Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most;A most unnatural and faithless service!
Heaven has an end in all: yet, you that hear me, This from a dying man receive as certain:
Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels Be sure you be not loose; for those you make friends And give your hearts to, when they once perceive The least rub in your fortunes, fall away Like water from ye, never found again But where they mean to sink ye. All good people, Pray for me! I must now forsake ye: the last hour Of my long weary life is come upon me. Farewell:
And when you would say something that is sad, Speak how I fell. I have done; and God forgive me!
Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and Train First Gentleman O, this is full of pity! Sir, it calls, I fear, too many curses on their beads That were the authors. Second Gentleman If the duke be guiltless, 'Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling Of an ensuing evil, if it fall, Greater than this. First Gentleman Good angels keep it from us!
What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir? Second Gentleman This secret is so weighty, 'twill require A strong faith to conceal it. First Gentleman Let me have it;I do not talk much. Second Gentleman I am confident, You shall, sir: did you not of late days hear A buzzing of a separation Between the king and Katharine? First Gentleman Yes, but it held not:
For when the king once heard it, out of anger He sent command to the lord mayor straight To stop the rumor, and allay those tongues That durst disperse it. Second Gentleman But that slander, sir, Is found a truth now: for it grows again Fresher than e'er it was; and held for certain The king will venture at it. Either the cardinal, Or some about him near, have, out of malice To the good queen, possess'd him with a scruple That will undo her: to confirm this too, Cardinal Campeius is arrived, and lately;As all think, for this business. First Gentleman 'Tis the cardinal;And merely to revenge him on the emperor For not bestowing on him, at his asking, The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purposed. Second Gentleman I think you have hit the mark: but is't not cruel That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal Will have his will, and she must fall. First Gentleman 'Tis woful.
We are too open here to argue this;
Let's think in private more.
Exeunt SCENE II. An ante-chamber in the palace. Enter Chamberlain, reading a letter Chamberlain 'My lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. They were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason: His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king; which stopped our mouths, sir.'
I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them:
He will have all, I think.
Enter, to Chamberlain, NORFOLK and SUFFOLK NORFOLK Well met, my lord chamberlain. Chamberlain Good day to both your graces. SUFFOLK How is the king employ'd? Chamberlain I left him private, Full of sad thoughts and troubles. NORFOLK What's the cause? Chamberlain It seems the marriage with his brother's wife Has crept too near his conscience. SUFFOLK No, his conscience Has crept too near another lady. NORFOLK 'Tis so:
This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal:
That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he list. The king will know him one day. SUFFOLK Pray God he do! he'll never know himself else. NORFOLK How holily he works in all his business!
And with what zeal! for, now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew, He dives into the king's soul, and there scatters Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, Fears, and despairs; and all these for his marriage:
And out of all these to restore the king, He counsels a divorce; a loss of her That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years About his neck, yet never lost her lustre;Of her that loves him with that excellence That angels love good men with; even of her That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls, Will bless the king: and is not this course pious? Chamberlain Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'Tis most true These news are every where; every tongue speaks 'em, And every true heart weeps for't: all that dare Look into these affairs see this main end, The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold bad man. SUFFOLK And free us from his slavery. NORFOLK We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance;Or this imperious man will work us all From princes into pages: all men's honours Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd Into what pitch he please. SUFFOLK For me, my lords, I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed:
As I am made without him, so I'll stand, If the king please; his curses and his blessings Touch me alike, they're breath I not believe in.
I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him To him that made him proud, the pope. NORFOLK Let's in;And with some other business put the king From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him:
My lord, you'll bear us company? Chamberlain Excuse me;The king has sent me otherwhere: besides, You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him:
Health to your lordships. NORFOLK Thanks, my good lord chamberlain.
Exit Chamberlain; and KING HENRY VIII draws the curtain, and sits reading pensively SUFFOLK How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted. KING HENRY VIII Who's there, ha? NORFOLK Pray God he be not angry. KING HENRY VIII Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations?
Who am I? ha? NORFOLK A gracious king that pardons all offences Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty this way Is business of estate; in which we come To know your royal pleasure. KING HENRY VIII Ye are too bold:
Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business:
Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?