Incens'd 8 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,
Have broken with the king; who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint, (of his great grace
And princely care ; foreseeing those fell mischiefs
Our reasons laid before him,) he hath commanded,
To-morrow morning to the council-board
He be convented.' He's a rank weed, sir Thomas,
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long : good night, sir Thomas.
Lov. Many good nights, my lord; I rest your

servant. (Exeunt GARDINER and Page.

As Lovell is going out, enter the King, and the

Duke of SupFOLK. 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.

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 highness 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; and 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,
Prythee, to bed ; and in thy prayers remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone;
For I must think of that, which company
Will not be friendly to.
Suf.

I wish your highness
A quiet night, and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers.
K. Hen.

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.

Ha! Canterbury? Den. Ay, my good lord. K. Hen. 'Tis true: Where is he, Denny? Den. He attends your highness' pleasure. K. Hen.

Bring him to us.

[Exit Denny. Lov. This is about that which the bishop spake; I am happily come hither.

[Aside.

Re-enter DENNY, with CRANMER. K. Hen.

Avoid the gallery.

[LOVELL seems to stay. Ha! I have said. Be gone. What!

[Exeunt LOVELL and Denny. 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

know Wherefore I sent for

you. Cran.

It is my duty,
To attend your highness' pleasure.
K. Hen.

Pray you, arise,
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, And am right sorry to repeat what follows: I have, and most unwillingly, of late Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord, Grievous complaints of you; which, being consi

der'd, Have mov'd us and our council, that

you

shall This morning come before us; where, I know, You cannot with such freedom purge yourself, But that, till further trial, in those charges Which will require your answer, you must take Your patience to you, and be well contented To make

your house our Tower : You a brother of

us, ?

2 One of the council,

It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness
Would come against you.
Cran.

I humbly thank your highness;
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder : for, I know,
There's none stands under more calumnious tongues,
Than I myself, poor man.
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 ever 4 The justice and the truth o'the question carries The due o'the verdict with it: At what ease Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt

To swear against you? such things have been done.
You are potently oppos'd; and with a malice
Of as great size. Weens you of better luck,
I mean, in perjur'd witness, than your master,
Whose minister you are, whiles here he liv'd
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to;
You take a precipice for no leap of danger,
And woo your own destruction.
Cran.

God, and your majesty,
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is laid for me!
K. Hen.

Be of good cheer ; They shall no more prevail, than we give way to. Keep comfort to you; and this morning see You do appear before them; if they shall chance, In charging you with matters, to commit you, The best persuasions to the contrary Fail not to use, and with what vehemency The occasion shall instruct you : if entreaties Will render you no remedy, this ring Deliver them, and your appeal to us 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.-- [Erit CRANMER.)

He has strangled
His language in his tears.

5 Think.