That therefore such a writ be sued against you; Out of the king's protection.-This is my charge. [Exeunt all but WOLSEY. Never to hope again. Enter CROMWELL, amazedly. Why, how now, Cromwell? Crom. I have no power to speak, sir. that his body shall remain in prison at the king's pleasure. The old copy reads, erroneously, castles instead of cattels, the old word for chattels, as it is found in Holinshed, p. 909. VOL. V. 26 Wol. What, amazed At my misfortunes? Can thy spirit wonder, Crom. Wol. How does your grace? Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. A peace above all earthly dignities, Why, well; A still and quiet conscience. The king has cured me, A load would sink a navy, too much honor. Crom. I am glad your grace has made that right use of it. Wol. I hope I have. I am able now, methinks, (Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,) To endure more miseries, and greater far, Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer. Crom. The heaviest, and the worst, God bless him! Is your displeasure with the king. Wol. Crom. The next is, that, sir Thomas More is chosen Lord chancellor in your place. That's somewhat sudden; Wol. For truth's sake, and his conscience; that his bones, Crom. That Cranmer is returned with welcome, Installed lord archbishop of Canterbury. Wol. That's news, indeed. Crom. Last, that the lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secrecy long married, This day was viewed in open,1 as his queen, Wol. There was the weight that pulled me down! The king has gone beyond me; all my glories No sun shall ever usher forth mine honors, Or gild again the noble troops that waited Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell; To be thy lord and master. Seek the king; (I know his noble nature) not to let Thy hopeful service perish too. Good Cromwell, Crom. Wol. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear 1 In open is a Latinism. 2 i. e. interest. Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition; Love thyself last; cherish those hearts that hate thee; Corruption wins not more than honesty; Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not; Thy God's, and truth's; then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, Thou fall'st a blessed martyr. Serve the king: And, Pr'ythee, lead me in: There take an inventory of all I have,1 To the last penny: 'tis the king's: my robe, And my integrity to Heaven, is all I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell, Crom. Good sir, have patience. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. A Street in Westminster. Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1. Gent. You are well met once again. 2 Gent. And so are you. 1 Gent. You come to take your stand here, and behold The lady Anne pass from her coronation? 1 This inventory is still to be seen among the Harleian MSS. No. 599. 2 This was actually said by the cardinal when on his death-bed, in a conversation with sir William Kingston; the whole of which is very interesting. 2 Gent. 'Tis all my business. At our last encounter, The duke of Buckingham came from his trial. 1 Gent. 'Tis very true; but that time offered sorrow; This, general joy. 2 Gent. 'Tis well. The citizens, I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds,' (As, let them have their rights, they are ever forward,) In celebration of this day with shows, Pageants, and sights of honor. 1 Gent. Never greater, Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir. 2 Gent. May I be bold to ask what that contains, That paper in your 1 Gent. hand? Yes; 'tis the list Of those that claim their offices this day, By custom of the coronation. The duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims To be high steward; next, the duke of Norfolk, He to be earl marshal; you may read the rest. 2 Gent. I thank you, sir; had I not known those customs, I should have been beholden to your paper. But I beseech you, what's become of Katharine, 2 Royal minds are high minds, or, as we still say, princely dispositions. "To avaunt himself royally; Magnifice se effere."-Baret. 2 i. e. the marriage lately considered as valid. |