Thou art a cure fit for a king.-You're welcome, [To CAMPEIUS. Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom; Wol. Sir, you cannot. I would, your grace would give us but an hour K. Hen. We are busy; go. [TO NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Nor. This priest has no pride in him? Suf. Not to speak of; I would not be so sick though, for his place: But this cannot continue. Nor. If it do, I'll venture one heave at him. Aside. Suf. I another. [Exeunt SUFFOLK and NORFOLK. Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom Above all princes, in committing freely Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? I mean, the learned ones, in christian kingdoms, One general tongue unto us, this good man, K. Hen. And, once more, in mine arms I bid him welcome, And thank the holy conclave for their loves; They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for. Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves, You are so noble: To your highness' hand I tender my commission; by whose virtue, K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted Forthwith, for what you come :-Where's Gardiner ? A woman of less place might ask by law, K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; and my favour To him, that does best; God forbid else. Cardinal, [Exit WOLSEY. Re-enter WOLSEY, with GARDINER. Wol. Give me your hand: much joy and favour to you; You are the king's now. Gard. But to be commanded For ever by your grace, whose hand has rais'd me. 1 [Aside.. K. Hen. Come hither, Gardiner. [They converse apart. Cam. My lord of York, was not one doctor Pace In this man's place before him? Wol. Yes, he was. Cam. Was he not held a learned man? Wol. Yes, surely. Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread then Even of yourself, lord cardinal, Wol. How! of me? Cam. They will not stick to say, you envied him; And, fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous, Kept him a foreign man still; which so griev'd him, That he ran mad, and died. Wol. Heaven's peace be with him! That's christian care enough for living murmurers, For he would needs be virtuous: That good fellow, K. Hen. Deliver this with modesty to the queen. The most convenient place that I can think of, So sweet a bed fellow? But, conscience, conscience,- [Exeunt. SCENE III.-An Ante-chamber in the Queen's apart ment. Enter ANNE BULLEN, and an old Lady. Anne. Not for that neither;-Here's the pang that pinches : His highness having liv'd so long with her and she Still growing in a majesty and pomp,-the which Would move a monster. Old L. Hearts of most hard temper Melt and lament for her. Anne. O, God's will! much better, She ne'er had known pomp: though it be temporal, Yet, if that quarrel, fortune, do divorce It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance, panging As soul and body's severing. Old L. Alas, poor lady! She's a stranger now again. Anne. So much the more Must pity drop upon her. Verily, Old L. Our content Anne. By my troth, and maidenhead, I would not be a queen. Old L. Beshrew me, I would, And venture maidenhead for't; and so would you, You, that have so fair parts of woman on you, Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty; Which, to say sooth, are blessings: and which gifts, (Saving your mincing) the capacity Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive, Anne. Nay, good troth,― Old L. Yes, troth, and troth,-You would not be a queen? Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven. Old L. 'Tis strange; a three-pence bowed would hire me, Old as I am, to queen it: But, I pray you, What think you of a duchess? have you limbs To bear that load of title? Anne. No, in truth. Old L. Then you are weakly made: Pluck off a little; I would not be a young count in your way, For more than blushing comes to: if your back Ever to get a boy. Anne. How you do talk! I swear again, I would not be a queen Old L. In faith, for little England |