书城公版Henry VIII
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第2章

Order gave each thing view; the office did Distinctly his full function. BUCKINGHAM Who did guide, I mean, who set the body and the limbs Of this great sport together, as you guess? NORFOLK One, certes, that promises no element In such a business. BUCKINGHAM I pray you, who, my lord? NORFOLK All this was order'd by the good discretion Of the right reverend Cardinal of York. BUCKINGHAM The devil speed him! no man's pie is freed From his ambitious finger. What had he To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder That such a keech can with his very bulk Take up the rays o' the beneficial sun And keep it from the earth. NORFOLK Surely, sir, There's in him stuff that puts him to these ends;For, being not propp'd by ancestry, whose grace Chalks successors their way, nor call'd upon For high feats done to the crown; neither allied For eminent assistants; but, spider-like, Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note, The force of his own merit makes his way A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys A place next to the king. ABERGAVENNY I cannot tell What heaven hath given him,--let some graver eye Pierce into that; but I can see his pride Peep through each part of him: whence has he that, If not from hell? the devil is a niggard, Or has given all before, and he begins A new hell in himself. BUCKINGHAM Why the devil, Upon this French going out, took he upon him, Without the privity o' the king, to appoint Who should attend on him? He makes up the file Of all the gentry; for the most part such To whom as great a charge as little honour He meant to lay upon: and his own letter, The honourable board of council out, Must fetch him in the papers. ABERGAVENNY I do know Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have By this so sickened their estates, that never They shall abound as formerly. BUCKINGHAM O, many Have broke their backs with laying manors on 'em For this great journey. What did this vanity But minister communication of A most poor issue? NORFOLK Grievingly I think, The peace between the French and us not values The cost that did conclude it. BUCKINGHAM Every man, After the hideous storm that follow'd, was A thing inspired; and, not consulting, broke Into a general prophecy; That this tempest, Dashing the garment of this peace, aboded The sudden breach on't. NORFOLK Which is budded out;For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'd Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux. ABERGAVENNY Is it therefore The ambassador is silenced? NORFOLK Marry, is't. ABERGAVENNY A proper title of a peace; and purchased At a superfluous rate! BUCKINGHAM Why, all this business Our reverend cardinal carried. NORFOLK Like it your grace, The state takes notice of the private difference Betwixt you and the cardinal. I advise you--And take it from a heart that wishes towards you Honour and plenteous safety--that you read The cardinal's malice and his potency Together; to consider further that What his high hatred would effect wants not A minister in his power. You know his nature, That he's revengeful, and I know his sword Hath a sharp edge: it's long and, 't may be said, It reaches far, and where 'twill not extend, Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel, You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that rock That I advise your shunning.

Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, the purse borne before him, certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries with papers. CARDINAL WOLSEY in his passage fixeth his eye on BUCKINGHAM, and BUCKINGHAM on him, both full of disdain CARDINAL WOLSEY The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor, ha?

Where's his examination? First Secretary Here, so please you. CARDINAL WOLSEY Is he in person ready? First Secretary Ay, please your grace. CARDINAL WOLSEY Well, we shall then know more; and Buckingham Shall lessen this big look.

Exeunt CARDINAL WOLSEY and his Train BUCKINGHAM This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd, and IHave not the power to muzzle him; therefore best Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book Outworths a noble's blood. NORFOLK What, are you chafed?

Ask God for temperance; that's the appliance only Which your disease requires. BUCKINGHAM I read in's looks Matter against me; and his eye reviled Me, as his abject object: at this instant He bores me with some trick: he's gone to the king;I'll follow and outstare him. NORFOLK Stay, my lord, And let your reason with your choler question What 'tis you go about: to climb steep hills Requires slow pace at first: anger is like A full-hot horse, who being allow'd his way, Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England Can advise me like you: be to yourself As you would to your friend. BUCKINGHAM I'll to the king;And from a mouth of honour quite cry down This Ipswich fellow's insolence; or proclaim There's difference in no persons. NORFOLK Be advised;Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot That it do singe yourself: we may outrun, By violent swiftness, that which we run at, And lose by over-running. Know you not, The fire that mounts the liquor til run o'er, In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advised: