Internet Shakespeare Editions

Authors: Anonymous, William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed

Thomas Lord Cromwell (Folio 3, 1664)

1500Enter Bedford solus.
Bed. My soul is like a water troubled,
And Gardiner is the man that makes it so;
O Cromwell, I do fear thy end is near:
Yet I'le prevent their malice if I can,
1505And in good time, see where the man doth come,
Who little knows how near's his day of doom.
Enter Cromwell with his train, Bedford makes as
though he would speak to him: he goes on.
Cro. You'r well encountred, my good Lord of Bedford,
1510Pray Pardon me, I am sent for to th'King,
And do not know the businesse yet my self,
So fare you well, for I must needs be gone.
Exit all the train.
Bed. You must, well, what remedy?
1515I fear too soon you must be gone indeed,
The King hath businesse, but little do'st thou know,
Whose busie for thy life: thou think'st not so.
Enter Cromwell and the train again.
Crom. The second time well met my Lord of Bedford.
1520I am very sorry that my haste is such,
Lord Marquess Dorset being sick to death,
I must receive of him the privy Seale
At Lambeth, soon my Lord, we'll talk our fill.
Exit the train.
1525Bed. How smooth and easie is the way to death.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes. My Lord, the Dukes of Norfolk and of Suffolk,
Accompanied with the Bishop of Winchester,
Intreats you to come presently to Lambeth,
1530On earnest matters that concerns the State.
Bed. To Lambeth, so: go fetch me pen and ink,
I and Lord Cromwell there shall talk enough:
I, and our last, I fear, and if he come.
He writes a Letter.
1535Here, take this Letter, and bear it to Lord Cromwell,
Bid him read it, say it concerns him near,
Away, be gone, make all the haste you can,
To Lambeth do I go, a wofull man.Exit.