A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep, I am fallen indeed. Crom. Wol. How does your grace? Why, well; Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. A still and quiet conscience. The king has cur'd me, I humbly thank his grace; and from these shoulders, A load would sink a navy, too much honour: Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven. Crom. I am glad, your grace has made that right use of it. Wol. I hope, I have: I am able now, methinks, (Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,) To endure more miseries, and greater far, Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer. Crom. The heaviest, and the worst, God bless him! Is your displeasure with the king. Wol. Crom. The next is, that sir Thomas More is chosen Lord chancellor in your place. Wol. That's somewhat sudden : But he's a learned man. May he continue Long in his highness' favour, and do justice For truth's sake, and his conscience; that his bones, When he has run his course, and sleeps in blessings, 28 May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on 'em! What more? Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, Install'd lord archbishop of Canterbury. Wol. That's news indeed. Last, that the lady Anne, Wol. There was the weight that pull'd me down. O Cromwell, The king has gone beyond me, all my glories In that one woman I have lost for ever: No sun shall ever usher forth mine honours, Or gild again the noble troops that waited Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell; I am a poor fallen man, unworthy now To be thy lord and master: Seek the king; That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him What, and how true thou art: he will advance thee; Some little memory of me will stir him, (I know his noble nature,) not to let Thy hopeful service perish too: Good Cromwell, Neglect him not; make use now, and provide For thine own future safety. Crom. O my lord, Must I then leave you? must I needs forego Wol. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear Let's dry our eyes and thus far hear me, Cromwell; Love thyself last : 29 cherish those hearts that hate thee; Corruption wins not more than honesty. To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not: Thou fall'st a blessed martyr. Serve the king; And,-Pr'ythee, lead me in: There take an inventory of all I have, To the last penny; 'tis the king's my robe, I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell, 30 Had I but serv'd my God with half the zeal I serv'd my king, he would not in mine age Crom. Good sir, have patience. So I have. Farewell Wol. The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. [Exeunt, ACT IV. SCENE I. A Street in Westminster. Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1 Gent. You are well met once again. 2 Gent. And so are you. 1 Gent. You come to take your stand here, and behold The lady Anne pass from her coronation ? 2 Gent. 'Tis all my business. At our last en counter, The duke of Buckingham came from his trial. 1 Gent. 'Tis very true: but that time offer'd sorrow; This, general joy. 2 Gent. 'Tis well: the citizens, I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds; Pageants, and sights of honour. 1 Gent. Never greater, Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir. 2 Gent. May I be bold to ask what that contains, paper in your hand? That 1 Gent. Yes; 'tis the list Of those, that claim their offices this day, By custom of the coronation. |