1 Gent. Let me have it; I do not talk much. 2 Gent. I am confident; You shall, sir: Did you not of late days hear Between the king and Katharine? 1 Gent. Yes, but it held not; For when the king once heard it, out of anger 2 Gent. Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd, and lately; As all think, for this business. 1 Gent. "Tis the cardinal; And merely to revenge him on the emperor, The archbishoprick of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 2 Gent. I think, you have hit the mark: But is't not cruel, That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal Will have his will, and she must fall. 1 Gent. We are too open here to argue this; 'Tis woful. [Exeunt. Great fidelity. SCENE II. An ante-chamber in the palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a letter. Cham. My lord,-The horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, rid den, and furnished. They were young, and handsome; and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission, and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason,-His master would be served before a subject, if not be fore the king: which stopped our mouths, sir. I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them: He will have all, I think. Enter the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk. Nor. Lord chamberlain. Cham. Well met, my good Good day to both your graces, I left him private, What's the cause? Suff. How is the king employ'd? Full of sad thoughts and troubles. Nor. Cham. It seems, the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. Suff. Has crept too near another lady. No, his conscience 'Tis so; Nor. Turns what he lists. The king will know him one day. Suff. Pray God, he do! he'll never know himself else. Nor. How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! For, now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great ne phew, Ile dives into the king's soul; and there scatters These news are every where; every tongue speaks them, And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open This bold bad man. Suff And free us from his slavery. Nor. We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all Suff. For me, my lords, I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed: * High or low. As I-am made without him, so I'll stand, If the king please; his curses and his blessings Nor. Let's in; And, with some other business, put the king him : My lord, you'll bear us company? Cham. Excuse me; The king hath sent me other-where: besides, Health to your lordships. Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. Norfolk opens a folding-door. The King is discovered sitting, and reading pensively. Suff. How sad he looks! sure, he is much af flicted. K. Hen. Who is there? ha? Nor. Pray God, he be not angry. K. Hen. Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations? Who am I? ha? Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offences Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty, this way, Is business of estate; in which, we come To know your royal pleasure. K. Hen. You are too bold: Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business: Is this an hour for temporal affairs? ha?— Enter Wolsey and Campeius. Who's there? my good lord cardinal?-O my Wol sey, The quiet of my wounded conscience, Wol. [To Wolsey. Sir, you cannot. I would your grace would give us but an hour Of private conference. K. Hen. We are busy; go. [To Norfolk and Suffolk. Nor. This priest has no pride in him?. Suff. Not to speak of; I would not be so sick though*, for his Suff. [Aside. [Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk. Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom Above all princes, in committing freely Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: I mean, the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms, Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judge. ment, Invited by your noble self, hath sent One general tongue unto us, this good man, welcome, And thank the holy conclave for their loves; So sick as he is proud. |