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  • Title: Thomas Lord Cromwell (Folio 3, 1664)

    • Copyright Digital Renaissance Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Authors: Anonymous, William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Thomas Lord Cromwell (Folio 3, 1664)

    19
    of the Lord Cromwell.
    Fri.Go to, I see thou art an envious man:
    Good Mistris Banister, kneel not to me,
    I pray rise up, you shall have your desire.
    220Hold officers; be gone, there's for your pains,
    You know you owe to me a thousand pound,
    Here take my hand, if e're God make you able;
    And place you in your former state again,
    Pay me: but if still your fortune frown,
    225Upon my faith I'le never ask you crown:
    I never yet did wrong to men in thrall,
    For God doth know what to my self may fall.
    Ban. This unexpected favour undeserved,
    Doth make my heart bleed inwardly with joy:
    230Nere may ought prosper with me is my own,
    If I forget this kindness you have shown.
    Mi. Ba. My children in their prayers both night and(day,
    For your good fortune and success shall pray.
    Fri. I thank you both, I pray go dine with me,
    235Within these three dayes, if God give me leave,
    I will to Florence to my native home.
    Bagot, hold, there's a Portague to drink,
    Although you ill deserved it by your merit;
    Give not such cruel scope unto your heart;
    240Be sure the ill you do will be requited:
    Remember what I say, Bagot, farewell.
    Come, Master Banister, you shall with me,
    My fare's but simple, but welcome heartily.
    Exit all but Bagot.
    245Bag. A plague go with you, would you had eat your last,
    Is this the thanks I have for all my pains?
    Confusion light upon you all for me:
    Where he had wont to give a score of Crowns,
    Doth he now foyst me with a Portague:
    250Well, I will be revenged upon this Banister.
    I'le to his Creditors, buy all the debts he owes,
    As seeming that I do it for good will,
    I am sure to have them at an easie rate;
    And when 'tis done, in Christendome he stayes not,
    255But I'le make his heart t'ake with sorrow,
    And if that Banister become my debter,
    By heaven and earth I'le make his plague the greater.
    Exit Bagot.
    Enter Chorus.
    260Cho. Now Gentlemen imagine, that young Cromwell is
    In Antwerp, Ledger for the English Merchants:
    And Banister to shun this Bagots hate,
    Hearing that he hath got some of his debts,
    Is fled to Antwerp, with his wife and children,
    265Which Bagot hearing is gone after them:
    And thither sends his bills of debt before,
    To be revenged on wretched Banister,
    What doth fall out, with patience sit and see,
    A just requital of false trecherie.Exit.

    270Enter Cromwell in his study, with bags of money be-
    fore him, casting of account.

    Crom. Thus far my reckoning doth go straight & even.
    But, Cromwell, this same plodding sits not thee;
    Thy mind is altogether set on travel,
    275And not to live thus cloystered, like a Nun;
    It is not this same trash, that I regard,
    Experience is the jewel of my heart.
    Enter a Post.
    Post. I pray, sir, are you ready to dispatch me?
    280Cro. Yes, here's those summes of money you must carry.
    You go so far as Frankford, do you not?
    Post. I do, sir.
    Crom. Well, prithee make all the hast thou can'st,
    For there be certain English Gentlemen
    285Are bound for Venice, and may happily want,
    And if that you should linger by the way:
    But in hope that you will make good speed,
    There's two Angels to buy you spurrs and wands.
    Post. I thank you, sir, this will adde wings indeed.
    290Crom. Gold is of power to make an Eagles speed.

    Enter Mistris Banister.

    What Gentlewoman is this, that grieves so much?
    It seems she doth addresse her self to me.
    Mi. Ban. God save you, sir, pray is your name Master
    295 Cromwell?
    Crom. My name is Thomas Cromwell, Gentlewoman.
    Mi. Ban. Know you not one Bagot, sir, that's come to
    Antwerp?
    Crom. No, trust me, I never saw the man,
    300But here are bills of debt I have received
    Against one Banister a Merchant fallen into decay.
    Mi. Ba. Into decay indeed, long of that wretch:
    I am the wife to wofull Banister,
    And by that bloudy villain am pursu'd,
    305From London, here to Antwerp:
    My husband he is in the Governors hands,
    And God of heaven knows how he'll deal with him,
    Now, sir, your heart is framed of milder temper,
    Be mercifull to a distressed soul,
    310And God no boubt will treble blesse your gain.
    Crom. Good Mistris Banister, what I can, I will,
    In any thing that lies within my power.
    Mi. Ban. O speak to Bagot, that same wicked wretch,
    An Angels voice may move a damned devil.
    315Crom. Why is he come to Antwerp, as you hear?
    Mi. Ban. I heard he landed some two hours since.
    Crom. Well, Mistris Banister, assure your self,
    I'le speak to Bagot in your own behalf,
    And win him t'all the pitty that I can:
    320Mean time, to comfort you, in your distresse,
    Receive these Angels to relieve your need,
    And be assured, that what I can effect:
    To do you good, no way I will neglect.
    Mi. Ban. That mighty God that knows each mortals (heart.
    325Keep you from trouble, sorrow, grief and smart.
    Exit Mistris Banister.
    Crom. Thanks, curteous woman,
    For thy hearty prayer:
    It grieves my soul to see her misery,
    330But we that live under the work of fate,
    May hope the best, yet knows not to what state
    Our starrs and destinies hath us assign'd,
    Fickle is Fortune, and her face is blind,

    Enter Bagot solus.

    335Bag. So all goes well, it is as I would have it,
    Banister, he is with the Governor:
    And shortly shall have gyves upon his heels.
    It glads my heart to think upon the slave;
    I hope to have his body rot in prison,
    340And after here, his wife to hang her self,
    And all his children die for want of food.
    The Jewels I have brought to Antwerp
    Are
    ***2
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