Scene 1
Enter Queen and her Women , as at work .
QUEEN KATHERINE
Take thy lute , wench . My soul grows sad with troubles .
Sing , and disperse ’em if thou canst . Leave working .
WOMAN
sings song .
Orpheus with his lute made trees
And the mountaintops that freeze
Bow themselves when he did sing .
To his music plants and flowers
Ever sprung , as sun and showers
There had made a lasting spring .
Everything that heard him play ,
Even the billows of the sea ,
Hung their heads and then lay by .
In sweet music is such art ,
Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep or , hearing , die .
Enter a Gentleman .
QUEEN KATHERINE
How now ?
GENTLEMAN
An ’t please your Grace , the two great cardinals
Wait in the presence .
QUEEN KATHERINE
Would they speak with me ?
[115]ACT 3. SC. 1
GENTLEMAN
They willed me say so , madam .
QUEEN KATHERINE
Pray their Graces
To come near .
Gentleman exits .
What can be their business
With me , a poor weak woman , fall’n from favor ?
I do not like their coming , now I think on ’t .
They should be good men , their affairs as righteous .
But all hoods make not monks .
Enter the two Cardinals , Wolsey and Campeius .
WOLSEY
Peace to your Highness .
QUEEN KATHERINE
Your Graces find me here part of a housewife ;
I would be all , against the worst may happen .
What are your pleasures with me , reverend lords ?
WOLSEY
May it please you , noble madam , to withdraw
Into your private chamber , we shall give you
The full cause of our coming .
QUEEN KATHERINE
Speak it here .
There’s nothing I have done yet , o’ my conscience ,
Deserves a corner . Would all other women
Could speak this with as free a soul as I do .
My lords , I care not , so much I am happy
Above a number , if my actions
Were tried by ev’ry tongue , ev’ry eye saw ’em ,
Envy and base opinion set against ’em ,
I know my life so even . If your business
Seek me out , and that way I am wife in ,
Out with it boldly . Truth loves open dealing .
WOLSEY
Tanta est erga te mentis integritas , regina
serenissima —
QUEEN KATHERINE
O , good my lord , no Latin !
I am not such a truant since my coming
[117] ACT 3. SC. 1 As not to know the language I have lived in .
A strange tongue makes my cause more strange ,
suspicious .
Pray speak in English . Here are some will thank you ,
If you speak truth , for their poor mistress’ sake .
Believe me , she has had much wrong . Lord Cardinal ,
The willing’st sin I ever yet committed
May be absolved in English .
WOLSEY
Noble lady ,
I am sorry my integrity should breed —
And service to his Majesty and you —
So deep suspicion , where all faith was meant .
We come not by the way of accusation ,
To taint that honor every good tongue blesses ,
Nor to betray you any way to sorrow —
You have too much , good lady — but to know
How you stand minded in the weighty difference
Between the King and you , and to deliver ,
Like free and honest men , our just opinions
And comforts to your cause .
CAMPEIUS
Most honored madam ,
My Lord of York , out of his noble nature ,
Zeal , and obedience he still bore your Grace ,
Forgetting , like a good man , your late censure
Both of his truth and him — which was too far —
Offers , as I do , in a sign of peace ,
His service and his counsel .
QUEEN KATHERINE
, aside
To betray me . —
My lords , I thank you both for your good wills .
You speak like honest men ; pray God you prove so .
But how to make you suddenly an answer
In such a point of weight , so near mine honor —
More near my life , I fear — with my weak wit ,
And to such men of gravity and learning ,
In truth I know not . I was set at work
[119] ACT 3. SC. 1 Among my maids , full little , God knows , looking
Either for such men or such business .
For her sake that I have been — for I feel
The last fit of my greatness — good your Graces ,
Let me have time and counsel for my cause .
Alas , I am a woman friendless , hopeless .
WOLSEY
Madam , you wrong the King’s love with these fears ;
Your hopes and friends are infinite .
QUEEN KATHERINE
In England
But little for my profit . Can you think , lords ,
That any Englishman dare give me counsel ,
Or be a known friend , ’gainst his Highness’ pleasure ,
Though he be grown so desperate to be honest ,
And live a subject ? Nay , forsooth . My friends ,
They that must weigh out my afflictions ,
They that my trust must grow to , live not here .
They are , as all my other comforts , far hence
In mine own country , lords .
CAMPEIUS
I would your Grace
Would leave your griefs and take my counsel .
QUEEN KATHERINE
How , sir ?
CAMPEIUS
Put your main cause into the King’s protection .
He’s loving and most gracious . ’Twill be much
Both for your honor better and your cause ,
For if the trial of the law o’ertake you ,
You’ll part away disgraced .
WOLSEY
He tells you rightly .
QUEEN KATHERINE
You tell me what you wish for both : my ruin .
Is this your Christian counsel ? Out upon you !
Heaven is above all yet ; there sits a judge
That no king can corrupt .
CAMPEIUS
Your rage mistakes us .
[121]ACT 3. SC. 1
QUEEN KATHERINE
The more shame for you ! Holy men I thought you ,
Upon my soul , two reverend cardinal virtues ;
But cardinal sins and hollow hearts I fear you .
Mend ’em , for shame , my lords . Is this your comfort ?
The cordial that you bring a wretched lady ,
A woman lost among you , laughed at , scorned ?
I will not wish you half my miseries ;
I have more charity . But say I warned you :
Take heed , for heaven’s sake , take heed , lest at once
The burden of my sorrows fall upon you .
WOLSEY
Madam , this is a mere distraction .
You turn the good we offer into envy .
QUEEN KATHERINE
You turn me into nothing ! Woe upon you
And all such false professors . Would you have me —
If you have any justice , any pity ,
If you be anything but churchmen’s habits —
Put my sick cause into his hands that hates me ?
Alas , has banished me his bed already ,
His love , too , long ago . I am old , my lords ,
And all the fellowship I hold now with him
Is only my obedience . What can happen
To me above this wretchedness ? All your studies
Make me a curse like this .
CAMPEIUS
Your fears are worse .
QUEEN KATHERINE
Have I lived thus long — let me speak myself ,
Since virtue finds no friends — a wife , a true one —
A woman , I dare say without vainglory ,
Never yet branded with suspicion —
Have I with all my full affections
Still met the King , loved him next heav’n , obeyed him ,
Been , out of fondness , superstitious to him ,
Almost forgot my prayers to content him ,
[123] ACT 3. SC. 1 And am I thus rewarded ? ’Tis not well , lords .
Bring me a constant woman to her husband ,
One that ne’er dreamed a joy beyond his pleasure ,
And to that woman , when she has done most ,
Yet will I add an honor : a great patience .
WOLSEY
Madam , you wander from the good we aim at .
QUEEN KATHERINE
My lord , I dare not make myself so guilty
To give up willingly that noble title
Your master wed me to . Nothing but death
Shall e’er divorce my dignities .
WOLSEY
Pray hear me .
QUEEN KATHERINE
Would I had never trod this English earth
Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it !
You have angels’ faces , but heaven knows your hearts .
What will become of me now , wretched lady ?
I am the most unhappy woman living .
To her Women .
Alas , poor wenches , where are now
your fortunes ?
Shipwracked upon a kingdom where no pity ,
No friends , no hope , no kindred weep for me ,
Almost no grave allowed me , like the lily
That once was mistress of the field and flourished ,
I’ll hang my head and perish .
WOLSEY
If your Grace
Could but be brought to know our ends are honest ,
You’d feel more comfort . Why should we , good lady ,
Upon what cause , wrong you ? Alas , our places ,
The way of our profession , is against it .
We are to cure such sorrows , not to sow ’em .
For goodness’ sake , consider what you do ,
How you may hurt yourself , ay , utterly
Grow from the King’s acquaintance by this carriage .
[125] ACT 3. SC. 2 The hearts of princes kiss obedience ,
So much they love it . But to stubborn spirits
They swell and grow as terrible as storms .
I know you have a gentle , noble temper ,
A soul as even as a calm . Pray think us
Those we profess : peacemakers , friends , and servants .
CAMPEIUS
Madam , you’ll find it so . You wrong your virtues
With these weak women’s fears . A noble spirit ,
As yours was put into you , ever casts
Such doubts , as false coin , from it . The King loves
you ;
Beware you lose it not . For us , if you please
To trust us in your business , we are ready
To use our utmost studies in your service .
QUEEN KATHERINE
Do what you will , my lords , and pray forgive me
If I have used myself unmannerly .
You know I am a woman , lacking wit
To make a seemly answer to such persons .
Pray do my service to his Majesty .
He has my heart yet and shall have my prayers
While I shall have my life . Come , reverend fathers ,
Bestow your counsels on me . She now begs
That little thought , when she set footing here ,
She should have bought her dignities so dear .
They exit .
Scene 2
Enter the Duke of Norfolk , Duke of Suffolk , Lord Surrey ,
and Lord Chamberlain .
NORFOLK
If you will now unite in your complaints
And force them with a constancy , the Cardinal
[127] ACT 3. SC. 2 Cannot stand under them . If you omit
The offer of this time , I cannot promise
But that you shall sustain more new disgraces
With these you bear already .
SURREY
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 .
SUFFOLK
Which of the peers
Have uncontemned gone by him , or at least
Strangely neglected ? When did he regard
The stamp of nobleness in any person
Out of himself ?
CHAMBERLAIN
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
Gives way to us — I much fear . If you cannot
Bar his access to th’ King , never attempt
Anything on him , for he hath a witchcraft
Over the King in ’s tongue .
NORFOLK
O , fear him not .
His spell in that is out . The King hath found
Matter against him that forever mars
The honey of his language . No , he’s settled ,
Not to come off , in his displeasure .
SURREY
Sir ,
I should be glad to hear such news as this
Once every hour .
NORFOLK
Believe it , this is true .
In the divorce his contrary proceedings
Are all unfolded , wherein he appears
As I would wish mine enemy .
SURREY
How came
His practices to light ?
SUFFOLK
Most strangely .
SURREY
O , how , how ?
[129]ACT 3. SC. 2
SUFFOLK
The Cardinal’s letters to the Pope miscarried
And came to th’ eye o’ th’ King , wherein was read
How that the Cardinal did entreat his Holiness
To stay the judgment o’ th’ divorce ; for if
It did take place , ‘I do ,’ quoth he , ‘perceive
My king is tangled in affection to
A creature of the Queen’s , Lady Anne Bullen .’
SURREY
Has the King this ?
SUFFOLK
Believe it .
SURREY
Will this work ?
CHAMBERLAIN
The King in this perceives him how he coasts
And hedges his own way . But in this point
All his tricks founder , and he brings his physic
After his patient’s death : the King already
Hath married the fair lady .
SURREY
Would he had !
SUFFOLK
May you be happy in your wish , my lord ,
For I profess you have it .
SURREY
Now , all my joy
Trace the conjunction !
SUFFOLK
My amen to ’t .
NORFOLK
All men’s .
SUFFOLK
There’s order given for her coronation .
Marry , this is yet but young and may be left
To some ears unrecounted . But , my lords ,
She is a gallant creature and complete
In mind and feature . I persuade me , from her
Will fall some blessing to this land which shall
In it be memorized .
SURREY
But will the King
Digest this letter of the Cardinal’s ?
The Lord forbid !
[131]ACT 3. SC. 2
NORFOLK
Marry , amen !
SUFFOLK
No , no .
There be more wasps that buzz about his nose
Will make this sting the sooner . Cardinal Campeius
Is stol’n away to Rome , hath ta’en no leave ,
Has left the cause o’ th’ King unhandled , and
Is posted as the agent of our cardinal
To second all his plot . I do assure you
The King cried ‘Ha !’ at this .
CHAMBERLAIN
Now God incense him ,
And let him cry ‘Ha !’ louder .
NORFOLK
But , my lord ,
When returns Cranmer ?
SUFFOLK
He is returned in his opinions , which
Have satisfied the King for his divorce ,
Together with all famous colleges
Almost in Christendom . Shortly , I believe ,
His second marriage shall be published , and
Her coronation . Katherine no more
Shall be called queen , but princess dowager
And widow to Prince Arthur .
NORFOLK
This same Cranmer’s
A worthy fellow , and hath ta’en much pain
In the King’s business .
SUFFOLK
He has , and we shall see him
For it an archbishop .
NORFOLK
So I hear .
SUFFOLK
’Tis so .
Enter Wolsey and Cromwell , meeting .
The Cardinal !
NORFOLK
Observe , observe ; he’s moody .
They stand aside .
WOLSEY
The packet , Cromwell ;
Gave ’t you the King ?
[133]ACT 3. SC. 2
CROMWELL
To his own hand , in ’s bedchamber .
WOLSEY
Looked he o’ th’ inside of the paper ?
CROMWELL
Presently
He did unseal them , and the first he viewed ,
He did it with a serious mind ; a heed
Was in his countenance . You he bade
Attend him here this morning .
WOLSEY
Is he ready
To come abroad ?
CROMWELL
I think by this he is .
WOLSEY
Leave me awhile .
Cromwell exits .
Aside .
It shall be to the Duchess of Alençon ,
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 ?
No , we’ll no Bullens . Speedily I wish
To hear from Rome . The Marchioness of Pembroke !
NORFOLK
He’s discontented .
SUFFOLK
Maybe he hears the King
Does whet his anger to him .
SURREY
Sharp enough ,
Lord , for thy justice !
WOLSEY
, aside
The late queen’s gentlewoman , a knight’s daughter ,
To be her mistress’ mistress ? The Queen’s queen ?
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’ th’ bosom of
Our hard-ruled king . Again , there is sprung up
An heretic , an arch-one , Cranmer , one
[135] ACT 3. SC. 2 Hath crawled into the favor of the King
And is his oracle .
NORFOLK
He is vexed at something .
SURREY
I would ’twere something that would fret the string ,
The master-cord on ’s heart .
SUFFOLK
The King , the King !
Enter King , reading of a schedule , with Lovell
and Attendants .
KING
What piles of wealth hath he accumulated
To his own portion ! And what expense by th’ hour
Seems to flow from him ! How i’ th’ name of thrift
Does he rake this together ? Seeing the nobles . Now ,
my lords ,
Saw you the Cardinal ?
NORFOLK
, indicating Wolsey
My lord , we have
Stood here observing him . Some strange commotion
Is in his brain . He bites his lip , and starts ,
Stops on a sudden , looks upon the ground ,
Then lays his finger on his temple , straight
Springs out into fast gait , then stops again ,
Strikes his breast hard , and anon he casts
His eye against the moon . In most strange postures
We have seen him set himself .
KING
It may well be
There is a mutiny in ’s mind . This morning
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 ,
Rich stuffs and ornaments of household , which
I find at such proud rate that it outspeaks
Possession of a subject .
[137]ACT 3. SC. 2
NORFOLK
It’s heaven’s will !
Some spirit put this paper in the packet
To bless your eye withal .
KING
, studying Wolsey
If we did think
His contemplation were above the Earth
And fixed on spiritual object , he should still
Dwell in his musings , but I am afraid
His thinkings are below the moon , not worth
His serious considering .
King takes his seat , whispers Lovell ,
who goes to the Cardinal .
WOLSEY
Heaven forgive me !
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
You were now running o’er . You have scarce time
To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span
To keep your earthly audit . Sure , in that
I deem you an ill husband , and am glad
To have you therein my companion .
WOLSEY
Sir ,
For holy offices I have a time ; a time
To think upon the part of business which
I bear i’ th’ 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 .
WOLSEY
And ever may your Highness yoke together ,
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 ;
[139] ACT 3. SC. 2 He said he did , and with his deed did crown
His word upon you . Since I had my office
I have kept you next my heart , have not alone
Employed you where high profits might come home ,
But pared my present havings to bestow
My bounties upon you .
WOLSEY
, aside
What should this mean ?
SURREY
, aside
The Lord increase this business !
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 ?
WOLSEY
My sovereign , I confess your royal graces ,
Showered on me daily , have been more than could
My studied purposes requite , which went
Beyond all man’s endeavors . My endeavors
Have ever come too short of my desires ,
Yet filed with my abilities . Mine own ends
Have been mine so , that evermore they pointed
To th’ good of your most sacred person and
The profit of the state . For your great graces
Heaped upon me , poor undeserver , I
Can nothing render but allegiant thanks ,
My prayers to heaven for you , my loyalty ,
Which ever has and ever shall be growing
Till death — that winter — kill it .
KING
Fairly answered .
A loyal and obedient subject is
Therein illustrated . The honor of it
Does pay the act of it , as , i’ th’ contrary ,
The foulness is the punishment . I presume
That , as my hand has opened bounty to you ,
My heart dropped love , my power rained honor , more
[141] ACT 3. SC. 2 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 .
WOLSEY
I do profess
That for your Highness’ good I ever labored
More than mine own , that am , have , and will be —
Though all the world should crack their duty to you
And throw it from their soul , though perils did
Abound as thick as thought could make ’em , and
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 ,
For you have seen him open ’t .
He hands Wolsey papers .
Read o’er this ,
And after , this ; and then to breakfast with
What appetite you have .
King exits , frowning upon the Cardinal ;
the nobles throng after him smiling
and whispering , and exit .
WOLSEY
What should this mean ?
What sudden anger’s this ? How have I reaped it ?
He parted frowning from me , as if ruin
Leaped from his eyes . So looks the chafèd lion
Upon the daring huntsman that has galled him ,
Then makes him nothing . I must read this paper —
I fear , the story of his anger .
He reads one of the papers .
’Tis so .
This paper has undone me . ’Tis th’ accompt
Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together
[143] ACT 3. SC. 2 For mine own ends — indeed , to gain the popedom
And fee my friends in Rome . O negligence ,
Fit for a fool to fall by ! What cross devil
Made me put this main secret in the packet
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 .
He looks at another paper .
What’s this ?
‘To th’ Pope’ ?
The letter , as I live , with all the business
I writ to ’s Holiness . Nay then , farewell !
I have touched the highest point of all my greatness ,
And from that full meridian of my glory
I haste now to my setting . I shall fall
Like a bright exhalation in the evening
And no man see me more .
Enter to Wolsey the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk , the
Earl of Surrey , and the Lord Chamberlain .
NORFOLK
Hear the King’s pleasure , cardinal , who commands
you
To render up the great seal presently
Into our hands , and to confine yourself
To Asher House , my Lord of Winchester’s ,
Till you hear further from his Highness .
WOLSEY
Stay .
Where’s your commission , lords ? Words cannot carry
Authority so weighty .
SUFFOLK
Who dare cross ’em ,
Bearing the King’s will from his mouth expressly ?
WOLSEY
Till I find more than will or words to do it —
I mean your malice — know , officious lords ,
I dare and must deny it . Now I feel
[145] ACT 3. SC. 2 Of what coarse metal you are molded , envy ;
How eagerly you follow my disgraces ,
As if it fed you , and how sleek and wanton
You appear in everything may bring my ruin .
Follow your envious courses , men of malice ;
You have Christian warrant for ’em , and no doubt
In time will find their fit rewards . That seal
You ask with such a violence , the King ,
Mine and your master , with his own hand gave me ;
Bade me enjoy it , with the place and honors ,
During my life ; and to confirm his goodness ,
Tied it by letters patents . Now , who’ll take it ?
SURREY
The King that gave it .
WOLSEY
It must be himself , then .
SURREY
Thou art a proud traitor , priest .
WOLSEY
Proud lord , thou liest .
Within these forty hours Surrey durst better
Have burnt that tongue than said so .
SURREY
Thy ambition ,
Thou scarlet sin , robbed this bewailing land
Of noble Buckingham , my father-in-law .
The heads of all thy brother cardinals ,
With thee and all thy best parts bound together ,
Weighed not a hair of his . Plague of your policy !
You sent me Deputy for Ireland ,
Far from his succor , from the King , from all
That might have mercy on the fault thou gav’st him ,
Whilst your great goodness , out of holy pity ,
Absolved him with an ax .
WOLSEY
This , and all else
This talking lord can lay upon my credit ,
I answer , is most false . The Duke by law
Found his deserts . How innocent I was
From any private malice in his end ,
[147] ACT 3. SC. 2 His noble jury and foul cause can witness . —
If I loved many words , lord , I should tell you
You have as little honesty as honor ,
That in the way of loyalty and truth
Toward the King , my ever royal master ,
Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be ,
And all that love his follies .
SURREY
By my soul ,
Your long coat , priest , protects you ; thou shouldst feel
My sword i’ th’ life blood of thee else . — My lords ,
Can you endure to hear this arrogance ?
And from this fellow ? If we live thus tamely ,
To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet ,
Farewell , nobility . Let his Grace go forward
And dare us with his cap , like larks .
WOLSEY
All goodness
Is poison to thy stomach .
SURREY
Yes , that goodness
Of gleaning all the land’s wealth into one ,
Into your own hands , card’nal , by extortion ;
The goodness of your intercepted packets
You writ to th’ Pope against the King . Your goodness ,
Since you provoke me , shall be most notorious . —
My Lord of Norfolk , as you are truly noble ,
As you respect the common good , the state
Of our despised nobility , our issues ,
Whom , if he live , will scarce be gentlemen ,
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
Lay kissing in your arms , Lord Cardinal .
WOLSEY
How much , methinks , I could despise this man ,
But that I am bound in charity against it !
NORFOLK
Those articles , my lord , are in the King’s hand ;
But thus much , they are foul ones .
[149]ACT 3. SC. 2
WOLSEY
So much fairer
And spotless shall mine innocence arise
When the King knows my truth .
SURREY
This cannot save you .
I thank my memory I yet remember
Some of these articles , and out they shall .
Now , if you can blush and cry ‘Guilty ,’ cardinal ,
You’ll show a little honesty .
WOLSEY
Speak on , sir .
I dare your worst objections . If I blush ,
It is to see a nobleman want manners .
SURREY
I had rather want those than my head . Have at you :
First , that without the King’s assent or knowledge ,
You wrought to be a legate , by which power
You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops .
NORFOLK
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
To be your servant .
SUFFOLK
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 .
SURREY
Item , you sent a large commission
To Gregory de Cassado , to conclude ,
Without the King’s will or the state’s allowance ,
A league between his Highness and Ferrara .
SUFFOLK
That out of mere ambition you have caused
Your holy hat to be stamped on the King’s coin .
SURREY
Then , that you have sent innumerable substance —
By what means got I leave to your own conscience —
[151] ACT 3. SC. 2 To furnish Rome and to prepare the ways
You have for dignities , to the mere undoing
Of all the kingdom . Many more there are
Which , since they are of you , and odious ,
I will not taint my mouth with .
CHAMBERLAIN
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
So little of his great self .
SURREY
I forgive him .
SUFFOLK
Lord Cardinal , the King’s further pleasure is —
Because all those things you have done of late
By your power legative within this kingdom
Fall into th’ compass of a praemunire —
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 .
NORFOLK
And so we’ll leave you to your meditations
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 .
WOLSEY
So , farewell to the little good you bear me .
All but Wolsey exit .
Farewell ? A long farewell to all my greatness !
This is the state of man : today he puts forth
The tender leaves of hopes ; tomorrow blossoms
And bears his blushing honors thick upon him ;
The third day comes a frost , a killing frost ,
And when he thinks , good easy man , full surely
[153] ACT 3. SC. 2 His greatness is a-ripening , nips his root ,
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 ,
But far beyond my depth . My high-blown pride
At length broke under me and now has left me ,
Weary and old with service , to the mercy
Of a rude stream that must forever hide me .
Vain pomp and glory of this world , I hate you .
I feel my heart new opened . O , how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes’ favors !
There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to ,
That sweet aspect of princes , and their ruin ,
More pangs and fears than wars or women have ;
And when he falls , he falls like Lucifer ,
Never to hope again .
Enter Cromwell , standing amazed .
Why , how now , Cromwell ?
CROMWELL
I have no power to speak , sir .
WOLSEY
What , amazed
At my misfortunes ? Can thy spirit wonder
A great man should decline ? Nay , an you weep ,
I am fall’n indeed .
CROMWELL
How does your Grace ?
WOLSEY
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 —
I humbly thank his Grace — and from these shoulders ,
These ruined pillars , out of pity , taken
A load would sink a navy : too much honor .
O , ’tis a burden , Cromwell , ’tis a burden
Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven .
[155]ACT 3. SC. 2
CROMWELL
I am glad your Grace has made that right use of it .
WOLSEY
I hope I have . I am able now , methinks ,
Out of a fortitude of soul I feel ,
To endure more miseries and greater far
Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer .
What news abroad ?
CROMWELL
The heaviest and the worst
Is your displeasure with the King .
WOLSEY
God bless him .
CROMWELL
The next is that Sir Thomas More is chosen
Lord Chancellor in your place .
WOLSEY
That’s somewhat sudden .
But he’s a learnèd man . May he continue
Long in his Highness’ favor 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 him .
What more ?
CROMWELL
That Cranmer is returned with welcome ,
Installed Lord Archbishop of Canterbury .
WOLSEY
That’s news indeed .
CROMWELL
Last , that the Lady Anne ,
Whom the King hath in secrecy long married ,
This day was viewed in open as his queen ,
Going to chapel , and the voice is now
Only about her coronation .
WOLSEY
There was the weight that pulled me down .
O Cromwell ,
The King has gone beyond me . All my glories
In that one woman I have lost forever .
[157] ACT 3. SC. 2 No sun shall ever usher forth mine honors ,
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
To be thy lord and master . Seek the King ;
That sun , I pray , may never set ! I have told him
What and how true thou art . He will advance thee ;
Some little memory of me will stir him —
I know his noble nature — not to let
Thy hopeful service perish too . Good Cromwell ,
Neglect him not . Make use now , and provide
For thine own future safety .
CROMWELL
, weeping
O , my lord ,
Must I then leave you ? Must I needs forgo
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 .
The King shall have my service , but my prayers
Forever and forever shall be yours .
WOLSEY
, weeping
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 .
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 ;
Say Wolsey , that once trod the ways of glory
And sounded all the depths and shoals of honor ,
Found thee a way , out of his wrack , to rise in ,
A sure and safe one , though thy master missed it .
Mark but my fall and that that ruined me .
Cromwell , I charge thee , fling away ambition !
By that sin fell the angels ; how can man , then ,
The image of his maker , hope to win by it ?
[159] ACT 3. SC. 2 Love thyself last ; cherish those hearts that hate thee .
Corruption wins not more than honesty .
Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace
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 blessèd martyr .
Serve the King . And , prithee , lead me in .
There take an inventory of all I have
To the last penny ; ’tis the King’s . My robe
And my integrity to heaven is all
I dare now call mine own . O Cromwell , Cromwell ,
Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king , He would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies .
CROMWELL
Good sir , have patience .
WOLSEY
So I have . Farewell ,
The hopes of court ! My hopes in heaven do dwell .
They exit .