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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Enter Katherine Dowager, sick, lead between Griffith,
    her gentleman usher, and Patience
    2550her Woman.
    Griffith
    How does your grace?
    Katharine
    O Griffith, sick to death.
    My legs like loaden branches bow to'th'earth,
    Willing to leave their burthen. Reach a chair.
    2555So now, methinks, I feel a little ease.
    Did'st thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou lead'st me,
    That the great child of honor, Cardinal Wolsey,
    Was dead?
    Griffith
    Yes, madam, but I thank your grace,
    2560Out of the pain you suffered, gave no ear to't.
    Katharine
    Prithee good Griffith, tell me how he died.
    If well, he stepped before me happily
    For my example.
    Griffith
    Well, the voice goes, Madam,
    2565For after the stout Earl Northumberland
    Arrested him at York and brought him forward
    As a man sorely tainted to his answer,
    He fell sick suddenly and grew so ill
    He could not sit his mule.
    2570Katharine
    Alas, poor man.
    Griffith
    At last, with easy roads he came to Leicester,
    Lodged in the abbey, where the reverend abbot,
    With all his covent, honorably received him.
    To whom he gave these words: "O father Abbot,
    2575An old man, broken with the storms of state,
    Is come to lay his weary bones among ye.
    Give him a little earth for charity."
    So went to bed, where eagerly his sickness
    Pursued him still, and three nights after this,
    2580About the hour of eight (which he himself
    Foretold should be his last, full of Repentance,
    Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows,
    He gaue his honors to the world again,
    His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace.
    2585Katharine
    So may he rest;
    His faults lie gently on him.
    Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him
    And yet with charity. He was a man
    Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking
    2590Himself with princes. One that, by suggestion,
    Tied all the kingdom. Symony was fair play;
    His own opinion was his law. I'th'presence
    He would say untruths and be ever double,
    Both in his words and meaning. He was never
    2595(But where he meant to ruin) pitiful.
    His promises were, as he then was, mighty.
    But his performance, as he is now, nothing.
    Of his own body he was ill and gave
    The clergy ill example.
    2600Griffith
    Noble Madam:
    Mens evil manners live in brass, their virtues
    We write in water. May it please your highness
    To hear me speake his good now?
    Katharine
    Yes, good Griffith:
    2605I were malicious else.
    Griffith
    This cardinal,
    Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly
    Was fashioned to much honor. From his cradle
    He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one:
    2610Exceeding wise, fair spoken, and persuading;
    Lofty and sour to them that loved him not,
    But to those men that sought him, sweet as summer.
    And though he were unsatisfied in getting
    (Which was a sin), yet in bestowing, madam,
    2615He was most princely. Ever witness for him
    Those twins of learning that he raised in you,
    Ipswich and Oxford, one of which fell with him,
    Unwilling to out live the good that did it.
    The other (though unfinished), yet so famous,
    2620So excellent in art, and still so rising
    That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.
    His overthrow heaped happiness upon him.
    For then, and not till then, he felt himself
    And found the blessedness of being little.
    2625And to add greater honors to his age
    Than man could give him he died fearing God.
    Katharine
    After my death I wish no other herald,
    No other speaker of my living actions,
    To keep mine honor from corruption,
    2630But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.
    Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me
    With thy religious truth and modesty
    (Now in his Ashes), honor. Peace be with him.
    Patience, be near me still, and set me lower.
    2635I have not long to trouble thee. Good Griffith,
    Cause the musicians play me that sad note
    I named my knell, whilst I sit meditating
    On that celestial harmony I go to.
    Sad and solemn music.
    2640Griffith
    She is asleep. Good wench, let's sit down quiet,
    For fear we wake her. Softly, gentle Patience.
    The vision.
    Enter solemnly tripping one after another, six personages, clad in white robes, wearing on their heads garlands of 2645bay, and golden vizards on their faces, branches of bay or palm in their hands. They first conge unto her, then dance and at certain changes, the first two hold a spare garland over her head, at which the other four make reverend curtsies. Then the two that held the garland 2650deliver the same to the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the garland over her
    head. Which done, they deliver the same garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order. At which (as it were by inspiration), she makes (in her sleep), signs of 2655rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven. And so in their dancing vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues.
    Katharine
    Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone
    And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?
    2660Griffith
    Madam, we are here.
    Katharine
    It is not you I call for,
    Saw ye none enter since I slept?
    Griffith
    None, madam.
    Katharine
    No? Saw you not even now a blessed troupe
    2665Invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces
    Cast thousand beams upon me like the sun?
    They promised me eternal happiness,
    And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel
    I am not worthy yet to weare: I shall assuredly.
    2670Griffith
    I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams
    Possess your fancy.
    Katharine
    Bid the music leave.
    They are harsh and heavy to me.
    Music ceases.
    Patience
    Do you note
    2675How much her grace is altered on the sudden?
    How long her face is drawn; how pale she looks,
    And of an earthy cold. Mark her eyes.
    Griffith
    She is going, wench. Pray, pray.
    Patience
    Hea en comfort her.
    2680Enter a Messenger.
    Messenger
    And't like your grace ...
    Katharine
    You are a saucy fellow.
    Deserve we no more reverence?
    Griffith
    You are too blame,
    2685Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness,
    To use so rude behavior. Go to, kneel.
    Messenger
    I humbly do entreat your highness's pardon.
    My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying
    A gentleman sent from the king to see you.
    2690Katharine
    Admit him entrance, Griffith. But this fellow
    Let me ne'er see again.
    Exit Messenger.
    Enter Lord Capuchius.
    If my sight fail not,
    You should be lord ambassador from the emperor
    2695My royal nephew, and your name Capuchius.
    Capuchius
    Madam, the same. Your servant.
    Katharine
    O, my lord,
    The times and titles now are altered strangely
    With me since first you knew me.
    2700But I pray you,
    What is your pleasure with me?
    Capuchius
    Noble lady,
    First mine own service to your grace; the next
    The king's request, that I would visit you,
    2705Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me
    Sends you his princely commendations,
    And heartily entreats you take good comfort.
    Katharine
    O my good lord, that comfort comes too late.
    'Tis like a pardon after execution.
    2710That gentle physic, given in time, had cured me.
    But now I am past all comforts here but prayers.
    How does his highness?
    Capuchius
    Madam, in good health.
    Katharine
    So may he ever do, and ever flourish
    2715When I shall dwell with worm and my poor name
    Banished the kingdom. Patience, is that letter
    I caused you write yet sent away?
    Patience
    No, madam.
    Katharine
    Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver
    2720This to my lord the king.
    Capuchius
    Most willing, madam.
    Katharine
    In which I have commended to his goodness
    The model of our chaste loves: his young daughter.
    The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her,
    2725Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding.
    She is young and of a noble modest nature.
    I hope she will deserve well, and a little
    To love her for her mother's sake, that loved him,
    Heaven knows how dearly.
    2730My next poor petition
    Is that his noble grace would have some pity
    Upon my wretched women, that so long
    Have followed both my fortunes faithfully,
    Of which there is not one I dare avow
    2735(And now I should not lie), but will deserve
    For virtue and true beauty of the soul,
    For honesty and decent carriage,
    A right good husband. Let him be a noble,
    And sure those men are happy that shall have 'em.
    2740The last is for my men: they are the poorest
    (But poverty could never draw 'em from me),
    That they may have their wages duly paid 'em,
    And something over to remember me by.
    If Heaven had pleased to have given me longer life
    2745And able means we had not parted thus.
    These are the whole contents and good my lord,
    By that you love the dearest in this world,
    As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,
    Stand these poor peoples' friend and urge the king
    2750To do me this last right.
    Capuchius
    By heaven I will,
    Or let me lose the fashion of a man.
    Katharine
    I thank you, honest lord. Remember me
    In all humility unto his highness.
    2755Say his long trouble now is passing
    Out of this world. Tell him in death I blessed him,
    For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell,
    My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,
    You must not leave me yet. I must to bed.
    2760Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,
    Let me be used with honor. Strew me over
    With maiden flowers, that all the world may know
    I was a chaste wife to my grave. Embalm me
    Then lay me forth, although unqueened, yet like
    2765A queen and daughter to a king inter me.
    I can no more.
    Exeunt leading Katherine.