2 Gent. May I be bold to ask what that con- And more, and richer, when he strains that tains, That paper in your hand? 1 Gent. Yes; 'tis the list Of those, that claim their offices this day, By custom of the coronation. The duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims To be high steward; next the duke of Nor- He to be earl marshal; you may read the rest. I should have been beholden to your paper. The princess dowager! how goes her business? Of Canterbury, accompanied with other She oft was cited by them, but appear'd not; [Trumpets. 2 Gent. Alas, good lady !The trumpets sound: stand close, the queen is coming. THE ORDER OF THE PROCESSION. A lively flourish of Trumpets; then enter 1. Two Judges. 2. The Lord Chancellor, with the purse and mace before him. 3. Choristers singing. Then [Music. 4. Mayor of London bearing the mace. Garter, in his coat of arms, and on his head, a gilt copper crown. lady: I cannot blame his conscience. 1 Gent. They, that bear The cloth of honour over her, are four barns 2 Gent. Those men are happy; and so are all, I take it, she that carries up the train, 2 Gent. You saw The ceremony? 3 Gent. That I did. 1 Gent. How was it? 3 Gent. Well worth the seeing. 2 Gent. Good Sir, speak it to us. 3 Gent. As well as I am able. The rich Of lords, and ladies, having brought the queen A distance from her; while her grace sat down To rest a while, some half an hour, or so, In a rich chair of state, opposing freely The beauty of her person to the people. Believe me, Sir, she is the goodliest woman That ever lay by man: which when the people Had the full view of, such a noise arose As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest, 5. Marquis Dorset, bearing a sceptre of As loud, and to as many tunes: hats, cloaks, gold, on his head a demi-coronal of (Doublets, I think,) flew up: and had their gold. With him the earl of Surrey, Been loose, this day they had been lost. Such bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned with an earl's coronet. Col lars of SS. 6. Duke of Suffolk, in his robe of estate, his 7. A canopy borne by four of the cinque- 9. Certain Ladies or Countesses, with plain faces joy I never saw before. Great-bellied women No man And make them reel before them. woven 2 Gent. But, 'pray, what follow'd? 2 Gent. At length her grace rose, and with modest paces Came to the altar; where she kneel'd, and, Cast saint-like, her fair eyes to heaven, and pray'd de- Then rose again, and bow'd her to the people; 2 Gent. A royal train, believe me.--These I As holy oil, Edward Confessor's crown, The rod, and bird of peace, and all such em- Laid nobly on her; which perform'd, the choir, 2 Gent. A bold brave gentleman: And that Together sung Te Deum. So she parted, Aud with the same full state pac'd back again Must no more call it York-place, that is past : But 'us so lately alter'd, that the old name 2 Gent. What two reverend bishops queen? 3 Gent, Stokesly and Gardiner; the one, of Of his own body he was ill,⚫ and gave Winchester, (Newly preferr'd from the king's secretary,) The other, London. 2 Gent. He of Winchester Is held no great good lover of the archbishop's, The virtuous Cranmer. 3 Gent. All the land knows that: However, yet there's no great breach; when it comes, Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him. 2 Gent. Who may that be, I pray you? 3 Gent. Thomas Cromwell; A man in much esteem with the king, and truly Has made him master o'the jewel house, 3 Gent. Yes, without all doubt. Come, gentlemen, ye shall go my way, which Both. You may command us, Sir. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Kimbolton. Enter KATHARINE, Dowager, sick ; led between GRIFFITH and PATIENCE. Grif. How does your grace? Kath. O Griffith, sick to death: My legs, like loaden branches, bow to the earth, Willing to leave their burden: Reach a chair ;So, now, methinks, I feel a little ease. Didst thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou led'st me, That the great child of honour, cardinal Wolsey, Was dead? Grif. Yes, madam; but, I think, your grace, Out of the pain you suffer'd, gave no ear to't. Kath. Pr'ythee, good Griffith, tell me how he died: If well, he stepp'd before me, happily ⚫ Grif. Well, the voice goes, madam: Kath. Alas! poor man! Grif. At last, with easy roads, he came to Lodg'd in the abbey; where the reverend abbot, Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak bim, And yet with charity,-He was a man The clergy ill example. Grif. Noble madam, Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues To hear me speak his good now? I were malicious else. Grif. This cardinal, And though he were unsatisfied in getting, Unwilling to outlive the good that did it; Kath. After my death 1 wish no other herald, Peace be with him!Patience, be near me still; and set me lower : I have not long to trouble thee.-Good Griffith, Cause the musicians play me that sad note I nam'd my knell, whilst I sit meditating On that celestial harmony I go to. Sad and solemn music. Grif. 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 bays, and golden vizards on their faces; branches of bays, or palm, in their hands. They first congee 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 court'sies; then the two that held the garland, deliver 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 'rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven: and so in their dancing they vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues. Enter a MESSENGER. Mess. An't like your grace, Kath. You are a saucy fellow : Deserve we no more reverence? Grif. You are to blame, I hope, she will deserve well;) and a little Is, that his noble grace would have some pity A right good husband, let him be a noble ; The last is, for my men :-they are the poorest, But poverty could never draw them from me ;That they may have their wages duly paid them, And something over to remember me by; If Heaven had pleas'd to have given me longer life, And 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, Knowing, she will not lose her wonted great. As you wish Christian peace to souls departed, Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the king To do me this last right. Cap. By heaven, I will; Or let me loose the fashion of a mau ! [me Kath. I thank you, honest lord. Remember In all bumility unto his bighness: Say, his long trouble now is passing Out of this world: tell him, in death 1 bless'd him, For so I will.-Mine eyes grow dim.-Farewell, Let me be us'd with honour; 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 unqueen'd, yet like A queen, and daughter to a king, inter me. [Exeunt leading KATHARINE. ACT V. SCENE I.-A Gallery in the Palace. Enter GARDINER Bishop of Winchester, a Gar. It's one o'clock, boy, is't not? Gar. These should be hours for necessities, Whither so late? Lov. Came you from the king, my lord? Gar. I did, Sir Thomas; and left him at primero + With the duke of Suffolk. Lov. I must to him too, Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave. Gar. Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter? It seems you are in haste: an if there be Even if he should be. A game at cards. (As, they say, spirits do,) at midnight, have In them a wilder nature, than the business That seeks despatch by day. Lov. My lord, I love you; And durst commend a secret to your ear Much weightier than this work. The queen's in labour, They say, in great extremity; and fear'd, Gar. The fruit she goes with, Good time, and live: but for the stock, Thomas, wish it grubb'd up now. Lov. Methinks, I could Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does Deserve our better wishes. Gar. But, Sir, Sir, K. Hen. What say'st thou ? ha! Almost each pang a death. K. Hen. Alas, good lady! Suf. God safely quit her of her burden, and K. Hen. 'Tis midnight, Charles, Hear me, Sir Thomas: You are a gentleman Of 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. Lov. Now, Sir, you speak of two The most remark'd i'the kingdom. As for Cromwell, Beside that of the jewel-house, be's made master O'the rolls, and the king's secretary: further, Sir, stands in the gap and trade of more preferments, With which the time will load him: The arch bishop Suf. I wish your highness A quiet night, and my good mistress will Remember in my prayers. K. Hen. Charles, good night. [Exit SUFFOLK. Re-enter DENNY, with CRANMER. K. Hen. Avoid the gallery. [LOVELL seems to stay. Is the king's hand, and tongue; And who dare Ha!-I have said.-Begone. To-morrow morning to the council-board And we must root him out. From your affairs [Exeunt GARDINER and PAGE. As LOVELL is going out, enter the KING, and the Duke of SUFFOLK. K. Hen. Charles, I will play no more tonight; My mind's not on't, you are too hard for me. What ! [Exeunt LOVELL and DENNY. Cran. I am fearful :-Wherefore frowns be thus ? 'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well. K. Hen. How now, my lord? You do desire to know Wherefore I sent for you. Cran. It is my duty, To attend your highness' pleasure. My good and gracious lord of Canterbury. Ab! my good lord, I grieve at what I speak, Have mov'd us, and our council, that you shall Cran. I humbly thank your highness: Than I myself, poor man. K. Hen. Stand up, good Canterbury; Thy truth, and thy integrity, is rooted In us, thy friend: Give me thy hand, stand up; Pr'ythee, let's walk. Now, by my holy-dame, What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd You would have given me your petition, that One of the council. Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard | Said I for this, the girl is like to him? you Without indurance, further. Cran. Most dread liege, The good I stand ou is, my truth and honesty ; Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing K. Hen. Know you not how Your state stands i'the world, with the whole world? Your enemies Are many, and not small; their practices You are potently oppos'd; and with a malice Cran. God and your majesty Protect mine innocence, or I fall into K. Hen. 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, Fail not to use, and with what vehemency There make before them.-Look, the good man weeps. He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother! I swear, he is true-hearted; and a soul His language in his tears. Enter an old LADY. Gent. [Within.] Come back; What mean you? Lady. I'll not come back: the tidings that I bring Will make my boldness manners.-Now, good angels Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person K. Hen. Now, by thy looks I guess thy message. Is the queen deliver'd ? Say, ay; and of a boy. Lady. Ay, ay, my liege; And of a lovely boy: The God of heaven Both now and ever bless her 'tis a girl, Acquainted with this stranger; 'tis as like you, K. Hen. Lovell, Lov. Sir. Enter LOVELL. K. Hen. Give her a hundred marks. I'll to the queen. [Exit KING. Lady. A hundred marks! By this light, I'll have more. An ordinary groom is for such payment. I will have more, or else unsay't; and now While it is hot I'll put it to the issue. sures, And at the door too, like a post with packets. THE COUNCIL-CHAMBER. Enter the Lord CHANCELLOR, the Duke of SUFFOLK, Earl of SURREY, Lord CHAMBERLAIN, GARDINER, and CROMWELL. The Chancellor places himself at the upper end of the table on the left hand; a seat being left void above him, as for the Archbishop of CANTERBURY. The rest seat themselves in order on each side. WELL at the lower end, as secretary. CROM Chan. Speak to the business, master secretary: • Value. + Always. Think. Why are we met in council? |