The long-grown wounds of my intemperance: K. Hen. A hundred thousand rebels die in this : Thou shalt have charge, and sovereign trust, herein. KING HENRY VIII. Many of the incidents of this Play, and much of the dialogue, were taken by Shaks. peare from chronicles of Hollingshed and Stowe, who were themselves indebted to "Cavendish's Life of Wolsey" for most of the particulars they gave of the Cardinal's history. Shakspeare has depicted the character of the gentle and noble-hearted Katharine of Arragon, with such felicitous skill. that the scenes in which she is introduced are considered among the finest efforts of the Poet's genius. The haughty Wolsey, is also a powerfully drawn picture. Our selections are devoted to the display of these two master-pieces of historical dramatic composition. PERSONS REPRESENTED. KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. CARDINAL WOLSEY. CARDINAL CAMPEIUS. CAPUCIUS, Ambassador from the Emperor, Charles V. CRANMER, Archbishop of Canterbury. DUKE OF NORFOLK. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. DUKE OF SUFFOLK. EARL OF SURREY. Lord Chamberlain. Lord Chancellor. GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester. BISHOP OF LINCOLN. LORD ABERGAVENNY. Sir HENRY GUILFORD. Sir THOMAS LOVELL. CROMWELL, servant to Wolsey. GRIFFITH, Gentleman- Usher to Queen Katharine. QUEEN KATHARINE, wife to King Henry, afterwards divorced. An old Lady, friend to Anne Bullen. PATIENCE, woman to Queen Katharine. Several Lords and Ladies in the Dumb Shows; Women attending upon the Queen; Spirits which appear to her; Scribes, Officers, Guards, and other Attendants. SCENE,-chiefly in LONDON and WESTMINSTER, once at KIMBOLTON. ACT I. Jch 25th 1857 Queen Katharine incurred the jealousy and hatred of Wolsey, by her opposition to his overbearing arrogance, and the exactions he was continually enforcing on the people. Shakspeare introduces the Queen, as a suitor to the King, on the subject of these oppressions of the people. SCENE II.-The Council-Chamber. Cornets. Enter KING HENRY, CARDINAL WOLSEY, the Lords of the K. Hen. My life itself, and the best heart of it, Thanks you for this great care: I stood i' the level To you that chok'd it. The The KING takes his State. The Lords of the Council take their several places. The CARDINAL places himself under the KING's feet, on his right side. A noise within, crying, Room for the Queen! Enter the QUEEN, ushered by the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK: she kneels. The KING rises from his State, takes her up, kisses, and places her by him. Q. Kath. Nay, we must longer kneel; I am a suitor. Never name to us; you have half our power; your suit Q. Kath. Thank your majesty. That you would love yourself; and, in that love, The dignity of your office, is the point Of my petition. K. Hen. Lady mine, proceed. Q. Kath. I am solicited, not by a few, And those of true condition, that your subjects My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches Most bitterly on you, as putter-on Of these exactions, yet the king our master, (Whose honor heaven shield from soil!) even he escapes not Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks The sides of loyalty, and almost appears In loud rebellion. Nor. Not almost appears, It doth appear for upon these taxations, K. Hen. Taxation! Wherein? and what taxation ?--My lord cardinal, Know you of this taxation ? Wol. Please you, sir, I know but of a single part, in aught Pertains to the state; and front but in that file Q. Kath. No, my lord, You know no more than others: but you frame K. Hen. Still exaction! The nature of it? In what kind, let's know, Q. Kath. I am much too venturous In tempting of your patience; but am bolden'd Without delay; and the pretence for this Is nam'd, your wars in France: This makes bold months; Live where their prayers did; and it's come to pass, To each incensed will. I would, your highness Would give it quick consideration, for There is no primer business. K. Hen. By my life, And for me, I have no further gone in this, than by A single voice; and that not pass'd me, but If I am traduc'd by tongues, which neither know The chronicles of my doing,-let me say, To cope malicious censurers; which ever, That is new trimm'd; but benefit no further K. Hen. Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear; |