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Henry The Eighth (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed
228
The Life of King Henry the Eight.
2895Heard many greeuous. I do say my Lord
Greeuous complaints of you; which being consider'd,
Haue mou'd Vs, and our Councell, that you shall
This Morning come before vs, where I know
You cannot with such freedome purge your selfe,
2900But that till further Triall, in those Charges
Which will require your Answer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented
To make your house our Towre: you, a Brother of vs
It fits we thus proceed, or else no witnesse
2905Would come against you.
Cran. I humbly thanke your Highnesse,
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnowed, where my Chaffe
And Corne shall flye asunder. For I know
2910There's none stands vnder more calumnious tongues,
Then I my selfe, poore man.
King. Stand vp, good Canterbury,
Thy Truth, and thy Integrity is rooted
In vs thy Friend. Giue me thy hand, stand vp,
2915Prythee let's walke. Now by my Holydame,
What manner of man are you? My Lord, I look'd
You would haue giuen me your Petition, that
I should haue tane some paines, to bring together
Your selfe, and your Accusers, and to haue heard you
2920Without indurance further.
Cran. Most dread Liege,
The good I stand on, is my Truth and Honestie:
If they shall faile, I with mine Enemies
Will triumph o're my person, which I waigh not,
2925Being of those Vertues vacant. I feare nothing
What can be said against me.
King. Know you not
How your state stands i'th'world, with the whole world?
Your Enemies are many, and not small; their practises
2930Must beare the same proportion, and not euer
The Iustice and the Truth o'th'question carries
The dew o'th'Verdict with it; at what ease
Might corrupt mindes procure, Knaues as corrupt
To sweare against you: Such things haue bene done.
2935You are Potently oppos'd, and with a Malice
Of as great Size. Weene you of better lucke,
I meane in periur'd Witnesse, then your Master,
Whose Minister you are, whiles heere he liu'd
Vpon this naughty Earth? Go too, go too,
2940You take a Precepit for no leape of danger,
And woe your owne destruction.
Cran. God, and your Maiesty
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is laid for me.
2945King. Be of good cheere,
They shall no more preuaile, then we giue way too:
Keepe comfort to you, and this Morning see
You do appeare before them. If they shall chance
In charging you with matters, to commit you:
2950The best perswasions to the contrary
Faile not to vse, and with what vehemencie
Th'occasion shall instruct you. If intreaties
Will render you no remedy, this Ring
Deliuer them, and your Appeale to vs
2955There make before them. Looke, the goodman weeps:
He's honest on mine Honor. Gods blest Mother,
I sweare he is true-hearted, and a soule
None better in my Kingdome. Get you gone,
And do as I haue bid you.
Exit Cranmer.
2960He ha's strangled his Language in his teares.
Enter Olde Lady.
Gent. within. Come backe: what meane you?
Lady. Ile not come backe, the tydings that I bring
Will make my boldnesse, manners. Now good Angels
2965Fly o're thy Royall head, and shade thy person
Vnder their blessed wings.
King. Now by thy lookes
I gesse thy Message. Is the Queene deliuer'd?
Say I, and of a boy.
2970Lady. I, I my Liege,
And of a louely Boy: the God of heauen
Both now, and euer blesse her: 'Tis a Gyrle
Promises Boyes heereafter. Sir, your Queen
Desires your Visitation, and to be
2975Acquainted with this stranger; 'tis as like you,
As Cherry, is to Cherry.
King. Louell.
Lou. Sir.
King. Giue her an hundred Markes.
2980Ile to the Queene.
Exit King.
Lady, An hundred Markes? By this light, Ile ha more.
An ordinary Groome is for such payment.
I will haue more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this, the Gyrle was like to him? Ile
2985Haue more, or else vnsay't: and now, while 'tis hot,
Ile put it to the issue.
Exit Ladie.

Scena Secunda.

Enter Cranmer, Archbyshop of Canterbury.
Cran. I hope I am not too late, and yet the Gentleman
2990That was sent to me from the Councell, pray'd me
To make great hast. All fast? What meanes this? Hoa?
Who waites there? Sure you know me?
Enter Keeper.
Keep. Yes, my Lord:
2995But yet I cannot helpe you.
Cran. Why?
Keep. Your Grace must waight till you be call'd for.
Enter Doctor Buts.
Cran. So.
3000Buts. This is a Peere of Malice: I am glad
I came this way so happily. The King
Shall vnderstand it presently.
Exit Buts
Cran. 'Tis Buts.
The Kings Physitian, as he past along
3005How earnestly he cast his eyes vpon me:
Pray heauen he sound not my disgrace: for certaine
This is of purpose laid by some that hate me,
(God turne their hearts, I neuer sought their malice)
To quench mine Honor; they would shame to make me
3010Wait else at doore: a fellow Councellor
'Mong Boyes, Groomes, and Lackeyes.
But their pleasures
Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.

Enter the King, and Buts, at a Windowe
3015
aboue.

Buts. Ile shew your Grace the strangest sight.
King. What's that Buts?
Buts