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  • Title: Henry The Eighth (Modern)
  • Editor: Diane Jakacki

  • Copyright Diane Jakacki. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Diane Jakacki
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry The Eighth (Modern)

    820Enter two Gentlemen at several doors.
    1 Gentleman
    Whither away so fast?
    2 Gentleman
    O, God save ye;
    EEv'n to the hall to hear what shall become
    Of the great Duke of Buckingham.
    8251 Gentleman
    I'll save you
    That labor, sir. All's now done but the ceremony
    Of bringing back the prisoner.
    2 Gentleman
    Were you there?
    1 Gentleman
    Yes, indeed was I.
    8302 Gentleman
    Pray, speak what has happened.
    1 Gentleman
    You may guess quickly what.
    2 Gentleman
    Is he found guilty?
    1 Gentleman
    Yes, truly is he,
    And condemned upon't.
    8352 Gentleman
    I am sorry for't.
    1 Gentleman
    So are a number more.
    2 Gentleman
    But pray, how passed it?
    1 Gentleman
    I'll tell you in a little. The great duke
    Came to the bar where, to his accusations,
    840He pleaded still not guilty, and alleged
    Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.
    The king's attorney, on the contrary,
    Urged on the examinations, proofs, confessions
    Of divers witnesses, which the duke desired
    845To him brought viva voce to his face;
    At which appeared against him his surveyor,
    Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor, and John Carr,
    Confessor to him, with that devil monk,
    Hopkins, that made this mischief.
    8502 Gentleman
    That was he
    That fed him with his prophecies?
    1 Gentleman
    The same.
    All these accused him strongly, which he fain
    Would have flung from him, but indeed he could not.
    855And so his peers, upon this evidence,
    Have found him guilty of high treason. Much
    He spoke, and learnedly, for life, but all
    Was either pitied in him, or forgotten.
    2 Gentleman
    After all this how did he bear himself?
    8601 Gentleman
    When he was brought again to th'bar, to hear
    His knell rung out, his judgement, he was stirred
    With such an agony, he sweat extremely,
    And something spoke in choler, ill, and hasty;
    But he fell to himself again, and sweetly
    865In all the rest showed a most noble patience.
    2 Gentleman
    I do not think he fears death.
    1 Gentleman
    Sure he does not;
    He never was so womanish. The cause
    He may a little grieve at.
    8702 Gentleman
    Certainly
    The cardinal is the end of this.
    1 Gentleman
    'Tis likely
    By all conjectures: first Kildare's attainder,
    Then Deputy of Ireland, who removed,
    875Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,
    Lest he should help his father.
    2 Gentleman
    That trick of state
    Was a deep, envious one.
    1 Gentleman
    At his return
    880No doubt he will requite it. This is noted
    (And generally), whoever the king favors
    The cardinal instantly will find employment,
    And far enough from court, too.
    2 Gentleman
    All the commons
    885Hate him perniciously and, o' my conscience,
    Wish him ten fathom deep. This duke as much
    They love and dote on, call him 'bounteous Buckingham,
    The mirror of all courtesy.'
    1 Gentleman
    Stay there, sir,
    And see the noble ruined man you speak of.
    8952 Gentleman
    Let's stand close and behold him.
    Buckingham
    All good people:
    You that thus far have come to pity me,
    Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.
    I have this day received a traitor's judgement,
    900And by that name must die; yet heaven bear witness,
    And if I have a conscience, let it sink me,
    Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful.
    The law I bear no malice for my death.
    'T has done upon the premises but justice.
    905But those that sought it I could wish more Christians
    (Be what they will), I heartily forgive 'em.
    Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief,
    Nor build their evils on the graves of great men;
    For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em.
    910For further life in this world I ne'er hope,
    Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies
    More than I dare make faults.
    You few that loved me,
    And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,
    915His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave
    Is only bitter to him, only dying:
    Go with me like good angels to my end,
    And as the long divorce of steel falls on me,
    Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice
    920And lift my soul to heaven.
    Lead on, a God's name.
    Lovell
    I do beseech your grace, for charity,
    If ever any malice in your heart
    Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.
    925Buckingham
    Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you
    As I would be forgiven; I forgive all.
    There cannot be those numberless offences
    'Gainst me that I cannot take peace with.
    No black envy shall make my grave.
    930Commend me to his grace,
    And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him
    You met him half in heaven. My vows and prayers
    Yet are the king's, and till my soul forsake
    Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live
    935Longer then I have time to tell his years,
    Ever beloved and loving may his rule be;
    And when old time shall lead him to his end,
    Goodness and he fill up one monument.
    Lovell
    To th' waterside I must conduct your grace,
    940Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,
    Who undertakes you to your end.
    Prepare there,
    The duke is coming! See the barge be ready,
    And fit it with such furniture as suits
    945The greatness of his person.
    Buckingham
    Nay, Sir Nicholas,
    Let it alone; my state now will but mock me.
    When I came hither I was Lord High Constable
    And Duke of Buckingham: now, poor Edward Bohun.
    950Yet I am richer then my base accusers,
    That never knew what truth meant. I now seal it,
    And with that blood will make 'em one day groan for't.
    My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,
    Who first raised head against usurping Richard;
    955Flying for succor to his servant Banister,
    Being distressed, was by that wretch betrayed,
    And without trial fell. God's peace be with him.
    Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying
    My father's loss, like a most royal prince
    960Restored me to my honors; and out of ruins
    Made my name once more noble. Now his son,
    Henry the Eighth, life, honor, name, and all
    That made me happy, at one stroke has taken
    Forever from the world. I had my trial,
    965And must needs say a noble one, which makes me
    A little happier than my wretched father.
    Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both
    Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most;
    A most unnatural and faithless service.
    970Heaven has an end in all. Yet you that hear me,
    This from a dying man receive as certain:
    Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels,
    Be sure you be not loose, for those you make friends
    And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
    975The least rub in your fortunes, fall away
    Like water from ye, never found again
    But where they mean to sink ye. All good people
    Pray for me. I must now forsake ye. The last hour
    Of my long weary life is come upon me.
    980Farewell, and when you would say something that is sad,
    Speak how I fell.
    I have done, and God forgive me.
    Exeunt Duke and train.
    1 Gentleman
    Oh, this is full of pity! Sir, it calls,
    985I fear, too many curses on their heads
    That were the authors.
    2 Gentleman
    If the duke be guiltless
    'Tis full of woe; yet I can give you inkling
    Of an ensuing evil if it fall
    990Greater than this.
    1 Gentleman
    Good angels keep it from us;
    What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir?
    2 Gentleman
    This secret is so weighty 'twill require
    A strong faith to conceal it.
    9951 Gentleman
    Let me have it;
    I do not talk much.
    2 Gentleman
    I am confident
    You shall, sir. Did you not of late days hear
    A buzzing of a separation
    1000Between the king and Katherine?
    1 Gentleman
    Yes, but it held not,
    For when the king once heard it, out of anger
    He sent command to the Lord Mayor straight
    To stop the rumor and allay those tongues
    1005That durst disperse it.
    2 Gentleman
    But that slander, sir,
    Is found a truth now for it grows again
    Fresher then e'er it was, and held for certain
    The King will venture at it. Either the cardinal,
    1010Or some about him near have, out of malice
    To the good queen, possessed him with a scruple
    That will undo her. To confirm this, too,
    Cardinal Campeius is arrived and lately,
    As all think for this business.
    10151 Gentleman
    'Tis the cardinal;
    And merely to revenge him on the emperor
    For not bestowing on him at his asking
    he Archbishopric of Toledo this is purposed.
    2 Gentleman
    I think
    1020You have hit the mark. But is't not cruel
    That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal
    Will have his will and she must fall.
    1 Gentleman
    'Tis woeful.
    We are too open here to argue this;
    1025Let's think in private more.
    Exeunt.