SCENE I. London. A gallery in the palace. Enter GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a torch before him, met by LOVELL GARDINER It's one o'clock, boy, is't not? Boy It hath struck. GARDINER 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? LOVELL Came you from the king, my lord GARDINER I did, Sir Thomas: and left him at primero With the Duke of Suffolk. LOVELL I must to him too, Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave. GARDINER Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter?
It seems you are in haste: an if there be 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 That seeks dispatch by day. LOVELL My lord, I love you;And durst commend a secret to your ear Much weightier than this work. The queen's in labour, They say, in great extremity; and fear'd She'll with the labour end. GARDINER The fruit she goes with 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. LOVELL Methinks I could Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does Deserve our better wishes. GARDINER But, sir, sir, Hear me, Sir Thomas: you're a gentleman Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious;And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well, 'Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me, Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she, Sleep in their graves. LOVELL 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 O' the rolls, and the king's secretary; further, sir, Stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments, With which the time will load him. The archbishop Is the king's hand and tongue; and who dare speak One syllable against him? GARDINER Yes, yes, Sir Thomas, There are that dare; and I myself have ventured To speak my mind of him: and indeed this day, Sir, I may tell it you, I think I have Incensed the lords o' the council, that he is, For so I know he is, they know he is, A most arch heretic, a pestilence 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 And princely care foreseeing those fell mischiefs Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded To-morrow morning to the council-board He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Thomas, And we must root him out. From your affairs I hinder you too long: good night, Sir Thomas. LOVELL Many good nights, my lord: I rest your servant.
Exeunt GARDINER and Page Enter KING HENRY VIII and SUFFOLK KING HENRY VIII Charles, I will play no more tonight;My mind's not on't; you are too hard for me. SUFFOLK Sir, I did never win of you before. KING HENRY VIII But little, Charles;Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.
Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news? LOVELL 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 Most heartily to pray for her. KING HENRY VIII What say'st thou, ha?
To pray for her? what, is she crying out? LOVELL So said her woman; and that her sufferance made Almost each pang a death. KING HENRY VIII Alas, good lady! SUFFOLK God safely quit her of her burthen, and With gentle travail, to the gladding of Your highness with an heir! KING HENRY VIII '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 Would not be friendly to. SUFFOLK I wish your highness A quiet night; and my good mistress will Remember in my prayers. KING HENRY VIII Charles, good night.
Exit SUFFOLK
Enter DENNY
Well, sir, what follows? DENNY Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop, As you commanded me. KING HENRY VIII Ha! Canterbury? DENNY Ay, my good lord. KING HENRY VIII 'Tis true: where is he, Denny? DENNY He attends your highness' pleasure.
Exit DENNY LOVELL [Aside] This is about that which the bishop spake:
I am happily come hither.
Re-enter DENNY, with CRANMER KING HENRY VIII Avoid the gallery.
LOVELL seems to stay Ha! I have said. Be gone. What!
Exeunt LOVELL and DENNY CRANMER [Aside]
I am fearful: wherefore frowns he thus?
'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well. KING HENRY VIII How now, my lord! you desire to know Wherefore I sent for you. CRANMER [Kneeling] It is my duty To attend your highness' pleasure. KING HENRY VIII 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.
Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak, 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 This morning come before us; where, I know, You cannot with such ******* 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 To make your house our Tower: you a brother of us, It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness Would come against you. CRANMER [Kneeling]
I humbly thank your highness;
And am right glad to catch this good occasion Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know, There's none stands under more calumnious tongues Than I myself, poor man. KING HENRY VIII Stand up, good Canterbury:
Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted In us, thy friend: give me thy hand, stand up:
Prithee, let's walk. Now, by my holidame.