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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    Not Peer Reviewed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 trumpets sounding: Then two aldermen, Lord Mayor, 3355Garter, Cranmer, Duke of Norfolk with his marshal's staff, Duke of Suffolk, two noblemen, bearing great standing bowls for the christening gifts. Then four noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the Duchess of Norfolk, godmother, bearing the child richly habited in 3360a mantle, &c. traine borne by a lady. Then follows the Marchioness Dorset, the other godmother, and ladies. The Troop pass once about the stage, and Garter speaks.
    Garter
    Heaven
    3365From thy endless goodness, send prosperous life,
    Long and ever happy, to the high and mighty
    Princess of England, Elizabeth.
    Flourish. Enter King and guard.
    Cranmer
    And to your royal grace and the good queen,
    3370My noble partners and myself thus pray
    All comfort, joy in this most gracious lady,
    Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy,
    May hourly fall upon ye.
    King Henry
    Thank you, good lord archbishop.
    3375What is her name?
    Cranmer
    Elizabeth.
    King Henry
    Stand up, lord;
    With this kiss take my blessing. God protect thee,
    Into whose hand I give thy life.
    3380Cranmer
    Amen.
    King Henry
    My noble gossips, y'have been too prodigal;
    I thank ye heartily. So shall this lady
    When she has so much English.
    Cranmer
    Let me speak, sir,
    3385For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter
    Let none think flattery; for they'll find 'em truth.
    This royal infant heaven still move about her,
    Though in her cradle, yet now promises
    Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
    3390Which time shall bring to ripeness. She shall be
    (But few now living can behold that goodness),
    A pattern to all princes living with her,
    And all that shall succeed. Saba was never
    More covetous of wisdom, and fair virtue
    3395Than this pure soul shall be. All princely graces
    That mold up such a mighty piece as this is,
    With all the virtues that attend the good,
    Shall still be doubled on her. Truth shall nurse her,
    Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her.
    3400She shall be loved and feared. Her own shall bless her;
    Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,
    And hang their heads with sorrow.
    Good grows with her.
    In her days every man shall eat in safety
    3405Under his own vine what he plants; and sing
    The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours.
    God shall be truly known and those about her
    From her shall read the perfect way of honor,
    And by those claim their greatness; not by blood.
    3410Nor shall this peace sleep with her. But as when
    The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,
    Her ashes new create another heir,
    As great in admiration as herself.
    So shall she leave her blessedness to one
    3415(When heaven shal call her from this cloud of darkness),
    Who, from the sacred ashes of her honor
    Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,
    And so stand fixed. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,
    That were the servants to this chosen infant,
    3420Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him;
    Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,
    His honor and the greatness of his name
    Shall be, and make new nations. He shall flourish,
    And like a mountain cedar reach his branches
    3425To all the plains about him. Our children's children
    Shall see this, and bless heaven.
    King Henry
    Thou speakest wonders.
    Cranmer
    She shall be to the happiness of England
    An aged princess; many days shall see her,
    3430And yet no day without a deed to crown it.
    Would I had known no more. But she must die,
    She must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin,
    A most unspotted lily shall she pass
    To th'ground, and all the world shall mourn her.
    3435King Henry
    O, lord Archbishop
    Thou hast made me now a man, never before
    This happy child did I get any thing.
    This oracle of comfort has so pleased me
    That when I am in heaven I shall desire
    3440To see what this child does and praise my maker.
    I thank ye all. To you, my good lord mayor,
    And you good brethren, I am much beholding.
    I have received much honor by your presence,
    And ye shall find me thankful. Lead the way, lords.
    3445Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye;
    She will be sick else. This day, no man think
    Has business at his house; for all shall stay:
    This little one shall make it holiday.
    Exeunt.
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