Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Through Line Number
Help on texts
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 Gardiner Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a Torch 2770before him, met by Sir Thomas Lovell.
    Gardiner
    It's one a'clock boy, is't not.
    Boy
    It hath struck.
    Gardiner
    These should be hours for necessities,
    Not for delights. Times to repair our nature
    2775With comforting repose, and not for us
    To waste these times. Good hour of night, Sir Thomas:
    Whither so late?
    Lovell
    Came you from the king, my lord?
    Gardiner
    I did, Sir Thomas, and left him at primero
    2780With the Duke of Suffolk.
    Lovell
    I must to him, too,
    Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.
    Gardiner
    Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter?
    It seems you are in haste, and if there be
    2785No great offence belongs to't, give your friend
    Some touch of your late businesse. Affairs that walk,
    (As they say spirits do) at midnight, have
    In them a wilder nature than the business
    That seeks dispatch by day.
    2790Lovell
    My lord, I love you
    And durst commend a secret to your ear
    Much weightier than this work. The queen's in labor:
    They say in great extremity, and feared
    She'll with the labor end.
    2795Gardiner
    The fruit she goes with
    I pray for heartily, that it may find
    Good time and live; but for the stock, Sir Thomas,
    I wish it grubbed up now.
    Lovell
    Methinks I could
    2800Cry thee amen, and yet my conscience says
    She's a good creature, and sweet lady does
    Deserve our better wishes.
    Gardiner
    But sir, sir:
    Hear me Sir Thomas, y'are a gentleman
    2805Of mine own way. I know you wise, religious,
    And let me tell you it will ne'er be well:
    'Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me,
    Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she
    Sleep in their graves.
    2810Lovell
    Now sir, you speak of two
    The most remarked i'th'kingdom. As for Cromwell,
    Beside that of the Jewel House, is made Master
    O'th'Rolls, and the king's Secretary. Further, sir,
    Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments
    2815With which the lime will load him. Th'archbishop
    Is the king's hand and tongue, and who dare speak
    One syllable against him?
    Gardiner
    Yes, yes, Sir Thomas.
    There are that dare, and I myself have ventured
    2820To speak my mind of him; and indeed this day
    Sir (I may tell it you), I think I have
    Incensed the lords o'th'council, that he is
    (For so I know he is, they know he is),
    A most arch-heretic, a pestilence
    2825That does infect the land, with which they moved
    Have broken with the king who hath so far
    Given ear to our complaint of his great grace
    And princely care, foreseeing those fell mischiefs,
    Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded
    2830Tomorrow morning to the council board
    He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Thomas,
    And we must root him out. From your affairs
    I hinder you too long. Good night, Sir Thomas.
    Exit Gardiner and Page.
    2835Lovell
    Many good nights, my lord, I rest your servant.
    Enter King and Suffolk.
    King Henry
    Charles, I will play no more tonight.
    My mind's not on't; you are too hard for me.
    Suffolk
    Sir, I did never win of you before.
    2840King Henry
    But little, Charles,
    Nor shall not when my fancy's on my play.
    Now Lovell, from the queen what is the news.
    Lovell
    I could not personally deliver to her
    What you commanded me, but by her woman
    2845I sent your message, who returned her thanks
    In the great'st humbleness, and desired your highness
    Most heartily to pray for her.
    King Henry
    What say'st thou, ha?
    To pray for her? What, is she crying out?
    2850Lovell
    So said her woman, and that her suffrance made
    Almost each pang a death.
    King Henry
    Alas, good Lady.
    Suffolk
    God safely quit her of her burthen, and
    With gentle travail, to the gladding of
    2855Your highness with an heir.
    King Henry
    'Tis midnight, Charles.
    Prithee to bed, and in thy prayers remember
    Th'estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone,
    For I must think of that which company
    2860Would not be friendly to.
    Suffolk
    I wish your highness
    A quiet night and my good mistress will
    Remember in my prayers.
    King Henry
    Charles, good night.
    Exit Suffolk.
    2865Well sir, what follows?
    Enter Sir Anthony Denny.
    Denny
    Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop
    As you commanded me.
    King Henry
    Ha? Canterbury?
    2870Denny
    Aye, my good lord.
    King Henry
    'Tis true. Where is he Denny?
    Denny
    He attends your highness' pleasure.
    King Henry
    Bring him to us.
    Lovell
    This is about that which the bishop spake,
    2875I am happily come hither.
    Enter Cranmer and Denny.
    King Henry
    Avoid the gallery.
    Lovell seems to stay.
    Ha? I have said. Be gone.
    What?
    Exeunt Lovell and Denny.
    2880Cranmer
    I am fearful. Wherefore frowns he thus?
    'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.
    King Henry
    How now,my lord?
    You do desire to know wherefore
    I sent for you.
    2885Cranmer
    It is my duty
    T'attend your highness' pleasure.
    King Henry
    Pray you arise,
    My good and gracious lord of Canterbury.
    Come, you and I must walk a turn together;
    2890I have news to tell you.
    Come, come, give me your hand.
    Ah my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,
    And am right sorry to repeat what follows.
    I have, and most unwillingly, of late
    2895Heard many grievous - I do say, my lord
    Grievous complaints of you, which being considered,
    Have moved us and our council, that you shall
    This morning come before us, where I know
    You cannot with such freedom purge yourself,
    2900But that till further trial, in those charges
    Which will require your answer, you must take
    Your patience to you and be well contented
    To make your house our Tower. You, a brother of us,
    It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness
    2905Would come against you.
    Cranmer
    I humbly thank your highness,
    And am right glad to catch this good occasion
    Most throughly to be winnowed, where my chaff
    And corn shall fly asunder. For I know
    2910There's none stands under more calumnious tongues,
    Than I myself, poor man.
    King Henry
    Stand up, good Canterbury,
    Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
    In us thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up.
    2915Prithee, let's walk. Now by my holydame,
    What manner of man are you? My lord, I looked
    You would have given me your petition, that
    I should have ta'en some pains to bring together
    Yourself and your accusers, and to have heard you
    2920Without endurance further.
    Cranmer
    Most dread liege,
    The good I stand on is my truth and honesty.
    If they shall fail, aye with mine enemies
    Will triumph o'er my person, which I weigh not,
    2925Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing
    What can be said against me.
    King Henry
    Know you not
    How your state stands i'th'world, with the whole world?
    Your enemies are many and not small; their practices
    2930Must bear the same proportion and not ever
    The justice and the truth o'th'question carries
    The dew o'th'verdict with it. At what ease
    Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
    To swear against you? Such things have been done.
    2935You are potently opposed, and with a malice
    Of as great size. Ween you of better luck,
    I mean in perjured witness, then your master,
    Whose minister you are while here he lived
    Upon this naughty earth. Go to, go to,
    2940You take a precepit for no leap of danger,
    And woe your own destruction.
    Cranmer
    God and your majesty
    Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
    The trap is laid for me.
    2945King Henry
    Be of good cheer.
    They shall no more prevail than we give way to.
    Keep comfort to you, and this morning see
    You do appear before them. If they shall chance
    In charging you with matters to commit you,
    2950The best persuasions to the contrary
    Fail not to use, and with what vehemency
    Th'occasion shall instruct you. If entreaties
    Will render you no remedy, this ring
    Deliver them and your appeal to us
    2955There make before them. [Aside] Look, the good man weeps.
    He's honest, on mine honor. Gods blessed mother,
    I swear he is true-hearted, and a soul
    None better in my kingdom. [To Cranmer] Get you gone,
    And do as I have bid you.
    Exit Cranmer.
    2960He has strangled his language in his tears.
    Enter Old Lady.
    Lovell
    Come back. What mean you?
    Old Lady
    I'll not come back. The tidings that I bring
    Will make my boldness manners. Now good angels
    2965Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person
    Under their blessed wings.
    King Henry
    Now, by thy looks
    I guess thy message. Is the queen delivered?
    Say aye, and of a boy.
    2970Old Lady
    Aye, aye my liege,
    And of a lovely boy. The god of heaven
    Both now and ever bless her. 'Tis a girl
    Promises boys heereafter. Sir, your queen
    Desires your visitation and to be
    2975Acquainted with this stranger. 'Tis as like you
    As cherry is to cherry.
    King Henry
    Lovell.
    Lovell
    Sir.
    King Henry
    Give her an hundred marks.
    2980I'll to the queen.
    Exit King.
    Old Lady
    An hundred marks? By this light I'll ha' more.
    An ordinary groom is for such payment.
    I will have more, or scold it out of him.
    Said I for this, the girl was like to him? I'll
    2985Have more, or else unsay't: and now, while 'tis hot,
    I'll put it to the issue.
    Exit Lady.
    About
    Contact us
    Content quality
    Site guide
    © Internet Shakespeare Editions
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    University of Victoria
    Friends of the ISE
    SSHRC