1826Norf. If you will now vnite in your Complaints,

1827And force them with a Constancy, the Cardinall

1828Cannot stand vnder them. If you omit

1829The offer of this time, I cannot promise,

1830But that you shall sustaine moe new disgraces,

1831With these you beare alreadie.

1832Sur. I am ioyfull

1833To meete the least occasion, that may giue me

1834Remembrance of my Father-in-Law, the Duke,

1835To be reueng'd on him.

1836Suf. Which of the Peeres

1837Haue vncontemn'd gone by him, or at least

1838Strangely neglected? When did he regard

1839The stampe of Noblenesse in any person

1840Out of himselfe?

1841Cham. My Lords, you speake your pleasures:

1842What he deserues of you and me, I know:

1843What we can do to him (though now the time

1844Giues way to vs) I much feare. If you cannot

1845Barre his accesse to'th'King, neuer attempt

1846Any thing on him: for he hath a Witchcraft

1847Ouer the King in's Tongue.

1848Nor. O feare him not,

1849His spell in that is out: the King hath found

1850Matter against him, that for euer marres

1851The Hony of his Language. No, he's setled

1852(Not to come off) in his displeasure.

1853Sur. Sir,

1854I should be glad to heare such Newes as this

1855Once euery houre.

1856Nor. Beleeue it, this is true.

1857In the Diuorce, his contrarie proceedings

1858Are all vnfolded: wherein he appeares,

1859As I would wish mine Enemy.

1860Sur. How came

1861His practises to light?

1862Suf. Most strangely.

1863Sur. O how? how?

1864Suf. The Cardinals Letters to the Pope miscarried,

1865And came to th'eye o'th'King, wherein was read

1866How that the Cardinall did intreat his Holinesse

1867To stay the Iudgement o'th'Diuorce; for if

1868It did take place, I do (quoth he) perceiue

1869My King is tangled in affection, to

1870A Creature of the Queenes, Lady Anne Bullen.

1871Sur. Ha's the King this?

1872Suf. Beleeue it.

1873Sur. Will this worke?

1874Cham. The King in this perceiues him, how he coasts

1875And hedges his owne way. But in this point,

1876All his trickes founder, and he brings his Physicke

1877After his Patients death; the King already

1878Hath married the faire Lady.

1879Sur. Would he had.

1880Suf. May you be happy in your wish my Lord,

1881For I professe you haue it.

1882Sur. Now all my ioy

1883Trace the Coniunction.

1884Suf. My Amen too't.

1885Nor. All mens.

1886Suf. There's order giuen for her Coronation:

1887Marry this is yet but yong, and may be left

1888To some eares vnrecounted. But my Lords

1889She is a gallant Creature, and compleate

1890In minde and feature. I perswade me, from her

1891Will fall some blessing to this Land, which shall

1892In it be memoriz'd.

1893Sur. But will the King

1894Digest this Letter of the Cardinals?

1895The Lord forbid.

1896Nor. Marry Amen.

1897Suf. No, no:

1898There be moe Waspes that buz about his Nose,

1899Will make this sting the sooner. Cardinall Campeius,

1900Is stolne away to Rome, hath 'tane no leaue,

1901Ha's left the cause o'th'King vnhandled, and

1902Is posted as the Agent of our Cardinall,

1903To second all his plot. I do assure you,

1904The King cry'de Ha, at this.

1905Cham. Now God incense him,

1906And let him cry Ha, lowder.

1907Norf. But my Lord

1908When returnes Cranmer?

1909Suf. He is return'd in his Opinions, which

1910Haue satisfied the King for his Diuorce,

1911Together with all famous Colledges

1912Almost in Christendome: shortly (I beleeue)

1913His second Marriage shall be publishd, and

1914Her Coronation. Katherine no more

1915Shall be call'd Queene, but Princesse Dowager,

1916And Widdow to Prince Arthur.

1917Nor. This same Cranmer's

1918A worthy Fellow, and hath tane much paine

1919In the Kings businesse.

1920Suf. He ha's, and we shall see him

1921For it, an Arch-byshop.

1922Nor. So I heare.

1923Suf. 'Tis so.

1925The Cardinall.

1926Nor. Obserue, obserue, hee's moody.

1927Car. The Packet Cromwell,

1928Gau't you the King?

1929Crom. To his owne hand, in's Bed-chamber.

1930Card. Look'd he o'th'inside of the Paper?

1931Crom. Presently

1932He did vnseale them, and the first he view'd,

1933He did it with a Serious minde: a heede

1934Was in his countenance. You he bad

1935Attend him heere this Morning.

1936Card. Is he ready to come abroad?

1937Crom. I thinke by this he is.

1939It shall be to the Dutches of Alanson,

1940The French Kings Sister; He shall marry her.

1941Anne Bullen? No: Ile no Anne Bullens for him,

1942There's more in't then faire Visage. Bullen?

1943No, wee'l no Bullens: Speedily I wish

1944To heare from Rome. The Marchionesse of Penbroke?

1945Nor. He's discontented.

1946Suf. Maybe he heares the King

1947Does whet his Anger to him.

1948Sur. Sharpe enough,

1949Lord for thy Iustice.

1950Car. The late Queenes Gentlewoman?

1951A Knights Daughter

1952To be her Mistris Mistris? The Queenes, Queene?

1953This Candle burnes not cleere, 'tis I must snuffe it,

1954Then out it goes. What though I know her vertuous

1955And well deseruing? yet I know her for

1956A spleeny Lutheran, and not wholsome to

1957Our cause, that she should lye i'th'bosome of

1958Our hard rul'd King. Againe, there is sprung vp

1959An Heretique, an Arch-one; Cranmer, one

1960Hath crawl'd into the fauour of the King,

1961And is his Oracle.

1962Nor. He is vex'd at something.

1964Sur. I would 'twer somthing y^t would fret the string,

1965The Master-cord on's heart.

1966Suf. The King, the King.

1967King. What piles of wealth hath he accumulated

1968To his owne portion? And what expence by'th'houre

1969Seemes to flow from him? How, i'th'name of Thrift

1970Does he rake this together? Now my Lords,

1971Saw you the Cardinall?

1972Nor. My Lord, we haue

1973Stood heere obseruing him. Some strange Commotion

1974Is in his braine: He bites his lip, and starts,

1975Stops on a sodaine, lookes vpon the ground,

1976Then layes his finger on his Temple: straight

1977Springs out into fast gate, then stops againe,

1978Strikes his brest hard, and anon, he casts

1979His eye against the Moone: in most strange Postures

1980We haue seene him set himselfe.

1981King. It may well be,

1982There is a mutiny in's minde. This morning,

1983Papers of State he sent me, to peruse

1984As I requir'd: and wot you what I found

1985There (on my Conscience put vnwittingly)

1986Forsooth an Inuentory, thus importing

1987The seuerall parcels of his Plate, his Treasure,

1988Rich Stuffes and Ornaments of Houshold, which

1989I finde at such proud Rate, that it out-speakes

1990Possession of a Subiect.

1991Nor. It's Heauens will,

1992Some Spirit put this paper in the Packet,

1993To blesse your eye withall.

1994King. If we did thinke

1995His Contemplation were aboue the earth,

1996And fixt on Spirituall obiect, he should still

1997Dwell in his Musings, but I am affraid

1998His Thinkings are below the Moone, not worth

1999His serious considering.

2002Car. Heauen forgiue me,

2003Euer God blesse your Highnesse.

2004King. Good my Lord,

2005You are full of Heauenly stuffe, and beare the Inuentory

2006Of your best Graces, in your minde; the which

2007You were now running o're: you haue scarse time

2008To steale from Spirituall leysure, a briefe span

2009To keepe your earthly Audit, sure in that

2010I deeme you an ill Husband, and am gald

2011To haue you therein my Companion.

2012Car. Sir,

2013For Holy Offices I haue a time; a time

2014To thinke vpon the part of businesse, which

2015I beare i'th'State: and Nature does require

2016Her times of preseruation, which perforce

2017I her fraile sonne, among'st my Brethren mortall,

2018Must giue my tendance to.

2019King. You haue said well.

2020Car. And euer may your Highnesse yoake together,

2021(As I will lend you cause) my doing well,

2022With my well saying.

2023King. 'Tis well said agen,

2024And 'tis a kinde of good deede to say well,

2025And yet words are no deeds. My Father lou'd you,

2026He said he did, and with his deed did Crowne

2027His word vpon you. Since I had my Office,

2028I haue kept you next my Heart, haue not alone

2029Imploy'd you where high Profits might come home,

2030But par'd my present Hauings, to bestow

2031My Bounties vpon you.

2032Car. What should this meane?

2033Sur. The Lord increase this businesse.

2034King. Haue I not made you

2035The prime man of the State? I pray you tell me,

2036If what I now pronounce, you haue found true:

2037And if you may confesse it, say withall

2038If you are bound to vs, or no. What say you?

2039Car. My Soueraigne, I confesse your Royall graces

2040Showr'd on me daily, haue bene more then could

2041My studied purposes requite, which went

2042Beyond all mans endeauors. My endeauors,

2043Haue euer come too short of my Desires,

2044Yet fill'd with my Abilities: Mine owne ends

2045Haue beene mine so, that euermore they pointed

2046To'th'good of your most Sacred Person, and

2047The profit of the State. For your great Graces

2048Heap'd vpon me (poore Vndeseruer) I

2049Can nothing render but Allegiant thankes,

2050My Prayres to heauen for you; my Loyaltie

2051Which euer ha's, and euer shall be growing,

2052Till death (that Winter) kill it.

2053King. Fairely answer'd:

2054A Loyall, and obedient Subiect is

2055Therein illustrated, the Honor of it

2056Does pay the Act of it, as i'th'contrary

2057The fowlenesse is the punishment. I presume,

2058That as my hand ha's open'd Bounty to you,

2059My heart drop'd Loue, my powre rain'd Honor, more

2060On you, then any: So your Hand, and Heart,

2061Your Braine, and euery Function of your power,

2062Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty,

2063As 'twer in Loues particular, be more

2064To me your Friend, then any.

2065Car. I do professe,

2066That for your Highnesse good, I euer labour'd

2067More then mine owne: that am, haue, and will be

2068(Though all the world should cracke their duty to you,

2069And throw it from their Soule, though perils did

2070Abound, as thicke as thought could make 'em, and

2071Appeare in formes more horrid) yet my Duty,

2072As doth a Rocke against the chiding Flood,

2073Should the approach of this wilde Riuer breake,

2074And stand vnshaken yours.

2075King. 'Tis Nobly spoken:

2076Take notice Lords, he ha's a Loyall brest,

2077For you haue seene him open't. Read o're this,

2078And after this, and then to Breakfast with

2079What appetite you haue.

2082Car. What should this meane?

2083What sodaine Anger's this? How haue I reap'd it?

2084He parted Frowning from me, as if Ruine

2085Leap'd from his Eyes. So lookes the chafed Lyon

2086Vpon the daring Huntsman that has gall'd him:

2087Then makes him nothing. I must reade this paper:

2088I feare the Story of his Anger. 'Tis so:

2089This paper ha's vndone me: 'Tis th'Accompt

2090Of all that world of Wealth I haue drawne together

2091For mine owne ends, (Indeed to gaine the Popedome,

2092And fee my Friends in Rome.) O Negligence!

2093Fit for a Foole to fall by: What crosse Diuell

2094Made me put this maine Secret in the Packet

2095I sent the King? Is there no way to cure this?

2096No new deuice to beate this from his Braines?

2097I know 'twill stirre him strongly; yet I know

2098A way, if it take right, in spight of Fortune

2099Will bring me off againe. What's this? To th'Pope?

2100The Letter (as I liue) with all the Businesse

2101I writ too's Holinesse. Nay then, farewell:

2102I haue touch'd the highest point of all my Greatnesse,

2103And from that full Meridian of my Glory,

2104I haste now to my Setting. I shall fall

2105Like a bright exhalation in the Euening,

2106And no man see me more.

2109Nor. Heare the Kings pleasure Cardinall,

2110Who commands you

2111To render vp the Great Seale presently

2112Into our hands, and to Confine your selfe

2113To Asher-house, my Lord of Winchesters,

2114Till you heare further from his Highnesse.

2115Car. Stay:

2116Where's your Commission? Lords, words cannot carrie

2117Authority so weighty.

2118Suf. Who dare crosse 'em,

2119Bearing the Kings will from his mouth expressely?

2120Car. Till I finde more then will, or words to do it,

2121(I meane your malice) know, Officious Lords,

2122I dare, and must deny it. Now I feele

2123Of what course Mettle ye are molded, Enuy,

2124How eagerly ye follow my Disgraces

2125As if it fed ye, and how sleeke and wanton

2126Ye appeare in euery thing may bring my ruine?

2127Follow your enuious courses, men of Malice;

2128You haue Christian warrant for 'em, and no doubt

2129In time will finde their fit Rewards. That Seale

2130You aske with such a Violence, the King

2131(Mine, and your Master) with his owne hand, gaue me:

2132Bad me enioy it, with the Place, and Honors

2133During my life; and to confirme his Goodnesse,

2134Ti'de it by Letters Patents. Now, who'll take it?

2135Sur. The King that gaue it.

2136Car. It must be himselfe then.

2137Sur. Thou art a proud Traitor, Priest.

2138Car. Proud Lord, thou lyest:

2139Within these fortie houres, Surrey durst better

2140Haue burnt that Tongue, then saide so.

2141Sur. Thy Ambition

2142(Thou Scarlet sinne) robb'd this bewailing Land

2143Of Noble Buckingham, my Father-in-Law,

2144The heads of all thy Brother-Cardinals,

2145(With thee, and all thy best parts bound together)

2146Weigh'd not a haire of his. Plague of your policie,

2147You sent me Deputie for Ireland,

2148Farre from his succour; from the King, from all

2149That might haue mercie on the fault, thou gau'st him:

2150Whil'st your great Goodnesse, out of holy pitty,

2151Absolu'd him with an Axe.

2152Wol. This, and all else

2153This talking Lord can lay vpon my credit,

2154I answer, is most false. The Duke by Law

2155Found his deserts. How innocent I was

2156From any priuate malice in his end,

2157His Noble Iurie, and foule Cause can witnesse.

2158If I lou'd many words, Lord, I should tell you,

2159You haue as little Honestie, as Honor,

2160That in the way of Loyaltie, and Truth,

2161Toward the King, my euer Roiall Master,

2162Dare mate a sounder man then Surrie can be,

2163And all that loue his follies.

2164Sur. By my Soule,

2165Your long Coat (Priest) protects you,

2166Thou should'st feele

2167My Sword i'th'life blood of thee else. My Lords,

2168Can ye endure to heare this Arrogance?

2169And from this Fellow? If we liue thus tamely,

2170To be thus Iaded by a peece of Scarlet,

2171Farewell Nobilitie: let his Grace go forward,

2172And dare vs with his Cap, like Larkes.

2173Card. All Goodnesse

2174Is poyson to thy Stomacke.

2175Sur. Yes, that goodnesse

2176Of gleaning all the Lands wealth into one,

2177Into your owne hands (Card'nall) by Extortion:

2178The goodnesse of your intercepted Packets

2179You writ to'th Pope, against the King: your goodnesse

2180Since you prouoke me, shall be most notorious.

2181My Lord of Norfolke, as you are truly Noble,

2182As you respect the common good, the State

2183Of our despis'd Nobilitie, our Issues,

2184(Whom if he liue, will scarse be Gentlemen)

2185Produce the grand summe of his sinnes, the Articles

2186Collected from his life. Ile startle you

2187Worse then the Sacring Bell, when the browne Wench

2188Lay kissing in your Armes, Lord Cardinall.

2189Car. How much me thinkes, I could despise this man,

2190But that I am bound in Charitie against it.

2191Nor. Those Articles, my Lord, are in the Kings hand:

2192But thus much, they are foule ones.

2193Wol. So much fairer

2194And spotlesse, shall mine Innocence arise,

2195When the King knowes my Truth.

2196Sur. This cannot saue you:

2197I thanke my Memorie, I yet remember

2198Some of these Articles, and out they shall.

2199Now, if you can blush, and crie guiltie Cardinall,

2200You'l shew a little Honestie.

2201Wol. Speake on Sir,

2202I dare your worst Obiections: If I blush,

2203It is to see a Nobleman want manners.

2204Sur. I had rather want those, then my head;

2205Haue at you.

2206First, that without the Kings assent or knowledge,

2207You wrought to be a Legate, by which power

2208You maim'd the Iurisdiction of all Bishops.

2209Nor. Then, That in all you writ to Rome, or else

2210To Forraigne Princes, Ego & Rex meus

2211Was still inscrib'd: in which you brought the King

2212To be your Seruant.

2213Suf. Then, that without the knowledge

2214Either of King or Councell, when you went

2215Ambassador to the Emperor, you made bold

2216To carry into Flanders, the Great Seale.

2217Sur. Item, You sent a large Commission

2218To Gregory de Cassado, to conclude

2219Without the Kings will, or the States allowance,

2220A League betweene his Highnesse, and Ferrara.

2221Suf. That out of meere Ambition, you haue caus'd

2222Your holy-Hat to be stampt on the Kings Coine.

2223Sur. Then, That you haue sent inumerable substance,

2224(By what meanes got, I leaue to your owne conscience)

2225To furnish Rome, and to prepare the wayes

2226You haue for Dignities, to the meere vndooing

2227Of all the Kingdome. Many more there are,

2228Which since they are of you, and odious,

2229I will not taint my mouth with.

2230Cham. O my Lord,

2231Presse not a falling man too farre: 'tis Vertue:

2232His faults lye open to the Lawes, let them

2233(Not you) correct him. My heart weepes to see him

2234So little, of his great Selfe.

2235Sur. I forgiue him.

2236Suf. Lord Cardinall, the Kings further pleasure is,

2237Because all those things you haue done of late

2238By your power Legatiue within this Kingdome,

2239Fall into 'th'compasse of a Premunire;

2240That therefore such a Writ be sued against you,

2241To forfeit all your Goods, Lands, Tenements,

2242Castles, and whatsoeuer, and to be

2243Out of the Kings protection. This is my Charge.

2244Nor. And so wee'l leaue you to your Meditations

2245How to liue better. For your stubborne answer

2246About the giuing backe the Great Seale to vs,

2247The King shall know it, and (no doubt) shal thanke you.

2248So fare you well, my little good Lord Cardinall.

2250Wol. So farewell, to the little good you beare me.

2251Farewell? A long farewell to all my Greatnesse.

2252This is the state of Man; to day he puts forth

2253The tender Leaues of hopes, to morrow Blossomes,

2254And beares his blushing Honors thicke vpon him:

2255The third day, comes a Frost; a killing Frost,

2256And when he thinkes, good easie man, full surely

2257His Greatnesse is a ripening, nippes his roote,

2258And then he fals as I do. I haue ventur'd

2259Like little wanton Boyes that swim on bladders:

2260This many Summers in a Sea of Glory,

2261But farre beyond my depth: my high-blowne Pride

2262At length broke vnder me, and now ha's left me

2263Weary, and old with Seruice, to the mercy

2264Of a rude streame, that must for euer hide me.

2265Vaine pompe, and glory of this World, I hate ye,

2266I feele my heart new open'd. Oh how wretched

2267Is that poore man, that hangs on Princes fauours?

2268There is betwixt that smile we would aspire too,

2269That sweet Aspect of Princes, and their ruine,

2270More pangs, and feares then warres, or women haue;

2271And when he falles, he falles like Lucifer,

2272Neuer to hope againe.

2274Why how now Cromwell?

2275Crom. I haue no power to speake Sir.

2276Car. What, amaz'd

2277At my misfortunes? Can thy Spirit wonder

2278A great man should decline. Nay, and you weep

2279I am falne indeed.

2280Crom. How does your Grace.

2281Card. Why well:

2282Neuer so truly happy, my good Cromwell,

2283I know my selfe now, and I feele within me,

2284A peace aboue all earthly Dignities,

2285A still, and quiet Conscience. The King ha's cur'd me,

2286I humbly thanke his Grace: and from these shoulders

2287These ruin'd Pillers, out of pitty, taken

2288A loade, would sinke a Nauy, (too much Honor.)

2289O 'tis a burden Cromwel, 'tis a burden

2290Too heauy for a man, that hopes for Heauen.

2291Crom. I am glad your Grace,

2292Ha's made that right vse of it.

2293Card. I hope I haue:

2294I am able now (me thinkes)

2295(Out of a Fortitude of Soule, I feele)

2296To endure more Miseries, and greater farre

2297Then my Weake-hearted Enemies, dare offer.

2298What Newes abroad?

2299Crom. The heauiest, and the worst,

2300Is your displeasure with the King.

2301Card. God blesse him.

2302Crom. The next is, that Sir Thomas Moore is chosen

2303Lord Chancellor, in your place.

2304Card. That's somewhat sodain.

2305But he's a Learned man. May he continue

2306Long in his Highnesse fauour, and do Iustice

2307For Truths-sake, and his Conscience; that his bones,

2308When he ha's run his course, and sleepes in Blessings,

2309May haue a Tombe of Orphants teares wept on him.

2310What more?

2311Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome;

2312Install'd Lord Arch-byshop of Canterbury.

2313Card. That's Newes indeed.

2314Crom. Last, that the Lady Anne,

2315Whom the King hath in secrecie long married,

2316This day was view'd in open, as his Queene,

2317Going to Chappell: and the voyce is now

2318Onely about her Corronation.

2319Card. There was the waight that pull'd me downe.

2320O Cromwell,

2321The King ha's gone beyond me: All my Glories

2322In that one woman, I haue lost for euer.

2323No Sun, shall euer vsher forth mine Honors,

2324Or gilde againe the Noble Troopes that waighted

2325Vpon my smiles. Go get thee from me Cromwel,

2326I am a poore falne man, vnworthy now

2327To be thy Lord, and Master. Seeke the King

2328(That Sun, I pray may neuer set) I haue told him,

2329What, and how true thou art; he will aduance thee:

2330Some little memory of me, will stirre him

2331(I know his Noble Nature) not to let

2332Thy hopefull seruice perish too. Good Cromwell

2333Neglect him not; make vse now, and prouide

2334For thine owne future safety.

2335Crom. O my Lord,

2336Must I then leaue you? Must I needes forgo

2337So good, so Noble, and so true a Master?

2338Beare witnesse, all that haue not hearts of Iron,

2339With what a sorrow Cromwel leaues his Lord.

2340The King shall haue my seruice; but my prayres

2341For euer, and for euer shall be yours.

2342Card. Cromwel, I did not thinke to shed a teare

2343In all my Miseries: But thou hast forc'd me

2344(Out of thy honest truth) to play the Woman.

2345Let's dry our eyes: And thus farre heare me Cromwel,

2346And when I am forgotten, as I shall be,

2347And sleepe in dull cold Marble, where no mention

2348Of me, more must be heard of: Say I taught thee;

2349Say Wolsey, that once trod the wayes of Glory,

2350And sounded all the Depths, and Shoales of Honor,

2351Found thee a way (out of his wracke) to rise in:

2352A sure, and safe one, though thy Master mist it.

2353Marke but my Fall, and that that Ruin'd me:

2354Cromwel, I charge thee, fling away Ambition,

2355By that sinne fell the Angels: how can man then

2356(The Image of his Maker) hope to win by it?

2357Loue thy selfe last, cherish those hearts that hate thee;

2358Corruption wins not more then Honesty.

2359Still in thy right hand, carry gentle Peace

2360To silence enuious Tongues. Be iust, and feare not;

2361Let all the ends thou aym'st at, be thy Countries,

2362Thy Gods, and Truths. Then if thou fall'st (O Cromwell)

2363Thou fall'st a blessed Martyr.

2364Serue the King: And prythee leade me in:

2365There take an Inuentory of all I haue,

2366To the last peny, 'tis the Kings. My Robe,

2367And my Integrity to Heauen, is all,

2368I dare now call mine owne. O Cromwel, Cromwel,

2369Had I but seru'd my God, with halfe the Zeale

2370I seru'd my King: he would not in mine Age

2371Haue left me naked to mine Enemies.

2372Crom. Good Sir, haue patience.

2373Card. So I haue. Farewell

2374The Hopes of Court, my Hopes in Heauen do dwell.