed says that this surveyor's name was Charles Knyvet. 13 It appears from the prologue to the Romance of the Knight of the Swanne, that it was translated from the French at the request of this unfortunate nobleman. Copland, the printer, says Helyas the Knight of the Swanne, from whom lineally is descended my said lord.' The duke was executed on Friday the 17th of May, 1521. The book has no date. 14 i. e. beyond the treasures of his own mind. 15 Great gifts of nature and education not joined with good dispositions. His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady, 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 Out of the Duke of Buckingham. K. Hen. Speak freely. To make the sceptre his: These very words Wol. Please your highness, note This dangerous conception in this point. 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 At any time speak aught? Surv. He was brought to this By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins. 16 Conduct, manage. |