1596If ever my heart against the King was set,

1597O let my soule in judgement answer it,

1598Then if my faith's confirmed with his reason,

1599'Gainst whom hath Cromwell then committed treason?

1600Suf. My Lord, your matter shall be tried,

1601Mean time with patience content your self.

1602Crom. Perforce I must with patience be content:

1603O, dear friend Bedford, dost thou stand so near?

1604Cromwell rejoyceth one friend sheds a tear:

1605And whether is't? which way must Cromwell now?

1606Gar. My Lord, you must unto the Tower:

1607Lieutenant, take him to your charge.

1608Crom. Well, where you please, yet before I part,

1609Let me conferre a little with my men.

1610Gar. As you go by water so you shall.

1611Crom. I have some businesse present to impart.

1612Nor. You may not stay, Lieutenant, take your charg.

1613Crom. Well, well, my Lord, you second Gardiners text.

1614Norfolk, farewell, thy turn will be the next.

1616Gar. His guilty Conscience makes him rave, my Lord.

1617Nor. I, let him talk, his time is short enough.

1618Gar. My Lord of Bedford, come, you weep for him,

1619That would not shed a tear for you.

1620Bed. It grieves me for to see his sudden fall.

16231. Why? can this newes be true? is't possible?

1624The great Lord Cromwell arrested upon Treason,

1625I hardly will believe it can be so.

16262. It is too true, sir, would it were otherwise,

1627Condition I spent half the wealth I have;

1628I was at Lambeth, saw him there arrested,

1629And afterward committed to the Tower.

16301. What was't for Treason that he was committed?

16312. Kind, Noble Gentleman: I may rue the time;

1632All that I have, I did enjoy by him,

1633And if he die, then all my state is gone.

16341. It may be hoped that he shall not die,

1635Because the King did favour him so much.

16362. O, sir, you are deceived in thinking so:

1637The grace and favour he had with the King,

1638Hath caus'd him have so many enemies:

1639He that in Court secure will keep himself,

1640Must not be great, for then he is envied at.

1641The Shrub is safe, when as the Cedar shakes,

1642For where the King doth love above compare,

1643Of others they as much more envied are.

16441. 'Tis pitty that this noble man should fall,

1645He did so many charitable deeds.

16462. 'Tis true, and yet you see in each estate,

1647There's none so good, but some one doth him hate,

1648And they before would smile him in the face,

1649Will be the formost to doe him disgrace:

1650What, will you go along unto the Court?

16511. I care not if I doe, and hear the newes,

1652How men will judge what shall become of him.

1654Go you to the Court. I'le go into the City,

1655There I am sure to hear more newes then you.

1658Crom. Now, Cromwell, hast thou time to meditate,

1659And think upon thy state, and of the time:

1660Thy honours came unsought, I, and unlooked for,

1661They fall as sudden, and unlooked for too:

1662What glory was in England that I had not?

1663Who in this Land commanded more then Cromwell?

1664Except the King, who greater then my self?

1665But now I see what after ages shall,

1666The greater men, more sudden is their fall.

1667And now I doe remember, the Earl of Bedford

1668Was very desirous for to speak to me:

1669And afterward sent unto me a Letter,

1670The which I think I have still in my Pocket,

1671Now may I read it, for I now have leisure,

1673 My Lord, come not this night to Lambeth,

1674For if you doe, your state is overthrown.

1675And much I doubt your life, and if you come:

1676Then if you love your self, stay where you are.

1677O God, had I but read this Letter,

1678Then had I been free from the Lyons paw:

1679Deferring this to read untill to morrow,

1680I spurn'd at joy, and did embrace my sorrow.

1682Now, Master Lieutenant, when's this day of death?

1683Lieu. Alass, my Lord, would I might never see it:

1684Here are the Dukes of Suffolk and of Norfolk,

1685Winchester, Bedford, and Sir Richard Ratcliffe,

1686With others, but why they come I know not.

1687Crom. No matter wherefore, Cromwell is prepar'd,

1688For Gardiner has my life and state insnar'd:

1689Bid them come in, or you shall doe them wrong,

1690For here stands he, whom some thinks lives too long,

1691Learning kills Learning, and, instead of Ink

1692To dip his Pen, Cromwell's heart blood doth drink.

1694Norf. Good morrow, Cromwell, what, alone so sad?

1695Crom. One good among you, none of you are bad:

1696For my part, it best fits me be alone,

1697Sadnesse with me, not I with any one.

1698What, is the King acquainted with my cause?

1699Norf. We have, and he hath answered us, my Lord.

1700Crom. How shall I come to speak with him my self.

1701Gard. The King is so advertised of your guilt,

1702He will by no meanes admit you to his presence.

1703Crom. No way admit me, am I so soon forgot?

1704Did he but yesterday embrace my neck,

1705And said that Cromwell was even half himself,

1706And is his Princely eares so much bewitched

1707With scandalous ignominy, and slanderous speeches,

1708That now he doth deny to look on me?

1709Well, my Lord of Winchester, no doubt but you

1710Are much in favour with his Majesty,

1711Will you bear a Letter from me to his Grace?

1712Gar. Pardon me, I'le bear no Traitors Letters.

1713Crom. Ha, will you doe this kindesse then?

1714Tell him by word of mouth what I shall say to you.

1715Gard. That will I.

1716Crom. But on your honour will you?

1717Gar. I, on my honour.

1718Crom. Bear witnesse, Lords.