Act III, Scene II — Ante-chamber to the King's apartment.
Enter the DUKE OF NORFOLK, the DUKE OF SUFFOLK, the EARL OF SURREY, and the LORD CHAMBERLAIN.[498]
Nor. If you will now unite in your complaints And force them with a constancy, the cardinal Cannot stand under them: if you omit The offer of this time, I cannot promise But that you shall sustain moe new disgraces,[499] 5 With these you bear already.
Sur. I am joyful To meet the least occasion that may give me Remembrance of my father-in-law, the duke, To be revenged on him.
Suf. Which of the peers Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least[500] 10 Strangely neglected? when did he regard[501] The stamp of nobleness in any person[502] Out of himself?[502]
Cham. My lords, you speak your pleasures: What he deserves of you and me I know; What we can do to him, though now the time 15 Gives way to us, I much fear. If you cannot[503] Bar his access to the king, never attempt Any thing on him; for he hath a witchcraft Over the king in's tongue.
Nor. O, fear him not; His spell in that is out: the king hath found 20 Matter against him that for ever mars The honey of his language. No, he's settled, Not to come off, in his displeasure.
Sur. Sir,[504] I should be glad to hear such news as this Once every hour.
Nor. Believe it, this is true: 25 In the divorce his contrary proceedings Are all unfolded; wherein he appears As I would wish mine enemy.[505]
Sur. How came His practices to light?
Suf. Most strangely.
Sur. O, how, how?[506]
Suf. The cardinal's letters to the pope miscarried,[507] 30 And came to the eye o' the king: wherein was read[508] How that the cardinal did entreat his holiness To stay the judgement o' the divorce; for if It did take place, 'I do' quoth he 'perceive My king is tangled in affection to 35 A creature of the queen's, Lady Anne Bullen.'
Sur. Has the king this?
Suf. Believe it.
Sur. Will this work?[509]
Cham. The king in this perceives him, how he coasts And hedges his own way. But in this point[510] All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic 40 After his patient's death: the king already Hath married the fair lady.
Sur. Would he had!
Suf. May you be happy in your wish, my lord![511] For, I profess, you have it.
Sur. Now, all my joy[512] Trace the conjunction!
Suf. My amen to't!
Nor. All men's! 45
Suf. There's order given for her coronation: Marry, this is yet but young, and may be left[513] To some ears unrecounted. But, my lords, She is a gallant creature and complete In mind and feature: I persuade me, from her 50 Will fall some blessing to this land, which shall In it be memorized.
Sur. But will the king Digest this letter of the cardinal's?[514] The Lord forbid![515]
Nor. Marry, amen!
Suf. No, no; There be moe wasps that buzz about his nose[516] 55 Will make this sting the sooner. Cardinal Campeius Is stol'n away to Rome; hath ta'en no leave;[517] Has left the cause o' the king unhandled, and[518] Is posted as the agent of our cardinal, To second all his plot. I do assure you 60 The king cried 'Ha!' at this.
Cham. Now God incense him, And let him cry 'Ha!' louder!
Nor. But, my lord, When returns Cranmer?
Suf. He is return'd in his opinions, which[519] Have satisfied the king for his divorce, 65 Together with all famous colleges[520] Almost in Christendom: shortly, I believe, His second marriage shall be publish'd, and Her coronation. Katharine no more Shall be call'd queen, but princess dowager 70 And widow to Prince Arthur.[521]
Nor. This same Cranmer's A worthy fellow, and hath ta'en much pain[522] In the king's business.
Suf. He has; and we shall see him For it an archbishop.
Nor. So I hear.
Suf. 'Tis so. The cardinal!
Enter WOLSEY and CROMWELL.
Nor. Observe, observe, he's moody.[523] 75
Wol. The packet, Cromwell,[524] Gave 't you the king?[524]
Crom. To his own hand, in's bedchamber.[525]
Wol. Look'd he o' the inside of the paper?[526]
Crom. Presently He did unseal them, and the first he view'd, He did it with a serious mind; a heed 80 Was in his countenance. You he bade[527] Attend him here this morning.[528]
Wol. Is he ready[528] To come abroad?[528]
Crom. I think, by this he is.[528]
Wol. Leave me awhile. [Exit Cromwell. [Aside] It shall be to the Duchess of Alençon,[529] 85 The French king's sister: he shall marry her. Anne Bullen! No; I'll no Anne Bullens for him: There's more in't than fair visage. Bullen![530] No, we'll no Bullens. Speedily I wish To hear from Rome. The Marchioness of Pembroke! 90
Nor. He's discontented.
Suf. May be, he hears the king Does whet his anger to him.
Sur. Sharp enough. Lord, for thy justice!
Wol. [Aside] The late queen's gentlewoman, a knight's daughter,[529][531] To be her mistress' mistress! the queen's queen! 95 This candle burns not clear: 'tis I must snuff it; Then out it goes. What though I know her virtuous And well deserving? yet I know her for A spleeny Lutheran, and not wholesome to Our cause, that she should lie i' the bosom of[532] 100 Our hard-ruled king. Again, there is sprung up[532] An heretic, an arch one, Cranmer, one Hath crawl'd into the favour of the king, And is his oracle.
Nor. He is vex'd at something.[533]
Sur. I would 'twere something that would fret the string,[534] 105 The master-cord on's heart![535]
Enter KING, reading of a schedule, and LOVELL.
Suf. The king, the king!
King. What piles of wealth hath he accumulated To his own portion! and what expense by the hour[536] Seems to flow from him! How, i' the name of thrift, Does he rake this together! Now, my lords, 110 Saw you the cardinal?
Nor. My lord, we have Stood here observing him: some strange commotion Is in his brain: he bites his lip, and starts;[537] Stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground, Then lays his finger on his temple; straight 115 Springs out into fast gait; then stops again, Strikes his breast hard, and anon he casts[538][539] His eye against the moon: in most strange postures[539] We have seen him set himself.[539][540]
King. It may well be;[541] There is a mutiny in's mind. This morning[541] 120 Papers of state he sent me to peruse, As I required: and wot you what I found There, on my conscience, put unwittingly? Forsooth, an inventory, thus importing, The several parcels of his plate, his treasure, 125 Rich stuffs, and ornaments of household, which I find at such proud rate that it out-speaks[542] Possession of a subject.
Nor. It's heaven's will: Some spirit put this paper in the packet, To bless your eye withal.
King. If we did think, 130 His contemplation were above the earth,[543] And fix'd on spiritual object, he should still[544] Dwell in his musings: but I am afraid His thinkings are below the moon, not worth[545] His serious considering.
[King takes his seat; whispers Lovell, who goes to the Cardinal.
Wol. Heaven forgive me! 135 Ever God bless your highness!
King. Good my lord, You are full of heavenly stuff, and bear the inventory Of your best graces in your mind; the which[546] You were now running o'er: you have scarce time To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span[547] 140 To keep your earthly audit: sure, in that I deem you an ill husband, and am glad[548] To have you therein my companion.
Wol. Sir, For holy offices I have a time; a time[549] To think upon the part of business which[550] 145 I bear i' the state; and nature does require Her times of preservation, which perforce I, her frail son, amongst my brethren mortal, Must give my tendance to.
King. You have said well.
Wol. And ever may your highness yoke together, 150 As I will lend you cause, my doing well With my well saying!
King. 'Tis well said again; And 'tis a kind of good deed to say well: And yet words are no deeds. My father loved you: He said he did, and with his deed did crown[551] 155 His word upon you. Since I had my office,[552] I have kept you next my heart; have not alone Employ'd you where high profits might come home, But pared my present havings, to bestow My bounties upon you.
Wol. [Aside] What should this mean?[553] 160
Sur. [Aside] The Lord increase this business![553]
King. Have I not made you The prime man of the state? I pray you, tell me, If what I now pronounce you have found true: And, if you may confess it, say withal, If you are bound to us or no. What say you? 165
Wol. My sovereign, I confess your royal graces, Shower'd on me daily, have been more than could My studied purposes requite; which went[554] Beyond all man's endeavours: my endeavours[555] Have ever come too short of my desires, 170 Yet filed with my abilities: mine own ends[556] Have been mine so that evermore they pointed[557] To the good of your most sacred person and The profit of the state. For your great graces Heap'd upon me, poor undeserver, I 175 Can nothing render but allegiant thanks, My prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty, Which ever has and ever shall be growing[558] Till death, that winter, kill it.
King. Fairly answer'd; A loyal and obedient subject is 180 Therein illustrated: the honour of it Does pay the act of it; as, i' the contrary,[559] The foulness is the punishment. I presume That, as my hand has open'd bounty to you, My heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd honour, more 185 On you than any; so your hand and heart, Your brain and every function of your power, Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty, As 'twere in love's particular, be more To me, your friend, than any.
Wol. I do profess[560] 190 That for your highness' good I ever labour'd More than mine own; that am, have, and will be--[561] Though all the world should crack their duty to you,[562] And throw it from their soul; though perils did Abound, as thick as thought could make 'em, and[563] 195 Appear in forms more horrid--yet my duty, As doth a rock against the chiding flood, Should the approach of this wild river break, And stand unshaken yours.
King. 'Tis nobly spoken. Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, 200 For you have seen him open't. [Giving him papers.] Read o'er this;[564] And after, this: and then to breakfast with What appetite you have.[565]
[Exit King, frowning upon the Cardinal: the nobles throng after him, smiling and whispering.
Wol. What should this mean? What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd it?[566] He parted frowning from me, as if ruin 205 Leap'd from his eyes. So looks the chafed lion Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him; Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper; I fear, the story of his anger. 'Tis so;[567] This paper has undone me: 'tis the account 210 Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together[568] For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom, And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence![569] Fit for a fool to fall by: what cross devil[569] Made me put this main secret in the packet 215 I sent the king? Is there no way to cure this? No new device to beat this from his brains? I know 'twill stir him strongly; yet I know A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune Will bring me off again. What's this? 'To the Pope!' 220 The letter, as I live, with all the business I writ to's holiness. Nay then, farewell![570] I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness;[570] And, from that full meridian of my glory, I haste now to my setting: I shall fall 225 Like a bright exhalation in the evening. And no man see me more.[571]
Re-enter to WOLSEY the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK, the EARL OF SURREY, and the LORD CHAMBERLAIN.
Nor. Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you[572] To render up the great seal presently Into our hands; and to confine yourself 230 To Asher-house, my Lord of Winchester's,[573] Till you hear further from his highness.
Wol. Stay: Where's your commission, lords? words cannot carry[574] Authority so weighty.[575]
Suf. Who dare cross 'em, Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly? 235
Wol. Till I find more than will or words to do it--[576] I mean your malice--know, officious lords, I dare, and must deny it. Now I feel Of what coarse metal ye are moulded--envy:[577] How eagerly ye follow my disgraces,[578] 240 As if it fed ye! and how sleek and wanton[579] Ye appear in every thing may bring my ruin![580] Follow your envious courses, men of malice;[580] You have Christian warrant for 'em, and, no doubt,[581] In time will find their fit rewards. That seal 245 You ask with such a violence, the king,[582] Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me; Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours, During my life; and, to confirm his goodness, Tied it by letters-patents: now, who'll take it?[583] 250
Sur. The king, that gave it.
Wol. It must be himself, then.
Sur. Thou art a proud traitor, priest.[584]
Wol. Proud lord, thou liest: Within these forty hours Surrey durst better[585] Have burnt that tongue than said so.
Sur. Thy ambition, Thou scarlet sin, robb'd this bewailing land 255 Of noble Buckingham, my father-in-law: The heads of all thy brother cardinals, With thee and all thy best parts bound together, Weigh'd not a hair of his. Plague of your policy! You sent me deputy for Ireland; 260 Far from his succour, from the king, from all That might have mercy on the fault thou gavest him; Whilst your great goodness, out of holy pity, Absolved him with an axe.
Wol. This, and all else This talking lord can lay upon my credit, 265 I answer, is most false. The duke by law Found his deserts. How innocent I was From any private malice in his end, His noble jury and foul cause can witness. If I loved many words, lord, I should tell you 270 You have as little honesty as honour,[586] That in the way of loyalty and truth[587] Toward the king, my ever royal master, Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be,[588] And all that love his follies.
Sur. By my soul, 275 Your long coat, priest, protects you; thou shouldst feel[589] My sword i' the life-blood of thee else. My lords, Can ye endure to hear this arrogance? And from this fellow? If we live thus tamely, To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet,[590] 280 Farewell nobility; let his grace go forward, And dare us with his cap like larks.[591]
Wol. All goodness Is poison to thy stomach.
Sur. Yes, that goodness Of gleaning all the land's wealth into one, Into your own hands, cardinal, by extortion; 285 The goodness of your intercepted packets You writ to the pope against the king: your goodness, Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious. My Lord of Norfolk, as you are truly noble,[592] As you respect the common good, the state 290 Of our despised nobility, our issues, Who, if he live, will scarce be gentlemen,[593] Produce the grand sum of his sins, the articles Collected from his life. I'll startle you Worse than the sacring bell, when the brown wench[594] 295 Lay kissing in your arms, lord cardinal.
Wol. How much, methinks, I could despise this man. But that I am bound in charity against it![595]
Nor. Those articles, my lord, are in the king's hand: But, thus much, they are foul ones.
Wol. So much fairer 300 And spotless shall mine innocence arise, When the king knows my truth.
Sur. This cannot save you:[596] I thank my memory, I yet remember Some of these articles, and out they shall. Now, if you can blush and cry 'guilty,' cardinal,[597] 305 You'll show a little honesty.
Wol. Speak on, sir; I dare your worst objections: if I blush, It is to see a nobleman want manners.
Sur. I had rather want those than my head. Have at you![598] First that, without the king's assent or knowledge, 310 You wrought to be a legate; by which power You maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops.
Nor. Then that in all you writ to Rome, or else To foreign princes, 'Ego et Rex meus' Was still inscribed; in which you brought the king 315 To be your servant.
Suf. Then that, without the knowledge[599] Either of king or council, when you went Ambassador to the emperor, you made bold To carry into Flanders the great seal.
Sur. Item, you sent a large commission 320 To Gregory de Cassado, to conclude,[600] Without the king's will or the state's allowance, A league between his highness and Ferrara.[601]
Suf. That, out of mere ambition, you have caused Your holy hat to be stamp'd on the king's coin.[602] 325
Sur. Then that you have sent innumerable substance--[599][603] By what means got, I leave to your own conscience-- To furnish Rome and to prepare the ways You have for dignities, to the mere undoing[604] Of all the kingdom. Many more there are; 330 Which, since they are of you and odious, I will not taint my mouth with.
Cham. O my lord! Press not a falling man too far; 'tis virtue: His faults lie open to the laws; let them, Not you, correct him. My heart weeps to see him 335 So little of his great self.
Sur. I forgive him.
Suf. Lord cardinal, the king's further pleasure is-- Because all those things you have done of late, By your power legatine, within this kingdom,[605] Fall into the compass of a præmunire--[606] 340 That therefore such a writ be sued against you; To forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements, Chattels, and whatsoever, and to be[607] Out of the king's protection. This is my charge.[608]
Nor. And so we'll leave you to your meditations 345 How to live better. For your stubborn answer About the giving back the great seal to us, The king shall know it, and, no doubt, shall thank you. So fare you well, my little good lord cardinal.
[Exeunt all but Wolsey.
Wol. So farewell to the little good you bear me.[609] 350 Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness![610] This is the state of man: to-day he puts forth The tender leaves of hopes; to-morrow blossoms,[611] And bears his blushing honours thick upon him; The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, 355 And, when he thinks, good easy man, full surely His greatness is a-ripening, nips his root,[612] And then he falls, as I do. I have ventured, Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders, This many summers in a sea of glory,[613] 360 But far beyond my depth: my high-blown pride[614] At length broke under me and now has left me, Weary and old with service, to the mercy Of a rude stream that must for ever hide me. Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye:[615] 365 I feel my heart new open'd. O, how wretched Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours! There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to,[616] That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,[617] More pangs and fears than wars or women have: 370 And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, Never to hope again.
Enter CROMWELL, and stands amazed.[618]
Why, how now, Cromwell!
Crom. I have no power to speak, sir.
Wol. What, amazed At my misfortunes? can thy spirit wonder[619] A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep,[620] 375 I am fall'n indeed.
Crom. How does your grace?
Wol. Why, well; Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. I know myself now; and I feel within me A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience. The king has cured me, 380 I humbly thank his grace; and from these shoulders, These ruin'd pillars, out of pity, taken[621] A load would sink a navy, too much honour. O, 'tis a burden, Cromwell, 'tis a burden Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven! 385
Crom. I am glad your grace has made that right use of it.[595][622]
Wol. I hope I have: I am able now, methinks,[622] Out of a fortitude of soul I feel, To endure more miseries and greater far Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer. 390 What news abroad?
Crom. The heaviest and the worst Is your displeasure with the king.
Wol. God bless him!
Crom. The next is, that Sir Thomas More is chosen[623] Lord chancellor in your place.
Wol. That's somewhat sudden: But he's a learned man. May he continue 395 Long in his highness' favour, and do justice For truth's sake and his conscience; that his bones,[624] When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings, May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on 'em![625] What more?
Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, 400 Install'd lord archbishop of Canterbury.
Wol. That's news indeed.
Crom. Last, that the Lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secrecy long married, This day was view'd in open as his queen, Going to chapel; and the voice is now 405 Only about her coronation.
Wol. There was the weight that pull'd me down. O Cromwell,[626] 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, 410 Or gild again the noble troops that waited Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell; I am a poor fall'n man, unworthy now[627] To be thy lord and master: seek the king; That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him[628] 415 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 420 For thine own future safety.
Crom. O my lord, Must I then leave you? must I needs forego So good, so noble and so true a master? Bear witness, all that have not hearts of iron, With what a sorrow Cromwell leaves his lord. 425 The king shall have my service, but my prayers For ever and for ever shall be yours.
Wol. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear In all my miseries; but thou hast forced me, Out of thy honest truth, to play the woman. 430 Let's dry our eyes: and thus far hear me, Cromwell; And, when I am forgotten, as I shall be, And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention Of me more must be heard of, say, I taught thee,[629] Say, Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory,[630] 435 And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour, Found thee a way, out of his wreck, to rise in; A sure and safe one, though thy master miss'd it. Mark but my fall and that that ruin'd me.[631] Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition: 440 By that sin fell the angels; how can man then, The image of his Maker, hope to win by it?[632] Love thyself last: cherish those hearts that hate thee;[633] Corruption wins not more than honesty.[634] Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, 445 To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not: Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy God's, and truth's; then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, Thou fall'st a blessed martyr! Serve the king;[635][636] And prithee, lead me in:[635][636][637] 450 There take an inventory of all I have,[635][638] To the last penny; 'tis the king's: my robe,[635][638] And my integrity to heaven, is all[635] I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell! Had I but served my God with half the zeal 455 I served my king, he would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies.
Crom. Good sir, have patience.
Wol. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell.
[Exeunt.
FOOTNOTES:
[441] ACT III. SCENE I.] ACT II. SCENE VIII. Warburton conj. (withdrawn).
The Queen's apartments.] Theobald. Palace at Bridewell: a room in ... Steevens (1793).
The Queen ...] Enter Queene ... F₁ F₂. Enter Queen ... Woman ... F₃ F₄.
[442] Take ... troubles] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.
[443] 'em] them Capell.
[444] sprung] F₁. spring F₂ F₃ F₄. rose Pope.
[445] made] been Reed (1803).
[446] heart] Hanmer. heart, Ff.
[447] An't] Hanmer. And't Ff.
[448] [Exit Gent.] Capell. Exit Messenger. Johnson, after line 20. om. Ff.
[449] coming. Now ... on't,] Rowe (ed. 2). coming; now ... on't, Ff. coming, now ... on't. Capell.
[450] as] F₁. are F₂ F₃ F₄.
[451] Campeius.] Rowe. Campian. Ff.
[452] I ... all, against] (I ... all) against Ff. I ... all against Johnson.
[453] reverend] reverent F₁.
[454] If ... Seek] If 'tis your business To seek Blackstone conj.
[455] Seek ... in] Seek me, speak out, and ... in Tyrwhitt conj. In that way I am wise in, seek me out; Mitford conj.
Seek] Do seek Pope. Doth seek Ritson conj.
that way] in that way Keightley. that way that Anon. conj.
wife] Ff. wise Rowe.
[456] O, good] F₁. Good F₂ F₃ F₄.
[457] strange, suspicious] Dyce, ed. 2 (strange-suspicions S. Walker conj.)
[458] I am] I'm Pope.
should] shoul F₁.
[459] And ... you, So ... meant] So ... meant, And ... you Singer (Edwards conj.)
[460] your] our F₁.
honour'd] F₁ F₂. honoured F₃ F₄.
[461] counsel.] counsel.-- Pope.
To betray me] Marked as 'Aside' first by Capell.
[462] counsel] Capell. councell F₁ F₂. council F₃ F₄.
[463] Madam ... fears] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.
these] those Rowe.
[464] England] Johnson. England, Ff. England! Capell.
[465] profit: can] F₂ F₃ F₄. profit can F₁.
[466] his] om. F₂.
[467] Nay] They Warburton.
[468] must ... out] should ... up Mason conj.
[469] other comforts] other comforts are Rowe (ed. 2). comforts are Pope.
far] far, far Anon. conj.
[470] Both ... better] Better both for your honour Keightley.
[471] rage] grace Anon. conj.
[472] ye] you Seymour conj.
[473] fear] find Anon. conj.
ye] ye're Keightley. me Anon. conj.
[474] 'em] them Malone.
[475] for ... heed] take heed for heav'n's sake Pope.
[476] Wol.] Car. Ff (and passim).
[477] ye] you Capell.
[478] has] ha's Ff. h'as Rowe. he has Capell. he's Grant White.
[479] love, too long] love too, long Rowe.
I am] I'm Pope.
[480] my] F₁. by F₂ F₃ F₄.
[481] this.] F₁. this: F₂ F₃ F₄. this! Theobald. this? Hanmer.
worse.] Ff. worse.-- Rowe.
[482] Madam ... at] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two, the first ending good, in Ff.
[483] My ... guilty] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.
[484] Wol.] Car. F₁. Card. F₂ F₃ F₄.
me.] Ff. me-- Rowe.
[485] Ye have] Ye've Pope.
[486] will] F₁. shall F₂ F₃ F₄.
[487] [To her women. Rowe.
[488] You'ld] F₂ F₃. Youl'd F₁. You'l F₄.
[489] cure] ear Theobald.
'em] them Malone.
[490] ay] Rowe. I Ff. nay Pope.
[491] grow] F₃ F₄. grow, F₁ F₂.
[492] gentle, noble] gentle-noble S. Walker conj.
[493] Madam ... virtues] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.
[494] king loves you] King's love's yours Anon. conj.
[495] it] 't Hanmer. him Seymour conj.
you please] please you Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)
[496] Do ... me] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.
ye] F₁ F₂. you F₃ F₄.
[497] me, ... unmannerly:] F₄. me; ... unmannerly, F₁ F₂ F₃.
[498] SCENE II.] ACT III. SCENE I. Warburton conj. (withdrawn).
Ante-chamber....] Theobald.
Enter ... the Earl of Surrey....] Capell. Enter ... Lord Surrey.... Ff.
[499] moe] Ff. more Rowe.
[500] or at] not at Hanmer.
least] least not Keightley.
[501] Strangely] Stood not Warburton.
[502] person Out ... himself?] person, Out of't himself? Hanmer (Warburton).
[503] Gives] Give Hanmer.
[504] displeasure] Ff. high displeasure Rowe. most high displeasure Pope.
Sir] om. Pope.
[505] would] could Reed (1803).
mine] my Hanmer.
[506] O, how, how?] How? Pope.
[507] letters] letter Steevens.
[508] came] F₁. come F₂ F₃ F₄.
[509] Will this work?] This will work. Capell conj.
[510] hedges] edges Warburton.
[511] May you] You may Collier conj.
[512] all my joy] Ff. all joy Pope. may all joy Collier (Collier MS.)
[513] yet] om. Rowe.
[514] Digest] Disgest F₂.
[515] The Lord forbid!] Cham. The Lord forbid! S. Walker conj.
[516] moe] Ff. more Pope.
[517] Is stol'n away] stoln Hanmer, ending line 56 at Cardinal.
hath] has Rowe (ed. 2).
[518] Has] Ha's Ff. Hath Rowe (ed. 2).
o' the] o' th' F₁. to'th' F₂. to th' F₃ F₄.
[519] in his] with his Rowe.
[520] Together with all] Gather'd from all the Rowe.
[521] And] F₁ F₂. A F₃ F₄. As Hanmer.
[522] pain] F₃ F₄. paine F₁ F₂. pains Anon. conj.
[523] [They stand back. Collier (Collier MS.)
Enter....] Ff, after so, line 74.
[524] The ... king] As in Ff. As one line by Steevens.
[525] Gave't] Gave it Theobald. gave it Keightley, reading as one line The packet ... king?
To] Into Keightley.
in's] in his Capell. sir, in his Steevens conj.
[526] paper] papers Keightley (Grey conj.)
[527] You] And you Hanmer. You, my lord, Capell. You, sir, Steevens conj.
bade] bade then Keightley.
[528] Attend ... he is] Arranged as by Hanmer. As three lines in Ff.
[529] [Aside] Rowe.
[530] in't than fair] in it than a fair Hanmer.
Bullen!] Bullen! Bullen! S. Walker conj.
[531] The ... daughter] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.
knight's] Kight's Rowe (ed. 2).
[532] cause, that ... king.] cause!--that ... king!--Rowe.
[533] He is] He's F₄.
[534] SCENE III. Pope.
[535] on's] of's Pope. of his Steevens. Enter ... schedule] Ff, after line 104.
and Lovell.] Theobald. om. Ff.
[536] and] om. Pope.
[537] lip] lips (ed. 2).
[538] Strikes] And strikes Keightley.
hard, and anon] hard and oft; anon Lettson conj.
anon] then anon Rowe (ed. 2).
[539] Mason would end lines 117, 118 at eye ... we.
[540] We have] We've Pope.
[541] be; There] be, There Ff. be There S. Walker conj.
[542] such] such a F₄.
such ... that it] such a ... it Pope.
[543] contemplation] F₁. contemplations F₂ F₃ F₄.
[544] object] objects F₄.
[545] not] F₁ F₂. nor F₃ F₄.
[546] graces] F₁ F₂. grace F₃ F₄.
[547] leisure] labour Collier MS.
[548] glad] gald F₁.
[549] time; a time] time; time Rowe (ed. 2).
[550] which] om. Pope, reading A time ... business as one line.
[551] his deed F₁ F₂. this deed F₃ F₄.
[552] word] F₁ F₂. sword F₃ F₄.
[553] [Aside] Rowe.
[554] requite] F₁. require F₂ F₃ F₄.
which] they Hanmer.
[555] man's endeavours] man's ambition Hanmer. men's, in devoirs Becket conj.
[556] filed] fil'd Hanmer. fill'd Ff.
[557] been mine so] F₁. been so F₂ F₃ F₄, and Pope, who reads Ends have been so ... pointed as one line. been such Hanmer.
[558] ever has] still has been Seymour conj.
[559] as, i' the] as i' th' Ff. i' th' Pope. o' th' Hanmer.
[560] I do profess] I profess Pope.
[561] that ... be--] See note (VIII).
[562] crack] lack Singer conj.
[563] 'em] them Malone.
[564] [Giving him papers.] Pope. om. Ff.
[565] have] may Rowe. See note (IX).
Act III, Scene IV — Pope
[566] reap'd] rous'd Keightley. rais'd or rip'd Id. conj.
[567] [Opens the paper and reads, trembling. Collier (Collier MS.)
[568] I have] I've Pope.
[569] negligence!... by:] Ff. negligence, ... by! Theobald.
[570] to's] to his Capell.
[571] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Ff.
[572] SCENE V. Pope.
Hear ... you] As in Pope. Two lines in Ff.
[573] Asher] Esher Capell.
[574] commission, lords?] Rowe. commission? Lords, Ff.
[575] weighty] F₁ F₂. mighty F₃ F₄.
[576] Till ... it--] Whilst I find more than his will, or words to it, Hanmer.
[577] coarse] course Ff. base Capell.
[578] disgraces] disgrace F₄.
[579] ye] you Seymour conj.
[580] ye!... ruin!] ye?... ruin? Capell. ye, ... ruine? Ff. ye, ... ruin; Rowe (ed. 2).
[581] Christian] F₁ F₂. a Christian F₃ F₄ and Pope, who omits no doubt.
[582] a violence] violence Warburton.
[583] letters-patents] Letters Patents Ff. letters patent Knight and Collier.
[584] Thou art] Thou'rt Pope.
[585] forty] four Malone conj.
[586] After this line S. Walker would insert To rail in such irreverent wise on me.
[587] in the] I i' th' Theobald.
[588] Dare] I dare Staunton conj.
[589] Your ... feel] One line in Pope. Two lines, the first ending you, in Ff.
[590] jaded] japed Becket conj.
[591] dare] daze Anon. conj.
[592] you are] you're Pope.
[593] Who] F₂ F₃ F₄. Whom F₁.
[594] sacring] Sacring Ff. scaring Rowe (ed. 2) and Pope.
[595] I am] I'm Pope.
[596] my truth] the truth Anon. conj.
save] serve Collier conj.
[597] can blush] can blush, Ff. can, blush, Pope.
[598] I had] I'd Pope.
Have at you!] As in Rowe (ed. 2). As a separate line in Ff.
[599] Then that] That Pope.
[600] Cassado] Ff, from Hall and Holinshed. Cassalis Rowe.
[601] his] hie F₂.
[602] holy hat] holy-Hat F₁ F₂ F₃. Holy-Hat F₄.
to be] be Pope.
[603] substance] sums Hanmer.
[604] have] pave Staunton conj.
[605] legatine] Rowe (ed. 2). Legatiue F₁. Legantive F₂ F₃. Legantine F₄.
[606] into the] F₄. into' th' F₁ F₂. into th' F₃. in the Pope. into Steevens conj.
[607] Chattels] Theobald. Castles Ff.
[608] This is] This' S. Walker conj.
[609] SCENE VI. Pope.
[610] Farewell! a ... greatness!] Farewell? A ... greatnesse. Ff.
[611] hopes] hope Steevens.
[612] root] shoot Warburton conj.
[613] This] These Pope.
[614] But] Out Anon. conj.
[615] this] F₁ F₂. the F₃ F₄.
ye] you Seymour conj.
[616] we] he Hanmer.
[617] their] our Pope. his Hanmer.
ruin] frown Anon. conj.
[618] and stands] Edd. standing Ff.
[619] thy] F₁ F₄. the F₂ F₃.
[620] an] Capell. and Ff. if Pope.
[621] These ... pillars] Rowe (ed. 2). These ... Pillers F₁. These ... Pillet F₂. This ... Pillet F₃ F₄. This ... pillar Rowe (ed. 1).
[622] Two lines in Pope. Four, ending Grace ... it ... have ... me thinkes, in Ff.
[623] More] Hanmer. Moore F₁ F₂. Moor F₃ F₄.
[624] conscience] conscience' S. Walker conj.
[625] tomb] coomb Becket conj.
orphans'] Warburton. Orphants F₁ F₂. Orphan's F₃. Orphans F₄.
'em] Capell. him Ff.
[626] There ... Cromwell] One line in Pope. Two, the first ending downe., in Ff.
[627] fall'n] falne F₁ F₂. fal'n F₃. fallen F₄.
[628] I have] I've Pope.
[629] more must] must more Pope.
heard of, say] heard: say Rowe. heard: say then Pope.
[630] trod the ways] rode the waves Warburton conj. trod the waves Capell conj.
[631] that that] that which Pope.
[632] The image] Tho' th' image Hanmer.
win by it] win it F₄. win in't Warburton conj. (withdrawn).
[633] those hearts] ev'n th' hearts Hanmer.
hate] wait Warburton conj.
[634] wins] F₁ F₂. win F₃ F₄.
[635] Thou fall'st ... all] Four lines ending and ... inventory ... king's: ... all in Keightley.
[636] Serve ... in:] As in Rowe (ed. 2). As one line in Ff.
[637] And prithee] And--Prithee Johnson.
[638] have, ... penny;] Capell. have, ... peny, Ff. have; ... penny, Theobald.
A ... Westminster.] Theobald.
Act IV, Scene I — A street in Westminster.
Enter two Gentlemen, meeting one another.
First Gent. You're well met once again.
Sec. Gent. So are you.[639]
First Gent. You come to take your stand here and behold The Lady Anne pass from her coronation?[640]
Sec. Gent. 'Tis all my business. At our last encounter, The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial. 5
First Gent. 'Tis very true: but that time offer'd sorrow; This, general joy.
Sec. Gent. 'Tis well: the citizens, I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds--[641][642] As, let'em have their rights, they are ever forward--[642][643] In celebration of this day with shows,[644] 10 Pageants and sights of honour.
First Gent. Never greater, Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir.
Sec. Gent. May I be bold to ask what that contains,[645] That paper in your hand?[646]
First Gent. Yes; 'tis the list Of those that claim their offices this day 15 By custom of the coronation. The Duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims To be high-steward; next, the Duke of Norfolk, He to be earl marshal: you may read the rest.[647]
Sec. Gent. I thank you, sir: had I not known those customs,[648] 20 I should have been beholding to your paper.[649] But, I beseech you, what's become of Katharine, The princess dowager? how goes her business?
First Gent. That I can tell you too. The Archbishop[650] Of Canterbury, accompanied with other 25 Learned and reverend fathers of his order, Held a late court at Dunstable, six miles off[651] From Ampthill, where the princess lay; to which She was often cited by them, but appear'd not:[652] And, to be short, for not appearance and[653] 30 The king's late scruple, by the main assent Of all these learned men she was divorced, And the late marriage made of none effect: Since which she was removed to Kimbolton,[654] Where she remains now sick.
Sec. Gent. Alas, good lady! 35
[Trumpets.[655]
The trumpets sound: stand close, the queen is coming.
[Hautboys.
THE ORDER OF THE CORONATION.
1. A lively Flourish of Trumpets.
2. Then two Judges.
3. LORD CHANCELLOR, with purse and mace before him.
4. Choristers, singing. Musicians.
5. Mayor of London, bearing the mace. Then Garter, _in his coat of arms, and on his head he wears a gilt copper crown_.
6. MARQUESS DORSET, _bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head a demi-coronal of gold. With him, the_ EARL OF SURREY, _bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned with an earl's coronet. Collars of SS._
7. DUKE OF SUFFOLK, _in his robe of estate, his coronet on his head, bearing a long white wand, as high-steward. With him, the_ DUKE OF NORFOLK, _with the rod of marshalship, a coronet on his head. Collars of SS._
8. A canopy borne by four of the Cinque-ports; under it, the QUEEN in her robe; in her hair richly adorned with pearl, crowned. On each side her, the BISHOPS OF LONDON and WINCHESTER.
9. The old DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, _in a coronal of gold, wrought with flowers, bearing the_ QUEEN'S train.
10. Certain Ladies or Countesses, _with plain circlets of gold without flowers_.
They pass over the stage in order and state.[656]
Sec. Gent. A royal train, believe me. These I know: Who's that that bears the sceptre?[657]
First Gent. Marquess Dorset: And that the Earl of Surrey, with the rod.
Sec. Gent. A bold brave gentleman. That should be[658] 40 The Duke of Suffolk?
First Gent. 'Tis the same: high-steward.
Sec. Gent. And that my Lord of Norfolk?
First Gent. Yes.
Sec. Gent. [Looking on the Queen] Heaven bless thee![659] Thou hast the sweetest face I ever look'd on. Sir, as I have a soul, she is an angel; Our king has all the Indies in his arms, 45 And more and richer, when he strains that lady:[660] I cannot blame his conscience.
First Gent. They that bear The cloth of honour over her, are four barons[661] Of the Cinque-ports.
Sec. Gent. Those men are happy; and so are all are near her.[662] 50 I take it, she that carries up the train Is that old noble lady, Duchess of Norfolk.[663]
First Gent. It is; and all the rest are countesses.
Sec. Gent. Their coronets say so. These are stars indeed, And sometimes falling ones.
First Gent. No more of that. 55
[Exit procession; and then a great flourish of trumpets.[664]
Enter a third Gentleman.
First Gent. God save you, sir! where have you been broiling?[665]
Third Gent. Among the crowd i' the abbey; where a finger Could not be wedged in more: I am stifled[666] With the mere rankness of their joy.
Sec. Gent. You saw[667] The ceremony?[667]
Third Gent. That I did.[668]
First Gent. How was it? 60
Third Gent. Well worth the seeing.
See. Gent. Good sir, speak it to us.
Third Gent. As well as I am able. The rich stream Of lords and ladies, having brought the queen To a prepared place in the choir, fell off A distance from her; while her grace sat down 65 To rest awhile, some half an hour or so, In a rich chair of state, opposing freely[669] 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 70 Had the full view of, such a noise arose As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest, As loud and to as many tunes: hats, cloaks,-- Doublets, I think,--flew up; and had their faces Been loose, this day they had been lost. Such joy 75 I never saw before. Great-bellied women, That had not half a week to go, like rams In the old time of war, would shake the press, And make 'em reel before 'em. No man living Could say 'This is my wife' there, all were woven[670] 80 So strangely in one piece.
Sec. Gent. But what follow'd?[671]
Third Gent. At length her grace rose, and with modest paces Came to the altar, where she kneel'd and saintlike Cast her fair eyes to heaven and pray'd devoutly; Then rose again and bow'd her to the people; 85 When by the Archbishop of Canterbury She had all the royal makings of a queen,[672] As holy oil, Edward Confessor's crown, The rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems Laid nobly on her: which perform'd, the choir, 90 With all the choicest music of the kingdom, Together sung 'Te Deum.' So she parted, And with the same full state paced back again To York-place, where the feast is held.
First Gent. Sir,[673] You must no more call it York-place; that's past;[673] 95 For, since the cardinal fell, that title's lost: 'Tis now the king's, and call'd Whitehall.
Third Gent. I know it; But 'tis so lately alter'd that the old name[674] Is fresh about me.
Sec. Gent. What two reverend bishops Were those that went on each side of the queen? 100
Third Gent. Stokesly and Gardiner; the one of Winchester,[675] Newly preferr'd from the king's secretary, The other, London.
Sec. Gent. He of Winchester Is held no great good lover of the archbishop's,[676] The virtuous Cranmer.
Third Gent. All the land knows that: 105 However, yet there is no great breach; when it comes,[677] Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him.
Sec. Gent. Who may that be, I pray you?
Third Gent. Thomas Cromwell;[678] A man in much esteem with the king, and truly[678] A worthy friend. The king has made him master[678][679][680] 110 O' the jewel house,[678][679][681] And one, already, of the privy council.[679][681]
Sec. Gent. He will deserve more.[681]
Third Gent. Yes, without all doubt.[681] Come, gentlemen, ye shall go my way,[682][683] Which is to the court, and there ye shall be my guests:[682][684] 115 Something I can command. As I walk thither, I'll tell ye more.
Both. You may command us, sir. [Exeunt.
Act IV, Scene II — Kimbolton.
Enter KATHARINE, Dowager, sick; led between GRIFFITH, her Gentleman Usher, and PATIENCE, her woman.
Grif. How does your grace?
Kath. O Griffith, sick to death! My legs, like loaden branches, bow to the earth,[685] Willing to leave their burthen. Reach a chair. So; now, methinks, I feel a little ease.[686] Didst thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou led'st me,[687] 5 That the great child of honour, Cardinal Wolsey, Was dead?[688]
Grif. Yes, madam; but I think your grace, Out of the pain you suffer'd, gave no ear to't.
Kath. Prithee, good Griffith, tell me how he died: If well, he stepp'd before me, happily,[689] 10 For my example.
Grif. Well, the voice goes, madam: For after the stout Earl Northumberland[690] Arrested him at York, and brought him forward, As a man sorely tainted, to his answer, He fell sick suddenly, and grew so ill 15 He could not sit his mule.
Kath. Alas, poor man!
Grif. At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester, Lodged in the abbey; where the reverend abbot, With all his covent, honourably received him;[691] To whom he gave these words, 'O father abbot, 20 An old man, broken with the storms of state, Is come to lay his weary bones among ye; Give him a little earth for charity!' So went to bed; where eagerly his sickness Pursued him still; and three nights after this, 25 About the hour of eight, which he himself Foretold should be his last, full of repentance,[692] Continual meditations, tears and sorrows, He gave his honours to the world again,[693] His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace. 30
Kath. So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him![694] Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him, And yet with charity. He was a man Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking Himself with princes; one that by suggestion 35 Tied all the kingdom: simony was fair-play:[695] His own opinion was his law: i' the presence He would say untruths, and be ever double Both in his words and meaning: he was never, But where he meant to ruin, pitiful: 40 His promises were, as he then was, mighty; But his performance, as he is now, nothing:[696] Of his own body he was ill, and gave The clergy ill example.
Grif. Noble madam, Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues 45 We write in water. May it please your highness To hear me speak his good now?
Kath. Yes, good Griffith; I were malicious else.
Grif. This Cardinal, Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly Was fashion'd to much honour from his cradle.[697] 50 He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one; Exceeding wise, fair-spoken and persuading: Lofty and sour to them that loved him not, But to those men that sought him, sweet as summer. And though he were unsatisfied in getting, 55 Which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam, He was most princely: ever witness for him Those twins of learning that he raised in you, Ipswich and Oxford! one of which fell with him,[698] Unwilling to outlive the good that did it;[699] 60 The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous, So excellent in art and still so rising, That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue. His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him; For then, and not till then, he felt himself, 65 And found the blessedness of being little: And, to add greater honours to his age Than man could give him, he died fearing God.
Kath. After my death I wish no other herald, No other speaker of my living actions, 70 To keep mine honour from corruption, But such an honest chronicler as Griffith. Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me, With thy religious truth and modesty, Now in his ashes honour: peace be with him! 75 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 named my knell, whilst I sit meditating[700] On that celestial harmony I go to. 80
[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 reverent curtsies; 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 vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues._[701]
Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye all gone,[702] And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?
Grif. Madam, we are here.
Kath. It is not you I call for: 85 Saw ye none enter since I slept?
Grif. None, madam.
Kath. No? Saw you not even now a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?[703] They promised me eternal happiness, 90 And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel I am not worthy yet to wear: I shall, assuredly.[704]
Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy.
Kath. Bid the music leave; They are harsh and heavy to me. [Music ceases.[705]
Pat. Do you note 95 How much her grace is alter'd on the sudden? How long her face is drawn? how pale she looks, And of an earthy cold? Mark her eyes![706]
Grif. She is going, wench: pray, pray.
Pat. Heaven comfort her!
Enter a Messenger.[707]
Mess. An't like your grace,--[708]
Kath. You are a saucy fellow: 100 Deserve we no more reverence?
Grif. You are to blame,[709] Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness,[710] To use so rude behaviour: go to, kneel.
Mess. I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon; My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying 105 A gentleman, sent from the king, to see you.
Kath. Admit him entrance, Griffith: but this fellow Let me ne'er see again. [Exeunt Griffith and Messenger.
Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUS.[711]
If my sight fail not, You should be lord ambassador from the emperor, My royal nephew, and your name Capucius.[712] 110
Cap. Madam, the same; your servant.
Kath. O, my lord, The times and titles now are alter'd strangely With me since first you knew me. But, I pray you,[713] What is your pleasure with me?
Cap. Noble lady, First, mine own service to your grace; the next, 115 The king's request that I would visit you; Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me Sends you his princely commendations, And heartily entreats you take good comfort.
Kath. O my good lord, that comfort comes too late, 120 'Tis like a pardon after execution: That gentle physic, given in time, had cured me; But now I am past all comforts here but prayers. How does his highness?
Cap. Madam, in good health.
Kath. So may he ever do! and ever flourish, 125 When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name Banish'd the kingdom! Patience, is that letter, I caused you write, yet sent away?
Pat. No, madam.
[Giving it to Katharine.[714]
Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver[715] This to my lord the king.
Cap. Most willing, madam.[716] 130
Kath. In which I have commended to his goodness The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter,-- The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!-- Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding-- She is young and of a noble modest nature: 135 I hope she will deserve well--and a little To love her for her mother's sake, that loved him, Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition[717] Is that his noble grace would have some pity Upon my wretched women, that so long 140 Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully: Of which there is not one, I dare avow,-- And now I should not lie--but will deserve,[718] For virtue and true beauty of the soul, For honesty and decent carriage, 145 A right good husband, let him be a noble:[719] And, sure, those men are happy that shall have 'em. The last is, for my men; they are the poorest,[720] But poverty could never draw 'em from me; That they may have their wages duly paid 'em, 150 And something over to remember me by:[721] If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life[722] And able means, we had not parted thus.[723] These are the whole contents: and, good my lord, By that you love the dearest in this world, 155 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 lose the fashion of a man!
Kath. I thank you, honest lord. Remember me 160 In all humility unto his highness: Say his long trouble now is passing[724] Out of this world; tell him, in death I bless'd him, For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell, My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,[725] 165 You must not leave me yet: I must to bed; Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,[726] Let me be used with honour: strew me over With maiden flowers, that all the world may know I was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me, 170 Then lay me forth: although unqueen'd, yet like A queen and daughter to a king, inter me. I can no more. [Exeunt, leading Katharine.
FOOTNOTES:
[639] You're] Rowe. Y'are Ff. You are Capell.
again] again, sir Keightley.
So] And so Pope.
[640] coronation?] Capell. coronation. Ff.
[641] I am] I'm Pope.
royal] loyal Pope.
[642] minds--As ... forward--] minds (As ... forward) Knight (Boswell conj.) minds, As ... forward Ff.
[643] As] And Rowe (ed. 2).
rights] right Hanmer.
they are] they're Pope.
[644] this day] these days Hanmer.
[645] ask] task Warburton.
[646] That] The Rowe (ed. 2).
hand] F₁. hands F₂ F₃ F₄.
[647] He to be] To be Pope.
[648] Sec. Gent.] 2. F₄. 1. F₁ F₂ F₃.
[649] beholding] beholden Pope.
[650] too] too, sir Capell.
[651] off] om. Pope.
[652] was often] oft was Hanmer.
[653] not appearance] non-appearance Steevens conj.
[654] Kimbolton] F₃ F₄. Kymmalton F₁ F₂.
[655] [Trumpets.] Capell. om. Ff.
[656] The ... coming.] One line in Pope. Two lines, the first ending close, in Ff.
[Hautboys.] Ho-boyes. F₁ F₂ F₃. Ho-boys. F₄. om. Capell.
Choristers] Quirristers F₁ F₂ F₃. Quiristers F₄.
Musicians.] Edd. Musicke. Ff.
he wears] he wore Ff. om. Rowe.
Collars of SS.] Rowe. Collars of Esses. Ff.
in her hair] her hair Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)
They pass ... state.] Edd. Exeunt first passing over the Stage in Order and State, and then, A great Flourish of Trumpets. Ff. Omitted by Capell.
[657] that that] F₁ F₂. that F₃ F₄. that who Pope.
[658] That] The next Hanmer. That next Capell. That lord S. Walker conj. And that Keightley.
[659] [Looking on the Queen] Johnson. om. Ff.
[660] lady:] Rowe. lady, Ff.
[661] honour over] state above Pope.
[662] Those ... her.] As in Pope. Two lines, the first ending happy, in Ff.
and so] so Pope.
[663] Duchess of] the Dutchess of Rowe. Duchess S. Walker conj.
[664] And ... that.] First Gent. And ... ones. Sec. Gent. No ... that. Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)
First Gent.] 1. F₃ F₄. 2. F₁ F₂.
[Exit procession; and then ...] Exit procession, with ... Capell. om. Ff.
[665] First Gent.] 1. Ff. 2. G. Capell.
where] say where Hanmer. and where Capell. why, where S. Walker conj.
broiling] a-broiling Seymour conj.
[666] I] and I Hanmer.
[667] You saw The ceremony] As in Hanmer. One line in Ff.
[668] That I did] F₁ F₂. I did F₃ F₄.
[669] opposing] exposing Long MS.
[670] This] That Capell.
[671] in] into Mitford conj.
But] But pray Pope.
[672] She had] Sh' had Pope. Sh'ad Hanmer.
[673] Sir, You must] You must Pope. Good sir, You must Capell. Sir, you Must Steevens (1793).
that's] that is Steevens (1793).
[674] that] om. Pope.
[675] Stokesly] F₄. Stokeley F₁ F₂ F₃.
[676] archbishop's] Archbishops F₁. Archbishop F₂ F₃ F₄.
[677] there is ... when it] there's ... when't Pope.
[678] Thomas ... house] As three lines, ending esteem ... friend ... house, in Malone.
[679] A worthy ... council] As three lines, ending him ... house ... councell, in Ff. As two lines, ... master O' th' jewel house and one o' th' privy council. Hanmer. As three lines, the first ending King, in Steevens. Two lines, the first ending master, in Keightley.
[680] made] lately made S. Walker conj., reading Master ... already, of as one line.
[681] O' the ... Yes] As two lines, S. Walker conj., the first ending already, of.
[682] Capell ends the first line at which.
[683] ye shall] you shall Rowe (ed. 2). you shall both Hanmer.
[684] ye] om. Pope.
Kimbolton.] Theobald.
[685] loaden] F₁. loaded F₂ F₃ F₄.
[686] So; now] So--now Rowe. So now Ff.
[Sitting down. Rowe.
[687] led'st] Rowe (ed. 2). lead'st Ff.
[688] think] F₃ F₄. thinke F₂. thanke F₁. thought Lettsom conj.
[689] me, happily,] me happily Ff. me happily, Rowe (ed. 2).
[690] Earl] Earl of Rowe (ed. 2).
[691] covent] Ff. convent Rowe.
[692] full of] F₁. full F₂ F₃ F₄.
[693] gave] F₁. give F₂ F₃ F₄.
[694] So ... him!] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.
lie] lay Rowe (ed. 2).
gently on] F₁. on F₂ F₃ F₄. bury'd with Rowe. lightly on Collier MS.
[695] Tied] Ty'de F₁ F₂ F₃. Ty'd F₄. Tyth'd Hanmer.
[696] is now] now is Rowe.
[697] honour from his cradle.] honour, from his cradle; Theobald. honour. From his cradle Ff.
[698] Oxford!] Pope. Oxford: Ff.
[699] to outlive] t'outlive Keightley.
good that did it] good he did it Pope. good man did it Collier MS. good that did it nourish Keightley. good that rear'd it Staunton. hand that fed it Anon. conj.
[700] meditating] F₁ F₄. meditating. F₂ F₃.
[701] reverent] reverend Ff.
changes] F₁. charges F₂ F₃ F₄.
vanish] they vanish Hanmer.
[702] [starting out of her Sleep. Capell.
all] om. Pope.
[703] thousand] F₁. a thousand F₂ F₃ F₄.
[704] assuredly] As a separate line, in Hanmer.
[705] They are] 'Tis Pope.
[706] And] Her hand or And feels Staunton conj.
earthy cold] earthly cold Rowe (ed. 2). earthy coldness Collier (Collier MS.) earthy colour Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)
Mark] Observe Pope. Mark you Capell.
[707] Messenger.] Gentleman. Capell.
[708] An't] Hanmer. And't Ff.
[709] to blame] F₃ F₄. too blame F₁ F₂.
[710] lose] F₄. loose F₁ F₂ F₃.
[711] [Exeunt....] Exeunt Gri. and Gen. Capell. Exit Messeng. Ff.
Re-enter....] Capell. Enter Lord Capuchius. Ff.
[712] Capucius] Capuchius Ff (and passim).
[713] With ... pray you] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.
[714] [Giving....] Malone. reaching it. Capell. Omitted in Ff.
[715] most] Ff. must Rowe.
[716] This] Thus Rowe (ed. 2).
willing] F₁. willingly F₂ F₃ F₄.
[717] Heaven ... petition] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.
[718] will deserve] F₁ F₂. well deserve F₃ F₄. well deserves Hanmer.
[719] husband, let ... noble:] Pope. husband, let ... noble, Rowe. husband (let ... noble) Ff. husband; let ... noble; Capell.
[720] the poorest] o' th' poorest S. Walker conj.
[721] by] om. Pope.
[722] to have given] to've giv'n Hanmer.
[723] able] abler S. Walker conj.
[724] Say] Ff. And tell him Pope. Say to him Keightley.
passing] passing from him Capell. passing fast or passing, passing Anon. conj.
[725] [Exeunt Capucius and Griffith. Edd. conj.
[726] [Enter women. Edd. conj.
Act V, Scene I — London. A gallery in the palace.[727]
Enter GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a torch before him, met by SIR THOMAS LOVELL.
Gar. It's one o'clock, boy, is't not?
Boy. It hath struck.
Gar. These should be hours for necessities, Not for delights; times to repair our nature With comforting repose, and not for us To waste these times. Good hour of night, Sir Thomas! Whither so late? 5
Lov. Came you from the king, my lord?[728]
Gar. I did, Sir Thomas, and left him at primero[729] 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? 10 It seems you are in haste: an if there be[730] No great offence belongs to't, give your friend Some touch of your late business: affairs that walk, As they say spirits do, at midnight, have In them a wilder nature than the business 15 That seeks dispatch 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,[731] They say, in great extremity; and fear'd[732] She'll with the labour end.
Gar. The fruit she goes with[733] 20 I pray for heartily, that it may find Good time, and live: but for the stock, Sir Thomas, I wish it grubb'd up now.
Lov. Methinks I could Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says[734] She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does 25 Deserve our better wishes.
Gar. But, sir, sir, Hear me, Sir Thomas: you're a gentleman[735] Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious;[736] And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well, 'Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me, 30 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, is made master[737] O' the rolls, and the king's secretary; further, sir,[738] 35 Stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments,[739] With which the time will load him. The archbishop[740] Is the king's hand and tongue; and who dare speak[741] One syllable against him?
Gar. Yes, yes, Sir Thomas,[742] There are that dare; and I myself have ventured 40 To speak my mind of him: and indeed this day,[743] Sir, I may tell it you, I think I have Incensed the lords o' the council that he is--[744] For so I know he is, they know he is-- A most arch-heretic, a pestilence 45 That 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[745] And princely care foreseeing those fell mischiefs Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded[746] 50 To-morrow morning to the council-board He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Thomas,[747] And we must root him out. From your affairs I hinder you too long: good night, Sir Thomas.
Lov. Many good nights, my lord: I rest your servant. 55
[Exeunt Gardiner and Page.
Enter KING and SUFFOLK.[748]
King. Charles, I will play no more to-night;[749] My mind's not on't; you are too hard for me.
Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before.
King. But little, Charles, Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.[750] 60 Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news?
Lov. I could not personally deliver to her What you commanded me, but by her woman I sent your message; who return'd her thanks In the great'st humbleness, and desired your highness[751] 65 Most heartily to pray for her.
King. What say'st thou, ha? To pray for her? what, is she crying out?
Lov. So said her woman, and that her sufferance made Almost each pang a death.
King. Alas, good lady!
Suf. God safely quit her of her burthen, and 70 With gentle travail, to the gladding of[752] Your highness with an heir!
King. 'Tis midnight, Charles; Prithee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone; For I must think of that which company 75 Would not be friendly to.
Suf. I wish your highness A quiet night, and my good mistress will Remember in my prayers.
King. Charles, good night. [Exit Suffolk.
Enter SIR ANTHONY DENNY.[753]
Well, sir, what follows?
Den. Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop, 80 As you commanded me.
King. Ha! Canterbury?
Den. Ay, my good lord.[754]
King. 'Tis true: where is he, Denny?
Den. He attends your highness' pleasure.
King. Bring him to us.
[Exit Denny.[755]
Lov. [Aside] This is about that which the bishop spake:[756] I am happily come hither.[757] 85
Re-enter DENNY, with CRANMER.
King. Avoid the gallery. [Lovell seems to stay] Ha! I have said. Be gone.[758] What! [Exeunt Lovell and Denny.
Cran. [Aside] I am fearful: wherefore frowns he thus?[759] 'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.
King. How now, my lord! you do desire to know[760] Wherefore I sent for you.[760]
Cran. [Kneeling] It is my duty[761] 90 To attend your highness' pleasure.[762]
King. Pray you, arise, My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury. Come, you and I must walk a turn together; I have news to tell you: come, come, give me your hand.[763] Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak, 95 And am right sorry to repeat what follows: I have, and most unwillingly, of late Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord, Grievous complaints of you; which, being consider'd, Have moved us and our council, that you shall 100 This morning come before us; where, I know, You cannot with such freedom purge yourself, But that, till further trial in those charges Which will require your answer, you must take Your patience to you and be well contented 105 To make your house our Tower: you a brother of us,[764] It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness Would come against you.
Cran. [Kneeling] I humbly thank your highness;[761] And am right glad to catch this good occasion Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff 110 And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know, There's none stands under more calumnious tongues Than I myself, poor man.[765]
King. Stand up, good Canterbury: Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted In us, thy friend: give me thy hand, stand up:[766] 115 Prithee, let's walk. Now, by my holidame,[767] What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd 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,[768] 120 Without indurance, further.
Cran. Most dread liege, The good I stand on is my truth and honesty:[769] If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies,[770] Will triumph o'er my person; which I weigh not, Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing 125 What can be said against me.[771]
King. Know you not How your state stands i’ the world, with the whole world? Your enemies are many, and not small; their practices[772] Must bear the same proportion; and not ever The justice and the truth o' the question carries 130 The due o' the verdict with it: at what ease[773] Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt To swear against you? Such things have been done. You are potently opposed, and with a malice[774] Of as great size. Ween you of better luck, 135 I mean, in perjured witness, than your master, Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived[775] Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to; You take a precipice for no leap of danger,[776] And woo your own destruction.[777]
Cran. God and your majesty 140 Protect mine innocence, or I fall into The trap is laid for me!
King. 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,[778] 145 In charging you with matters, to commit you, The best persuasions to the contrary Fail not to use, and with what vehemency The occasion shall instruct you: if entreaties Will render you no remedy, this ring 150 Deliver them, and your appeal to us There make before them. Look, the good man weeps![779] He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother! I swear he is true-hearted, and a soul None better in my kingdom. Get you gone, 155 And do as I have bid you. [Exit Cranmer.] He has strangled[780][781] His language in his tears.[781][782]
Enter Old Lady; LOVELL following.
Gent. [Within] Come back: what mean you?
Old L. 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 160 Under their blessed wings!
King. Now, by thy looks I guess thy message. Is the queen deliver'd? Say, ay, and of a boy.
Old L. Ay, ay, my liege; And of a lovely boy: the God of heaven Both now and ever bless her! 'tis a girl, 165 Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen Desires your visitation, and to be Acquainted with this stranger: 'tis as like you As cherry is to cherry.
King. Lovell!
Lov. Sir?[783]
King. Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the queen.[784] 170
[Exit.
Old L. An hundred marks! By this light, I 'll ha' more.[785] 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?[786][787] I will have more, or else unsay't; and now,[786][788] 175 While it is hot, I'll put it to the issue. [Exeunt.[786][789]
Act V, Scene II — Before the council-chamber.
Pursuivants, Pages, &c. attending.
Enter CRANMER, Archbishop of Canterbury.[790]
Cran. I hope I am not too late; and yet the gentleman[791] That was sent to me from the council pray'd me To make great haste. All fast? what means this? Ho! Who waits there? Sure, you know me?
Enter Keeper.
Keep. Yes, my lord; But yet I cannot help you.[792] 5
Cran. Why?[792]
Enter DOCTOR BUTTS.[793]
Keep. Your grace must wait till you be call'd for.[792]
Cran. So.
Butts. [Aside] This is a piece of malice. I am glad[794] I came this way so happily: the king[795] Shall understand it presently. [Exit.
Cran. [Aside] 'Tis Butts,[796] 10 The king's physician: as he pass'd along, How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me! Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain,[797] This is of purpose laid by some that hate me-- God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice-- 15 To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me Wait else at door, a fellow-councillor, 'Mong boys, grooms and lackeys. But their pleasures[798] Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.[799]
Enter the KING and BUTTS at a window above.
Butts. I'll show your grace the strangest sight--[800]
King. What's that, Butts? 20
Butts. I think your highness saw this many a day.
King. Body o' me, where is it?[801]
Butts. There, my lord: The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury; Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants, Pages and footboys.
King. Ha! 'tis he, indeed: 25 Is this the honour they do one another? 'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had thought[802] They had parted so much honesty among 'em,[803] At least good manners, as not thus to suffer A man of his place and so near our favour 30 To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures, And at the door too, like a post with packets. By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery: Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close; We shall hear more anon. [Exeunt.[804] 35
Act V, Scene III — The council-chamber.
Enter LORD CHANCELLOR, _places himself at the upper end of the table on the left hand; a seat being left void above him, as for_ CANTERBURY'S seat; DUKE OF SUFFOLK, DUKE OF NORFOLK, SURREY, LORD CHAMBERLAIN, GARDINER, _seat themselves in order on each side_. CROMWELL _at lower end, as secretary. Keeper at the door._[805]
Chan. Speak to the business, master secretary:[806] Why are we met in council?[807]
Crom. Please your honours, The chief cause concerns his grace of Canterbury.[808]
Gar. Has he had knowledge of it?
Crom. Yes.
Nor. Who waits there?
Keep. Without, my noble lords?
Gar. Yes.[809]
Keep. My lord archbishop; 5 And has done half an hour, to know your pleasures.
Chan. Let him come in.
Keep. Your grace may enter now.
[Cranmer enters and approaches the council-table.[810]
Chan. My good lord archbishop, I'm very sorry To sit here at this present and behold That chair stand empty: but we all are men, 10 In our own natures frail and capable[811] Of our flesh; few are angels: out of which frailty[811][812] And want of wisdom, you, that best should teach us, Have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little, Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling 15 The whole realm, by your teaching and your chaplains-- For so we are inform'd--with new opinions, Divers and dangerous; which are heresies, And, not reform'd, may prove pernicious.
Gar. Which reformation must be sudden too, 20 My noble lords; for those that tame wild horses Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle, But stop their mouths with stubborn bits and spur 'em, Till they obey the manage. If we suffer, Out of our easiness and childish pity 25 To one man's honour, this contagious sickness, Farewell all physic: and what follows then? Commotions, uproars, with a general taint Of the whole state: as of late days our neighbours, The upper Germany, can dearly witness, 30 Yet freshly pitied in our memories.
Cran. My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress Both of my life and office, I have labour'd, And with no little study, that my teaching And the strong course of my authority 35 Might go one way, and safely; and the end Was ever to do well: nor is there living, I speak it with a single heart, my lords, A man that more detests, more stirs against,[813] Both in his private conscience and his place, 40 Defacers of a public peace, than I do.[814] Pray heaven, the king may never find a heart With less allegiance in it! Men that make Envy and crooked malice nourishment Dare bite the best. I do beseech your lordships, 45 That, in this case of justice, my accusers, Be what they will, may stand forth face to face, And freely urge against me.
Suf. Nay, my lord, That cannot be: you are a councillor, And, by that virtue, no man dare accuse you. 50
Gar. My lord, because we have business of more moment,[815] We will be short with you. 'Tis his highness' pleasure, And our consent, for better trial of you, From hence you be committed to the Tower; Where, being but a private man again, 55 You shall know many dare accuse you boldly, More than, I fear, you are provided for.
Cran. Ah, my good Lord of Winchester, I thank you;[816] You are always my good friend; if your will pass, I shall both find your lordship judge and juror, 60 You are so merciful. I see your end; 'Tis my undoing. Love and meekness, lord, Become a churchman better than ambition: Win straying souls with modesty again, Cast none away. That I shall clear myself, 65 Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience, I make as little doubt as you do conscience In doing daily wrongs. I could say more, But reverence to your calling makes me modest.
Gar. My lord, my lord, you are a sectary; 70 That's the plain truth: your painted gloss discovers, To men that understand you, words and weakness.[817]
Crom. My Lord of Winchester, you are a little,[818] By your good favour, too sharp; men so noble, However faulty, yet should find respect 75 For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty[819] To load a falling man.
Gar. Good master secretary,[820] I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst Of all this table, say so.
Crom. Why, my lord?
Gar. Do not I know you for a favourer 80 Of this new sect? ye are not sound.
Crom. Not sound?
Gar. Not sound, I say.
Crom. Would you were half so honest! Men's prayers then would seek you, not their fears.
Gar. I shall remember this bold language.
Crom. Do. Remember your bold life too.
Chan. This is too much;[821] 85 Forbear, for shame, my lords.
Gar. I have done.[822]
Crom. And I.
Chan. Then thus for you, my lord: it stands agreed,[823] I take it, by all voices, that forthwith You be convey'd to the Tower a prisoner; There to remain till the king's further pleasure 90 Be known unto us: are you all agreed, lords?[824]
All. We are.
Cran. Is there no other way of mercy. But I must needs to the Tower, my lords?
Gar. What other Would you expect? you are strangely troublesome.[825] Let some o' the guard be ready there.
Enter Guard.[826]
Cran. For me? 95 Must I go like a traitor thither?
Gar. Receive him, And see him safe i' the Tower.
Cran. Stay, good my lords, I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords; By virtue of that ring, I take my cause Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it 100 To a most noble judge, the king my master.
Cham. This is the king's ring.[827]
Sur. 'Tis no counterfeit.
Suf. 'Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all,[828] When we first put this dangerous stone a-rolling, 'Twould fall upon ourselves.
Nor. Do you think, my lords, 105 The king will suffer but the little finger Of this man to be vex'd?
Cham. 'Tis now too certain:[827] How much more is his life in value with him? Would I were fairly out on't!
Crom. My mind gave me, In seeking tales and informations 110 Against this man, whose honesty the devil And his disciples only envy at,[829] Ye blew the fire that burns ye: now have at ye!
Enter KING, frowning on them; takes his seat.
Gar. Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven[830] In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince, 115 Not only good and wise, but most religious: One that, in all obedience, makes the church The chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen That holy duty, out of dear respect,[831] His royal self in judgement comes to hear 120 The cause betwixt her and this great offender.
King. You were ever good at sudden commendations,[832] Bishop of Winchester. But know, I come not To hear such flattery now, and in my presence[833][834] They are too thin and bare to hide offences.[834][835] 125 To me you cannot reach you play the spaniel,[836] And think with wagging of your tongue to win me; But, whatsoe'er thou takest me for, I'm sure Thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody. [To Cranmer] Good man, sit down. Now let me see the proudest[837][838] 130 He, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee:[837] By all that's holy, he had better starve Than but once think this place becomes thee not.[839]
Sur. May it please your grace,--
King. No, sir, it does not please me. I had thought I had had men of some understanding[840] 135 And wisdom of my council; but I find none. Was it discretion, lords, to let this man, This good man,--few of you deserve that title,-- This honest man, wait like a lousy footboy At chamber-door? and one as great as you are? 140 Why, what a shame was this! Did my commission Bid ye so far forget yourselves? I gave ye Power as he was a councillor to try him, Not as a groom: there's some of ye, I see, More out of malice than integrity, 145 Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean:[841] Which ye shall never have while I live.
Chan. Thus far,[842] My most dread sovereign, may it like your grace To let my tongue excuse all. What was purposed Concerning his imprisonment, was rather, 150 If there be faith in men, meant for his trial And fair purgation to the world, than malice, I'm sure, in me.
King. Well, well, my lords, respect him; Take him and use him well; he's worthy of it. I will say thus much for him, if a prince 155 May be beholding to a subject, I[843] Am, for his love and service, so to him. Make me no more ado, but all embrace him:[844] Be friends, for shame, my lords! My Lord of Canterbury, I have a suit which you must not deny me; 160 That is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism;[845] You must be godfather, and answer for her.
Cran. The greatest monarch now alive may glory In such an honour: how may I deserve it, That am a poor and humble subject to you? 165
King. Come, come, my lord, you'ld spare your[846] spoons: you shall have two noble partners with you; the[846] old Duchess of Norfolk, and Lady Marquess Dorset: will[846][847][848] these please you?[846][848] Once more, my Lord of Winchester, I charge you, 170 Embrace and love this man.[849]
Gar. With a true heart And brother-love I do it.[850]
Cran. And let heaven Witness how dear I hold this confirmation.
King. Good man, those joyful tears show thy true heart:[851] The common voice, I see, is verified 175 Of thee, which says thus: 'Do my Lord of Canterbury A shrewd turn, and he is your friend for ever.'[852] Come, lords, we trifle time away; I long To have this young one made a Christian. As I have made ye one, lords, one remain: 180 So I grow stronger, you more honour gain. [Exeunt.
Act V, Scene IV — The palace yard.[853]
Noise and tumult within. Enter Porter and his Man.
Port. You'll leave your noise anon, ye rascals: do you[854][855] take the court for Paris-garden? ye rude slaves, leave your[854][856] gaping.[854]
[Within] 'Good master porter, I belong to the larder.'[854][857]
Port. Belong to the gallows, and be hanged, ye rogue![854][858] 5 Is this a place to roar in? Fetch me a dozen crab-tree[854][859] staves, and strong ones: these are but switches to 'em.[854][860] I'll scratch your heads: you must be seeing christenings?[854] do you look for ale and cakes here, you rude rascals?[854]
Man. Pray, sir, be patient: 'tis as much impossible-- 10 Unless we sweep 'em from the door with cannons-- To scatter 'em, as 'tis to make 'em sleep On May-day morning; which will never be: We may as well push against Powle's as stir 'em.[861]
Port. How got they in, and be hang'd? 15
Man. Alas, I know not; how gets the tide in? As much as one sound cudgel of four foot-- You see the poor remainder--could distribute, I made no spare, sir.
Port. You did nothing, sir.
Man. I am not Samson, nor Sir Guy, nor Colbrand,[862] 20 To mow 'em down before me: but if I spared any[862] That had a head to hit, either young or old,[862] He or she, cuckold or cuckold-maker,[862] Let me ne'er hope to see a chine again;[862][863] And that I would not for a cow, God save her![862][864] 25
[Within] 'Do you hear, master porter?'[857]
Port. I shall be with you presently, good master puppy.[857] Keep the door close, sirrah.
Man. What would you have me do?
Port. What should you do, but knock 'em down by[865][866] 30 the dozens? Is this Moorfields to muster in? or have we[866] some strange Indian with the great tool come to court, the[866] women so besiege us? Bless me, what a fry of fornication[866] is at door! On my Christian conscience, this one christening[866][867] will beget a thousand; here will be father, godfather,[866] 35 and all together.[866]
Man. The spoons will be the bigger, sir. There is a[866] fellow somewhat near the door, he should be a brazier by[866] his face, for, o' my conscience, twenty of the dog-days now[866] reign in's nose; all that stand about him are under the[866][868] 40 line, they need no other penance: that fire-drake did I hit[866] three times on the head, and three times was his nose[866] discharged against me; he stands there, like a mortar-piece,[866] to blow us. There was a haberdasher's wife of small[866][869] wit near him, that railed upon me till her pinked porringer[866] 45 fell off her head, for kindling such a combustion in the[866][870] state. I missed the meteor once, and hit that woman, who[866] cried out 'Clubs!' when I might see from far some forty[866][871] truncheoners draw to her succour, which were the hope o'[866][872] the Strand, where she was quartered. They fell on; I made[866][873] 50 good my place: at length they came to the broomstaff to[866][874] me; I defied 'em still: when suddenly a file of boys behind[866][874][875] 'em, loose shot, delivered such a shower of pebbles, that[866][875][876] I was fain to draw mine honour in and let 'em win the[866] work: the devil was amongst 'em, I think, surely.[866] 55
Port. These are the youths that thunder at a play-house[866] and fight for bitten apples; that no audience, but[866] the tribulation of Tower-hill, or the limbs of Limehouse,[866][877][878] their dear brothers, are able to endure. I have some of[866][879] 'em in Limbo Patrum, and there they are like to dance[866] 60 these three days; besides the running banquet of two[866] beadles that is to come.[866]
Enter LORD CHAMBERLAIN.
Cham. Mercy o' me, what a multitude are here![880] They grow still too; from all parts they are coming, As if we kept a fair here. Where are these porters,[881] 65 These lazy knaves? Ye have made a fine hand, fellows:[882] There's a trim rabble let in: are all these Your faithful friends o' the suburbs? We shall have Great store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies, When they pass back from the christening.
Port. An't please your honour,[883] 70 We are but men; and what so many may do,[884] Not being torn a-pieces, we have done:[885] An army cannot rule 'em.
Cham. As I live, If the king blame me for't, I'll lay ye all By the heels, and suddenly; and on your heads 75 Clap round fines for neglect: ye 're lazy knaves;[886] And here ye lie baiting of bombards when Ye should do service. Hark! the trumpets sound; They're come already from the christening:[887] Go, break among the press, and find a way out[888] 80 To let the troop pass fairly, or I'll find A Marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months.
Port. Make way there for the princess.[889]
Man. You great fellow, Stand close up, or I'll make your head ache.
Port. You i' the camlet, get up o' the rail;[890] 85 I'll peck you o'er the pales else. [Exeunt.[891]
Act V, Scene V — The palace.[892]
Enter Trumpets, sounding; then two Aldermen, Lord Mayor, Garter, 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 a mantle, &c., train borne by a Lady; then follows the_ MARCHIONESS DORSET, the other godmother, and Ladies. _The troop pass once about the stage, and_ Garter speaks.
Gart. Heaven, from thy endless goodness, send prosperous[893] life, long, and ever happy, to the high and mighty[893] princess of England, Elizabeth![893]
Flourish. Enter KING and Guard.[894]
Cran. [Kneeling] And to your royal grace, and the good queen.[895][896] My noble partners and myself thus pray:[896] 5 All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady,[897] Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy,[898] May hourly fall upon ye!
King. Thank you, good lord archbishop:[899] What is her name?
Cran. Elizabeth.
King. Stand up, lord.
[The King kisses the child.
With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee![900] 10 Into whose hand I give thy life.
Cran. Amen.
King. My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal:[901] I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady, When she has so much English.
Cran. Let me speak, sir, For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter 15 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, Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be-- 20 But few now living can behold that goodness--[902] A pattern to all princes living with her And all that shall succeed: Saba was never[903] More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces,[904] 25 That mould up such a mighty piece as this is,[905] 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: She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her; 30 Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,[906] And hang their heads with sorrow. Good grows with her:[907] In her days every man shall eat in safety, Under his own vine, what he plants, and sing The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours: 35 God shall be truly known; and those about her From her shall read the perfect ways of honour,[908][909] And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.[909] Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but, as when[910] The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phœnix,[910] 40 Her ashes new create another heir[910] As great in admiration as herself,[910] So shall she leave her blessedness to one--[910] When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness--[910] Who from the sacred ashes of her honour[910] 45 Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,[910] And so stand fix'd. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,[910] That were the servants to this chosen infant,[910] Shall then be his and like a vine grow to him:[910] Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,[910] 50 His honour and the greatness of his name[910] Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish,[910] And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches[910] To all the plains about him. Our children's children[910][911] Shall see this, and bless heaven.[910]
King. Thou speakest wonders. 55
Cran. She shall be, to the happiness of England,[912] An aged princess; many days shall see her,[912] And yet no day without a deed to crown it.[912] Would I had known no more! but she must die;[912] She must; the saints must have her; yet a virgin,[912][913] 60 A most unspotted lily shall she pass[912][914] To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.[912][915]
King. O lord archbishop, Thou hast made me now a man! never, before This happy child, did I get any thing. 65 This oracle of comfort has so pleased me, That when I am in heaven I shall desire To see what this child does, and praise my Maker. I thank ye all. To you, my good lord mayor, And your good brethren, I am much beholding;[916] 70 I have received much honour by your presence, And ye shall find me thankful. Lead the way, lords: Ye 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:[917] 75 This little one shall make it holiday. [Exeunt.
FOOTNOTES:
[727] London. A gallery....] Gallery.... Capell. Before the Palace. Theobald.
[728] Whither] F₃ F₄. Whether F₁ F₂.
[729] and] om. Pope.
[730] an if] Capell. and if Ff.
[731] work] word Rowe (ed. 2).
[732] great] om. F₄.
and] and 'tis Rowe (ed. 2). 'tis Pope.
[733] goes] goe F₂.
[734] Cry the] Cry ye Anon. conj.
[735] you're] Theobald. y' are Ff. you are Steevens.
[736] you] you are F₃ F₄.
[737] is] he's Theobald. he is Capell.
[738] sir] om. Pope.
[739] trade of] F₁ F₂ F₃. trade for F₄. tread for Warburton.
moe] Ff. more Rowe.
[740] time] F₄. Lime F₁ F₂ F₃.
[741] and tongue] F₁ F₂. or tongue F₃ F₄.
[742] Yes, yes] Ff. Yes Pope.
[743] and indeed this] indeed this Pope. indeed this very Hanmer.
[744] o' the] o' th' F₁ F₂. of the F₃ F₄.
[745] of] that of Keightley.
[746] hath] he hath Pope. h'ath Malone conj. 'hath Collier.
[747] convented] convened Johnson.
[748] [Exeunt....] Exit.... Ff (after line 54).
Enter King....] Ff. Ex. Lov. Scene changes to an Apartment in the Palace. Enter King.... Theobald.
As Lovell is going, Enter the King, and the Duke of Suffolk, as new risen from Play. Capell.
[749] SCENE II. Pope.
more] more with you S. Walker conj.
[750] Re-enter Lovel. Theobald. Enter Lovell. Hanmer.
[751] In the great'st] In the greatest F₄. In greatest Pope.
[752] travail] travel Rowe.
[753] good] a good Pope.
Enter....] Ff (after follows, line 79).
[754] Ay] Rowe. I Ff. Yea Pope.
[755] [Exit Denny.] Rowe.
[756] [Aside] Rowe.
[757] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter Cranmer and Denny. Ff.
[758] Avoid ... gone] One line in Capell Two in Ff.
[759] What!] What? F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
Act V, Scene III — Pope
[Aside] Capell.
fearful] much fearful Hanmer.
[760] How ... you] Arranged as in Rowe (ed. 2). As three lines in Ff, ending Lord?... wherefore ... you.
[761] [Kneeling] Johnson.
[762] To attend] T' attend Ff.
arise] rise Pope.
[763] I have ... hand] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.
I have] I've Pope.
come, come] come Pope.
[764] you] were you Long MS. to Collier MS.
[765] myself, poor man. King.] myself. King. Poor man, Grey conj.
[766] [Cranmer rises. Johnson.
[767] holidame] holydame Ff. holy Dame Rowe.
[768] to have] have Pope.
[769] good] ground Rann (Johnson conj.)
[770] fail] fall Rowe (ed. 2).
[771] What] Which Johnson.
[772] enemies are] foes are Pope. enemies Capell.
[773] due] F₃ F₄. dew F₁ F₂.
[774] You are] You're Pope.
[775] whiles] while Pope.
[776] precipice] precepit F₁.
[777] And woo] F₃ F₄. And woe F₁. Ane wooe F₂.
[778] shall] om. Pope.
[779] good man] F₃ F₄. goodman F₁ F₂.
[780] He has] He ha's Ff. He'as Pope.
[781] He has ... tears] Arranged as in Hanmer. As one line in Ff.
[782] His language] F₁. all his language F₂ F₃ F₄. All language Hanmer.
Enter....] Capell. Enter Olde Lady. Ff.
[783] Enter Lovell. Steevens.
[784] Give ... queen] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.
[Exit.] Exit King. Ff.
[785] ha'] F₃. ha F₁ F₂ F₄. have Capell.
[786] Said ... issue] Arranged as by Steevens. In Ff the lines end Ile ... hot ... issue.
[787] like to] like Pope.
[788] I will] Steevens. Ile F₁ F₂. I'le F₃ F₄.
and now] now Pope.
[789] it is] Steevens. 'tis Ff.
[Exeunt.] Capell. Exit Ladie. Ff.
[790] SCENE II.] SCENE IV. Pope.
Before the council-chamber.] Theobald. The council-Chamber. Capell.
Pursuivants, Pages, &c. attending. Enter....] Chair, under a State, for the King; beneath, a Table: Chamber-keeper attending. Servants at the Door without; to which, Enter Cranmer. Capell. Enter Cranmer, Archbyshop of Canterbury. Ff.
[791] I am] I'm Pope.
[792] But ... grace] One line in Capell.
[793] Enter....] Capell. In Ff after for line 7.
[794] [Aside] Dyce and Staunton.
piece] Peere F₁.
[795] happily] F₁ F₂ F₃. haply F₄.
[796] [Aside] Johnson.
[797] sound] found Rowe.
[798] 'Mong ... pleasures] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.
'Mong] Among Capell.
boys] footboys Anon. conj.
grooms] and grooms Rowe (ed. 2).
[799] fulfill'd] Ff. fulfilled Rowe.
[800] sight--] Rowe. sight. Ff.
[801] o' me] Pope. a me Ff.
[802] above 'em yet. I] above 'em.-- Yet I Theobald conj. (withdrawn).
had] om. Pope.
[803] They had] They'd Pope.
[804] [Exeunt.] Reed (1803). Curtain drawn. Capell.
[805] SCENE III.] Edd. SCENE V. Pope. om. Ff. See note (X).
The council-chamber.] Reed. The council. Theobald. A Councell Table brought in with Chayres and Stooles, and placed under the State. Ff.
Enter ... secretary.] Ff.
Lord Chancellor,] Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor, Theobald conj. (withdrawn).
Keeper at the door.] Edd. om. Ff.
[806] master] Steevens. M. F₁ F₂. Mr. F₃ F₄.
[807] are we] we are Anon. conj.
[808] chief] om. Pope. chiefest Capell.
cause] om. Anon. conj.
concerns] 'cerns Lettsom conj.
[809] noble] om. Steevens conj.
Gar. Yes.] om. Mitford conj.
[810] enters and] Edd. om. Ff.
[811] and capable Of our flesh:] Capell. and capable Of our flesh, Ff. and capable Of frailty, Pope. and culpable; Those frailty free are angels: Theobald conj. incapable; Of our flesh, Malone. and culpable: Of our flesh, Mason conj. and culpable Of our flesh; Collier (Collier MS.)
[812] Of our flesh; few] Of falling; so Anon. conj.
out of] from Pope.
[813] stirs] F₄. stirres F₁ F₂ F₃. strives Collier (Collier MS.)
[814] of a] of the Rowe.
[815] we have] we've Pope.
[816] Ah] Ay Rowe (ed. 2).
[817] you, words] your words Long MS.
[818] you are] Pope. y'are Ff. you're Rowe.
[819] a cruelty] cruelty Anon. conj.
[820] master] Steevens. M. F₁ F₂. Mr. F₃ F₄.
[821] Chan.] Capell. Cham. Ff.
This is] This' S. Walker conj.
[822] I have] I've Pope.
[823] Chan.] Capell (Theobald conj.) Cham. Ff.
[824] lords?] F₄. lords. F₁ F₂ F₃.
[825] you are] you're Pope.
[826] Enter Guard] Enter the Guard. Ff.
[827] Cham.] Ff. Cha. Capell. Chan. Dyce.
[828] 'Tis the] F₁ F₂. 'Tis his F₃ F₄.
[829] disciples] diciples F₂.
[830] SCENE VI. Pope.
Dread ... heaven] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.
[831] out of] of our F₃ F₄.
[832] You were] You're Pope.
[833] flattery] flatteries Rowe (ed. 2).
[834] presence They] F₁. presence, They F₂ F₃ F₄. presence; They Capell.
[835] bare] Dyce (Malone conj.) base Ff.
[836] To me] To one Rann (Whalley conj.)
reach you] reach, you Steevens (Mason conj.) reach. You Ff.
[837] [To Cranmer.] Rowe. om. Ff.
[838] proudest He,] Ff. proudest, He Collier.
[839] this] Rowe. his Ff.
[840] I had thought I had had men] Ff. I had had thought I had men Rowe (ed. 1). I had thought I had men Rowe (ed. 2). I thought I had men Pope.
[841] mean] means Pope.
[842] live] do live Rowe (ed. 2).
Chan.] F₁ F₂. Cham. F₃ F₄.
Thus far] om. Pope.
[843] beholding] beholden Rowe (ed. 2).
[844] him] om. Johnson.
[They embrace him; Gardiner last. Collier (Collier MS.)
[845] That is,] There is Rowe.
[846] Come ... you?] As in Ff. Pope arranges as verse, ending the lines have ... Dutchess ... Dorset. Capell ends them have ... Norfolk ... please you.
[847] Lady] the Lady Rowe (ed. 2). the old Lady Johnson (1771).
Dorset] F₁ F₂. of Dorset F₃ F₄.
[848] will these please you?] Omitted by Pope.
[849] [They embrace again. Collier (Collier MS.)
[850] brother-love] Malone. brother; love F₁. brothers love F₂ F₃ F₄. brother's love Rowe.
[851] heart] hearts F₁.
[852] A] But one Pope.
he is] Capell. hee's F₁ F₂. he's F₃ F₄.
[853] SCENE IV.] Edd. Scæna Tertia. Ff. SCENE VII. Pope.
The palace yard.] Theobald.
[854] You'll ... rude rascals?] As ten lines of verse in Capell, ending noise ... court ... gaping ... larder ... rogue ... roar in ... ones to'em ... christnings? ... rascals?
[855] leave] leane F₂.
[856] Paris-Garden] F₄. Parish garden F₁ F₂ F₃.
[857] master] Steevens. M. F₁ F₂. Mr. F₃ F₄.
[858] ye] you Capell.
[859] roar] roate F₂.
[860] switches to em.] switches.--To 'em. Warburton.
[861] as well] is well F₂.
Powle's] Powles F₁ F₂. Poule's F₃. Pauls F₄.
[862] I ... her!] As in Ff. Prose in Pope.
[863] ne'er] never Rowe (ed. 2).
chine] queen Collier (Collier MS.)
[864] a cow] a crown Collier (Collier MS.) my cow Staunton conj.
[865] What should you do,] In a line by itself in Ff. As prose in Rowe.
[866] but knock ... to come.] As prose in Ff. As verse in Capell. See note (XI).
[867] at door] at dore F₁ F₂. at the door F₃ F₄.
[868] in's] in his Capell.
[869] blow us] F₁ F₂. blow us up F₃ F₄.
[870] fell] sell F₂.
a] om. Capell.
[871] from far] om. Pope.
[872] truncheoners] F₁ F₂. truncheons F₃ F₄. truncheoneers Capell.
hope] forlorn hope Hanmer.
o'] of Pope.
[873] Strand] F₄. Strond F₁ F₂ F₃.
[874] to me] with me Pope. wi'me Capell.
[875] behind 'em, ... pebbles,] behind 'em deliver'd ... pibbles, loose shot, Pope.
[876] pebbles] Johnson. pibbles Ff.
[877] tribulation] Ff. Tribulation Theobald. sweet tribulation Capell.
[878] limbs] Pope. Limbes F₁ F₂. Limbs F₃ F₄. lambs Steevens conj. young lambs Anon. conj.
[879] brothers] brethren S. Walker conj.
[880] a] om. F₂.
[881] here] om. Pope.
[882] Ye have] Y' have Ff.
a fine] fine F₂.
[883] An't please] Capell. And't please Ff. Please Pope.
[884] what so many] what-so man Anon. conj.
[885] a-pieces] a pieces F₁ F₂ F₃. in pieces F₄.
[886] ye 're] Dyce. y' are Ff. you are Steevens.
[887] They're] Capell. Th' are Ff. They are Steevens.
[888] press] F₄. preasse F₁ F₂. preass F₃.
a way] away F₁.
[889] there] om. Warburton.
[890] camlet] Steevens. Chamblet Ff. camblet Pope.
up o'] off Rann (Mason conj.) up off Mason conj.
[891] peck] F₃ F₄. pecke F₁ F₂. pick Johnson.
pales] pates Knight, ed. 2, (Anon. conj.) poll Collier MS.
[892] SCENE V.] Edd. Scena Quarta. Ff. SCENE VIII. Pope.
The palace.] Theobald. Palace at Greenwich. Collier (Reed conj.)
[893] Heaven ... Elizabeth!] Printed as prose, first, by Capell. As four lines, ending Heaven, ... life, ... mighty ... Elisabeth, in Ff. See note (XII).
[894] Guard.] Train. Capell.
[895] [Kneeling] Johnson. om. Ff.
[896] queen. My ... pray:] Edd. queen, My ... pray Ff. _queen, My ... pray,_ Rowe. queen, My ... pray; Pope.
[897] lady] day Johnson, 1771 (a misprint).
[898] Heaven ever] That heav'n e'er Pope.
[899] archbishop] om. Steevens conj.
[900] [The King....] Johnson. om. Ff.
[901] ye have] Johnson. y' have Ff. you have Hanmer.
[902] few now] few or none Warburton.
[903] Saba] Sheba Rowe (ed. 2).
[904] pure] poor Rowe (ed. 2). blest Pope.
[905] such] F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
is] om. Pope.
[906] corn] F₃ F₄. Corne F₁ F₂. See note (XIII).
[907] And ... her:] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two lines, the first ending sorrow, in Ff.
[908] read] tread Collier conj.
[909] ways ... by those claim] F₄. way ... by those claime F₁ F₂ F₃. ways ... claim by those Pope. way ... by that claim Capell.
[910] Nor shall ... heaven.] See note (XIV).
[911] Our] om. Pope.
[912] She shall ... mourn her.] See note (XIV).
[913] her; yet a virgin,] Ff. her yet a virgin; Theobald.
[914] most] pure Capell (corrected in Errata).
[915] To] Unto Dyce conj.
[916] your good] Theobald (Thirlby conj.) you good Ff.
beholding] beholden Rowe (ed. 2).
[917] Has] 'Has Ff. H'as Rowe (ed. 2). He'as Hanmer. He has Capell.
The Epilogue
'Tis ten to one this play can never please All that are here: some come to take their ease,[918] And sleep an act or two; but those, we fear,[919] We have frighted with our trumpets; so, 'tis clear,[920] They'll say 'tis naught: others, to hear the city[921] 5 Abused extremely, and to cry 'That's witty!' Which we have not done neither; that, I fear, All the expected good we're like to hear[922] For this play at this time, is only in[923] The merciful construction of good women;[923] 10 For such a one we show'd 'em: if they smile, And say 'twill do, I know, within a while All the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap, If they hold when their ladies bid 'em clap.
FOOTNOTES:
[918] ease] case F₂.
[919] sleep] sleep out F₃ F₄.
[920] We have] W' have Ff. We've Rowe (ed. 2).
[921] 'tis] F₁. it's F₂ F₃ F₄.
[922] we're] w'are Ff. we are Capell.
[923] is only in The] we shall not owe men, But Collier conj.
NOTES.
NOTE I.
I. 1. 167. Mr Collier says: "In the three earlier folios the word is spelt 'wrenching,' which the printer of the fourth folio, not understanding, altered to 'drenching.'" In the three copies of the fourth folio now before us the word is 'wrenching.'
NOTE II.
I. 2. Capell, followed by Malone, made many gratuitous alterations in the stage-directions of the Folios, which we have not thought it worth while always to record.
NOTE III.
II. 3. 7-9. Pope's reading is as follows:
'Still growing in a majesty and pomp, The which to leave, a thousand-fold more bitter Than sweet at first t'acquire.'
Theobald, followed by Hanmer, has:
'Still growing to a majesty and pomp, The which to leave's a thousand-fold more bitter Than sweet at first t'acquire.'
Capell reads, following the arrangement of the Folios:
'Still growing in a majesty and pomp,--the which To leave, 's a thousand fold more bitter, than 'Tis sweet at first to acquire.'
We are in doubt here as to which is the reading of Mr Collier's MS. Corrector, for in his edition of Coleridge's Lectures he gives it,
'To leave's a thousand times more bitter, than Sweet, &c.'
while in the second edition of his Shakespeare he quotes it as follows:
'To leave's a thousand-fold more better, than 'Tis sweet, &c.'
NOTE IV.
II. 3. 103. Mr Collier says, "If the blood of Anne Bullen had saluted or welcomed the news,--'If my blood salute this a jot--' there would have been no difficulty." It is not clear whether Mr Collier intends this as a conjectural emendation or not.
NOTE V.
II. 3. The stage direction which we have given from the Folios has been variously altered. The only important change which Capell introduces is in making the Archbishop of Canterbury follow the Bishops. The alteration 'between' for 'below' appeared in Reed's edition of 1803, and has been followed by some modern editors.
NOTE VI.
II. 4. 75. This line appears to have been accidentally omitted by the printer of the edition by Johnson, who, without taking the trouble to refer even to Warburton's text, conjectured that the passage was corrupt and proposed to read:
'Nay, before.-- Induc'd by potent circumstances, that You are my enemy, I make my challenge. You shall not be my judge.'
NOTE VII.
II. 4. 182. Mr Collier, in his 2nd edition, says, "We are quite satisfied that Theobald was right in reading 'The bottom of my conscience.'" Theobald does not adopt the conjecture in his text. His note is as follows: "Tho this reading be sense, and therefore I have not ventur'd to displace it; yet, I verily believe, the poet wrote; 'The bottom of my conscience,--' My reason is this. Shakespeare in all his historical plays was a most diligent observer of Hollingshead's Chronicle; and had him always in eye, wherever he thought fit to borrow any matter from him. Now Hollingshead, in the speech which he has given to King Henry upon this subject, makes him deliver himself thus. 'Which words, once conceived within the secret bottom of my conscience, ingendred such a scrupulous doubt, that my conscience was incontinently accombred, vex'd, and disquieted.'" Theobald appears to have forgotten that the emendation was suggested to him by Dr Thirlby. See Nichols' Illustrations, II. p. 461.
NOTE VIII.
III. 2. 192. The first and second folios, which in so doubtful a case we have followed, read:
'that am, have, and will be (Though ... horrid) yet my duty, &c.'
The third and fourth extend the parenthesis so as to include line 198, '(Though ... break).'
Rowe reads: 'that am I, have been, and will be: Though ... horrid; yet, my duty, &c.'
Pope: 'that am I, have been, will be:' pointing the rest with Rowe.
Capell, reading as the folios, puts a full stop at 'be,' line 192, and a semicolon at 'horrid,' line 196.
Mason proposes to omit the words 'that am, have, and will be,' because he can find no meaning in them.
Malone supposes that a line following 192 has been lost.
Seymour proposes to read:
'that I am, have been, and shall be .................................... And throw it from their soul (most firm and loyal) Though perils &c.'
Jackson conjectures: 'that aim, has and will be, Though, &c.' or, 'that aim has, and will be To you, though ... duty, And throw, &c.'
Mr Knight conjectures: 'that aim I have and will, Though, &c.,' 'will' being here a noun.
Mr Collier adopts this reading, but takes 'will' to be a verb, for 'will have.'
Mr Singer reads: 'that I am true, and will be, Though, &c.' by which, he says, all is made 'congruous and clear.'
Mitford would read: 'that am, and will be yours. Though, &c.'
Dr Badham suggests: 'that am your slave and will be. Though, &c.'
Mr Staunton conjectures: 'to that I am slave and will be, Though, &c.'
Sidney Walker says: "If there be no other corruption, the period after 'be' ought to be replaced by a comma: otherwise the words appear unintelligible. Even so, however, this will be a most harsh instance of ἀνακολουθία. But I rather think that a line is lost, somewhat to the following effect:
'that I am, have, and will be, [In heart and act, tied to your service; yea,] Though all the world should, &c.'"
Mr Grant White adopts Mr Singer's reading, nearly: 'that am true and will be, &c.'
Mr Nichols proposes to transfer 'yours' from line 199 to follow 'will be:'
'that am, have, and will be yours ................................. ... and stand unshaken.'
Mr Keightley prints, 'that am, have and will be ... Though &c.,' indicating that the sense is interrupted.
NOTE IX.
III. 2. 208, 209. The misreading 'may' for 'have,' which is so familiar to us in this often-quoted passage, was not corrected by Pope or any subsequent editor till Capell.
NOTE X.
V. 3. Mr Grant White suggests that a new scene should begin here, "although the stage direction in the folio is only 'A Councell Table brought in with Chayres and Stooles, and placed under the State,' &c. But this is plainly the mere result of the absence of scenery of any kind on Shakespeare's stage, and the audience were to imagine that the scene changed from the lobby before the Council Chamber to that apartment itself." We have adopted his suggestion, thinking that the obvious propriety of changing the scene outweighs any inconvenience which might result for purposes of reference. Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson all follow Pope in calling this Scene V. Theobald also supposes a new scene to begin here, although in his edition the scenes are not numbered. Capell, by his stage direction, indicated that the scene presented the Council-chamber and the lobby both at once to the eyes of the spectators.
NOTE XI.
V. 4. 30-61. It is scarcely worth while to record how Capell cut up these thirty lines of prose into verse. No editor has followed him. Mr Sidney Walker however has made a similar attempt, but is forced to admit that in some changes of reading he has 'ventured beyond the lawful limits of an emendator.' With the same license, it would be easy to convert an Act of Parliament or a leading article into verse.
Mr Walker also has followed Capell, or perhaps has hit independently on the same arrangement, as regards the first part of the scene. The intervening lines from 10 to 30 are printed as verse in the folio. In these he proposes some trifling changes of arrangement.
NOTE XII.
V. 5. 1-4. Pope, with more than usual audacity, makes the lines run smoothly by thus changing them:
'Heav'n, from thy endless goodness, send long life, And ever happy, to the high and mighty Princess of England, fair Elizabeth.'
Theobald, Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson adopt Pope's reading without remark.
NOTE XIII.
V. 5. 32. Mr Collier mentions that the second Folio has 'Come' in this line, a misprint rectified by his 'old annotator.' In three copies which we have consulted it is distinctly 'Corne.'
NOTE XIV.
V. 5. 39-55, 56-62. Theobald was the first to suggest that lines 39 to 55 'Nor shall this peace ... bless heaven,' and lines 56 to 62, 'She shall be ... mourn her,' were an interpolation. Cranmer's speech originally, as he supposed, ended at 'not by blood.' Then the King replied:
'Thou speakest wonders. O lord Archbishop, &c.'
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[D].
PRIAM, king of Troy. HECTOR, } TROILUS, } PARIS, } his sons. DEIPHOBUS, } HELENUS, } MARGARELON, a bastard son of Priam[E]. ÆNEAS, } ANTENOR, } Trojan commanders. CALCHAS, a Trojan priest, taking part with the Greeks. PANDARUS, uncle to Cressida. AGAMEMNON, the Grecian general. MENELAUS, his brother. ACHILLES, } AJAX, } ULYSSES, } Grecian commanders. NESTOR, } DIOMEDES, } PATROCLUS, } THERSITES, a deformed and scurrilous Grecian. ALEXANDER, servant to Cressida[E]. Servant to Troilus[E]. Servant to Paris. Servant to Diomedes.
HELEN, wife to Menelaus. ANDROMACHE, wife to Hector. CASSANDRA, daughter to Priam; a prophetess[E]. CRESSIDA, daughter to Calchas.
Trojan and Greek Soldiers, and Attendants.
SCENE: Troy, and the Grecian camp.
[D] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.] First given, imperfectly, by Rowe.
[E] Added by Theobald.
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.[924]
FOOTNOTES:
[924] TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.] See note (I).
THE PROLOGUE.[925]
In Troy there lies the scene. From isles of Greece The princes orgulous, their high blood chafed,[926] Have to the port of Athens sent their ships, Fraught with the ministers and instruments Of cruel war: sixty and nine, that wore 5 Their crownets regal, from the Athenian bay Put forth toward Phrygia, and their vow is made To ransack Troy, within whose strong immures[927] The ravish'd Helen, Menelaus' queen, With wanton Paris sleeps; and that's the quarrel. 10 To Tenedos they come; And the deep-drawing barks do there disgorge[928] Their warlike fraughtage: now on Dardan plains The fresh and yet unbruised Greeks do pitch Their brave pavilions: Priam's six-gated city,[929] 15 Dardan, and Timbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien,[930] And Antenorides, with massy staples,[931] And corresponsive and fulfilling bolts,[932] Sperr up the sons of Troy.[933] Now expectation, tickling skittish spirits, 20 On one and other side, Trojan and Greek, Sets all on hazard: and hither am I come A prologue arm'd, but not in confidence Of author's pen or actor's voice, but suited In like conditions as our argument, 25 To tell you, fair beholders, that our play Leaps o'er the vaunt and firstlings of those broils, Beginning in the middle; starting thence away[934] To what may be digested in a play. Like, or find fault; do as your pleasures are: 30 Now good or bad, 'tis but the chance of war.[935]
FOOTNOTES:
[925] THE PROLOGUE. In Troy ... of war.] Omitted in Q. Ritson and Steevens (1793), suggest that it is not Shakespeare's.
[926] orgulous] Steevens. orgillous Ff.
[927] immures] emures F₁.
[928] barks] F₃ F₄. barkes F₂. barke F₁.
[929] six-gated city] six gates i' th' city Theobald.
[930] Timbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien] Ff. Thymbria, Ilia, Scæa, Troian Theobald. Thymbria, Ilias, Chetas, Troyan Capell.
[931] Antenorides] Theobald. Antenonidus Ff. Anteroridas Pope.
[932] fulfilling] full-filling Theobald conj.
[933] Sperr] Sperre Theobald. Stirre F₁ F₂. Stirr F₃. Stir F₄. Sperrs Capell. Sparr Collier MS.
[934] Beginning in the] 'Ginning i' th' Theobald.
away] om. Pope.
[935] Now good or bad] Now good, now bad or Or good or bad Capell conj.
Act I, Scene I — Troy. Before Priam's palace.
Enter PANDARUS and TROILUS.[936]
Tro. Call here my varlet; I'll unarm again: Why should I war without the walls of Troy, That find such cruel battle here within? Each Trojan that is master of his heart,[937] Let him to field; Troilus, alas, hath none! 5
Pan. Will this gear ne'er be mended?
Tro. The Greeks are strong and skilful to their strength, Fierce to their skill and to their fierceness valiant, But I am weaker than a woman's tear, Tamer than sleep, fonder than ignorance,[938] 10 Less valiant than the virgin in the night, And skilless as unpractised infancy.
Pan. Well, I have told you enough of this: for my part, I 'll not meddle nor make no farther. He that will have a[939] cake out of the wheat must needs tarry the grinding.[940] 15
Tro. Have I not tarried?
Pan. Ay, the grinding; but you must tarry the bolting.[941]
Tro. Have I not tarried?
Pan. Ay, the bolting; but you must tarry the leavening.
Tro. Still have I tarried. 20
Pan. Ay, to the leavening; but here's yet in the word[942] 'hereafter,' the kneading, the making of the cake, the heating of the oven, and the baking; nay, you must stay the[943] cooling too, or you may chance to burn your lips.[944]
Tro. Patience herself, what goddess e'er she be, 25 Doth lesser blench at sufferance than I do.[945] At Priam's royal table do I sit;[946] And when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts,--[947][948] So, traitor!--'When she comes!'--When is she thence?[948]
Pan. Well, she looked yesternight fairer than ever I[949] 30 saw her look, or any woman else.[949]
Tro. I was about to tell thee:--when my heart,[950] As wedged with a sigh, would rive in twain, Lest Hector or my father should perceive me, I have, as when the sun doth light a storm,[951] 35 Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile: But sorrow, that is couch'd in seeming gladness, Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.
Pan. An her hair were not somewhat darker than[952] Helen's--well, go to--there were no more comparison between 40 the women: but, for my part, she is my kinswoman;[953] I would not, as they term it, praise her: but I would somebody[954] had heard her talk yesterday, as I did. I will not dispraise your sister Cassandra's wit, but--
Tro. O Pandarus! I tell thee, Pandarus,-- 45 When I do tell thee, there my hopes lie drown'd, Reply not in how many fathoms deep[955] They lie indrench'd. I tell thee, I am mad[956][957] In Cressid's love: thou answer'st 'she is fair;'[957] Pour'st in the open ulcer of my heart[958][959] 50 Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice,[959] Handlest in thy discourse, O, that her hand,[959][960][961] In whose comparison all whites are ink[961] Writing their own reproach, to whose soft seizure[961] The cygnet's down is harsh and spirit of sense[961][962] 55 Hard as the palm of ploughman: this thou tell'st me,[961] As true thou tell'st me, when I say I love her;[963] But, saying thus, instead of oil and balm, Thou lay'st in every gash that love hath given me The knife that made it. 60
Pan. I speak no more than truth.
Tro. Thou dost not speak so much.
Pan. Faith, I'll not meddle in't. Let her be as she is:[964] if she be fair, 'tis the better for her; an she be not, she has[965] the mends in her own hands. 65
Tro. Good Pandarus, how now, Pandarus![966]
Pan. I have had my labour for my travail; ill-thought on of her, and ill-thought on of you: gone between and between,[967] but small thanks for my labour.
Tro. What, art thou angry, Pandarus? what, with me? 70
Pan. Because she's kin to me, therefore she's not so[968] fair as Helen: an she were not kin to me, she would be as[965][969] fair on Friday as Helen is on Sunday. But what care I?[970] I care not an she were a black-a-moor; 'tis all one to me.[965]
Tro. Say I she is not fair? 75
Pan. I do not care whether you do or no. She's a fool to stay behind her father; let her to the Greeks; and so I'll tell her the next time I see her: for my part, I'll meddle nor make no more i' the matter.[971]
Tro. Pandarus,-- 80
Pan. Not I.
Tro. Sweet Pandarus,--
Pan. Pray you, speak no more to me: I will leave all as I found it, and there an end. [Exit. An alarum.[972]
Tro. Peace, you ungracious clamours! peace, rude sounds! 85 Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair, When with your blood you daily paint her thus. I cannot fight upon this argument; It is too starved a subject for my sword. But Pandarus--O gods, how do you plague me! 90 I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar;[973] And he's as tetchy to be woo'd to woo[974] As she is stubborn-chaste against all suit.[975] Tell me, Apollo, for thy Daphne's love, What Cressid is, what Pandar, and what we? 95 Her bed is India; there she lies, a pearl: Between our Ilium and where she resides,[976] Let it be call'd the wild and wandering flood,[977] Ourself the merchant, and this sailing Pandar Our doubtful hope, our convoy and our bark. 100
Alarum. Enter ÆNEAS.
Æne. How now, Prince Troilus! wherefore not afield?[978]
Tro. Because not there: this woman's answer sorts, For womanish it is to be from thence. What news, Æneas, from the field to-day?
Æne. That Paris is returned home, and hurt. 105
Tro. By whom, Æneas?
Æne. Troilus, by Menelaus.
Tro. Let Paris bleed: 'tis but a scar to scorn; Paris is gored with Menelaus' horn. [Alarum.
Æne. Hark, what good sport is out of town to-day!
Tro. Better at home, if 'would I might' were 'may.' 110 But to the sport abroad: are you bound thither?
Æne. In all swift haste.
Tro. Come, go we then together. [Exeunt.
Act I, Scene II — The same. A street.
Enter CRESSIDA and ALEXANDER her man.[979]
Cres. Who were those went by?
Alex. Queen Hecuba and Helen[980]
Cres. And whither go they?
Alex. Up to the eastern tower. Whose height commands as subject all the vale, To see the battle. Hector, whose patience[981] Is as a virtue fix'd, to-day was moved:[982] 5 He chid Andromache and struck his armourer;[983] And, like as there were husbandry in war, Before the sun rose he was harness'd light,[984] And to the field goes he; where every flower Did, as a prophet, weep what it foresaw 10 In Hector's wrath.
Cres. What was his cause of anger?
Alex. The noise goes, this: there is among the Greeks[985] A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector; They call him Ajax.
Cres. Good; and what of him?
Alex. They say he is a very man per se,[986][987] 15 And stands alone.[986]
Cres. So do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or[988] have no legs.
Alex. This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts of their particular additions; he is as valiant as the lion, 20 churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant: a man into whom nature hath so crowded humours that his valour is crushed[989] into folly, his folly sauced with discretion: there is no man[989][990] hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man an attaint but he carries some stain of it: he is melancholy 25 without cause and merry against the hair: he hath the joints of every thing; but every thing so out of joint that he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and no use, or purblind[991] Argus, all eyes and no sight.
Cres. But how should this man, that makes me smile, 30 make Hector angry?
Alex. They say he yesterday coped Hector in the battle and struck him down, the disdain and shame whereof[992] hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking.
Enter PANDARUS.[993]
Cres. Who comes here?[994] 35
Alex. Madam, your uncle Pandarus.
Cres. Hector's a gallant man.
Alex. As may be in the world, lady.
Pan. What's that? what's that?
Cres. Good morrow, uncle Pandarus. 40
Pan. Good morrow, cousin Cressid: what do you talk of? Good morrow, Alexander. How do you, cousin?[995] When were you at Ilium?[996]
Cres. This morning, uncle.
Pan. What were you talking of when I came? Was 45 Hector armed and gone ere you came to Ilium? Helen[997] was not up, was she?
Cres. Hector was gone; but Helen was not up.[998]
Pan. E'en so: Hector was stirring early.
Cres. That were we talking of, and of his anger. 50
Pan. Was he angry?
Cres. So he says here.
Pan. True, he was so; I know the cause too; he'll lay about him to-day, I can tell them that: and there's Troilus will not come far behind him; let them take heed of Troilus, 55 I can tell them that too.
Cres. What, is he angry too?
Pan. Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of the[999] two.
Cres. O Jupiter! there's no comparison. 60
Pan. What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do you know a man if you see him?
Cres. Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.
Pan. Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.
Cres. Then you say as I say; for, I am sure, he is not[1000] 65 Hector.[1000]
Pan. No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.[1001]
Cres. 'Tis just to each of them; he is himself.[1002]
Pan. Himself! Alas, poor Troilus! I would he were.[1003]
Cres. So he is. 70
Pan. Condition, I had gone barefoot to India.[1004]
Cres. He is not Hector.
Pan. Himself! no, he's not himself: would a' were[1005] himself! Well, the gods are above; time must friend or end: well, Troilus, well, I would my heart were in her 75 body! No, Hector is not a better man than Troilus.
Cres. Excuse me.
Pan. He is elder.
Cres. Pardon me, pardon me.
Pan. Th' other's not come to't; you shall tell me another[1006] 80 tale, when th' other's come to't. Hector shall not have[1006] his wit this year.[1007]
Cres. He shall not need it, if he have his own.
Pan. Nor his qualities.
Cres. No matter. 85
Pan. Nor his beauty.
Cres. 'Twould not become him; his own's better.
Pan. You have no judgement, niece: Helen herself swore th' other day, that Troilus, for a brown favour--for so 'tis, I must confess,--not brown neither,-- 90
Cres. No, but brown.[1008]
Pan. Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.
Cres. To say the truth, true and not true.
Pan. She praised his complexion above Paris.[1009]
Cres. Why, Paris hath colour enough. 95
Pan. So he has.
Cres. Then Troilus should have too much: if she praised[1010] him above, his complexion is higher than his; he having[1011] colour enough, and the other higher, is too flaming a praise[1012] for a good complexion. I had as lief Helen's golden tongue[1013] 100 had commended Troilus for a copper nose.
Pan. I swear to you, I think Helen loves him better[1014] than Paris.[1014]
Cres. Then she's a merry Greek indeed.
Pan. Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him th' 105 other day into the compassed window,--and, you know, he has not past three or four hairs on his chin,--
Cres. Indeed, a tapster's arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to a total.
Pan. Why, he is very young: and yet will he, within 110 three pound, lift as much as his brother Hector.[1015]
Cres. Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?[1016]
Pan. But, to prove to you that Helen loves him: she came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin--
Cres. Juno have mercy! how came it cloven? 115
Pan. Why, you know, 'tis dimpled: I think his smiling becomes him better than any man in all Phrygia.
Cres. O, he smiles valiantly.[1017]
Pan. Does he not?
Cres. O yes, an 'twere a cloud in autumn.[1018] 120
Pan. Why, go to, then: but to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus,--
Cres. Troilus will stand to the proof, if you'll prove[1019][1020] it so.[1019]
Pan. Troilus! why, he esteems her no more than I esteem 125 an addle egg.
Cres. If you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head, you would eat chickens i'the shell.
Pan. I cannot choose but laugh, to think how she tickled his chin; indeed, she has a marvellous white hand, I must[1021] 130 needs confess,--
Cres. Without the rack.
Pan. And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin.
Cres. Alas, poor chin! many a wart is richer. 135
Pan. But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba laughed, that her eyes ran o'er.[1022]
Cres. With mill-stones.
Pan. And Cassandra laughed.
Cres. But there was more temperate fire under the pot[1023] 140 of her eyes: did her eyes run o'er too?
Pan. And Hector laughed.
Cres. At what was all this laughing?
Pan. Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on Troilus' chin.[1024] 145
Cres. An't had been a green hair, I should have laughed[1025] too.
Pan. They laughed not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer.
Cres. What was his answer? 150
Pan. Quoth she, 'Here's but two and fifty hairs on[1026] your chin, and one of them is white.'
Cres. This is her question.
Pan. That's true; make no question of that. 'Two and[1027] fifty hairs,' quoth he, 'and one white: that white hair is my[1028] 155 father, and all the rest are his sons.' 'Jupiter!' quoth she, 'which of these hairs is Paris my husband?' 'The forked one,' quoth he, 'pluck't out, and give it him.' But there[1029] was such laughing! and Helen so blushed, and Paris so chafed, and all the rest so laughed, that it passed. 160
Cres. So let it now; for it has been a great while going by.[1030]
Pan. Well, cousin, I told you a thing yesterday; think[1031] on't.[1031]
Cres. So I do.[1032]
Pan. I'll be sworn 'tis true; he will weep you, an[165, 167] 165 'twere a man born in April.
Cres. And I'll spring up in his tears, an 'twere a nettle[1033] against May. [A retreat sounded.[1034]
Pan. Hark! they are coming from the field: shall we stand up here, and see them as they pass toward Ilium?[1035] 170 good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.
Cres. At your pleasure.
Pan. Here, here, here's an excellent place; here we may see most bravely: I'll tell you them all by their names as they pass by; but mark Troilus above the rest. 175
ÆNEAS passes.[1036]
Cres. Speak not so loud.
Pan. That's Æneas: is not that a brave man? he's one of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you: but mark Troilus;[1037] you shall see anon.
Cres. Who's that?[1038] 180
ANTENOR passes.
Pan. That's Antenor: he has a shrewd wit, I can tell[1039] you; and he's a man good enough: he's one o' the soundest[1040] judgements in Troy, whosoever, and a proper man of person.[1041] When comes Troilus? I'll show you Troilus anon: if he see me, you shall see him nod at me.[1042] 185
Cres. Will he give you the nod?
Pan. You shall see.
Cres. If he do, the rich shall have more.[1043]
HECTOR passes.
Pan. That's Hector, that, that, look you, that; there's a fellow! Go thy way, Hector! There's a brave man, 190 niece. O brave Hector! Look how he looks! there's a countenance! is't not a brave man?
Cres. O, a brave man![1044]
Pan. Is a' not? it does a man's heart good. Look you[1045] what hacks are on his helmet! look you yonder, do you 195 see? look you there: there's no jesting; there's laying on,[1046] take't off who will, as they say: there be hacks![1047]
Cres. Be those with swords?
Pan. Swords! any thing, he cares not; an the devil[1048] come to him, it's all one: by God's lid, it does one's heart 200 good. Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris.
PARIS passes.[1049]
Look ye yonder, niece; is't not a gallant man too, is't not? Why, this is brave now. Who said he came hurt home to-day?[1050] he's not hurt: why, this will do Helen's heart good now, ha! Would I could see Troilus now! you shall see[1051] 205 Troilus anon.
Cres. Who's that?
HELENUS passes.
Pan. That's Helenus: I marvel where Troilus is. That's Helenus. I think he went not forth to-day. That's Helenus. 210
Cres. Can Helenus fight, uncle?
Pan. Helenus! no; yes, he'll fight indifferent well. I[1052] marvel where Troilus is. Hark! do you not hear the[1053] people cry 'Troilus'? Helenus is a priest.
Cres. What sneaking fellow comes yonder? 215
TROILUS passes.
Pan. Where? yonder? that's Deiphobus. 'Tis Troilus! there's a man, niece! Hem! Brave Troilus! the prince of chivalry!
Cres. Peace, for shame, peace!
Pan. Mark him; note him. O brave Troilus! Look[1054] 220 well upon him, niece; look you how his sword is bloodied, and his helm more hacked than Hector's; and how he looks, and how he goes! O admirable youth! he never saw[1055] three-and-twenty. Go thy way, Troilus, go thy way! Had I a sister were a grace, or a daughter a goddess, he should take[1056] 225 his choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is dirt to him;[1057] and, I warrant, Helen, to change, would give an eye to boot.
Common Soldiers pass.[1058]
Cres. Here come more.[1059]
Pan. Asses, fools, dolts! chaff and bran, chaff and bran! porridge after meat! I could live and die i'the eyes 230 of Troilus. Ne'er look, ne'er look; the eagles are gone: crows and daws, crows and daws! I had rather be such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece.
Cres. There is among the Greeks Achilles, a better[1060] man than Troilus. 235
Pan. Achilles! a drayman, a porter, a very camel.
Cres. Well, well.
Pan. Well, well! Why, have you any discretion? have you any eyes? do you know what a man is? Is not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, 240 gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and such like, the spice[1061] and salt that season a man?[1062]
Cres. Ay, a minced man: and then to be baked with no date in the pie, for then the man's date is out.[1063]
Pan. You are such a woman! one knows not at what[1064] 245 ward you lie.
Cres. Upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my wit, to defend my wiles; upon my secrecy, to defend mine honesty;[1065] my mask, to defend my beauty; and you, to defend all[1066] these: and at all these wards I lie, at a thousand watches.[1067] 250
Pan. Say one of your watches.
Cres. Nay, I'll watch you for that; and that's one of the chiefest of them too: if I cannot ward what I would not have[1068] hit, I can watch you for telling how I took the blow; unless it swell past hiding, and then it's past watching.[1069] 255
Pan. You are such another!
Enter Troilus's Boy.[1070]
Boy. Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.
Pan. Where?
Boy. At your own house; there he unarms him.[1071]
Pan. Good boy, tell him I come. [Exit Boy.] I doubt[1072] 260 he be hurt. Fare ye well, good niece.
Cres. Adieu, uncle.
Pan. I will be with you, niece, by and by.[1073]
Cres. To bring, uncle?[1074]
Pan. Ay, a token from Troilus. 265
Cres. By the same token, you are a bawd.
[Exit Pandarus.[1075]
Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love's full sacrifice,[1076] He offers in another's enterprise: But more in Troilus thousand fold I see Than in the glass of Pandar's praise may be; 270 Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing: Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing:[1077] That she beloved knows nought that knows not this:[1078] Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is: That she was never yet that ever knew 275 Love got so sweet as when desire did sue:[1079] Therefore this maxim out of love I teach:[1080] Achievement is command; ungain'd, beseech.[1080][1081] Then though my heart's content firm love doth bear,[1082] Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear. [Exeunt.[1083] 280