Suff Then, that, without the knowledge 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 To Gregory de Cassalis, to conclude, Without the king's will, or the state's allowance, A league between his highness and Ferrara. Suff. That, out of mere ambition, you have caus'd Your holy hat to be stamp'd on the king's coin. Sur. Then, that you have sent innuinerable substance (By what means got, I leave to your own con science), To furnish Rome, and to prepare the ways Cham. him I forgive him. Suff. Lord Cardinal, the king's further pleasure is, Because all those things, you have done of late By your power legatine within this kingdom, Fall into the compass of a pramunire,— That therefore such a writ be sued against you; To forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements, Chattels, and whatsoever, and to be Out of the king's protection:-this is my charge. Nor. And so we'll leave you to your meditations How to live better. For your stubborn answer, So fare you well, my little good lord cardinal. This is the state of man; To-day he puts forth His greatness is a ripening,-nips his root, Enter CROMWELL, amazedly. Why, how now, Cromwell? Crom. I have no power to speak, sir. Wol. What, amaz'd At my misfortunes? can thy spirit wonder, A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep, I am fallen indeed. Crom. How does your grace? 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 cur'd me, I humbly thank his grace; and from these shoulders, These ruin'd pillars, out of pity, taken A load would sink a navy, too much honour: Wol, I hope, I have: I am able now methinks (Out of a fortitude of soul I feel), To endure more miseries, and greater far, 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 Lord Chancellor in your place. Wol. That's somewhat sudden : But he's a learned man. May he continue Long in his highness' favour, and do justice For truth's sake, and his conscience; that his bones, When he has run his course, and sleeps in blessings, May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on 'em! What more? Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, Install'd lord archbishop of Canterbury. Wol. That's news indeed. Last, that the Lady Anne, Wol. There was the weight that pull'd me down. O Cromwell, The king has gone beyond me, all my glories I am a poor fallen man, unworthy now thee; Some little memory of me will stir him (I know his noble nature) not to let Thy hopeful service perish too: Good Cromwell, Neglect him not; make use now, and provide For thine own future safety. Crom. O, my lord, Must I then leave you? Must I needs forego Wol. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear In all my miseries; but thou hast forc'd me Out of thy honest truth to play the woman. Let's dry our eyes: and thus far hear me, Cromwell; And,-when I am forgotten, as I shall be; thee; Say, Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory, And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour, Found thee a way, out of his wreck, to rise in; Corruption wins not more than honesty; Thou fall'st a blessed martyr. Serve the king; There take an inventory of all I have, I dare now call mine own. Ó Cromwell, Crom. well, Had I but serv'd my God with half the zeal Crom. Good sir, have patience. Wol. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. A Street in Westminster. Enter two Gentlemen, meeting. 1 Gent. You are well met once again. 2 Gent. And so are you. 1 Gent. You come to take your stand here, and behold The Lady Anne pass from her coronation? 2 Gent. 'Tis all my business. At our last en counter, The duke of Buckingham came from his trial. 1 Gent. 'Tis very true: but that time offer'd sorrow; This, general joy. 2 Gent. 'Tis well: The citizens, I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds, (As, let them have their rights, they are ever forward) In celebration of this day with shows, 1 Gent. Never greater, Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir. 2 Gent. May I be bold to ask what that contains, That paper in your hand? 1 Gent. The duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims those customs, I should have been beholden to your paper. But, I beseech you, what's become of Katharine, The princess dowager? how goes her business? 1 Gent. That I can tell you too. The archbishop Of Canterbury, accompanied with other Learned and reverend fathers of his order, Held a late court at Dunstable, six miles off From Ampthill, where the princess lay; to which She oft was cited by them, but appear'd not : And, to be short, for not appearance, and The king's late scruple, by the main assent |