1478You know the King will credit none but him.

1479Nor. 'Tis true; he rules the King even as he pleases.

1480Suff. How shall we do for to attache him then?

1482With an intent to intrap some of our lives,

1483And this it is: If any Counsellor

1484Be convicted of high treason;

1485He shall be executed without a publick triall.

1486This Act my Lords, he caus'd the King to make.

1487Suff. A did indeed, and I remember it,

1488And now it is like to fall upon himself.

1489Nor. Let us not slack it, 'tis for Englands good,

1490We must be wary, else he'll go beyond us.

1491Gar. Well hath your Grace said, my Lord of Norfolk

1492Therefore, let us presently to Lambeth,

1493Thither comes Cromwell, from the Court to night,

1494Let us arrest him, send him to the Tower.

1495And in the morning, cut off the traitors head.

1496Norf. Come then about it, let us guard the town,

1497This is the day that Cromwell must go down.

1498Gar. Along my Lords, well, Cromwell is halfe dead,

1501Bed. My soul is like a water troubled,

1502And Gardiner is the man that makes it so;

1503O Cromwell, I do fear thy end is near:

1504Yet I'le prevent their malice if I can,

1505And in good time, see where the man doth come,

1506Who little knows how near's his day of doom.

1509Cro. You'r well encountred, my good Lord of Bedford,

1510Pray Pardon me, I am sent for to th'King,

1511And do not know the businesse yet my self,

1512So fare you well, for I must needs be gone.

1514Bed. You must, well, what remedy?

1515I fear too soon you must be gone indeed,

1516The King hath businesse, but little do'st thou know,

1517Whose busie for thy life: thou think'st not so.

1519Crom. The second time well met my Lord of Bedford.

1520I am very sorry that my haste is such,

1521Lord Marquess Dorset being sick to death,

1522I must receive of him the privy Seale

1523At Lambeth, soon my Lord, we'll talk our fill.

1525Bed. How smooth and easie is the way to death.

1527Mes. My Lord, the Dukes of Norfolk and of Suffolk,

1528Accompanied with the Bishop of Winchester,

1529Intreats you to come presently to Lambeth,

1530On earnest matters that concerns the State.

1531Bed. To Lambeth, so: go fetch me pen and ink,

1532I and Lord Cromwell there shall talk enough:

1533I, and our last, I fear, and if he come.

1535Here, take this Letter, and bear it to Lord Cromwell,

1536Bid him read it, say it concerns him near,

1537Away, be gone, make all the haste you can,

1540Crom. Is the Barge ready? I will straight to Lambeth,

1541And if this one dayes businesse, once were past,

1542I'd take my ease to morrow after trouble,

1543How now my friend, would'st thou speak with me?

1546Mes. Sir, here's a Letter from my Lord of Bedford.

1547Crom. O good my friend, commend me to thy Lord,

1548Hold, take those Angels, drink them for thy pains.

1549Mes. He doth desire your Grace to read it,

1550Because he sayes it doth concern you near.

1551Crom. Bid him assure himself of that, farewell,

1552To morrow, tell him, he shall hear from me,

1556Gar. Halberts stand close unto the water side,

1557Serjeant at armes, be bould in your office,

1558Herald, deliver your Proclamation.

1559Her. This is to give notice to all the Kings subjects.

1560The late Lord Cromwell, Lord Chancellor of England,

1561Vicar general over the Realm,

1562Him to hold and esteem as a traitor,

1563Against the Crown and dignity of England:

1564So God save the King.

1565Gar. Amen.

1566Bed. Amen, and root thee from the land,

1567For whil'st thou livest truth cannot stand.

1568Nor. Make a lane there, the traitor is at hand,

1569Keep back Cromwell's men:

1570Drown them if they come on, Serjeant your office?

1572Cro. What means my Lord of Norfolk by these words?

1573Sirs, come along.

1574Gar. Kill them, if they come on.

1575Ser. Lord Cromwell, in King Henries name,

1576I do arrest your honour of high treason.

1577Crom. Serjeant, me of treason?

1579Suff. Kill them, if they draw a sword.

1581Who dares accuse Cromwell of treason now?

1582Gar. This is no place to reckon up your crime,

1583Your Dove-like looks were view'd with serpents eyes.

1584Crom. With serpents eyes indeed, by thine they were,

1585But, Gardiner, do thy worst, I fear thee not,

1586My faith compar'd with thine, as much shall pass,

1587As doth the Diamond excell the glass:

1588Attach'd of treason, no accusers by,

1589Indeed what tongue dares speak so foul a lie?

1590Nor. My Lord, my Lord, matters are too well known,

1591And is it time the King had note thereof.

1592Crom. The King, let me go to him face to face,

1593No better triall I desire then that,

1594Let him but say, that Cromwell's faith was fained,

1595Then Let my Honour, and my Name be stained: