SCENE I. _Rome. A street._[2455]

_THE WORKS_

OF

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

[Illustration]

THE WORKS

OF

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

EDITED BY

WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK, M.A.

FELLOW AND TUTOR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, AND PUBLIC ORATOR IN THE

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE;

AND WILLIAM ALDIS WRIGHT, M.A.

LIBRARIAN OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.

_VOLUME VI._

Cambridge and London:

MACMILLAN AND CO.

1865.

CAMBRIDGE:

PRINTED BY C. J. CLAY, M.A.

AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

THE Preface vii

KING HENRY VIII 1

Notes to King Henry VIII 117

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA 123

Notes to Troilus and Cressida 263

CORIOLANUS 271

Notes to Coriolanus 423

TITUS ANDRONICUS 429

Notes to Titus Andronicus 533

PREFACE.

1. 'The Famous History of the Life of KING HENRY THE EIGHT' was printed

for the first time in the Folio of 1623.

2. The earliest edition of 'TROILUS AND CRESSIDA' of which we have any

knowledge was the Quarto which was printed in 1609 with the following

title:

The | Historie of Troylus | and Cresseida. | _As it was acted

by the Kings Maiesties_ | seruants at the Globe. | _Written

by_ William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Imprinted by _G. Eld_ for

_R. Bonian_ and _H. Walley_, and | are to be sold at the spred

Eagle in Paules | Church-yeard, ouer against the | great North

doore. | 1609. |

In the same year was issued another edition, printed from the same form

as the preceding, but with the following title:

The | Famous Historie of | Troylus _and_ Cresseid. |

_Excellently expressing the beginning_ | of their loues, with

the conceited wooing | of _Pandarus_ Prince of _Licia_. |

_Written by_ William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Imprinted by _G.

Eld_ for _R. Bonian_ and _H. Walley_, and | are to be sold at

the spred Eagle in Paules | Church-yeard, ouer against the |

great North doore. | 1609. |

Besides the variations in the title-page this edition differs from the

preceding in having a preface, apparently the work of the publisher,

of which the heading is 'A neuer writer, to an euer reader. Newes.'

In this preface the play is called a new one, 'neuer stal'd with the

Stage, neuer clapper-clawd with the palmes of the vulger,' and hence

it has been inferred that the edition with the preface is the earlier

of the two. It appears, however, upon a close examination, that all

the copies were printed from the same form, that the title which we

have recorded first was the original one, and that in some copies

this was cancelled, and the new title and preface inserted on a new

half-sheet and with a new signature. The title-page of the edition with

the preface is printed from the same form as the other title-page, as

is evident from a comparison of the parts in each, from 'Written by

William Shakespeare' to the end, which are absolutely identical. As

the running title, 'The history of Troylus and Cresseida' corresponds

with the first quoted title-page, we believe that the copies with this

title-page were first issued for the theatre, and afterwards those with

the new title-page and preface for general readers. In this case the

expression 'neuer stal'd with the Stage, neuer clapper-clawd with the

palmes of the vulger' must refer to the first appearance of the play in

type, unless we suppose that the publisher was more careful to say what

would recommend his book than to state what was literally true.

Since, in the play itself, these two editions are identical, we refer

to them by one symbol, Q.

It appears from an entry in the Stationers' Registers, 7 Feb. 1602/3,

that a play called 'Troilus and Cressida' had been acted by the Lord

Chamberlain's Servants, and this Mr Staunton conjectures may have

been the same as that upon which Decker and Chettle are known, from

Henslowe's _Diary_, to have been engaged in 1599, and may possibly have

formed the foundation of the later play.

In the Folio of 1623, TROILUS AND CRESSIDA stands between the Histories

and the Tragedies. The Tragedies at first began with _Coriolanus_. Then

followed _Titus Andronicus_ and _Romeo and Juliet_, and it appears upon

examination that the editors intended _Troilus and Cressida_ to be next

in order. With this view the first three pages were actually printed

and paged so as to follow _Romeo and Juliet_, and the play was called

'The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida.' Whether it was found that the

title of tragedy could not with propriety be given to it, or whatever

may have been the cause, the editors changed its position, cancelled

the leaf containing the end of _Romeo and Juliet_ on one side and the

beginning of _Troilus and Cressida_ on the other, but retained the

other leaf already printed, and then added the prologue to fill up the

blank page, which in the original setting of the type had been occupied

by the end of _Romeo and Juliet_. The rest of the play was printed with

a new set of signatures and without any pagination, and was simply

called 'Troylus and Cressida.'

There are very remarkable discrepancies between the Quarto and the

Folio text of this play, similar in character to those which are found

on comparing the two texts of _Richard III_. In the present case,

however, they are not nearly so frequent, nor, as a general rule, so

important. Some of the most important have been mentioned specially

in the notes at the end of the play, and all the others recorded in

the foot-notes. We find in the Folio several passages essential to

the sense of the context which do not exist in the Quarto, and which

therefore must have been omitted by the negligence of a copyist or

printer. On the other hand we find some passages in the Quarto, not

absolutely essential to the sense, though a decided improvement to

it and quite in the author's manner, which either do not appear in

the Folio at all, or appear in a mutilated form. Sometimes the lines

which are wrongly divided in the Quarto are divided properly in the

Folio, and vice versa: in this point, however, the former is generally

more correct than the latter. The two texts differ in many single

words: sometimes the difference is clearly owing to a clerical or

typographical error, but in other cases it appears to result from

deliberate correction, first by the author himself, and secondly

by some less skilful hand. The main duty of an editor must be to

discriminate the one from the other, and in the first case to prefer

the text of the Folio, and in the second to reject it in favour of the

Quarto. On the whole we are of opinion that the Quarto was printed

from a transcript of the author's original MS.; that this MS. was

afterwards revised and slightly altered by the author himself, and that

before the first Folio was printed from it, it had been tampered with

by another hand. Perhaps the corrections are due to the writer who did

not shrink from prefixing to Shakespeare's play a prologue of his own.

3. CORIOLANUS was first published in the Folio of 1623. The text

abounds with errors, due, probably, to the carelessness or the

illegibility of the transcript from which it was printed.

4. TITUS ANDRONICUS was, so far as we know[A], published for the first

time in the year 1600, in Quarto, with the following title-page:

The most lamenta-|ble Romaine Tragedie of _Titus_ |

_Andronicus_. | As it hath sundry times beene playde by the |

Right Honourable the Earle of Pembrooke, the | Earle of Darbie,

the Earle of Sussex, and the | Lorde Chamberlaine theyr |

Seruants. | AT LONDON, | Printed by I. R. for Edward White |

and are to bee solde at his shoppe, at the little | North doore

of Paules, at the signe of | the Gun. 1600. |

[A] In the Registers of the Stationers' Company are the following

entries with regard to a book called 'Titus Andronicus,' but it is

more than doubtful whether any of them refer to the editions of the

play of that name which have come down to us. It will be seen that

the entry under the date, 19 April, 1602, speaks of a transference of

copyright from Thomas Millington to Thomas Pavier, but as both the

extant editions of the play, printed respectively in 1600 and 1611,

were published by Edward White, the entry can have reference to neither

of these.

6 February, 1593.

John Danter. Entered for his copye under handes of

bothe the wardens a booke intituled, A Noble

Roman-Historye of Tytus Andronicus. vjᵈ.

1602. 19 April.

Tho. Pavier. Entred for his copies by assignmᵗ from

Thomas Millington these bookes folowing; salvo

jure cuiuscumque--

viz.

A booke called Thomas of Reading. vjᵈ.

The first and second pts of Henry the VIᵗ. ij

bookes. xijᵈ.

A booke called Titus and Andronic'. vjᵈ.

Under the date 14ᵒ Dec. 1624, among a list of 'Ballades' is mentioned

'Titus and Andronmus.' Again, on 8ᵒ Novemb. 1630, is an entry assigning

to Ric. Cotes from Mr Bird 'all his estate right title and interest in

the Copies hereafter menconed,' and in the list which follows is 'Titus

and Andronicus.' On 4 Aug. 1626, Thomas Pavier had assigned his right

in Titus Andronicus to Edw. Brewster and Rob. Birde, so that apparently

the same book is spoken of here as in the entry under the date 19

April, 1602. This being the case, it is difficult to account for the

fact that a book, which in 1602 was the property of Thomas Millington,

should in 1600 have been printed for Edward White, and that, after

the transference of the copyright from Millington to Pavier, a second

edition of the same book should have been printed in 1611 for the same

Edward White. No edition with Millington's name on the title has yet

been found.

Langbaine, in his _Account of the English Dramatick Poets_, p. 464

(ed. 1691), says of Titus Andronicus, 'This Play was first printed 4ᵒ.

Lond. 1594. and acted by the Earls of Derby, Pembroke, and Essex, their

Servants.' Whether or not this is the same as 'titus and ondronicus'

mentioned in Henslowe's _Diary_ (p. 33, ed. Collier) as acted for the

first time on the 23 Jan. 1593, it is impossible to say.

Only two copies of this edition are known to exist, one in the library

at Bridgewater House, and one in the library of the University of

Edinburgh[B]. From a tracing of the title-page of the latter, kindly

sent us by Mr D. Laing, we find that it agrees in every particular with

the above, which we have copied from the Bridgewater Quarto, now before

us.

[B] _Not_ the Signet Library, as stated by Mr Collier.

For some time the Bridgewater copy was believed to be unique. Todd

was the first to collate it, somewhat hastily as it would seem, with

Steevens' edition of 1793, and the results were given in the notes to

the first variorum edition (1803). Subsequent editors were content to

accept Todd's authority till Mr Collier consulted the original for

himself. Lady Ellesmere's kind liberality has enabled us to do the

like. We have gone over it with great care, and succeeded in recovering

a considerable number of readings which had escaped the notice of

previous collators. Taking its rarity into account, we have recorded

the variations of this edition with unusual minuteness. They are the

better worth notice, as the book is printed with remarkable accuracy.

We call it Q₁.

The second edition of _Titus Andronicus_ was published in 1611. This

we call Q₂. Its title-page is as follows:

The | most lamen-|table Tragedie | _of Titus Andronicus_. | _As

it hath sundry_ | _times beene plaide by the Kings_ | Maiesties

Seruants. | LONDON, | Printed for Eedward White, and are to be

solde | at his shoppe, nere the little North dore of | Pauls,

at the signe of the | Gun. 1611. |

This edition was printed from that of 1600, from which it varies only

by some printer's errors and a few conjectural alterations.

The first Folio text was printed from a copy of the second Quarto

which, perhaps, was in the library of the theatre, and had some MS.

alterations and additions made to the stage directions. Here, as

elsewhere, the printer of the Folio has been very careless as to metre.

It is remarkable that the Folio contains a whole scene, Act III. Sc. 2,

not found in the Quartos, but agreeing too closely in style with the

main portion of the play to allow of the supposition that it is due to

a different author. The scene may have been supplied to the players'

copy of Q₂ from a manuscript in their possession.

Ravenscroft's version quoted in our notes is an alteration of the play,

published in 1687 under the title of 'Titus Andronicus: or the Rape of

Lavinia.'

We have to thank Dr Delius of Bonn, for sending us the second edition

of his 'Shakespeare,' and for the interest he has taken in our work,

Dr Leo of Berlin, for a present of his edition of 'Coriolanus,' Mr

Rivington and Mr Greenhill, for procuring us access to the registers of

the Stationers' Company, and Sir S. M. Peto, Sir J. Claridge, Professor

Blackie, Mr D. Laing, the Rev. T. J. Rowsell, Dr Kingsley, Mr R. H.

Martley, Mr L. Booth, and Mr H. Peto, for various acts of kindness.

W. G. C.

W. A. W.

ERRATUM.

Coriolanus, I. 9. 45. note,

_for_ Collier conj. _read_ Singer conj.

KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[C].

KING HENRY the Eighth.

CARDINAL WOLSEY.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS.

CAPUCIUS, Ambassador from the Emperor Charles V.

CRANMER, Archbishop of Canterbury.

DUKE OF NORFOLK.

DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

DUKE OF SUFFOLK.

EARL OF SURREY.

Lord Chamberlain.

Lord Chancellor.

GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester.

Bishop of Lincoln.

LORD ABERGAVENNY.

LORD SANDS.

SIR HENRY GUILDFORD.

SIR THOMAS LOVELL.

SIR ANTHONY DENNY.

SIR NICHOLAS VAUX.

Secretaries to Wolsey.

CROMWELL, Servant to Wolsey.

GRIFFITH, Gentleman-usher to Queen Katharine.

Three Gentlemen.

DOCTOR BUTTS, Physician to the King.

Garter King-at-Arms.

Surveyor to the Duke of Buckingham.

BRANDON, and a Sergeant-at-Arms.

Door-keeper of the Council-chamber. Porter, and his Man.

Page to Gardiner. A Crier.

QUEEN KATHARINE, wife to King Henry, afterwards divorced.

ANNE BULLEN, her Maid of Honour, afterwards Queen.

An old Lady, friend to Anne Bullen.

PATIENCE, woman to Queen Katharine.

Several Lords and Ladies in the Dumb Shows; Women attending

upon the Queen; Scribes, Officers, Guards, and other Attendants.

Spirits.

SCENE: _London_; _Westminster_; _Kimbolton_.

[C] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. First given, imperfectly, by Rowe.

THE FAMOUS HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF

KING HENRY VIII.

THE PROLOGUE.

I come no more to make you laugh: things now,

That bear a weighty and a serious brow,

Sad, high and working, full of state and woe,[1]

Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,

We now present. Those that can pity, here[2] 5

May, if they think it well, let fall a tear;

The subject will deserve it. Such as give

Their money out of hope they may believe,

May here find truth too. Those that come to see

Only a show or two and so agree[3] 10

The play may pass, if they be still and willing,

I'll undertake may see away their shilling

Richly in two short hours. Only they

That come to hear a merry bawdy play,

A noise of targets, or to see a fellow 15

In a long motley coat guarded with yellow,

Will be deceived; for, gentle hearers, know,

To rank our chosen truth with such a show

As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting[4]

Our own brains and the opinion that we bring 20

To make that only true we now intend,[5]

Will leave us never an understanding friend.[6]

Therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are known[7]

The first and happiest hearers of the town,

Be sad, as we would make ye: think ye see[8] 25

The very persons of our noble story[9]

As they were living; think you see them great

And follow'd with the general throng and sweat

Of thousand friends; then, in a moment, see

How soon this mightiness meets misery: 30

And if you can be merry then, I'll say

A man may weep upon his wedding-day.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] _high and working_] _and high-working_ Staunton.

_full_] F₁ F₄. _fall_ F₂ F₃.

[2] _now_] _shall_ Pope.

[3] _agree_] Pope, _a gree_, F₁. _agree,_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[4] _beside_] _besides_ Pope (ed. 2).

[5] _To make_] _That make_ Rowe. _To make ... intend_] _Or make; that

only truth we now intend_ Johnson conj. _That only true to make we now

intend_ Tyrwhitt conj.

[6] _never] ne'er_ S. Walker conj.

[7] _and as_] _as_ Pope.

[8] _ye see_] _before ye_ Theobald. _you see_ Delius.

[9] _noble story_] _history_ Capell (Heath conj.)

ACT I.

SCENE I. _London. An ante-chamber in the palace._

_Enter the_ DUKE OF NORFOLK _at one door: at the other, the_ DUKE OF

BUCKINGHAM _and the_ LORD ABERGAVENNY.[9a]

_Buck._ Good morrow, and well met. How have ye done

Since last we saw in France?[10]

_Nor._ I thank your grace,

Healthful, and ever since a fresh admirer

Of what I saw there.

_Buck._ An untimely ague

Stay'd me a prisoner in my chamber when 5

Those suns of glory, those two lights of men,[11]

Met in the vale of Andren.[12]

_Nor._ 'Twixt Guynes and Arde:

I was then present, saw them salute on horseback;[13]

Beheld them, when they 'lighted, how they clung

In their embracement, as they grew together; 10

Which had they, what four throned ones could have weigh'd[14]

Such a compounded one?

_Buck._ All the whole time

I was my chamber's prisoner.

_Nor._ Then you lost

The view of earthly glory: men might say,

Till this time pomp was single, but now married 15

To one above itself. Each following day

Became the next day's master, till the last[15]

Made former wonders its. To-day the French,[16]

All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,[17]

Shone down the English; and to-morrow they 20

Made Britain India: every man that stood

Show'd like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were

As cherubins, all gilt: the madams too,

Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear

The pride upon them, that their very labour 25

Was to them as a painting: now this masque

Was cried incomparable; and the ensuing night

Made it a fool and beggar. The two kings,

Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst,

As presence did present them; him in eye 30

Still him in praise; and being present both,

'Twas said they saw but one, and no discerner

Durst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns--[18]

For so they phrase 'em--by their heralds challenged

The noble spirits to arms, they did perform 35

Beyond thought's compass; that former fabulous story,[19]

Being now seen possible enough, got credit,

That Bevis was believed.[20]

_Buck._ O, you go far.

_Nor._ As I belong to worship and affect

In honour honesty, the tract of every thing 40

Would by a good discourser lose some life

Which action's self was tongue to. All was royal;[21][22]

To the disposing of it nought rebell'd;[22]

Order gave each thing view; the office did[22][23]

Distinctly his full function.[22]

_Buck._ Who did guide,[22] 45

I mean, who set the body and the limbs[22]

Of this great sport together, as you guess?[22][24]

_Nor._ One, certes, that promises no element[22][24][25]

In such a business.[22]

_Buck._ I pray you, who, my lord?[26]

_Nor._ All this was order'd by the good discretion 50

Of the right reverend Cardinal of York.

_Buck._ 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[27] 55

Take up the rays o' the beneficial sun,

And keep it from the earth.

_Nor._ Surely, sir,[28]

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 60

For high feats done to the crown; neither allied

To eminent assistants; but, spider-like,

Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note,[29]

The force of his own merit makes his way;

A gift that heaven gives for him, which buys[30] 65

A place next to the king.

_Aber._ 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?[31]

If not from hell, the devil is a niggard,[31] 70

Or has given all before, and he begins

A new hell in himself.

_Buck._ Why the devil,[32]

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 75

Of all the gentry; for the most part such[33]

To whom as great a charge as little honour[33]

He meant to lay upon: and his own letter,[34][35][36]

The honourable board of council out,[35][37]

Must fetch him in he papers.[35][37][38]

_Aber._ I do know[35] 80

Kinsmen of mine, three at the least, that have

By this so sicken'd their estates that never[39]

They shall abound as formerly.

_Buck._ O, many

Have broke their backs with laying manors on 'em[40]

For this great journey. What did this vanity[41] 85

But minister communication of[42]

A most poor issue?

_Nor._ Grievingly I think,

The peace between the French and us not values

The cost that did conclude it.

_Buck._ Every man,

After the hideous storm that follow'd, was 90

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.

_Nor._ Which is budded out;

For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'd 95

Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux.[43]

_Aber._ Is it therefore

The ambassador is silenced?

_Nor._ Marry, is't.

_Aber._ A proper title of a peace, and purchased[44]

At a superfluous rate!

_Buck._ Why, all this business

Our reverend cardinal carried.

_Nor._ Like it your grace,[45] 100

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[46]

Honour and plenteous safety--that you read

The cardinal's malice and his potency 105

Together; to consider further that

What his high hatred would effect wants not[47]

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 110

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.[48]

_Enter_ CARDINAL WOLSEY, _the purse borne before him, certain

of the Guard, and two_ Secretaries _with papers_. _The_

CARDINAL _in his passage fixeth his eye on_ BUCKINGHAM,

_and_ BUCKINGHAM _on him, both full of disdain_.

_Wol._ The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor, ha?[49] 115

Where's his examination?

_First Sec._ Here, so please you.[50]

_Wol._ Is he in person ready?

_First Sec._ Ay, please your grace.[51]

_Wol._ Well, we shall then know more; and Buckingham[52]

Shall lessen this big look. [_Exeunt Wolsey and his Train._[52][53]

_Buck._ This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd, and I[54] 120

Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore best

Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book[55]

Outworths a noble's blood.

_Nor._ What, are you chafed?[56]

Ask God for temperance; that's the appliance only

Which your disease requires.

_Buck._ I read in's looks 125

Matter against me, and his eye reviled[57]

Me as his abject object: at this instant[57]

He bores me with some trick: he's gone to the king;[58]

I 'll follow and outstare him.

_Nor._ Stay, my lord,

And let your reason with your choler question 130

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,[59]

Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England

Can advise me like you: be to yourself 135

As you would to your friend.

_Buck._ 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.

_Nor._ Be advised;

Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot 140

That it do singe yourself: we may outrun,

By violent swiftness, that which we run at,

And lose by over-running. Know you not,[60]

The fire that mounts the liquor till't run o'er

In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advised:[61] 145

I say again, there is no English soul

More stronger to direct you than yourself,[62]

If with the sap of reason you would quench,

Or but allay, the fire of passion.

_Buck._ Sir,

I am thankful to you; and I'll go along 150

By your prescription: but this top-proud fellow--

Whom from the flow of gall I name not but[63]

From sincere motions--by intelligence

And proofs as clear as founts in July when[64]

We see each grain of gravel, I do know 155

To be corrupt and treasonous.

_Nor._ Say not 'treasonous.'

_Buck._ To the king I'll say 't; and make my vouch as strong

As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox,

Or wolf, or both--for he is equal ravenous[65][66]

As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief[65] 160

As able to perform't; his mind and place[65]

Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally--[65]

Only to show his pomp as well in France

As here at home, suggests the king our master

To this last costly treaty, the interview, 165

That swallow'd so much treasure, and like a glass

Did break i' the rinsing.[67]

_Nor._ Faith, and so it did.

_Buck._ Pray, give me favour, sir. This cunning cardinal[68]

The articles o' the combination drew[69]

As himself pleased; and they were ratified 170

As he cried 'Thus let be,' to as much end[70]

As give a crutch to the dead: but our count-cardinal[71]

Has done this, and 'tis well; for worthy Wolsey,

Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows--

Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy 175

To the old dam, treason--Charles the emperor,

Under pretence to see the queen his aunt--

For 'twas indeed his colour, but he came

To whisper Wolsey--here makes visitation:

His fears were that the interview betwixt 180

England and France might through their amity

Breed him some prejudice; for from this league

Peep'd harms that menaced him: he privily[72]

Deals with our cardinal; and, as I trow--[73]

Which I do well, for I am sure the emperor 185

Paid ere he promised; whereby his suit was granted

Ere it was ask'd--but when the way was made

And paved with gold, the emperor thus desired,[74]

That he would please to alter the king's course

And break the foresaid peace. Let the king know, 190

As soon he shall by me, that thus the cardinal

Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases

And for his own advantage.[75]

NOR. I am sorry

To hear this of him, and could wish he were[76]

Something mistaken in't.

_Buck._ No, not a syllable: 195

I do pronounce him in that very shape

He shall appear in proof.

_Enter_ BRANDON, _a_ Sergeant at arms _before him, and two or three of

the_ Guard.[77]

_Bran._ Your office, sergeant; execute it.

_Serg._ Sir,[78]

My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl

Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, I[79] 200

Arrest thee of high treason, in the name

Of our most sovereign king.

_Buck._ Lo you, my lord,[80]

The net has fall'n upon me! I shall perish

Under device and practice.

_Bran._ I am sorry[81]

To see you ta'en from liberty, to look on[81] 205

The business present: 'tis his highness' pleasure[81][82]

You shall to the Tower.[81]

_Buck._ It will help me nothing

To plead mine innocence; for that dye is on me

Which makes my whitest part black. The will of heaven

Be done in this and all things! I obey. 210

O my Lord Abergavenny, fare you well![83]

_Bran._ Nay, he must bear you company. [_To Abergavenny._] The king[84]

Is pleased you shall to the Tower, till you know

How he determines further.

_Aber._ As the duke said,

The will of heaven be done, and the king's pleasure 215

By me obey'd!

_Bran._ Here is a warrant from

The king to attach Lord Montacute; and the bodies[85]

Of the duke's confessor, John de la Car,[86]

One Gilbert Peck, his chancellor,--[87]

_Buck._ So, so;

These are the limbs o' the plot: no more, I hope. 220

_Bran._ A monk o' the Chartreux.

_Buck._ O, Nicholas Hopkins?[88]

_Bran._ He.

_Buck._ My surveyor is false; the o'er-great cardinal

Hath show'd him gold; my life is spann'd already:

I am the shadow of poor Buckingham,

Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on,[89][90] 225

By darkening my clear sun. My lord, farewell. [_Exeunt._[89][91]

SCENE II. _The same. The council-chamber._

_Cornets. Enter_ KING HENRY, _leaning on the_ CARDINAL'S

_shoulder; the Nobles, and_ SIR THOMAS LOVELL: _the_

CARDINAL _places himself under the_ KING'S _feet on his

right side_.[92]

_King._ My life itself, and the best heart of it,

Thanks you for this great care: I stood i' the level

Of a full-charged confederacy, and give thanks[93]

To you that choked it. Let be call'd before us[94]

That gentleman of Buckingham's; in person[95] 5

I'll hear him his confessions justify;

And point by point the treasons of his master[96]

He shall again relate.

_A noise within, crying_ 'Room for the Queen!' _Enter_ QUEEN

KATHARINE, _ushered by the_ DUKE OF NORFOLK, _and the_ DUKE

OF SUFFOLK: _she kneels. The_ KING _riseth from his state,

takes her up, kisses and placeth her by him_.[97]

_Q. Kath._ Nay, we must longer kneel: I am a suitor.

_King._ Arise, and take place by us: half your suit[98] 10

Never name to us; you have half our power:

The other moiety ere you ask is given;

Repeat your will and take it.

_Q. Kath._ Thank your majesty.

That you would love yourself, and in that love

Not unconsider'd leave your honour nor[99] 15

The dignity of your office, is the point

Of my petition.

_King._ Lady mine, proceed.

_Q. Kath._ I am solicited, not by a few,[100]

And those of true condition, that your subjects

Are in great grievance: there have been commissions 20

Sent down among 'em, which hath flaw'd the heart[101]

Of all their loyalties: wherein although,

My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches

Most bitterly on you as putter on

Of these exactions, yet the king our master-- 25

Whose honour heaven shield from soil!--even he escapes not

Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks

The sides of loyalty and almost appears[102]

In loud rebellion.

NOR. Not almost appears;

It doth appear; for, upon these taxations, 30

The clothiers all, not able to maintain

The many to them 'longing, have put off[103]

The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who,

Unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger

And lack of other means, in desperate manner 35

Daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar,

And danger serves among them.

_King._ Taxation!

Wherein? and what taxation? My lord cardinal,

You that are blamed for it alike with us,

Know you of this taxation?

_Wol._ Please you, sir, 40

I know but of a single part in aught

Pertains to the state, and front but in that file

Where others tell steps with me.

_Q. Kath._ No, my lord,[104]

You know no more than others: but you frame[104]

Things that are known alike, which are not wholesome[105] 45

To those which would not know them and yet must

Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions,

Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are

Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear 'em,[106]

The back is sacrifice to the load. They say 50

They are devised by you; or else you suffer[107]

Too hard an exclamation.

_King._ Still exaction!

The nature of it? in what kind, let's know,

Is this exaction?

_Q. Kath._ I am much too venturous[108]

In tempting of your patience, but am bolden'd 55

Under your promised pardon. The subjects' grief

Comes through commissions, which compel from each[109]

The sixth part of his substance, to be levied

Without delay; and the pretence for this

Is named your wars in France: this makes bold mouths: 60

Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze

Allegiance in them; their curses now[110]

Live where their prayers did; and it's come to pass,

This tractable obedience is a slave[111]

To each incensed will. I would your highness 65

Would give it quick consideration, for

There is no primer business.[112]

_King._ By my life,

This is against our pleasure.

_Wol._ And for me,

I have no further gone in this than by

A single voice, and that not pass'd me but 70

By learned approbation of the judges. If I am[113]

Traduced by ignorant tongues, which neither know[114]

My faculties nor person, yet will be

The chronicles of my doing, let me say

'Tis but the fate of place and the rough brake 75

That virtue must go through. We must not stint

Our necessary actions, in the fear

To cope malicious censurers; which ever,

As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow

That is new-trimm'd, but benefit no further 80

Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,

By sick interpreters, once weak ones, is[115]

Not ours or not allow'd; what worst, as oft,

Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up

For our best act. If we shall stand still,[116] 85

In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at,[117]

We should take root here where we sit, or sit[118][119]

State-statues only.[119]

_King._ Things done well,[120]

And with a care, exempt themselves from fear;

Things done without example, in their issue 90

Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent[121]

Of this commission? I believe, not any.

We must not rend our subjects from our laws,

And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?

A trembling contribution! Why, we take[122] 95

From every tree lop, bark, and part o' the timber,[123]

And though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd,[124]

The air will drink the sap. To every county

Where this is question'd send our letters, with

Free pardon to each man that has denied 100

The force of this commission: pray, look to't;

I put it to your care.

_Wol._ [_To the Secretary_] A word with you.[125]

Let there be letters writ to every shire,

Of the king's grace and pardon. The grieved commons[126]

Hardly conceive of me: let it be noised 105

That through our intercession this revokement

And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you

Further in the proceeding. [_Exit Secretary._

_Enter_ Surveyor.

_Q. Kath._ I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham[127]

Is run in your displeasure.

_King._ It grieves many:[128] 110

The gentleman is learn'd and a most rare speaker;[129]

To nature none more bound; his training such

That he may furnish and instruct great teachers

And never seek for aid out of himself. Yet see,[130]

When these so noble benefits shall prove[131] 115

Not well disposed, the mind growing once corrupt,

They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly

Than ever they were fair. This man so complete,[132]

Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,[133]

Almost with ravish'd listening, could not find[133][134] 120

His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady,

Hath into monstrous habits put the graces

That once were his, and is become as black

As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall hear--[135]

This was his gentlemen in trust--of him 125

Things to strike honour sad. Bid him recount

The fore-recited practices; whereof[136]

We cannot feel too little, hear too much.

_Wol._ Stand forth, and with bold spirit relate what you,

Most like a careful subject, have collected 130

Out of the Duke of Buckingham.

_King._ Speak freely.

_Surv._ First, it was usual with him, every day[137]

It would infect his speech, that if the king

Should without issue die, he'll carry it so[138]

To make the sceptre his: these very words 135

I've heard him utter to his son-in-law,

Lord Abergavenny, to whom by oath he menaced[139]

Revenge upon the cardinal.

_Wol._ Please your highness, note[140]

This dangerous conception in this point.[141][142]

Not friended by his wish, to your high person[142] 140

His will is most malignant, and it stretches

Beyond you to your friends.

_Q. Kath._ My learn'd lord cardinal,

Deliver all with charity.

_King._ Speak on:

How grounded he his title to the crown

Upon our fail? to this point hast thou heard him 145

At any time speak aught?

_Surv._ He was brought to this[143]

By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Henton.[144]

_King._ What was that Henton?[145]

_Surv._ Sir, a Chartreux friar,

His confessor, who fed him every minute

With words of sovereignty.

_King._ How know'st thou this? 150

_Surv._ Not long before your highness sped to France,

The duke being at the Rose, within the parish

Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand

What was the speech among the Londoners

Concerning the French journey: I replied, 155

Men fear'd the French would prove perfidious,[146]

To the king's danger. Presently the duke

Said, 'twas the fear indeed, and that he doubted

'Twould prove the verity of certain words

Spoke by a holy monk; 'that oft,' says he, 160

'Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit

John de la Car, my chaplain, a choice hour[147]

To hear from him a matter of some moment:

Whom after under the confession's seal[148][149]

He solemnly had sworn that what he spoke[148] 165

My chaplain to no creature living but[148]

To me should utter, with demure confidence[148][150]

This pausingly ensued: Neither the king nor's heirs,[151]

Tell you the duke, shall prosper: bid him strive

To gain the love o' the commonalty: the duke[152] 170

Shall govern England.'[153]

_Q. Kath._ If I know you well,

You were the duke's surveyor and lost your office

On the complaint o' the tenants: take good heed

You charge not in your spleen a noble person

And spoil your nobler soul: I say, take heed;[154] 175

Yes, heartily beseech you.[155]

_King._ Let him on.[156]

Go forward.[156]

_Surv._ On my soul, I'll speak but truth.

I told my lord the duke, by the devil's illusions

The monk might be deceived; and that 'twas dangerous for him[157]

To ruminate on this so far, until[157] 180

It forged him some design, which, being believed,

It was much like to do: he answer'd 'Tush,

It can do me no damage;' adding further,

That, had the king in his last sickness fail'd,

The cardinal's and Sir Thomas Lovell's heads 185

Should have gone off.

_King._ Ha! what, so rank? Ah, ha!

There's mischief in this man: canst thou say further?

_Surv._ I can, my liege.

_King._ Proceed.

_Surv._ Being at Greenwich,

After your highness had reproved the duke

About Sir William Blomer--[158]

_King._ I remember[159] 190

Of such a time: being my sworn servant,[159][160]

The duke retain'd him his. But on; what hence?

_Surv._ 'If' quoth he 'I for this had been committed,

As to the Tower I thought, I would have play'd[161]

The part my father meant to act upon 195

The usurper Richard; who, being at Salisbury,

Made suit to come in's presence; which if granted,[162]

As he made semblance of his duty, would[163]

Have put his knife into him.'

_King._ A giant traitor!

_Wol._ Now, madam, may his highness live in freedom, 200

And this man out of prison?[164]

_Q. Kath._ God mend all!

_King._ There's something more would out of thee; what say'st?

_Surv._ After 'the duke his father,' with the 'knife,'[165]

He stretch'd him, and with one hand on his dagger,

Another spread on's breast, mounting his eyes, 205

He did discharge a horrible oath, whose tenour

Was, were he evil used, he would outgo

His father by as much as a performance

Does an irresolute purpose.

_King._ There's his period, 210

To sheathe his knife in us. He is attach'd;

Call him to present trial: if he may

Find mercy in the law, 'tis his; if none,

Let him not seek't of us: by day and night![166]

He's traitor to the height. [_Exeunt._[167]

SCENE III. _An antechamber in the palace._

_Enter the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN _and_ LORD SANDS.[168]

_Cham._ Is't possible the spells of France should juggle[169]

Men into such strange mysteries?[170]

_Sands._ New customs,

Though they be never so ridiculous,

Nay, let 'em be unmanly, yet are follow'd.[171]

_Cham._ As far as I see, all the good our English 5

Have got by the late voyage is but merely[172]

A fit or two o' the face; but they are shrewd ones;

For when they hold 'em, you would swear directly

Their very noses had been counsellors

To Pepin or Clotharius, they keep state so. 10

_Sands._ They have all new legs, and lame ones: one would take it,[173]

That never saw 'em pace before, the spavin[174]

Or springhalt reign'd among 'em.[175]

_Cham._ Death! my lord,

Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too,[176]

That, sure, they've worn out Christendom.

_Enter_ SIR THOMAS LOVELL.[177]

How now! 15

What news, Sir Thomas Lovell?

_Lov._ Faith, my lord,

I hear of none but the new proclamation

That's clapp'd upon the court-gate.

_Cham._ What is't for?

_Lov._ The reformation of our travell'd gallants,

That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors. 20

_Cham._ I'm glad 'tis there: now I would pray our monsieurs[178]

To think an English courtier may be wise,

And never see the Louvre.[179]

_Lov._ They must either,

For so run the conditions, leave those remnants

Of fool and feather that they got in France, 25

With all their honourable points of ignorance

Pertaining thereunto, as fights and fireworks,[180]

Abusing better men than they can be

Out of a foreign wisdom, renouncing clean[181]

The faith they have in tennis and tall stockings, 30

Short blister'd breeches and those types of travel,[182]

And understand again like honest men,

Or pack to their old playfellows: there, I take it,

They may, 'cum privilegio,' wear away[183]

The lag end of their lewdness, and be laugh'd at. 35

_Sands._ 'Tis time to give 'em physic, their diseases[184]

Are grown so catching.

_Cham._ What a loss our ladies

Will have of these trim vanities!

_Lov._ Ay, marry,

There will be woe indeed, lords: the sly whoresons

Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies; 40

A French song and a fiddle has no fellow.

_Sands._ The devil fiddle 'em! I am glad they are going,[185]

For, sure, there's no converting of 'em: now[186]

An honest country lord, as I am, beaten

A long time out of play, may bring his plain-song, 45

And have an hour of hearing; and, by'r lady,

Held current music too.[187]

_Cham._ Well said, Lord Sands;

Your colt's tooth is not cast yet.[188]

_Sands._ No, my lord;

Nor shall not, while I have a stump.[189]

_Cham._ Sir Thomas,

Whither were you a-going?[190]

_Lov._ To the cardinal's: 50

Your lordship is a guest too.

_Cham._ O, 'tis true:

This night he makes a supper, and a great one,

To many lords and ladies; there will be

The beauty of this kingdom, I'll assure you.

_Lov._ That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed,[191] 55

A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us;

His dews fall every where.[192]

_Cham._ No doubt he's noble;

He had a black mouth that said other of him.

_Sands._ He may, my lord; has wherewithal: in him[193]

Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine: 60

Men of his way should be most liberal;[194]

They are set here for examples.[195]

_Cham._ True, they are so;

But few now give so great ones. My barge stays;[196]

Your lordship shall along. Come, good Sir Thomas,

We shall be late else; which I would not be, 65

For I was spoke to, with Sir Henry Guildford

This night to be comptrollers.

_Sands._ I am your lordship's. [_Exeunt._

SCENE IV. _A Hall in York Place._

_Hautboys. A small table under a state for the_ CARDINAL, _a

longer table for the guests. Then enter_ ANNE BULLEN _and

divers other_ Ladies _and_ Gentlemen _as guests, at one

door; at another door, enter_ SIR HENRY GUILDFORD.[197]

_Guild._ Ladies, a general welcome from his grace[198]

Salutes ye all; this night he dedicates

To fair content and you: none here, he hopes,

In all this noble bevy, has brought with her

One care abroad; he would have all as merry[199] 5

As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome,[200]

Can make good people.

_Enter_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN, LORD SANDS, _and_ SIR THOMAS LOVELL.[201]

O, my lord, you're tardy:

The very thought of this fair company

Clapp'd wings to me.

_Cham._ You are young, Sir Harry Guildford.[202]

_Sands._ Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal 10

But half my lay thoughts in him, some of these

Should find a running banquet ere they rested,

I think would better please 'em: by my life,

They are a sweet society of fair ones.

_Lov._ O, that your lordship were but now confessor 15

To one or two of these!

_Sands._ I would I were;

They should find easy penance.

_Lov._ Faith, how easy?

_Sands._ As easy as a down-bed would afford it.

_Cham._ Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry,

Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this: 20

His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze;

Two women placed together makes cold weather:[203]

My Lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking;

Pray, sit between these ladies.

_Sands._ By my faith,

And thank your lordship. By your leave, sweet ladies:[204] 25

If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;

I had it from my father.

_Anne._ Was he mad, sir?

_Sands._ O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too:

But he would bite none; just as I do now,

He would kiss you twenty with a breath. [_Kisses her._[205]

_Cham._ Well said, my lord. 30

So, now you're fairly seated. Gentlemen,[206]

The penance lies on you, if these fair ladies

Pass away frowning.

_Sands._ For my little cure,[207]

Let me alone.

_Hautboys. Enter_ CARDINAL WOLSEY, _and takes his state_.

_Wol._ You're welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady[208] 35

Or gentleman that is not freely merry,

Is not my friend: this, to confirm my welcome;[209]

And to you all, good health. [_Drinks._[210]

_Sands._ Your grace is noble:

Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,

And save me so much talking.

_Wol._ My Lord Sands, 40

I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours.[211]

Ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen,

Whose fault is this?

_Sands._ The red wine first must rise

In their fair cheeks, my lord; then we shall have 'em

Talk us to silence.

_Anne._ You are a merry gamester,[212] 45

My Lord Sands.[212][213]

_Sands._ Yes, if I make my play.

Here's to your ladyship: and pledge it, madam,

For 'tis to such a thing--[214]

_Anne._ You cannot show me.

_Sands._ I told your grace they would talk anon.

[_Drum and trumpet: chambers discharged._[215]

_Wol._ What's that?

_Cham._ Look out there, some of ye. [_Exit Servant._[216]

_Wol._ What warlike voice, 50

And to what end, is this? Nay, ladies, fear not;

By all the laws of war you're privileged.[208]

_Re-enter_ Servant.[217]

_Cham._ How now! what is't?

_Serv._ A noble troop of strangers;

For so they seem: they've left their barge, and landed;[218]

And hither make, as great ambassadors 55

From foreign princes.

_Wol._ Good lord chamberlain,

Go, give 'em welcome; you can speak the French tongue;[219][220]

And, pray, receive 'em nobly and conduct 'em[219]

Into our presence, where this heaven of beauty

Shall shine at full upon them. Some attend him. 60

[_Exit Chamberlain, attended. All rise, and tables removed._[221]

You have now a broken banquet; but we'll mend it.[222]

A good digestion to you all: and once more[223]

I shower a welcome on ye; welcome all.

_Hautboys. Enter the_ KING _and others, as masquers, habited

like shepherds, ushered by the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN. _They

pass directly before the_ CARDINAL, _and gracefully salute

him_.[224]

A noble company! what are their pleasures?

_Cham._ Because they speak no English, thus they pray'd[225] 65

To tell your grace, that, having heard by fame

Of this so noble and so fair assembly

This night to meet here, they could do no less,

Out of the great respect they bear to beauty,

But leave their flocks, and under your fair conduct 70

Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat

An hour of revels with 'em.[226]

_Wol._ Say, lord chamberlain,[226]

They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay 'em[226][227][228]

A thousand thanks and pray 'em take their pleasures.[226][227]

[_They choose. The King chooses Anne Bullen._[229]

_King._ The fairest hand I ever touch'd! O beauty, 75

Till now I never knew thee! [_Music. Dance._

_Wol._ My lord![230]

_Cham._ Your grace?

_Wol._ Pray, tell 'em thus much from me:[231][232]

There should be one amongst 'em, by his person,[231]

More worthy this place than myself; to whom,

If I but knew him, with my love and duty 80

I would surrender it.

_Cham._ I will, my lord.

[_Whispers the Masquers._[233]

_Wol._ What say they?

_Cham._ Such a one, they all confess,

There is indeed; which they would have your grace

Find out, and he will take it.

_Wol._ Let me see then.[234]

By all your good leaves, gentlemen; here I'll make 85

My royal choice.

_King._ [_Unmasking_] Ye have found him, cardinal:[235]

You hold a fair assembly; you do well, lord:

You are a churchman, or, I'll tell you, cardinal,

I should judge now unhappily.[236]

_Wol._ I am glad

Your grace is grown so pleasant.

_King._ My lord chamberlain, 90

Prithee, come hither: what fair lady's that?

_Cham._ An't please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter,[237]

The Viscount Rochford, one of her highness' women.[237][238]

_King._ By heaven, she is a dainty one. Sweetheart,[239]

I were unmannerly, to take you out, 95

And not to kiss you. A health, gentlemen!

Let it go round.

_Wol._ Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet ready

I' the privy chamber?

_Lov._ Yes, my lord.

_Wol._ Your grace,

I fear, with dancing is a little heated. 100

_King._ I fear, too much.

_Wol._ There's fresher air, my lord,

In the next chamber.

_King._ Lead in your ladies, every one. Sweet partner,

I must not yet forsake you. Let's be merry,[240]

Good my lord cardinal: I have half a dozen healths[240][241] 105

To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure

To lead 'em once again; and then let's dream

Who's best in favour. Let the music knock it.[242]

[_Exeunt with trumpets._

FOOTNOTES:

[9a] ACT I. SCENE I.] Actus Primus. Scæna Prima. Ff. The Acts and Scenes are

indicated throughout in Ff.

London. An ante-chamber in the palace.] Theobald.

[10] _saw_] F₁ F₂. _saw y'_ F₃ F₄.

[11] _suns_] _sunnes_ F₁ F₂. _sons_ F₃ F₄.

[12] _Andren_] F₁. _Arde_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _Ardres_ Rowe.

_Arde_] Ff. _Ardres_ Rowe.

[13] _them_] _'em_ Pope.

[14] _Which ... weigh'd_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two lines, the

first ending _they,_ in Ff.

[15] _next ... last_] _last ... next_ Capell (Theobald conj.)

[16] _wonders_] _wond'rers_ Theobald conj.

_its_] _it's_ Ff. _his_ Hanmer.

[17] _heathen_] F₁. _Heathens_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[18] _censure. When_] Rowe. _censure, when_ Ff.

[19] _former_] _old_ Pope.

[20] _That_] _And_ Seymour conj.

[21] _to_] _too_ F₁.

[22] _All was royal ... business._] Arranged as by Theobald. Buc.

_All ... function: who ... together?_ Nor. _As you ... businesse._ F₁

F₂ F₃. Buck. _All ... function: who ... together, As you guess._ Nor.

_Once certes ... business._ F₄.

[23] _the office_] _each office_ Roderick conj.

[24] _guess?_ Nor. _One, certes_] Theobald, _guesse: One certes_ F₁.

_guesse: Once certes_ F₂ F₃. _guess?_ Nor. _One sure_ Pope.

[25] _that_] om. Seymour conj.

[26] _I pray_] _Pray_ Pope.

[27] _keech_] _Ketch_ F₄.

_bulk_] _hulk_ Grey conj.

[28] _Surely_] _Yet surely_ Pope. _Now, surely_ Seymour conj.

[29] _his self-drawing_] _his self-drawn_ Rowe (ed. 2) and Capell.

_himself drawing_ Theobald conj. _his self drawing_ Staunton. _'s

self-drawing_ Dyce (ed. 2). _his self-wrapping_ Bullock conj.]

_web, he gives us note_] Capell. _web, a' gives us note or web erecting

all The building of his greatness, he gives us note_ Id. conj. _web. O

gives us note_ F₁. _web. O! gives us note_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _web; this gives

us note_ Pope. _web. O! it gives us note_ Singer. _web,--O! give us

note!_--Knight. _web. O! this gives us note,_ Hunter conj. _web,--Oh,

give it note!_ Keightley.

[30] _gives for him, which buys_] _gives, which for him buys_ Hanmer.

_gives; which buys for him_ Warburton. _gives to him, which buys_

Johnson conj. _has given him buys for him_ Hunter conj. _gives him, and

which buys_ Collier MS. _gives: for him which buys_ Jervis conj.

[31] _that?... hell,_] Theobald (Warburton). _that, ... hell?_ Ff.

[32] _himself_] _himself now_ Keightley.

_Why_] _But why_ Hanmer. _And why_ Capell.

[33] _such To whom_] _such On whom_ Hanmer. _such Too, whom_ Capell.

_such, too, On whom_ Keightley (S. Walker conj.)

[34] _meant_] _means_ Dyce conj.

[35] _and ... papers._] Erased in Collier MS.

[36] _letter_] _letter only_ Hanmer.

[37] _council out, ... him in he_] _councell, out ... him in, he_ F₁

F₂. _council, out ... him in, he_ F₃. _council out ... him in, he_ F₄.

_council out) ... in him he_ Pope.

[38] _he papers_] _the papers_ Campbell. _he paupers_ Staunton conj.

_he prefers_ Keightley conj.

[39] _sicken'd_] _slacken'd_ Theobald conj.

[40] _'em_] _them_ Capell.

[41] _What_] _And what_ Capell conj.

_vanity_] _great vanity_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[42] _communication_] _the consummation_ Collier MS. _consummation_

Collier (ed. 2).

[43] _Bourdeaux_] F₄. _Burdeux_ F₁. _Burdeaux_ F₂ F₃.

[44] _a peace_] _peace_ F₄.

[45] _Like it_] _Like't_ Hanmer.

[46] _towards you_] F₁ _towards your_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _you_ Pope.

[47] _effect_] _affect_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[48] _advise_] _advice_ F₁.

[49] SCENE II. Pope. Wol.] Rowe. Car. Ff. (and throughout.)

[50] First Sec.] 1 Sec. Capell. Secr. Ff.

[51] _please_] _an't please_ F₃ F₄.

[52] _Well, ... look._] As in Ff. As prose in Rowe (ed. 1). In Rowe

(ed. 2), the lines end _more ... look. It is well, ... look._ Hanmer,

ending lines 117, 118, _an't please ... more._

[53] _this_] F₁ F₂. _his_ F₃ F₄.

Wolsey] Cardinall Ff.

[54] _venom-mouth'd_] Pope. _venome mouth'd_ Rowe. _venom'd-mouth'd_ Ff.

[55] _book_] _boche_ Becket conj. _brood_ Collier (Collier MS). _look_

Staunton conj. _brat_ Lettsom conj.

[56] _chafed_] _chaf'd_ F₃ F₄. _chaff'd_ F₁ F₂.

[57] Keightley ends the lines _reviled me, ... instant he._

[58] _bores_] _bords_ Becket conj.

_to the_] _to' th'_ F₁ F₂. _to th'_ F₃ F₄.

[59] _full-hot_] F₄. _full hot_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[60] _by_] _by our_ F₄.

[61] _In seeming to_] _Seeming t'_ S. Walker conj.

[62] _More_] om. Pope, ending lines 145, 146 at _be ... English._

[63] _name_] _blame_ Johnson conj.

[64] _July_] _Inly_ F₁.

_when_] _where_ Long MS.

[65] _for ... reciprocally_] Put in parentheses by Capell. (_for ...

perform't) ... reciprocally,_ Ff.

[66] _ravenous_] _ray'nous_ F₂.

[67] _rinsing_] Pope. _wrenching_ Ff. See note (I).

[68] _sir_] om. Seymour conj.

[69] _o' the_] _o' th'_ F₁ F₂. _oth'_ F₃ F₄.

[70] _Thus let_] F₁ F₂. _thus let it_ F₃ F₄. _let it_ Pope.

[71] _count-cardinal_] _court-cardinal_ Pope.

[72] _he_] om. F₁. _he therefore_ Capell.

[73] _trow_] F₃ F₄. _troa_ F₁ F₂.

[74] _thus_] _then_ S. Walker conj.

[75] _advantage._] _advantage,--_ Anon. conj.

[76] _he_] _you_ F₄.

[77] Brandon,] Marney, Capell conj.

[78] SCENE III. Pope.

[79] _Hereford_] Capell. _Hertford_ Ff.

[80] _lord_] _lord,_ [to Nor. Capell.

[81] Bran. _I ... Tower._] Nor. _I ... liberty._ Bran. _To look ...

Tower._ Anon. conj.

[82] _business present_] _business, present_ Deluis.

[83] _Abergavenny_] _Aburgany_ Ff.

_you_] _ye_ Rowe.

[84] [To Abergavenny.] Johnson.

[85] _Montacute_] _Mountacute_ Ff. _Montague_ Rowe.

[86] _Car_] _Court_ Warburton.

[87] _One_] _And_ Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald).

_chancellor,--_] Chappel. _chancellor._ Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald).

_councellour._ F₁ F₂. _counsellour._ F₃ F₄.

[88] _O_] om. Hanmer.

_Nicholas_] Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald, from Holinshed). _Michaell_ F₁ F₂

F₃. _Michael_ F₄.

[89] _Whose ... darkening_] _Whose figure, e'en this instant, clouds

jut on, Dark'ning_ Becket conj.

[90] _instant_] _upstart_ Jackson conj.

_puts on_] _puts out_ Rann (Theobald conj.) _pouts on_ Steevens conj.

[91] _By darkening_] _Bedarkening_ Steevens conj.

_lord_] Rowe. _lords_ Ff.

[92] SCENE II.] SCENE IV. Pope.

The same. The council-chamber.] The council-chamber. Theobald.

Cornets. Enter ...] Ff. See note (II).

[93] _give_] _gives_ F₃.

[94] _choked_] _check'd_ Keightley conj.

[95] _Buckingham's; in person_] Johnson. _Buckinghams, in person,_ Ff.

_Buckingham's in person,_ Rowe.

[96] _of_] om. F₂.

[97] within] F₁. with F₂ F₃ F₄.

Queen!] Queene, vsher'd by the Duke of Norfolke. Ff.

Enter ... Suffolk:] Enter the Queene, Norfolke and Suffolke: Ff. Enter

the Queen, usher'd by the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk. Warburton.

[98] _place_] _your place_ Theobald.

[99] _unconsider'd_] Pope. _unconsidered_ Ff.

[100] _few_] _few, to tell you_ Keightley.

[101] _hath_] _have_ F₄.

[102] _sides_] _tides_ Becket conj. _ties_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[103] _many_] _meiny_ Johnson conj.

_'longing_] F₄. _longing_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[104] _lord, ... others:_] F₄. _lord? ... others?_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[105] _Things that_] _The things_ Seymour conj.

_known alike_] _known, belike_ Collier (Theobald conj.)

[106] _bear 'em_] _bear them_ Capell.

[107] _or else_] _if not_ Seymour conj.

[108] _Is_] _In_ Pope (ed. 2).

[109] _compel_] Pope. _compels_ Ff.

[110] _their_] Ff. _all their_ Pope. _nay, their_ Capell. _that their_

Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

[111] _This_] _That_ Rowe. _Their_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[112] _business_] Hanmer (Warburton) and Southern conj. MS. _basenesse_

F₁ F₂ F₃. _baseness_ F₄.

[113] _learned_] _learn'd_ Keightley.

_of the judges_] Omitted by Capell.

[114] _ignorant_] om. Pope, reading as one line _If I'm traduc'd ...

know._

[115] _sick_] _such_ Keightley conj.

_interpreters, once weak ones_] _interpreters' conceivance_ Anon. conj.

_once_] Ff. _or_ Pope. _and_ Becket conj.

[116] _act_] _action_ Capell.

_shall_] om. Rowe (ed. 2) and Pope, who ends the line at _fear_.

[117] _carp'd_] _carped_ Pope.

[118] _we sit, or sit_] _we sir; Or sir_ F₂ F₃.

[119] _or sit State-statues_] Hanmer. _Or sit state-statues_ F₁ F₄,

ending the previous line at _we sit_.

[120] _done_] _that are done_ Hanmer.

_well,_] _well, my lord,_ or _well, lord cardinal,_ Keightley conj.

[121] _precedent_] _president_ Ff. (_ptesident_ F₂).

[122] _trembling_] _trebling_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[123] _lop_] _top_ Anon. conj.

[124] _root, thus_] Theobald (Warburton). _roote thus_ Ff (_root_ F₃

F₄).

[125] [To the Secretary] Rowe.

[126] _grieved_] _griev'd_ Rowe.

[127] SCENE V. Pope.

_I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[128] _run_] _one_ Collier MS.

King.] Quee. F₃.

[129] _learn'd ... rare_] _learn'd, a most rare_ Pope. _learned; a

rare_ Seymour conj.

[130] _never seek for_] _ne'er seek_ Ritson conj.

_Yet see_] Put in a separate line by Capell.

[131] _these so_] om. Pope, reading _Yet ... prove_ as one line.

[132] _complete_] _'complish'd_ Hanmer.

[133] _'mongst wonders ... ravish'd_] _with wonder, and whom we Almost

were ravish'd_ Johnson conj.

[134] _ravish'd listening_] _list'ning ravish'd_ Pope.

[135] _by us_] om. Pope.

[136] _The fore-recited_] _To force-recited_ Rowe (ed. 2). _To

fore-recited_ Pope.

[137] _him, every day_] Pope. _him; every day_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _him every

day_ F₄. _him every day_, Rowe.

[138] _he'll_] _he'd_ Pope.

[139] _Abergavenny_] _Aburgany_ Ff.

[140] _your highness_] _you_ Hanmer.

[141] _This_] _His_ Pope.

[142] _point. Not ... person_] _point: Not ... person_ Capell. _point,

Not ... wish to ... person_; Ff.

[143] _brought_] _wrought_ S. Walker conj.

[144] _Henton_] Ff. _Hopkins_ Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). _Hopkins'_

Keightley.

[145] _Henton_] Ff. _Hopkins_ Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald).

[146] _fear'd_] Pope. _feare_ F₁ F₂ _fear_ F₃ F₄.

[147] _Car_] _Court_ Warburton.

[148] _Whom after ... utter_] Ff. _Who (after ... utter)_ Pope.

[149] _confession's_] Theobald (from Holinshed). _commissions_ Ff.

_communion's_ Warburton conj. (withdrawn).

[150] _demure confidence_] _confidence demure_ Hanmer.

[151] _This_] _Thus_ F₄.

_nor's_] _nor his_ Capell.

[152] _To gain_] F₄. _To_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _For_ Steevens (1773, 1778). _To

win_ Grant White conj.

[153] _England._] Ff. _England--_ Rowe.

[154] _nobler_] F₁. _noble_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[155] _beseech_] F₁ F₂. _I beseech_ F₃ F₄.

[156] _Let him ... forward_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[157] _dangerous for him To ... until_] Capell. _dangerous For this

to ... untill_ Ff. _dang'rous For him to ... until_ Rowe. _dang'rous

For him to ruminate on this, until_ Pope. _dangerous From this to

ruminate on it so far, until_ Collier (Collier MS.) _dangerous From

this to ruminate on it, until_ Collier conj. _dangerous For him to

ruminate this so far, until_ Lettsom conj.

_for him_] om. Anon. conj.

[158] _Blomer_] Pope. _Blumer_ Ff (_Bulmer_ Holinshed).

[159] _I remember ... servant_] Arranged as in Pope. One line in Ff.

[160] _being_] _he being_ Pope.

_sworn servant_] _servant sworn_ Steevens (1793).

[161] _As to the Tower I thought_] _To the Tower, as I thought_ Hanmer.

_As I thought to the Tower_ Keightley.

_thought,_] _thought;_ Ff.

[162] _in's_] _in his_ Capell.

[163] _would_] _he would_ Hanmer.

[164] _prison?_] Rowe. _prison._ Ff.

[165] _'the duke his father'_] First marked as a quotation by Capell.

_'knife'_] First marked as a quotation by Capell.

[166] _night!_] _night,_ Theobald. _night_ Ff.

[167] _He's traitor_] _He is a daring traitor_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[168] SCENE III.] SCENE VI. Pope.

antechamber ...] apartment ... Theobald. Anti-room ... Capell.

Sands] Rowe. Sandys Ff.

Seymour conjectures that this Scene is interpolated by Ben Jonson.

[169] _Is't_] _Is it_ Steevens.

[170] _mysteries_] _mimick'ries_ Hanmer. _mockeries_ Warburton.

[171] _'em_] _them_ Malone.

[172] _late_] _last_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[173] _They ... take it_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[174] _never_] _ever_ Capell conj.

_saw 'em_] Pope. _see 'em_ Ff. _saw them_ Capell.

[175] _Or_] Verplanck. _And_ Pope. _A_ Ff.

_springhalt_] _stringhalt_ Hanmer (Theobald conj.)

_reign'd_] _rain'd_ F₁.

[176] _too_] F₄. _too'_ F₃. _too't_ F₁ F₂.

[177] _they've_] Pope. _th' have_ Ff.

Enter ...] Ff, after _Lovell_, line 16.

[178] _I'm ... monsieurs_] As in Pope. Two lines in Ff.

_I'm_] _I' me_ F₃.

[179] _Louvre_] Rowe. _Louure_ F₁ F₂. _Lovure_ F₃ F₄.

[180] _thereunto_] _thereupon_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[181] _renouncing clean_] _clean renouncing_ Pope.

[182] _blister'd_] _blistred_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _bolstred_ F₄.

_those_] _such_ Hanmer.

[183] _wear_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _wee_ F₁. _'oui'_ Anon. conj.

[184] _'em_] Capell. _them_ F₄. _him_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[185] _The ... going_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[186] _of 'em: now_] F₁ F₂ F₃. _'em: now_ F₄. _'em: now sirs,_ Pope.

[187] _Held_] Ff. _Hold_ Boswell.

[188] _yet._] Capell. _yet?_ Ff.

[189] _shall_] _shalt_ F₂.

[190] _were_] _are_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_a-going_] _a going_ Ff. _going_ Warburton.

[191] _That ... indeed_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[192] _dews fall_] _dew falls_ Rowe.

[193] _He ... him_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.

_has_] _ha's_ Ff. _h'as_ Rowe (ed. 2). _he has_ Capell.

_wherewithal: in him_] _wherewithal: in him,_ Theobald (Thirlby conj.)

_wherewithall in him;_ Ff.

[194] _way_] _sway_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[195] _They are_] _They're_ Pope.

_set_] _sent_ Collier MS.

[196] _But ... stays_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.

[197] SCENE IV.] SCENE VII. Pope.

A Hall in York Place.] Capell. York-house. Theobald.

Gentlemen] Gentlewomen. Steevens.

[198] _Ladies ... grace_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[199] _merry_] _merry,_ F₄. _merry:_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[200] _first, good_] F₁ F₂ F₃. _first good_ F₄. _first-good_ Theobald.

_fairs, good_ Mason conj. _feast, good_ Staunton conj. _just, good_

Grant White conj. _far as good_ Dyce, ed. 2 (Halliwell conj.) _thirst,

good_ Anon. conj.

_good wine_] _then good wine_ Hanmer.

[201] _you're_] Capell. _y'are_ Ff. _you are_ Steevens.

Sir Thomas Lovell.] Capell. Lovell. Ff.

[202] _You are_] _You're_ Pope.

[203] _makes_] _make_ Pope.

[204] [Seating himself between Anne Bullen, and another Lady. Capell.

[205] _He would_] _He'd_ Hanmer.

[Kisses her.] Steevens.

[206] _you're_] Capell. _y'are_ Ff. _you are_ Steevens.

[207] _cure_] _cue_ Rowe.

[208] _You're_] Capell. _Y'are_ Ff. _You are_ Steevens. _Ye're_ Dyce.

[209] _friend_] _fiend_ F₂.

[210] [Drinks.] Theobald. om. Ff.

[211] _beholding_] _beholden_ Pope.

_neighbours_] F₁. _neighbour_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[212] _You are ... Sands_] As one line, Boswell conj.

[213] _make_] _may make_ Hanmer. _may choose_ Capell. _can make_

Keightley.

[214] _thing--_] Rowe. _thing._ Ff.

[215] _they_] _that they_ Rowe (ed. 2). _how they_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[Drum ...] Ff (trumpets. F₄), after line 48. Trumpets within ... Capell.

[216] [Exit Servant.] Steevens. Exit an Att. Capell. om. Ff.

[217] Re-enter Servant.] Steevens. Re-enter an Attendant. Capell. Enter

a servant. Ff.

[218] _they've_] Collier. _th' have_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _they have_ F₄. _have_

Pope.

[219] _'em_] Ff. _them_ Malone.

[220] _the French tongue_] _the French-tongue_ F₄. _the French or their

tongue_ Anon. conj.

[221] [Exit ... attended.] Capell. om. Ff.

[222] _You have_] _You've_ Pope.

[223] _digestion_] F₁. _disgestion_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_and_] om. Seymour conj.

[224] _ye_] _you_ Capell.

the King and others] King and others. Ff. the King and twelve others.

Malone (from Holinshed).

shepherds] shepherds, with sixteen torch-bearers. Malone (from

Holinshed).

[225] _pray'd_] _pray'd me_ Collier, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

[226] _'em_] Ff. _them_ Capell.

[227] _They have_] _They've_ Pope.

[228] _They have ... pleasures_] As in Pope. As three lines in Ff,

ending _grace ... thankes ... pleasures_.

[229] [They choose ...] Choose Ladies, King and Anne Bullen. Ff (An.

F₁).

[230] _My lord_] _Good my lord_ Hanmer.

[231] _’em_] Ff. _them_ Malone.

[232] _from me_] _as from me_ Hanmer.

[233] [Whispers the Masquers] Capell. Whisper. Ff (after _it_, line 81).

[234] [Comes from his State. Capell.

[235] _Ye have_] _You have_ Rowe. _You've_ Pope.

[Unmasking] Capell. om. Ff.

[236] _now_] _you_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[237] _An’'t ... women_] As in Pope. As three lines in Ff, ending

_Grace ... Rochford ... women._

[238] _highness'_] _Highnesse_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _Highnesses_ F₄.

[239] _she is_] Ff. _she's_ Rowe.

[To Anne Bullen. Rowe.

[240] _merry, ... cardinal:_] Ff. _merry. Good ... cardinal,_ Warburton.

[241] _half_] om. Rowe (ed. 2).

[242] _knock it] strike_ Hanmer. Westminster ...] Edd. A Street.

Theobald. London ... Dyce.

ACT II.

SCENE I. _Westminster. A street._

_Enter two_ Gentlemen, _meeting_.[243]

_First Gent._ Whither away so fast?

_Sec. Gent._ O, God save ye![244]

Even to the hall, to hear what shall become[245]

Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

_First Gent._ I'll save you

That labour, sir. All's now done, but the ceremony

Of bringing back the prisoner.

_Sec. Gent._ Were you there? 5

_First Gent._ Yes, indeed was I.

_Sec. Gent._ Pray, speak what has happen'd.[246]

_First Gent._ You may guess quickly what.

_Sec. Gent._ Is he found guilty?

_First Gent._ Yes, truly is he, and condemn'd upon 't.[247]

_Sec. Gent._ I am sorry for 't.[248]

_First Gent._ So are a number more.

_Sec. Gent._ But, pray, how pass'd it? 10

_First Gent._ I'll tell you in a little. The great duke

Came to the bar; where to his accusations

He pleaded still not guilty and alleged[249]

Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.

The king's attorney on the contrary 15

Urged on the examinations, proofs, confessions[250]

Of divers witnesses; which the duke desired

To have brought viva voce to his face:[251]

At which appear'd against him his surveyor;

Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor; and John Car, 20

Confessor to him; with that devil monk,

Hopkins, that made this mischief.

_Sec. Gent._ That was he

That fed him with his prophecies?[252]

_First Gent._ The same.

All these accused him strongly; which he fain

Would have flung from him, but indeed he could not: 25

And so his peers upon this evidence

Have found him guilty of high treason. Much

He spoke, and learnedly, for life, but all

Was either pitied in him or forgotten.

_Sec. Gent._ After all this, how did he bear himself? 30

_First Gent._ When he was brought again to the bar, to hear

His knell rung out, his judgement, he was stirr'd

With such an agony, he sweat extremely[253]

And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty:

But he fell to himself again and sweetly 35

In all the rest show'd a most noble patience.

_Sec. Gent._ I do not think he fears death.

_First Gent._ Sure, he does not;

He never was so womanish; the cause

He may a little grieve at.

_Sec. Gent._ Certainly

The cardinal is the end of this.[254]

_First Gent._ 'Tis likely, 40

By all conjectures: first, Kildare's attainder,[255]

Then deputy of Ireland; who removed,

Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,

Lest he should help his father.

_Sec. Gent._ That trick of state

Was a deep envious one.[256]

_First Gent._ At his return 45

No doubt he will requite it. This is noted,

And generally, whoever the king favours,

The cardinal instantly will find employment,[257]

And far enough from court too.

_Sec. Gent._ All the commons

Hate him perniciously, and, o' my conscience, 50

Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much

They love and dote on; call him bounteous Buckingham,

The mirror of all courtesy--[258]

_First Gent._ Stay there, sir,

And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of.

_Enter_ BUCKINGHAM _from his arraignment, tipstaves before him,

the axe with the edge towards him, halberds on each side,

accompanied with_ SIR THOMAS LOVELL, SIR NICHOLAS VAUX, SIR

WALTER SANDS, _and common people, &c._[259]

_Sec. Gent._ Let's stand close, and behold him.

_Buck._ All good people,[260] 55

You that thus far have come to pity me,[261]

Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.

I have this day received a traitor's judgement,

And by that name must die: yet, heaven bear witness,

And if I have a conscience, let it sink me, 60

Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful!

The law I bear no malice for my death;[262]

'T has done upon the premisses but justice:[263]

But those that sought it I could wish more Christians:

Be what they will, I heartily forgive 'em:[264] 65

Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief,[264]

Nor build their evils on the graves of great men;[265]

For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em.

For further life in this world I ne'er hope,

Nor will I sue, although the king have mercies[266] 70

More than I dare make faults. You few that loved me[267]

And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,

His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave

Is only bitter to him, only dying,

Go with me, like good angels, to my end, 75

And, as the long divorce of steel falls on me,

Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice

And lift my soul to heaven. Lead on, o' God's name.[268]

_Lov._ I do beseech your grace, for charity,

If ever any malice in your heart 80

Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.[269]

_Buck._ Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you

As I would be forgiven: I forgive all;

There cannot be those numberless offences

'Gainst me, that I cannot take peace with: no black

envy[270][271][272][273] 85

Shall make my grave. Commend me to his grace,[270][272]

And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him

You met him half in heaven: my vows and prayers

Yet are the king's, and, till my soul forsake,[274]

Shall cry for blessings on him: may he live 90

Longer than I have time to tell his years!

Ever beloved and loving may his rule be![275]

And when old time shall lead him to his end,

Goodness and he fill up one monument!

_Lov._ To the water side I must conduct your grace; 95

Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,

Who undertakes you to your end.

_Vaux._ Prepare there;

The duke is coming: see the barge be ready,

And fit it with such furniture as suits

The greatness of his person.

_Buck._ Nay, Sir Nicholas, 100

Let it alone; my state now will but mock me.[276]

When I came hither, I was lord high constable

And Duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun:[277]

Yet I am richer than my base accusers,

That never knew what truth meant: I now seal it; 105

And with that blood will make 'em one day groan for't.

My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,

Who first raised head against usurping Richard,

Flying for succour to his servant Banister,

Being distress'd, was by that wretch betray'd, 110

And without trial fell; God's peace be with him!

Henry the Seventh succeeding, truly pitying

My father's loss, like a most royal prince,

Restored me to my honours, and out of ruins

Made my name once more noble. Now his son, 115

Henry the Eighth, life, honour, name and all[278]

That made me happy, at one stroke has taken

For ever from the world. I had my trial,

And must needs say, a noble one; which makes me

A little happier than my wretched father: 120

Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both[279]

Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most;[280]

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: 125

Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels

Be sure you be not loose; for those you make friends[281]

And give your hearts to, when they once perceive

The least rub in your fortunes, fall away

Like water from ye, never found again 130

But where they mean to sink ye. All good people,[282]

Pray for me! I must now forsake ye: the last hour[283]

Of my long weary life is come upon me.[284]

Farewell:[285]

And when you would say something that is sad,[284][286] 135

Speak how I fell. I have done; and God forgive me![287]

[_Exeunt Duke and Train._

_First Gent._ O, this is full of pity! Sir, it calls,

I fear, too many curses on their heads

That were the authors.

_Sec. Gent._ If the duke be guiltless,

'Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling 140

Of an ensuing evil, if it fall,

Greater than this.

_First Gent._ Good angels keep it from us!

What may it be? You do not doubt my faith, sir?[288]

_Sec. Gent._ This secret is so weighty, 'twill require

A strong faith to conceal it.

_First Gent._ Let me have it; 145

I do not talk much.

_Sec. Gent._ I am confident;

You shall, sir: did you not of late days hear

A buzzing of a separation

Between the king and Katharine?

_First Gent._ Yes, but it held not:[289]

For when the king once heard it, out of anger 150

He sent command to the lord mayor straight[290]

To stop the rumour and allay those tongues

That durst disperse it.

_See. Gent._ But that slander, sir,

Is found a truth now: for it grows again[291]

Fresher than e'er it was, and held for certain 155

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; 160

As all think, for this business.

_First Gent._ '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.

_Sec. Gent._ I think you have hit the mark: but is't not

cruel[292] 165

That she should feel the smart of this? The cardinal

Will have his will, and she must fall.

_First Gent._ 'Tis woeful.

We are too open here to argue this;

Let's think in private more. [_Exeunt._[293]

SCENE II. _An ante-chamber in the palace._

_Enter the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN, _reading a letter_.[294]

_Cham._ 'My lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with all the[295]

care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. They were[295]

young and handsome, and of the best breed in the north. When they[295]

were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by[295]

commission and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason:

His[295][296] 5

master would be served before a subject, if not before the king; which[295]

stopped our mouths, sir.'[295][297]

I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them:[298]

He will have all, I think.[298]

_Enter to the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN, _the_ DUKES OF NORFOLK _and_

SUFFOLK.

_Nor._ Well met, my lord chamberlain.[299] 10

_Cham._ Good day to both your graces.

_Suf._ How is the king employ'd?

_Cham._ I left him private,

Full of sad thoughts and troubles.

_Nor._ What's the cause?

_Cham._ It seems the marriage with his brother's wife

Has crept too near his conscience.

_Suf._ No, his conscience 15

Has crept too near another lady.

_Nor._ 'Tis so:

This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal:[300]

That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune,

Turns what he list. The king will know him one day.[301]

_Suf._ Pray God he do! he'll never know himself else.[302] 20

_Nor._ How holily he works in all his business![303]

And with what zeal! for, now he has crack'd the league

Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew.[304]

He dives into the king's soul, and there scatters

Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,[305] 25

Fears and despairs; and all these for his marriage:[306]

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, 30

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?

_Cham._ Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'Tis most true 35

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,[307]

The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open

The king's eyes that so long have slept upon 40

This bold bad man.

_Suf._ And free us from his slavery.

_Nor._ We had need pray,

And heartily, for our deliverance;[308]

Or this imperious man will work us all

From princes into pages: all men's honours 45

Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd[309]

Into what pitch he please.[310]

_Suf._ 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 50

Touch me alike; they're breath I not believe in.[311]

I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him

To him that made him proud, the pope.

_Nor._ Let's in;

And with some other business put the king

From these sad thoughts that work too much upon him: 55

My lord, you'll bear us company?

_Cham._ Excuse me;

The king has sent me otherwhere: besides,

You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him:[312]

Health to your lordships.

_Nor._ Thanks, my good lord chamberlain.

[_Exit Lord Chamberlain; and the King

draws the curtain and sits reading

pensively._[313]

_Suf._ How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted.[314] 60

_King._ Who's there, ha?

_Nor._ Pray God he be not angry.[315]

_King._ Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves

Into my private meditations?

Who am I? ha?

_Nor._ A gracious king that pardons all offences 65

Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty this way

Is business of estate, in which we come

To know your royal pleasure.

_King._ Ye are too bold:[316]

Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business:

Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha? 70

_Enter_ WOLSEY _and_ CAMPEIUS, _with a commission_.[317]

Who's there? my good lord cardinal? O my Wolsey,

The quiet of my wounded conscience,

Thou art a cure fit for a king. [_To Camp._] You're welcome,[318]

Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom:

Use us and it. [_To Wols._] My good lord, have great care[319] 75

I be not found a talker.

_Wol._ Sir, you cannot.

I would your grace would give us but an hour

Of private conference.

_King._ [_To Nor. and Suf._] We are busy; go.

_Nor._ [_Aside to Suf._] This priest has no pride in him?[320]

_Suf._ [_Aside to Nor._] Not to speak of:[321][322]

I would not be so sick though for his place:[321] 80

But this cannot continue.[321][323]

_Nor._ [_Aside to Suf._] If it do,[321][323]

I'll venture one have-at-him.[324]

_Suf._ [_Aside to Nor._] I another.

[_Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk._

_Wol._ Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom[325]

Above all princes, in committing freely

Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: 85

Who can be angry now? what envy reach you?

The Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her,

Must now confess, if they have any goodness,

The trial just and noble. All the clerks,

I mean the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms[326] 90

Have their free voices: Rome, the nurse of judgement,[327]

Invited by your noble self, hath sent

One general tongue unto us, this good man,

This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius;[328]

Whom once more I present unto your highness. 95

_King._ And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome,

And thank the holy conclave for their loves:

They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for.[329]

_Cam._ Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves,

You are so noble. To your highness' hand 100

I tender my commission; by whose virtue,

The court of Rome commanding, you, my lord[330]

Cardinal of York, are join'd with me their servant

In the impartial judging of this business.

_King._ Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted 105

Forthwith for what you come. Where's Gardiner?

_Wol._ I know your majesty has always loved her

So dear in heart, not to deny her that[331]

A woman of less place might ask by law,

Scholars allow'd freely to argue for her. 110

_King._ Ay, and the best she shall have; and my favour

To him that does best: God forbid else. Cardinal,

Prithee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary:

I find him a fit fellow. [_Exit_ Wolsey.

_Re-enter_ WOLSEY, _with_ GARDINER.[332]

_Wol._ [_Aside to Gard._] Give me your hand: much joy

and favour to you;[333] 115

You are the king's now.

_Gard._ [_Aside to Wol._] But to be commanded[333]

For ever by your grace, whose hand has raised me.

_King._ Come hither, Gardiner. [_Walks and whispers._[334]

_Cam._ My Lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace

In this man's place before him?

_Wol._ Yes, he was. 120

_Cam._ Was he not held a learned man?

_Wol._ Yes, surely.

_Cam._ Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread then,

Even of yourself, lord cardinal.

_Wol._ How! of me?

_Cam._ They will not stick to say you envied him,

And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous, 125

Kept him a foreign man still; which so grieved him

That he ran mad and died.

_Wol._ Heaven's peace be with him!

That's Christian care enough: for living murmurers

There's places of rebuke. He was a fool;

For he would needs be virtuous: that good fellow, 130

If I command him, follows my appointment:

I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother,

We live not to be grip'd by meaner persons.

_King._ Deliver this with modesty to the queen.

[_Exit Gardiner._

The most convenient place that I can think of 135

For such receipt of learning is Black-Friars;

There ye shall meet about this weighty business.

My Wolsey, see it furnish'd. O, my lord,

Would it not grieve an able man to leave

So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience! 140

O, 'tis a tender place; and I must leave her. [_Exeunt._

SCENE III. _An ante-chamber of the Queen's apartments._[335]

_Enter_ ANNE BULLEN _and an old_ Lady.

_Anne._ Not for that neither: here's the pang that pinches:

His highness having lived so long with her, and she[336]

So good a lady that no tongue could ever

Pronounce dishonour of her--by my life,

She never knew harm-doing--O, now, after 5

So many courses of the sun enthroned,

Still growing in a majesty and pomp, the which[337][338]

To leave a thousand-fold more bitter than[337]

'Tis sweet at first to acquire--after this process,[337]

To give her the avaunt! it is a pity 10

Would move a monster.

_Old L._ Hearts of most hard temper

Melt and lament for her.

_Anne._ O, God's will! much better[339]

She ne'er had known pomp: though 't be temporal,

Yet, if that quarrel, fortune, do divorce[340]

It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance panging 15

As soul and body's severing.

_Old L._ Alas, poor lady![341]

She's a stranger now again.[342]

_Anne._ So much the more

Must pity drop upon her. Verily,

I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born

And range with humble livers in content 20

Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief

And wear a golden sorrow.

_Old L._ Our content

Is our best having.

_Anne._ By my troth and maidenhead,

I would not be a queen.

_Old L._ Beshrew me, I would,

And venture maidenhead for't; and so would you, 25

For all this spice of your hypocrisy:

You, that have so fair parts of woman on you,

Have too a woman's heart; which ever yet

Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty;

Which, to say sooth, are blessings; and which gifts-- 30

Saving your mincing--the capacity

Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive,[343]

If you might please to stretch it.

_Anne._ Nay, good troth.[344]

_Old L._ Yes, troth, and troth; you would not be a queen?

_Anne._ No, not for all the riches under heaven. 35

_Old L._ 'Tis strange: a three-pence bow'd would hire me,[345]

Old as I am, to queen it: but, I pray you,

What think you of a duchess? have you limbs

To bear that load of title?

_Anne._ No, in truth.

_Old L._ Then you are weakly made: pluck off a little;[346] 40

I would not be a young count in your way,

For more than blushing comes to: if your back

Cannot vouchsafe this burthen, 'tis too weak

Ever to get a boy.

_Anne._ How you do talk![347]

I swear again, I would not be a queen 45

For all the world.

_Old L._ In faith, for little England

You'ld venture an emballing: I myself[348]

Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd[349]

No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here?

_Enter the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN.

_Cham._ Good morrow, ladies. What were't worth to know 50

The secret of your conference?

_Anne._ My good lord,

Not your demand; it values not your asking:

Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying.

_Cham._ It was a gentle business, and becoming

The action of good women: there is hope 55

All will be well.

_Anne._ Now, I pray God, amen!

_Cham._ You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings

Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,

Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's[350]

Ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty 60

Commends his good opinion of you, and[351]

Does purpose honour to you no less flowing

Than Marchioness of Pembroke; to which title

A thousand pound a year, annual support,[352]

Out of his grace he adds.

_Anne._ I do not know 65

What kind of my obedience I should tender;[353]

More than my all is nothing: nor my prayers[354]

Are not words duly hallow'd, nor my wishes

More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers and wishes[355]

Are all I can return. Beseech your lordship, 70

Vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience,

As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness,

Whose health and royalty I pray for.

_Cham._ Lady,

I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit[356]

The king hath of you. [_Aside_] I have perused her well;[357] 75

Beauty and honour in her are so mingled[357]

That they have caught the king: and who knows yet[357]

But from this lady may proceed a gem[357]

To lighten all this isle?--I'll to the king,[357]

And say I spoke with you.[357]

_Anne._ My honour'd lord. 80

[_Exit Lord Chamberlain._[358]

_Old L._ Why, this it is; see, see!

I have been begging sixteen years in court,

Am yet a courtier beggarly, nor could[359]

Come pat betwixt too early and too late

For any suit of pounds; and you, O fate! 85

A very fresh fish here--fie, fie, fie upon[360]

This compell'd fortune!--have your mouth fill'd up

Before you open it.

_Anne._ This is strange to me.

_Old L._ How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no.[361]

There was a lady once, 'tis an old story,[362] 90

That would not be a queen, that would she not,

For all the mud in Egypt: have you heard it?

_Anne._ Come, you are pleasant.

_Old L._ With your theme, I could

O'ermount the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke!

A thousand pounds a year for pure respect! 95

No other obligation! By my life,[363]

That promises moe thousands: honour's train[364]

Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time

I know your back will bear a duchess: say,

Are you not stronger than you were?

_Anne._ Good lady, 100

Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy,

And leave me out on't. Would I had no being,

If this salute my blood a jot: it faints me,[365]

To think what follows.

The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful 105

In our long absence: pray, do not deliver

What here you've heard to her.

_Old L._ What do you think me?[366]

[_Exeunt._

SCENE IV. _A hall in Black-Friars._

_Trumpets, sennet and cornets. Enter two_ Vergers, _with short

silver wands; next them, two_ Scribes, _in the habit of

doctors; after them, the_ ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY _alone;

after him, the_ BISHOPS OF LINCOLN, ELY, ROCHESTER, _and_

Saint ASAPH; _next them, with some small distance, follows

a_ Gentleman _bearing the purse, with the great seal, and a

cardinal's hat; then two_ Priests, _bearing each a silver

cross; then a_ Gentleman Usher _bare-headed, accompanied

with a_ Sergeant at arms _bearing a silver mace; then two_

Gentlemen _bearing two great silver pillars; after them,

side by side, the two_ CARDINALS; _two_ Noblemen _with the

sword and mace. The_ KING _takes place under the cloth of

state; the two_ CARDINALS _sit under him as judges. The_

QUEEN _takes place some distance from the_ KING. _The_

BISHOPS _place themselves on each side the court, in manner

of a consistory; below them, the_ Scribes. _The_ LORDS _sit

next the_ BISHOPS. _The rest of the_ Attendants _stand in

convenient order about the stage_.[367]

_Wol._ Whilst our commission from Rome is read,

Let silence be commanded.

_King._ What's the need?

It hath already publicly been read,

And on all sides the authority allow'd;

You may then spare that time.

_Wol._ Be't so. Proceed. 5

_Scribe._ Say, Henry King of England, come into the

court.

_Crier._ Henry King of England, &c.

_King._ Here.

_Scribe._ Say, Katharine Queen of England, come into[368] 10

the court.[368]

_Crier._ Katharine Queen of England, &c.

[_The Queen makes no answer, rises out of her

chair, goes about the court, comes to the

King, and kneels at his feet; then speaks._

_Q. Kath._ Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,[369]

And to bestow your pity on me; for

I am a most poor woman and a stranger, 15

Born out of your dominions; having here

No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance[370]

Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,

In what have I offended you? what cause

Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure, 20

That thus you should proceed to put me off

And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness,

I have been to you a true and humble wife,[371]

At all times to your will conformable,

Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, 25

Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry

As I saw it inclined: when was the hour[372]

I ever contradicted your desire,

Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends[373]

Have I not strove to love, although I knew 30

He were mine enemy? what friend of mine[374]

That had to him derived your anger, did I

Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice[375]

He was from thence discharged? Sir, call to mind[376]

That I have been your wife, in this obedience, 35

Upward of twenty years, and have been blest

With many children by you: if in the course

And process of this time you can report,

And prove it too, against mine honour aught,

My bond to wedlock or my love and duty,[377][378] 40

Against your sacred person, in God's name,[378]

Turn me away, and let the foul'st contempt[379]

Shut door upon me, and so give me up

To the sharp'st kind of justice. Please you, sir,[380]

The king, your father, was reputed for 45

A prince most prudent, of an excellent[381]

And unmatch'd wit and judgement: Ferdinand,

My father, king of Spain, was reckon'd one

The wisest prince that there had reign'd by many

A year before: it is not to be question'd 50

That they had gather'd a wise council to them

Of every realm, that did debate this business,

Who deem'd our marriage lawful: wherefore I humbly[382][383]

Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may[383]

Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel 55

I will implore: if not, i' the name of God,

Your pleasure be fulfill'd!

_Wol._ You have here, lady,

And of your choice, these reverend fathers; men

Of singular integrity and learning,

Yea, the elect o' the land, who are assembled 60

To plead your cause: it shall be therefore bootless

That longer you desire the court, as well[384]

For your own quiet, as to rectify

What is unsettled in the king.

_Cam._ His grace

Hath spoken well and justly: therefore, madam, 65

It's fit this royal session do proceed,

And that without delay their arguments

Be now produced and heard.

_Q. Kath._ Lord cardinal,[385]

To you I speak.[385]

_Wol._ Your pleasure, madam?

_Q. Kath._ Sir,[386][387]

I am about to weep; but, thinking that[386] 70

We are a queen, or long have dream'd so, certain

The daughter of a king, my drops of tears

I'll turn to sparks of fire.

_Wol._ Be patient yet.[388]

_Q. Kath._ I will, when you are humble; nay, before,

Or God will punish me. I do believe,[389] 75

Induced by potent circumstances, that

You are mine enemy, and make my challenge[390]

You shall not be my judge: for it is you

Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me;

Which God's dew quench! Therefore I say again, 80

I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul

Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more,

I hold my most malicious foe and think not

At all a friend to truth.

_Wol._ I do profess

You speak not like yourself; who ever yet 85

Have stood to charity and display'd the effects

Of disposition gentle and of wisdom

O'ertopping woman's power. Madam, you do me wrong:[391]

I have no spleen against you, nor injustice

For you or any: how far I have proceeded,[392] 90

Or how far further shall, is warranted[393]

By a commission from the consistory,

Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me

That I have blown this coal: I do deny it:

The king is present: if it be known to him[394] 95

That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,[395]

And worthily, my falsehood! yea, as much

As you have done my truth. If he know[396]

That I am free of your report, he knows

I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him 100

It lies to cure me; and the cure is to

Remove these thoughts from you: the which before

His highness shall speak in, I do beseech

You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking

And to say so no more.[397]

_Q. Kath._ My lord, my lord, 105

I am a simple woman, much too weak

To oppose your cunning. You're meek and humble-mouth'd;[398]

You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,

With meekness and humility; but your heart

Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.[399] 110

You have, by fortune and his highness' favours,[400]

Gone slightly o'er low steps and now are mounted[401]

Where powers are your retainers, and your words,[402]

Domestics to you, serve your will as't please

Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you, 115

You tender more your person's honour than

Your high profession spiritual; that again

I do refuse you for my judge, and here,

Before you all, appeal unto the pope,

To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness, 120

And to be judged by him.

[_She curtsies to the King, and offers to depart._

_Cam._ The queen is obstinate,

Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it and

Disdainful to be tried by't: 'tis not well.

She's going away.

_King._ Call her again. 125

_Crier._ Katharine Queen of England, come into the court.

_Gent. Ush._ Madam, you are call'd back.[403]

_Q. Kath._ What need you note it? pray you, keep your way:

When you are call'd, return. Now the Lord help![404]

They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on: 130

I will not tarry, no, nor ever more

Upon this business my appearance make

In any of their courts. [_Exeunt Queen, and her Attendants._[405]

_King._ Go thy ways, Kate:

That man i' the world who shall report he has

A better wife, let him in nought be trusted,[406] 135

For speaking false in that: thou art, alone,

If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness,

Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,

Obeying in commanding, and thy parts

Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out,[407] 140

The queen of earthly queens. She's noble born,

And like her true nobility she has

Carried herself towards me.

_Wol._ Most gracious sir,

In humblest manner I require your highness,

That it shall please you to declare in hearing 145

Of all these ears--for where I am robb'd and bound,

There must I be unloosed, although not there[408]

At once and fully satisfied--whether ever I[409]

Did broach this business to your highness, or

Laid any scruple in your way which might 150

Induce you to the question on't? or ever

Have to you, but with thanks to God for such

A royal lady, spake one the least word that might[410]

Be to the prejudice of her present state[411]

Or touch of her good person?

_King._ My lord cardinal, 155

I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour,

I free you from't. You are not to be taught

That you have many enemies that know not

Why they are so, but, like to village-curs,[412]

Bark when their fellows do: by some of these 160

The queen is put in anger. You're excused:[413]

But will you be more justified? you ever

Have wish'd the sleeping of this business, never desired[414]

It to be stirr'd, but oft have hinder'd, oft,[414]

The passages made toward it: on my honour,[415] 165

I speak my good lord cardinal to this point,[416]

And thus far clear him. Now, what moved me to't,[417]

I will be bold with time and your attention:

Then mark the inducement. Thus it came; give heed to't:

My conscience first received a tenderness, 170

Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter'd

By the Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador;[418]

Who had been hither sent on the debating

A marriage 'twixt the Duke of Orleans and[419]

Our daughter Mary: i' the progress of this business, 175

Ere a determinate resolution, he,

I mean the bishop, did require a respite,[420]

Wherein he might the king his lord advertise

Whether our daughter were legitimate,

Respecting this our marriage with the dowager, 180

Sometimes our brother's wife. This respite shook[421]

The bosom of my conscience, enter'd me,[422]

Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble[423]

The region of my breast; which forced such way

That many mazed considerings did throng 185

And press'd in with this caution. First, methought

I stood not in the smile of heaven, who had[424]

Commanded nature that my lady's womb,

If it conceived a male-child by me, should

Do no more offices of life to't than 190

The grave does to the dead; for her male issue

Or died where they were made, or shortly after

This world had air'd them: hence I took a thought,

This was a judgement on me, that my kingdom,

Well worthy the best heir o' the world, should not 195

Be gladded in't by me: then follows that[425]

I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in[426]

By this my issue's fail; and that gave to me

Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in[427]

The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer 200

Toward this remedy whereupon we are[428]

Now present here together; that's to say,

I meant to rectify my conscience, which

I then did feel full sick and yet not well,

By all the reverend fathers of the land 205

And doctors learn'd. First I began in private

With you, my Lord of Lincoln; you remember

How under my oppression I did reek,[429]

When I first moved you.

_Lin._ Very well, my liege.

_King._ I have spoke long: be pleased yourself to say 210

How far you satisfied me.

_Lin._ So please your highness,

The question did at first so stagger me,

Bearing a state of mighty moment in't

And consequence of dread, that I committed

The daring'st counsel which I had to doubt, 215

And did entreat your highness to this course[430]

Which you are running here.

_King._ I then moved you,

My Lord of Canterbury, and got your leave

To make this present summons: unsolicited[431]

I left no reverend person in this court; 220

But by particular consent proceeded

Under your hands and seals: therefore, go on;

For no dislike i' the world against the person

Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points[432]

Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward:[433] 225

Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life

And kingly dignity, we are contented

To wear our mortal state to come with her,

Katharine our queen, before the primest creature

That's paragon'd o' the world.[434]

_Cam._ So please your highness, 230

The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness

That we adjourn this court till further day:[435]

Meanwhile must be an earnest motion

Made to the queen, to call back her appeal

She intends unto his holiness.

_King._ [_Aside_] I may perceive[436][437] 235

These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor[437]

This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.[437][438]

My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cranmer,[437][439]

Prithee, return; with thy approach, I know,[437][440]

My comfort comes along.--Break up the court:[437] 240

I say, set on.

[_Exeunt in manner as they entered._

FOOTNOTES:

[243] meeting.] Capell. at severall Doores. Ff.

[244] _fast?_] _fast, sir?_ Capell.

_O,_] _O sir,_ Pope.

_ye_] _you_ Capell. _you, sir_ Keightley.

[245] _Even_] _Ev'n_ Ff.

[246] _happen'd._] _happened._ Rowe (ed. 2). _happen'd?_ Pope.

[247] _Yes ... upon 't._] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[248] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[249] _not_] _nor_ F₂.

[250] _the_] om. Pope.

[251] _have_] F₄. _him_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[252] _prophecies?_] Capell. _prophecies._ Ff.

[253] _sweat_] _swet_ Dyce.

[254] _the end_] _at the end_ Long MS.

[255] _attainder_] _attendure_ F₁ F₂. _attaindure_ F₃ F₄.

[256] _deep envious_] _deep-envious_ Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

[257] _instantly ... employment_] _instantly ... employment_ for F₄.

will _find employment for_ Hanmer.

[258] _courtesy--_] _courtesy;--_ Steevens. _courtesie._ Ff.

[259] _Enter ..._] Ff (after _courtesie_, line 53). Transposed by

Capell.

Sir Walter Sands,] F₁. Walter Sands, F₂ F₃ F₄. Sir William Sands,

Theobald (from Holinshed).

[260] SCENE II. Pope.

[261] _far_] _farre_ F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[262] _The law_] F₁ F₂. _To th' law_ F₃ F₄.

[263] _'T has_] F₃ F₄. _T' has_ F₁ F₂. _It has_ Malone.

[264] _'em_] _them_ Malone.

[265] _evils_] _evies_ Grey conj.

[266] _have_] _hath_ or has Seymour conj.

[267] _More ... me_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.

_dare_] _could_ or _durst_ Delius conj.

[268] _And ... name_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

_o'_] Theobald. a Ff.

[269] _to_] om. Pope.

[270] _'Gainst ... grace,_] Two lines in Pope. Three lines, ending

_with: ... grave ... grace:_ in Ff.

[271] _that I cannot_] _I can't_] Pope. _that I can't_ Malone.

[272] _take ... make_] take ... _mark_ Hanmer (Warburton). _make ...

take_ Johnson conj. _take ... shake_ Heath conj.

[273] _no black ... grave_] _no! black ... grave_ Anon. conj. (Gent.

Mag.) _With no black envy shall I make my grave_ Martley conj., reading

as a separate line.

[274] _forsake_] _forsake me_ F₄.

Keightley conjectures that a line is lost here.

[275] _may ... be_] _be his rule_ Seymour conj.

[276] _now will_] _will now_ Whalley conj.

[277] _Bohun_] _Stafford_ Peck conj.

[278] _life, honour, name_] _name, honour, life_ Pope.

[279] _we are_] F₁ F₂. _are we_ F₃ F₄.

_fortunes_] _fortune_ Rowe.

[280] _most_] om. Pope.

[281] _for_] om. Pope.

[282] _where_] _when_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[283] _now forsake_] _leave_ Pope.

[284] _long weary_] _long-weary_ S. Walker conj.

[285] _Farewell: ... sad,_] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[286] _that is_] om. Pope, reading 134, 135 as one line.

[287] _Speak ... me!_] Two lines in Ff. One line in Pope, reading

_I've_ for _I have_.

[288] _What_] _Where_ Reed (1803).

[289] _Yes,_] om. Hanmer.

[290] _to_] _unto_ S. Walker conj.

[291] _found a_] F₁ F₂. _a sound_ F₃ F₄.

[292] _I think ... cruel_] As two lines, the first ending _think_, in

Ff. one line in Pope, reading _you've_ for _you have_.

_is't_] _is it_ Delius.

[293] _think_] _talk_ Anon conj.

[294] SCENE II.] SCENE III. Pope

An ante-chamber ...] Theobald.

the Lord] Lord. Ff.

a letter.] Rowe. this letter. Ff.

[295] _My lord ... sir._] S. Walker would read _horse_ for _horses_,

_sent me_ for _sent_, _o' th'_ for _of the_, _o' the'_ for _in the_,

_them_ for _'em,_ and print as nine verses, ending _me for_, ...

_chosen_, ... _handsome_, ... _north_, ... _London_, ...

_commission_, ... _reason_, ... _subject_, ... _sir_.

[296] _commission_] _compulsion_ Long MS.

[297] _sir_] om. Collier MS.

[298] _I fear ... think._] As verse first by Theobald. As prose in Ff.

[299] _my lord_] _my good lord_ Hanmer, reading _He ... good Lord ...

graces_ as two lines.

[300] _doing, ... cardinal:_] _doing; ... cardinal:_ Rowe. _doing: ...

cardinall_, Ff.

[301] _list_] _lists_ Theobald.

[302] _Pray ... else_] As in Pope. Two lines in Ff.

[303] _his_] _this_ Capell.

[304] _Between_] _'Tween_ Pope.

_great nephew_] _nephew_ Seymour] conj. _great-nephew_ Dyce.

[305] _Dangers, doubts,_] _Doubts, dangers,_ Pope.

_doubts, wringing_] _doubts wringing_ Anon. conj.

_wringing_] _wringings_ Anon. conj.

[306] _despairs_] _despair_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[307] _this_] _his_ F₄.

[308] _our_] om. Pope, reading _We ... deliv'rance_ as one line.

[309] _like_] _in_ Steevens.

[310] _Into_] _E'en to_ Lettsom conj.

_pitch_] _pinch_ Hanmer (Warburton).

_batch_ Theobald conj.

[311] _they're_] Pope. _th' are_ Ff. _they are_ Capell.

[312] _find_] F₃ F₄. _finde_ F₁ F₂. _find 't_ Anon. conj.

[313] and ... pensively.] Ff. The Scene draws, and discovers the King

sitting and reading pensively. Rowe. They go towards the Door: Door

opens; and the King is discover'd, sitting to a Table, pensively,

and reading. Capell. Norfolk opens a folding-door. The King is

discovered.... Malone.

[314] SCENE IV. Warburton. Pope and Hanmer continue the scene by

mistake.

[315] _Pray_] _I pray_ Capell.

[316] _Ye are_] _You're_ Capell. _You are_ Steevens.

[317] _and ... commission._] with Campeius. Capell.

Campeius,] Campeius the Pope's Legat, Rowe.

[318] _a king_] F₁. _the king_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[To Camp.] Theobald.

[319] [To Wols.] Johnson.

[320] [To Nor. and Suf.] Theobald.

[321] The 'Asides' first marked by Capell.

[322] _him?_] _him._ Collier. _him!_ Delius.

[323] _If ... him._] Arranged as in Pope. As one line in Ff.

[324] _one have-at-him._] Dyce and Staunton. _one; have at him._ F₁.

_one heave at him._ F₂ F₃ F₄. _one;--have at him._ Knight.

[325] _precedent_] F₄. _president_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[326] _I ... ones, in ... kingdoms_] Theobald. (_I ... ones in ...

kingdomes_) Ff.

[327] _Have_] _Gave_ Grant White. _voices:_] _voyces._ or _voices._ Ff.

_voice._ Rowe (ed. 2). _voices_--Knight.

[328] _learned_] _learn'd_ Anon. conj.

_Cardinal_] _Cardnall_ F₁.

[329] _They have_] _They've_ Pope.

[330] _commanding, you_] F₄. _commanding._ _You_ F₁. _commanding:_

_You_ F₂ F₃.

[331] _So_] _Too_ Keightley conj.

_that_] _that,_ F₄. _what_ Pope.

[332] [Exit Wolsey. Re-enter ...] Capell. Cardinal goes out and

re-enters with Gardiner. Johnson. Enter Gardiner. Ff.

[333] The 'Asides' first marked by Capell.

[334] [Walks and whispers.] Ff. Talk apart. Capell.

[335] SCENE III.] SCENE V. Pope.

An ante-chamber ...] Theobald.

[336] _having_] om. Pope.

[337] See note (III).

[338] _a majesty_] _majesty_ Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

[339] _O,_] _Oh_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _O'_ F₄.

[340] _that quarrel_] _that quarr'ler_ Hanmer. _that quarr'lous_

Warburton conj. (withdrawn). _at quarrel_ Mason conj. _that queller_

Jackson conj. _that_ _squirrel_ Staunton conj.

_quarrel, fortune, do_] _quarrell. Fortune, do_ F₁. _quarrel fortune

to_ Steevens conj. _carle, ill-fortune, do_ Becket conj. _cruel fortune

do_ Collier (Collier MS.) _quarrel, by fortune_ Keightley. _fortune's

quarrel do_ Lettsom conj.

[341] _Alas_] _Ah_ Pope.

[342] _a stranger_] F₁. _stranger_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[343] _cheveril_] Theobald. _chiverell_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _chiverel_ F₄.

[344] _good troth_] Ff. _good troth--_ Rowe.

[345] _bow'd_] _bowed_ Reed (1803).

_would_] F₁. _now would_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[346] _off_] _up_ Johnson conj.

[347] _you do_] _do you_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[348] _You'ld_] F₁. _you'l_ F₂. _you'll_ F₃ F₄.

_emballing_] _empalling_ Malone conj. _embalming_ Whalley conj.

_empaling_ Jackson conj.

[349] _although there 'long'd_] _though there belong'd_ Pope.

[350] _and high note's_] Theobald. _and high notes_ Ff. _and high note

is_ Hanmer. _an high note's_ Johnson. _and that high note's_ Capell.

[351] _of you_] Capell. _of you, to you_ Ff. _to you_ Pope.

[352] _pound_] _pounds_ Theobald.

[353] _kind_] _sign_ or _hint_ Anon. conj.

[354] _is_] _which is_ Warburton.

_nor_] _for_ Pope.

[355] _empty_] om. Pope.

[356] _approve_] _improve_ Collier MS.

[357] [Aside] Pope.

[358] [Exit....] Exit.... Ff (after _you._).

[359] _nor_] _ne'er_ Anon. conj.

[360] _fie, fie, fie_] _fie, fie_ Pope.

[361] _bitter?... pence_] _not bitter for thy sense_ Jackson conj.

_forty pence_] _for two pence_ Roderick conj. _for fi' pence_ Anon.

conj.

[362] _a lady_] F₁ F₂. _no lady_ F₃ F₄. _an old lady_ Rowe.

[363] _By_] _But_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[364] _moe_] F₃ F₄. _mo_ F₁ F₂. _more_ Rowe.

[365] _salute_] _elate_ Collier MS. See note (IV).

[366] _you've_] _y' have_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _y' ave_ F₄. _you have_ Capell.

_me?_] _me?--_ Pope. _me--_ Ff.

[367] SCENE IV.] SCENE VI. Pope.

A hall....] Capell. Black-Fryers. Theobald.

sennet] F₁. Sonnet F₂ F₃ F₄. om. Hanmer. See note (V).

habit] habite F₁ F₂. habits F₃ F₄.

Archbishop] Johnson. Bishop Ff.

pillars] F₃ F₄. piller F₁ F₂.

below] between Reed (1803).

stage] hall Dyce.

[368] _Say ... court_] As two lines in Ff. As prose first by Capell.

[369] Q. Kath.] Queen. Warburton. om. Ff.

[370] _nor_] _and_ Pope.

[371] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[372] _inclined:_] _inclin'd:_ Rowe (ed. 2). _inclin'd?_ Ff.

[373] _Or which_] _which_ Pope.

[374] _were_] _was_ Seymour conj.

[375] _nay, gave_] _nay, gave not_ Hanmer. _nay, give_ Jackson conj.

_nor gave_ Boswell conj.

[376] _discharged?_] _discharg'd._ Theobald.

[377] _to wedlock_] _of wedlock_ F₄.

_or my love and duty,_] _my love and duty, or_ Mason conj.

[378] _duty, Against_] Malone. _dutie Against_ F₁. _duty Against_ F₂ F₃

F₄.

[379] _the_] F₁. om F₂ F₃ F₄.

[380] _sharp'st_] _sharpest_ Theobald.

_kind_] _knife_ Collier MS.

[381] _of_] F₁. _and_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[382] _wherefore I humbly_] _humbly I_ Seymour conj.

[383] _I humbly Beseech you, sir, to spare_] _humbly, Sir I beseech you

spare_ Pope.

[384] _That ... court_] Printed by Keightley as an imperfect line.

_desire_] _defer_ F₄.

_court_] _court delay'd_ Keightley conj., reading _As well ... rectify_

as one line.

[385] _Lord ... speak_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[386] _Sir ... that_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[387] _Sir,_] _Sir...._ Keightley.

[388] _yet._] Ff. _yet--_ Rowe.

[389] _Or ... believe,_] See note (VI).

[390] _challenge You_] _challenge, You_ Johnson. _challenge; You_

Theobald. _challenge. You_ Ff.

[391] _Madam_] om. Seymour conj.

[392] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[393] _shall,_] Rowe. _(Shall)_ Ff.

[394] _if it_] _if 't_ Pope.

[395] _how_] _now_ Delius conj.

[396] _If he_] _But if he_ Pope. _If he then_ Keightley. _An if_ Anon.

conj.

[397] _to say so_] F₁. _to say_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _say_ Pope, ending this and

the next line, _I am ... t' oppose. say it_ Collier MS.

[398] _You're_] _Y' are_ Ff. _You are_ Pope.

[399] _arrogancy_] _arrogancie_ F₁. _arrogance_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _arrogance,

with_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[400] _favours_] _favour_ S. Walker conj.

[401] _slightly_] _lightly_ S. Walker conj.

[402] _powers_] _towers_ Jackson conj.]

_your words_] _your wards_ Tyrwhitt conj. _our lords_ Mason conj.

_proud lords_ Anon. conj.

[403] Gent. Ush.] Grif. Malone.

[404] _help_] _help me_ S. Walker conj.

[405] [Exeunt....] Ff. Exeunt Queen, Griffith, and her other

Attendants. Malone.

SCENE VII. Pope.

[406] _nought_] _naught_ F₁.

[407] _else, could_] _els, could_ F₁. _could_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _could but_

Pope.

[408] _unloosed_] _enloos'd_ Seymour conj.

[409] _At once_] _Atton'd_ Hanmer (Warburton).

_whether ever_] _if_ Pope.

[410] _spake_] _spoke_ Hanmer.

_that_] om. Capell.

[411] _to the_] _the_ Rowe (ed. 1). In Rowe (ed. 2), _that might ...

state_ is read as one line, as by Pope who omits _to the_.

[412] _to_] F₁ _the_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[413] _You're_] _Y'are_ Ff. _You are_ Capell.

[414] _never desired It ... hinder'd, oft_] _never desir'd It ...

hindred, oft_ Ff. _never Desir'd it ... hindred_ Pope. _never Desir'd

it ... hinder'd, oft_ Capell.

[415] _toward_] _towards_ Rowe (ed. 2). _tow'rds_ Pope.

[416] _speak my ... cardinal_] F₁ F₂. _speak, my ... cardinal_ F₃ F₄.

_speak, my ... card'nal,_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[417] _And ... to't_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[418] _Bayonne_] Capell. _Bayon_ Ff.

[419] _A_] Rowe (ed. 2). _And_ Ff.

[420] _require_] _requite_ F₂.

[421] _Sometimes_] _Sometime_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[422] _bosom_] _bottom_ Hammer (Thirlby conj., from Holinshed). See

note (VII).

[423] _splitting_] _spitting_ F₁.

[424] _who_] _which_ Pope.

[425] _gladded in 't_ F₁. _glad in 't_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _glad in one_ Pope.

[426] _which_] F₁ F₂. _that_ F₃ F₄.

_realms_] _realm_ Anon. conj.

[427] _throe_] Pope. _throw_ Ff.

[428] _Toward_] F₁ F₂. _Towards_ F₃ F₄.

_whereupon_] _whereon_ Pope.

[429] _reek_] _reel_ Rowe.

[430] _to this_] F₁. _in this_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[431] _summons: unsolicited_] Theobald. _summons unsolicited._ Ff.

[432] _the good_] F₁. _our good_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[433] _drive_] Pope. _drives_ Ff.

[434] _paragon'd o'the_] _paragon'd i' th'_ Pope. _paragon o' th'_

Hanmer.

[435] _till_] F₁. om. F₂. _to a_ F₃ F₄. _to_ Pope.

[436] [They rise to depart. The King speaks to Cranmer. Johnson.

[437] _I may ... along._] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[438] _This_] _The_ Hanmer.

[439] _learn'd_] _learned_ Rowe.

_well-beloved_] _well-belov'd_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[440] _return; ... approach,_] F₄. _return, ... approch:_ F₁ F₂ F₃.]

ACT III.

SCENE I. _London. The Queen's apartments._

_The_ QUEEN _and her_ Women, _as at work_.[441]

_Q. Kath._ Take thy lute, wench: my soul grows sad with troubles;[442]

Sing, and disperse 'em, if thou canst: leave working.[443]

SONG.

Orpheus with his lute made trees,

And the mountain tops that freeze,

Bow themselves when he did sing; 5

To his music plants and flowers

Ever sprung, as sun and showers[444]

There had made a lasting spring.[445]

Every thing that heard him play,

Even the billows of the sea, 10

Hung their heads, and then lay by.

In sweet music is such art,

Killing care and grief of heart[446]

Fall asleep, or hearing die.

_Enter a_ Gentleman.

_Q. Kath._ How now! 15

_Gent._ An't please your grace, the two great cardinals[447]

Wait in the presence.

_Q. Kath._ Would they speak with me?

_Gent._ They will'd me say so, madam.

_Q. Kath._ Pray their graces

To come near. [_Exit Gent._] What can be their business[448]

With me, a poor weak woman, fall'n from favour? 20

I do not like their coming. Now I think on't,[449]

They should be good men, their affairs as righteous:[450]

But all hoods make not monks.

_Enter the two_ CARDINALS, WOLSEY _and_ CAMPEIUS.[451]

_Wol._ Peace to your highness!

_Q. Kath._ Your graces find me here part of a housewife;

I would be all, against the worst may happen.[452] 25

What are your pleasures with me, reverend lords?[453]

_Wol._ May it please you, noble madam, to withdraw

Into your private chamber, we shall give you

The full cause of our coming.

_Q. Kath._ Speak it here;

There's nothing I have done yet, o' my conscience, 30

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 every tongue, every eye saw 'em, 35

Envy and base opinion set against 'em,

I know my life so even. If your business[454]

Seek me out, and that way I am wife in,[454][455]

Out with it boldly: truth loves open dealing.

_Wol._ Tanta est erga te mentis integritas, regina serenissima,-- 40

_Q. Kath._ O, good my lord, no Latin;[456]

I am not such a truant since my coming,

As not to know the language I have lived in:

A strange tongue makes my cause more strange, suspicious;[457] 45

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.

_Wol._ Noble lady, 50

I am sorry my integrity should breed,[458]

And service to his majesty and you,[459]

So deep suspicion, where all faith was meant.[459]

We come not by the way of accusation,

To taint that honour every good tongue blesses, 55

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 60

And comforts to your cause.

_Cam._ Most honour'd madam,[460]

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, 65

Offers, as I do, in a sign of peace,

His service and his counsel.

_Q. Kath._ [_Aside_] To betray me.--[461]

My lords, I thank you both for your good wills;

Ye speak like honest men; pray God, ye prove so!

But how to make ye suddenly an answer, 70

In such a point of weight, so near mine honour,

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

Among my maids, full little, God knows, looking 75

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:[462]

Alas, I am a woman, friendless, hopeless! 80

_Wol._ Madam, you wrong the king's love with these fears:[463]

Your hopes and friends are infinite.

_Q. Kath._ In England[464]

But little for my profit: can you think, lords,[465]

That any Englishman dare give me counsel?

Or be a known friend, 'gainst his highness' pleasure--[466] 85

Though he be grown so desperate to be honest--

And live a subject? Nay, forsooth, my friends,[467]

They that must weigh out my afflictions,[468]

They that my trust must grow to, live not here:

They are, as all my other comforts, far hence[469] 90

In mine own country, lords.

_Cam._ I would your grace

Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel.

_Q. Kath._ How, sir?

_Cam._ Put your main cause into the king's protection;

He's loving and most gracious: 'twill be much

Both for your honour better and your cause;[470] 95

For if the trial of the law o'ertake ye,

You'll part away disgraced.

_Wol._ He tells you rightly.

_Q. Kath._ Ye tell me what ye wish for both, my ruin:

Is this your Christian counsel? out upon ye!

Heaven is above all yet; there sits a judge 100

That no king can corrupt.

_Cam._ Your rage mistakes us.[471]

_Q. Kath._ The more shame for ye: holy men I thought ye,[472]

Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues;

But cardinal sins and hollow hearts I fear ye:[472][473]

Mend 'em, for shame, my lords. Is this your comfort?[474] 105

The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady,

A woman lost among ye, laugh'd at, scorn'd?

I will not wish ye half my miseries;

I have more charity: but say, I warn'd ye;

Take heed, for heaven's sake, take heed, lest at once[475] 110

The burthen of my sorrows fall upon ye.

_Wol._ Madam, this is a mere distraction;[476]

You turn the good we offer into envy.

_Q. Kath._ Ye turn me into nothing: woe upon ye,

And all such false professors! would you have me-- 115

If you have any justice, any pity,

If ye be any thing but churchmen's habits--[477]

Put my sick cause into his hands that hates me?

Alas, has banish'd me his bed already,[478]

His love, too long ago! I am old, my lords,[479] 120

And all the fellowship I hold now with him

Is only my obedience. What can happen[480]

To me above this wretchedness? all your studies

Make me a curse like this.

_Cam._ Your fears are worse.[481]

_Q. Kath._ Have I lived thus long--let me speak myself, 125

Since virtue finds no friends--a wife, a true one?

A woman, I dare say without vain-glory,

Never yet branded with suspicion?

Have I with all my full affections

Still met the king? loved him next heaven? obey'd him? 130

Been, out of fondness, superstitious to him?

Almost forgot my prayers to content him?

And am I thus rewarded? 'tis not well, lords.

Bring me a constant woman to her husband,

One that ne'er dream'd a joy beyond his pleasure, 135

And to that woman, when she has done most,

Yet will I add an honour, a great patience.

_Wol._ Madam, you wander from the good we aim at.[476][482]

_Q. Kath._ My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty,[483]

To give up willingly that noble title 140

Your master wed me to: nothing but death

Shall e'er divorce my dignities.

_Wol._ Pray, hear me.[484]

Q. Kath. Would I had never trod this English earth,

Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it!

Ye have angels' faces, but heaven knows your hearts.[485] 145

What will become of me now, wretched lady![486]

I am the most unhappy woman living.

Alas, poor wenches, where are now your fortunes![487]

Shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity,

No friends, no hope; no kindred weep for me; 150

Almost no grave allow'd me: like the lily,

That once was mistress of the field and flourish'd,

I'll hang my head and perish.

_Wol._ If your grace[476]

Could but be brought to know our ends are honest,

You'ld feel more comfort: why should we, good lady,[488] 155

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.[489]

For goodness' sake, consider what you do;

How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly[490] 160

Grow from the king's acquaintance, by this carriage.

The hearts of princes kiss obedience,

So much they love it; but to stubborn spirits

They swell, and grow as terrible as storms.[491]

I know you have a gentle, noble temper,[492] 165

A soul as even as a calm: pray think us

Those we profess, peace-makers, friends and servants.

_Cam._ Madam, you'll find it so. You wrong your virtues[493]

With these weak women's fears: a noble spirit,

As yours was put into you, ever casts 170

Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king loves you;[494]

Beware you lose it not: for us, if you please[495]

To trust us in your business, we are ready

To use our utmost studies in your service.

_Q. Kath._ Do what ye will, my lords: and pray forgive

me,[496][497] 175

If I have used myself unmannerly;[497]

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 180

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. [_Exeunt._

SCENE II. _Ante-chamber to the King's apartment._

_Enter the_ DUKE OF NORFOLK, _the_ DUKE OF SUFFOLK, _the_ EARL OF

SURREY, _and the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN.[498]

_Nor._ If you will now unite in your complaints

And force them with a constancy, the cardinal

Cannot stand under them: if you omit

The offer of this time, I cannot promise

But that you shall sustain moe new disgraces,[499] 5

With these you bear already.

_Sur._ 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.

_Suf._ Which of the peers

Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least[500] 10

Strangely neglected? when did he regard[501]

The stamp of nobleness in any person[502]

Out of himself?[502]

_Cham._ 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 15

Gives way to us, I much fear. If you cannot[503]

Bar his access to the king, never attempt

Any thing on him; for he hath a witchcraft

Over the king in's tongue.

_Nor._ O, fear him not;

His spell in that is out: the king hath found 20

Matter against him that for ever mars

The honey of his language. No, he's settled,

Not to come off, in his displeasure.

_Sur._ Sir,[504]

I should be glad to hear such news as this

Once every hour.

_Nor._ Believe it, this is true: 25

In the divorce his contrary proceedings

Are all unfolded; wherein he appears

As I would wish mine enemy.[505]

_Sur._ How came

His practices to light?

_Suf._ Most strangely.

_Sur._ O, how, how?[506]

_Suf._ The cardinal's letters to the pope miscarried,[507] 30

And came to the eye o' the king: wherein was read[508]

How that the cardinal did entreat his holiness

To stay the judgement o' the divorce; for if

It did take place, 'I do' quoth he 'perceive

My king is tangled in affection to 35

A creature of the queen's, Lady Anne Bullen.'

_Sur._ Has the king this?

_Suf._ Believe it.

_Sur._ Will this work?[509]

_Cham._ The king in this perceives him, how he coasts

And hedges his own way. But in this point[510]

All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic 40

After his patient's death: the king already

Hath married the fair lady.

_Sur._ Would he had!

_Suf._ May you be happy in your wish, my lord![511]

For, I profess, you have it.

_Sur._ Now, all my joy[512]

Trace the conjunction!

_Suf._ My amen to't!

_Nor._ All men's! 45

_Suf._ There's order given for her coronation:

Marry, this is yet but young, and may be left[513]

To some ears unrecounted. But, my lords,

She is a gallant creature and complete

In mind and feature: I persuade me, from her 50

Will fall some blessing to this land, which shall

In it be memorized.

_Sur._ But will the king

Digest this letter of the cardinal's?[514]

The Lord forbid![515]

_Nor._ Marry, amen!

_Suf._ No, no;

There be moe wasps that buzz about his nose[516] 55

Will make this sting the sooner. Cardinal Campeius

Is stol'n away to Rome; hath ta'en no leave;[517]

Has left the cause o' the king unhandled, and[518]

Is posted as the agent of our cardinal,

To second all his plot. I do assure you 60

The king cried 'Ha!' at this.

_Cham._ Now God incense him,

And let him cry 'Ha!' louder!

_Nor._ But, my lord,

When returns Cranmer?

_Suf._ He is return'd in his opinions, which[519]

Have satisfied the king for his divorce, 65

Together with all famous colleges[520]

Almost in Christendom: shortly, I believe,

His second marriage shall be publish'd, and

Her coronation. Katharine no more

Shall be call'd queen, but princess dowager 70

And widow to Prince Arthur.[521]

_Nor._ This same Cranmer's

A worthy fellow, and hath ta'en much pain[522]

In the king's business.

_Suf._ He has; and we shall see him

For it an archbishop.

_Nor._ So I hear.

_Suf._ 'Tis so.

The cardinal!

_Enter_ WOLSEY _and_ CROMWELL.

_Nor._ Observe, observe, he's moody.[523] 75

_Wol._ The packet, Cromwell,[524]

Gave 't you the king?[524]

_Crom._ To his own hand, in's bedchamber.[525]

_Wol._ Look'd he o' the inside of the paper?[526]

_Crom._ Presently

He did unseal them, and the first he view'd,

He did it with a serious mind; a heed 80

Was in his countenance. You he bade[527]

Attend him here this morning.[528]

_Wol._ Is he ready[528]

To come abroad?[528]

_Crom._ I think, by this he is.[528]

_Wol._ Leave me awhile. [_Exit Cromwell._

[_Aside_] It shall be to the Duchess of Alençon,[529] 85

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![530]

No, we'll no Bullens. Speedily I wish

To hear from Rome. The Marchioness of Pembroke! 90

_Nor._ He's discontented.

_Suf._ May be, he hears the king

Does whet his anger to him.

_Sur._ Sharp enough.

Lord, for thy justice!

_Wol._ [_Aside_] The late queen's gentlewoman, a knight's

daughter,[529][531]

To be her mistress' mistress! the queen's queen! 95

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' the bosom of[532] 100

Our hard-ruled king. Again, there is sprung up[532]

An heretic, an arch one, Cranmer, one

Hath crawl'd into the favour of the king,

And is his oracle.

_Nor._ He is vex'd at something.[533]

_Sur._ I would 'twere something that would fret the string,[534] 105

The master-cord on's heart![535]

_Enter_ KING, _reading of a schedule, and_ LOVELL.

_Suf._ The king, the king!

_King._ What piles of wealth hath he accumulated

To his own portion! and what expense by the hour[536]

Seems to flow from him! How, i' the name of thrift,

Does he rake this together! Now, my lords, 110

Saw you the cardinal?

_Nor._ My lord, we have

Stood here observing him: some strange commotion

Is in his brain: he bites his lip, and starts;[537]

Stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground,

Then lays his finger on his temple; straight 115

Springs out into fast gait; then stops again,

Strikes his breast hard, and anon he casts[538][539]

His eye against the moon: in most strange postures[539]

We have seen him set himself.[539][540]

_King._ It may well be;[541]

There is a mutiny in's mind. This morning[541] 120

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, 125

Rich stuffs, and ornaments of household, which

I find at such proud rate that it out-speaks[542]

Possession of a subject.

_Nor._ It's heaven's will:

Some spirit put this paper in the packet,

To bless your eye withal.

_King._ If we did think, 130

His contemplation were above the earth,[543]

And fix'd on spiritual object, he should still[544]

Dwell in his musings: but I am afraid

His thinkings are below the moon, not worth[545]

His serious considering.

[_King takes his seat; whispers Lovell, who

goes to the Cardinal._

_Wol._ Heaven forgive me! 135

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[546]

You were now running o'er: you have scarce time

To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span[547] 140

To keep your earthly audit: sure, in that

I deem you an ill husband, and am glad[548]

To have you therein my companion.

_Wol._ Sir,

For holy offices I have a time; a time[549]

To think upon the part of business which[550] 145

I bear i' the 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.

_Wol._ And ever may your highness yoke together, 150

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:

He said he did, and with his deed did crown[551] 155

His word upon you. Since I had my office,[552]

I have kept you next my heart; have not alone

Employ'd you where high profits might come home,

But pared my present havings, to bestow

My bounties upon you.

_Wol._ [_Aside_] What should this mean?[553] 160

_Sur._ [_Aside_] The Lord increase this business![553]

_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? 165

_Wol._ My sovereign, I confess your royal graces,

Shower'd on me daily, have been more than could

My studied purposes requite; which went[554]

Beyond all man's endeavours: my endeavours[555]

Have ever come too short of my desires, 170

Yet filed with my abilities: mine own ends[556]

Have been mine so that evermore they pointed[557]

To the good of your most sacred person and

The profit of the state. For your great graces

Heap'd upon me, poor undeserver, I 175

Can nothing render but allegiant thanks,

My prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty,

Which ever has and ever shall be growing[558]

Till death, that winter, kill it.

_King._ Fairly answer'd;

A loyal and obedient subject is 180

Therein illustrated: the honour of it

Does pay the act of it; as, i' the contrary,[559]

The foulness is the punishment. I presume

That, as my hand has open'd bounty to you,

My heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd honour, more 185

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.

_Wol._ I do profess[560] 190

That for your highness' good I ever labour'd

More than mine own; that am, have, and will be--[561]

Though all the world should crack their duty to you,[562]

And throw it from their soul; though perils did

Abound, as thick as thought could make 'em, and[563] 195

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, 200

For you have seen him open't. [_Giving him papers._] Read

o'er this;[564]

And after, this: and then to breakfast with

What appetite you have.[565]

[_Exit King, frowning upon the Cardinal: the nobles

throng after him, smiling and whispering._

_Wol._ What should this mean?

What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd it?[566]

He parted frowning from me, as if ruin 205

Leap'd from his eyes. So looks the chafed lion

Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him;

Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper;

I fear, the story of his anger. 'Tis so;[567]

This paper has undone me: 'tis the account 210

Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together[568]

For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom,

And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence![569]

Fit for a fool to fall by: what cross devil[569]

Made me put this main secret in the packet 215

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. What's this? 'To the Pope!' 220

The letter, as I live, with all the business

I writ to's holiness. Nay then, farewell![570]

I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness;[570]

And, from that full meridian of my glory,

I haste now to my setting: I shall fall 225

Like a bright exhalation in the evening.

And no man see me more.[571]

_Re-enter to_ WOLSEY _the_ DUKES OF NORFOLK _and_ SUFFOLK, _the_

EARL OF SURREY, _and the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN.

_Nor._ Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you[572]

To render up the great seal presently

Into our hands; and to confine yourself 230

To Asher-house, my Lord of Winchester's,[573]

Till you hear further from his highness.

_Wol._ Stay:

Where's your commission, lords? words cannot carry[574]

Authority so weighty.[575]

_Suf._ Who dare cross 'em,

Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly? 235

_Wol._ Till I find more than will or words to do it--[576]

I mean your malice--know, officious lords,

I dare, and must deny it. Now I feel

Of what coarse metal ye are moulded--envy:[577]

How eagerly ye follow my disgraces,[578] 240

As if it fed ye! and how sleek and wanton[579]

Ye appear in every thing may bring my ruin![580]

Follow your envious courses, men of malice;[580]

You have Christian warrant for 'em, and, no doubt,[581]

In time will find their fit rewards. That seal 245

You ask with such a violence, the king,[582]

Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me;

Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours,

During my life; and, to confirm his goodness,

Tied it by letters-patents: now, who'll take it?[583] 250

_Sur._ The king, that gave it.

_Wol._ It must be himself, then.

_Sur._ Thou art a proud traitor, priest.[584]

_Wol._ Proud lord, thou liest:

Within these forty hours Surrey durst better[585]

Have burnt that tongue than said so.

_Sur._ Thy ambition,

Thou scarlet sin, robb'd this bewailing land 255

Of noble Buckingham, my father-in-law:

The heads of all thy brother cardinals,

With thee and all thy best parts bound together,

Weigh'd not a hair of his. Plague of your policy!

You sent me deputy for Ireland; 260

Far from his succour, from the king, from all

That might have mercy on the fault thou gavest him;

Whilst your great goodness, out of holy pity,

Absolved him with an axe.

_Wol._ This, and all else

This talking lord can lay upon my credit, 265

I answer, is most false. The duke by law

Found his deserts. How innocent I was

From any private malice in his end,

His noble jury and foul cause can witness.

If I loved many words, lord, I should tell you 270

You have as little honesty as honour,[586]

That in the way of loyalty and truth[587]

Toward the king, my ever royal master,

Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be,[588]

And all that love his follies.

_Sur._ By my soul, 275

Your long coat, priest, protects you; thou shouldst feel[589]

My sword i' the life-blood of thee else. My lords,

Can ye endure to hear this arrogance?

And from this fellow? If we live thus tamely,

To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet,[590] 280

Farewell nobility; let his grace go forward,

And dare us with his cap like larks.[591]

_Wol._ All goodness

Is poison to thy stomach.

_Sur._ Yes, that goodness

Of gleaning all the land's wealth into one,

Into your own hands, cardinal, by extortion; 285

The goodness of your intercepted packets

You writ to the pope against the king: your goodness,

Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious.

My Lord of Norfolk, as you are truly noble,[592]

As you respect the common good, the state 290

Of our despised nobility, our issues,

Who, if he live, will scarce be gentlemen,[593]

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[594] 295

Lay kissing in your arms, lord cardinal.

_Wol._ How much, methinks, I could despise this man.

But that I am bound in charity against it![595]

_Nor._ Those articles, my lord, are in the king's hand:

But, thus much, they are foul ones.

_Wol._ So much fairer 300

And spotless shall mine innocence arise,

When the king knows my truth.

_Sur._ This cannot save you:[596]

I thank my memory, I yet remember

Some of these articles, and out they shall.

Now, if you can blush and cry 'guilty,' cardinal,[597] 305

You'll show a little honesty.

_Wol._ Speak on, sir;

I dare your worst objections: if I blush,

It is to see a nobleman want manners.

_Sur._ I had rather want those than my head. Have at you![598]

First that, without the king's assent or knowledge, 310

You wrought to be a legate; by which power

You maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops.

_Nor._ 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 315

To be your servant.

_Suf._ Then that, without the knowledge[599]

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 320

To Gregory de Cassado, to conclude,[600]

Without the king's will or the state's allowance,

A league between his highness and Ferrara.[601]

_Suf._ That, out of mere ambition, you have caused

Your holy hat to be stamp'd on the king's coin.[602] 325

_Sur._ Then that you have sent innumerable substance--[599][603]

By what means got, I leave to your own conscience--

To furnish Rome and to prepare the ways

You have for dignities, to the mere undoing[604]

Of all the kingdom. Many more there are; 330

Which, since they are of you and odious,

I will not taint my mouth with.

_Cham._ 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 335

So little of his great self.

_Sur._ I forgive him.

_Suf._ Lord cardinal, the king's further pleasure is--

Because all those things you have done of late,

By your power legatine, within this kingdom,[605]

Fall into the compass of a præmunire--[606] 340

That therefore such a writ be sued against you;

To forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements,

Chattels, and whatsoever, and to be[607]

Out of the king's protection. This is my charge.[608]

_Nor._ And so we'll leave you to your meditations 345

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.

[_Exeunt all but Wolsey._

_Wol._ So farewell to the little good you bear me.[609] 350

Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness![610]

This is the state of man: to-day he puts forth

The tender leaves of hopes; to-morrow blossoms,[611]

And bears his blushing honours thick upon him;

The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, 355

And, when he thinks, good easy man, full surely

His greatness is a-ripening, nips his root,[612]

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,[613] 360

But far beyond my depth: my high-blown pride[614]

At length broke under me and now has left me,

Weary and old with service, to the mercy

Of a rude stream that must for ever hide me.

Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye:[615] 365

I feel my heart new open'd. O, how wretched

Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours!

There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to,[616]

That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,[617]

More pangs and fears than wars or women have: 370

And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,

Never to hope again.

_Enter_ CROMWELL, _and stands amazed_.[618]

Why, how now, Cromwell!

_Crom._ I have no power to speak, sir.

_Wol._ What, amazed

At my misfortunes? can thy spirit wonder[619]

A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep,[620] 375

I am fall'n indeed.

_Crom._ How does your grace?

_Wol._ 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, 380

I humbly thank his grace; and from these shoulders,

These ruin'd pillars, out of pity, taken[621]

A load would sink a navy, too much honour.

O, 'tis a burden, Cromwell, 'tis a burden

Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven! 385

_Crom._ I am glad your grace has made that right use of it.[595][622]

_Wol._ I hope I have: I am able now, methinks,[622]

Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,

To endure more miseries and greater far

Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer. 390

What news abroad?

_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[623]

Lord chancellor in your place.

_Wol._ That's somewhat sudden:

But he's a learned man. May he continue 395

Long in his highness' favour, and do justice

For truth's sake and his conscience; that his bones,[624]

When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings,

May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on 'em![625]

What more?

_Crom._ That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, 400

Install'd lord archbishop of Canterbury.

_Wol._ That's news indeed.

_Crom._ Last, that the Lady Anne,

Whom the king hath in secrecy long married,

This day was view'd in open as his queen,

Going to chapel; and the voice is now 405

Only about her coronation.

_Wol._ There was the weight that pull'd me down. O Cromwell,[626]

The king has gone beyond me: all my glories

In that one woman I have lost for ever:

No sun shall ever usher forth mine honours, 410

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[627]

To be thy lord and master: seek the king;

That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him[628] 415

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 420

For thine own future safety.

_Crom._ O my lord,

Must I then leave you? must I needs forego

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. 425

The king shall have my service, but my prayers

For ever and for ever shall be yours.

_Wol._ 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. 430

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,[629]

Say, Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory,[630] 435

And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour,

Found thee a way, out of his wreck, to rise in;

A sure and safe one, though thy master miss'd it.

Mark but my fall and that that ruin'd me.[631]

Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition: 440

By that sin fell the angels; how can man then,

The image of his Maker, hope to win by it?[632]

Love thyself last: cherish those hearts that hate thee;[633]

Corruption wins not more than honesty.[634]

Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, 445

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 blessed martyr! Serve the king;[635][636]

And prithee, lead me in:[635][636][637] 450

There take an inventory of all I have,[635][638]

To the last penny; 'tis the king's: my robe,[635][638]

And my integrity to heaven, is all[635]

I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell!

Had I but served my God with half the zeal 455

I served my king, he would not in mine age

Have left me naked to mine enemies.

_Crom._ Good sir, have patience.

_Wol._ So I have. Farewell

The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell.

[_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[441] ACT III. SCENE I.] ACT II. SCENE VIII. Warburton conj.

(withdrawn).

The Queen's apartments.] Theobald. Palace at Bridewell: a room in ...

Steevens (1793).

The Queen ...] Enter Queene ... F₁ F₂. Enter Queen ... Woman ... F₃ F₄.

[442] _Take ... troubles_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[443] _'em_] _them_ Capell.

[444] _sprung_] F₁. _spring_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _rose_ Pope.

[445] _made_] _been_ Reed (1803).

[446] _heart_] Hanmer. _heart,_ Ff.

[447] _An't_] Hanmer. _And't_ Ff.

[448] [Exit Gent.] Capell. Exit Messenger. Johnson, after line 20. om.

Ff.

[449] _coming. Now ... on't,_] Rowe (ed. 2). _coming; now ... on't,_

Ff. _coming, now ... on't._ Capell.

[450] _as_] F₁. _are_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[451] Campeius.] Rowe. Campian. Ff.

[452] _I ... all, against_] _(I ... all) against_ Ff. _I ... all

against_ Johnson.

[453] _reverend_] _reverent_ F₁.

[454] _If ... Seek_] _If 'tis your business To seek_ Blackstone conj.

[455] _Seek ... in_] _Seek me, speak out, and ... in_ Tyrwhitt conj.

_In that way I am wise in, seek me out;_ Mitford conj.

_Seek_] _Do seek_ Pope. _Doth seek_ Ritson conj.

_that way_] _in that way_ Keightley. _that way that_ Anon. conj.

_wife_] Ff. _wise_ Rowe.

[456] _O, good_] F₁. _Good_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[457] _strange, suspicious_] Dyce, ed. 2 (_strange-suspicions_ S.

Walker conj.)

[458] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

_should_] _shoul_ F₁.

[459] _And ... you, So ... meant_] _So ... meant, And ... you_ Singer

(Edwards conj.)

[460] _your_] _our_ F₁.

_honour'd_] F₁ F₂. _honoured_ F₃ F₄.

[461] _counsel._] _counsel.--_ Pope.

_To betray me_] Marked as 'Aside' first by Capell.

[462] _counsel_] Capell. _councell_ F₁ F₂. _council_ F₃ F₄.

[463] _Madam ... fears_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

_these_] _those_ Rowe.

[464] _England_] Johnson. _England,_ Ff. _England!_ Capell.

[465] _profit: can_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _profit can_ F₁.

[466] _his_] om. F₂.

[467] _Nay_] _They_ Warburton.

[468] _must ... out_] _should ... up_ Mason conj.

[469] _other comforts_] _other comforts are_ Rowe (ed. 2). _comforts

are_ Pope.

_far_] _far, far_ Anon. conj.

[470] _Both ... better_] _Better both for your honour_ Keightley.

[471] _rage_] _grace_ Anon. conj.

[472] _ye_] _you_ Seymour conj.

[473] _fear_] _find_ Anon. conj.

_ye_] _ye're_ Keightley. _me_ Anon. conj.

[474] _'em_] _them_ Malone.

[475] _for ... heed_] _take heed for heav'n's sake_ Pope.

[476] Wol.] Car. Ff (and passim).

[477] _ye_] _you_ Capell.

[478] _has_] _ha's_ Ff. _h'as_ Rowe. _he has_ Capell. _he's_ Grant

White.

[479] _love, too long_] _love too, long_ Rowe.

_I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[480] _my_] F₁. _by_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[481] _this._] F₁. _this:_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _this!_ Theobald. _this?_ Hanmer.

_worse._] Ff. _worse.--_ Rowe.

[482] _Madam ... at_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two, the first ending

_good,_ in Ff.

[483] _My ... guilty_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.

[484] Wol.] Car. F₁. Card. F₂ F₃ F₄.

_me._] Ff. _me--_ Rowe.

[485] _Ye have_] _Ye've_ Pope.

[486] _will_] F₁. _shall_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[487] [To her women. Rowe.

[488] _You'ld_] F₂ F₃. _Youl'd_ F₁. _You'l_ F₄.

[489] _cure_] _ear_ Theobald.

_'em_] _them_ Malone.

[490] _ay_] Rowe. _I_ Ff. _nay_ Pope.

[491] _grow_] F₃ F₄. _grow,_ F₁ F₂.

[492] _gentle, noble_] _gentle-noble_ S. Walker conj.

[493] _Madam ... virtues_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[494] _king loves you_] _King's love's yours_ Anon. conj.

[495] _it_] _'t_ Hanmer. _him_ Seymour conj.

_you please_] _please you_ Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

[496] _Do ... me_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.

_ye_] F₁ F₂. _you_ F₃ F₄.

[497] _me, ... unmannerly:_] F₄. _me; ... unmannerly,_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[498] SCENE II.] ACT III. SCENE I. Warburton conj. (withdrawn).

Ante-chamber....] Theobald.

Enter ... the Earl of Surrey....] Capell. Enter ... Lord Surrey.... Ff.

[499] _moe_] Ff. _more_ Rowe.

[500] _or at_] _not at_ Hanmer.

_least_] _least not_ Keightley.

[501] _Strangely_] _Stood not_ Warburton.

[502] _person Out ... himself?_] _person, Out of't himself?_ Hanmer

(Warburton).

[503] _Gives_] _Give_ Hanmer.

[504] _displeasure_] Ff. _high displeasure_ Rowe. _most high

displeasure_ Pope.

_Sir_] _om._ Pope.

[505] _would_] _could_ Reed (1803).

_mine_] _my_ Hanmer.

[506] _O, how, how?_] _How?_ Pope.

[507] _letters_] _letter_ Steevens.

[508] _came_] F₁. _come_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[509] _Will this work?_] _This will work._ Capell conj.

[510] _hedges_] _edges_ Warburton.

[511] _May you_] _You may_ Collier conj.

[512] _all my joy_] Ff. _all joy_ Pope. _may all joy_ Collier (Collier

MS.)

[513] _yet_] om. Rowe.

[514] _Digest_] _Disgest_ F₂.

[515] _The Lord forbid!_] Cham. _The Lord forbid!_ S. Walker conj.

[516] _moe_] Ff. _more_ Pope.

[517] _Is stol'n away_] _stoln_ Hanmer, ending line 56 at _Cardinal_.

_hath_] _has_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[518] _Has_] _Ha's_ Ff. _Hath_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_o' the_] _o' th'_ F₁. _to'th'_ F₂. _to th'_ F₃ F₄.

[519] _in his_] _with his_ Rowe.

[520] _Together with all_] _Gather'd from all the_ Rowe.

[521] _And_] F₁ F₂. _A_ F₃ F₄. _As_ Hanmer.

[522] _pain_] F₃ F₄. _paine_ F₁ F₂. _pains_ Anon. conj.

[523] [They stand back. Collier (Collier MS.)

Enter....] Ff, after _so,_ line 74.

[524] _The ... king_] As in Ff. As one line by Steevens.

[525] _Gave't_] _Gave it_ Theobald. _gave it_ Keightley, reading as one

line _The packet ... king?_

_To_] _Into_ Keightley.

_in's_] _in his_ Capell. _sir, in his_ Steevens conj.

[526] _paper_] _papers_ Keightley (Grey conj.)

[527] _You_] _And you_ Hanmer. _You, my lord,_ Capell. _You, sir,_

Steevens conj.

_bade_] _bade then_ Keightley.

[528] _Attend ... he is_] Arranged as by Hanmer. As three lines in Ff.

[529] [Aside] Rowe.

[530] _in't than fair_] _in it than a fair_ Hanmer.

_Bullen!_] _Bullen! Bullen!_ S. Walker conj.

[531] _The ... daughter_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

_knight's_] _Kight's_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[532] _cause, that ... king._] _cause!--that ... king!_--Rowe.

[533] _He is_] _He's_ F₄.

[534] SCENE III. Pope.

[535] _on's_] _of's_ Pope. _of his_ Steevens. Enter ... schedule] Ff,

after line 104.

and Lovell.] Theobald. om. Ff.

[536] _and_] om. Pope.

[537] _lip_] _lips_ (ed. 2).

[538] _Strikes_] _And strikes_ Keightley.

_hard, and anon_] _hard and oft; anon_ Lettson conj.

_anon_] _then anon_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[539] Mason would end lines 117, 118 at _eye ... we._

[540] _We have_] _We've_ Pope.

[541] _be; There_] _be, There_ Ff. _be There_ S. Walker conj.

[542] _such_] _such a_ F₄.

_such ... that it_] _such a ... it_ Pope.

[543] _contemplation_] F₁. _contemplations_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[544] _object_] _objects_ F₄.

[545] _not_] F₁ F₂. _nor_ F₃ F₄.

[546] _graces_] F₁ F₂. _grace_ F₃ F₄.

[547] _leisure_] _labour_ Collier MS.

[548] _glad_] _gald_ F₁.

[549] _time; a time_] _time; time_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[550] _which_] om. Pope, reading A _time ... business_ as one line.

[551] _his deed_ F₁ F₂. _this deed_ F₃ F₄.

[552] _word_] F₁ F₂. _sword_ F₃ F₄.

[553] [Aside] Rowe.

[554] _requite_] F₁. _require_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_which_] _they_ Hanmer.

[555] _man's endeavours_] _man's ambition_ Hanmer. _men's, in devoirs_

Becket conj.

[556] _filed_] _fil'd_ Hanmer. _fill'd_ Ff.

[557] _been mine so_] F₁. _been so_ F₂ F₃ F₄, and Pope, who reads _Ends

have been so ... pointed_ as one line. _been such_ Hanmer.

[558] _ever has_] _still has been_ Seymour conj.

[559] _as, i' the_] _as i' th'_ Ff. _i' th'_ Pope. _o' th'_ Hanmer.

[560] _I do profess_] _I profess_ Pope.

[561] _that ... be--_] See note (VIII).

[562] _crack_] _lack_ Singer conj.

[563] _'em_] _them_ Malone.

[564] [Giving him papers.] Pope. om. Ff.

[565] _have_] _may_ Rowe. See note (IX).

SCENE IV. Pope.

[566] _reap'd_] _rous'd_ Keightley. _rais'd_ or _rip'd_ Id. conj.

[567] [Opens the paper and reads, trembling. Collier (Collier MS.)

[568] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[569] _negligence!... by:_] Ff. _negligence, ... by!_ Theobald.

[570] _to's_] _to his_ Capell.

[571] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Ff.

[572] SCENE V. Pope.

_Hear ... you_] As in Pope. Two lines in Ff.

[573] _Asher_] _Esher_ Capell.

[574] _commission, lords?_] Rowe. _commission? Lords,_ Ff.

[575] _weighty_] F₁ F₂. _mighty_ F₃ F₄.

[576] _Till ... it--_] _Whilst I find more than his will, or words to

it,_ Hanmer.

[577] _coarse_] _course_ Ff. _base_ Capell.

[578] _disgraces_] _disgrace_ F₄.

[579] _ye_] _you_ Seymour conj.

[580] _ye!... ruin!_] _ye?... ruin?_ Capell. _ye, ... ruine?_ Ff.

_ye, ... ruin;_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[581] _Christian_] F₁ F₂. _a Christian_ F₃ F₄ and Pope, who omits _no

doubt_.

[582] _a violence_] _violence_ Warburton.

[583] _letters-patents_] _Letters Patents_ Ff. _letters patent_ Knight

and Collier.

[584] _Thou art_] _Thou'rt_ Pope.

[585] _forty_] _four_ Malone conj.

[586] After this line S. Walker would insert _To rail in such

irreverent wise on me_.

[587] _in the_] _I i' th'_ Theobald.

[588] _Dare_] _I dare_ Staunton conj.

[589] _Your ... feel_] One line in Pope. Two lines, the first ending

_you,_ in Ff.

[590] _jaded_] _japed_ Becket conj.

[591] _dare_] _daze_ Anon. conj.

[592] _you are_] _you're_ Pope.

[593] _Who_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _Whom_ F₁.

[594] _sacring_] _Sacring_ Ff. _scaring_ Rowe (ed. 2) and Pope.

[595] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[596] _my truth_] _the truth_ Anon. conj.

_save_] _serve_ Collier conj.

[597] _can blush_] _can blush_, Ff. _can, blush,_ Pope.

[598] _I had_] _I'd_ Pope.

_Have at you!_] As in Rowe (ed. 2). As a separate line in Ff.

[599] _Then that_] _That_ Pope.

[600] _Cassado_] Ff, from Hall and Holinshed. _Cassalis_ Rowe.

[601] _his_] _hie_ F₂.

[602] _holy hat_] _holy-Hat_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _Holy-Hat_ F₄.

_to be_] _be_ Pope.

[603] _substance_] _sums_ Hanmer.

[604] _have_] _pave_ Staunton conj.

[605] _legatine_] Rowe (ed. 2). _Legatiue_ F₁. _Legantive_ F₂ F₃.

_Legantine_ F₄.

[606] _into the_] F₄. _into' th'_ F₁ F₂. _into th'_ F₃. _in the_ Pope.

_into_ Steevens conj.

[607] _Chattels_] Theobald. _Castles_ Ff.

[608] _This is_] _This'_ S. Walker conj.

[609] SCENE VI. Pope.

[610] _Farewell! a ... greatness!_] _Farewell? A ... greatnesse._ Ff.

[611] _hopes_] _hope_ Steevens.

[612] _root_] _shoot_ Warburton conj.

[613] _This_] _These_ Pope.

[614] _But_] _Out_ Anon. conj.

[615] _this_] F₁ F₂. _the_ F₃ F₄.

_ye_] _you_ Seymour conj.

[616] _we_] _he_ Hanmer.

[617] _their_] _our_ Pope. _his_ Hanmer.

_ruin_] _frown_ Anon. conj.

[618] and stands] Edd. standing Ff.

[619] _thy_] F₁ F₄. _the_ F₂ F₃.

[620] _an_] Capell. _and_ Ff. _if_ Pope.

[621] _These ... pillars_] Rowe (ed. 2). _These ... Pillers_ F₁.

_These ... Pillet_ F₂. _This ... Pillet_ F₃ F₄. _This ... pillar_ Rowe

(ed. 1).

[622] Two lines in Pope. Four, ending _Grace ... it ... have ... me

thinkes,_ in Ff.

[623] _More_] Hanmer. _Moore_ F₁ F₂. _Moor_ F₃ F₄.

[624] _conscience_] _conscience'_ S. Walker conj.

[625] _tomb_] _coomb_ Becket conj.

_orphans'_] Warburton. _Orphants_ F₁ F₂. _Orphan's_ F₃. _Orphans_ F₄.

_'em_] Capell. _him_ Ff.

[626] _There ... Cromwell_] One line in Pope. Two, the first ending

_downe.,_ in Ff.

[627] _fall'n_] _falne_ F₁ F₂. _fal'n_ F₃. _fallen_ F₄.

[628] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[629] _more must_] _must more_ Pope.

_heard of, say_] _heard: say_ Rowe. _heard: say then_ Pope.

[630] _trod the ways_] _rode the waves_ Warburton conj. _trod the

waves_ Capell conj.

[631] _that that_] _that which_ Pope.

[632] _The image_] _Tho' th' image_ Hanmer.

_win by it_] _win it_ F₄. _win in't_ Warburton conj. (withdrawn).

[633] _those hearts_] _ev'n th' hearts_ Hanmer.

_hate_] _wait_ Warburton conj.

[634] _wins_] F₁ F₂. _win_ F₃ F₄.

[635] _Thou fall'st ... all_] Four lines ending _and ... inventory ...

king's: ... all_ in Keightley.

[636] _Serve ... in:_] As in Rowe (ed. 2). As one line in Ff.

[637] _And prithee_] _And--Prithee_ Johnson.

[638] _have, ... penny;_] Capell. _have, ... peny,_ Ff. _have; ...

penny,_ Theobald.

_A ... Westminster._] Theobald.

ACT IV.

SCENE I. _A street in Westminster._

_Enter two_ Gentlemen, _meeting one another_.

_First Gent._ You're well met once again.

_Sec. Gent._ So are you.[639]

_First Gent._ You come to take your stand here and behold

The Lady Anne pass from her coronation?[640]

_Sec. Gent._ 'Tis all my business. At our last encounter,

The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial. 5

_First Gent._ 'Tis very true: but that time offer'd sorrow;

This, general joy.

_Sec. Gent._ 'Tis well: the citizens,

I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds--[641][642]

As, let'em have their rights, they are ever forward--[642][643]

In celebration of this day with shows,[644] 10

Pageants and sights of honour.

_First Gent._ Never greater,

Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir.

_Sec. Gent._ May I be bold to ask what that contains,[645]

That paper in your hand?[646]

_First Gent._ Yes; 'tis the list

Of those that claim their offices this day 15

By custom of the coronation.

The Duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims

To be high-steward; next, the Duke of Norfolk,

He to be earl marshal: you may read the rest.[647]

_Sec. Gent._ I thank you, sir: had I not known those customs,[648] 20

I should have been beholding to your paper.[649]

But, I beseech you, what's become of Katharine,

The princess dowager? how goes her business?

_First Gent._ That I can tell you too. The Archbishop[650]

Of Canterbury, accompanied with other 25

Learned and reverend fathers of his order,

Held a late court at Dunstable, six miles off[651]

From Ampthill, where the princess lay; to which

She was often cited by them, but appear'd not:[652]

And, to be short, for not appearance and[653] 30

The king's late scruple, by the main assent

Of all these learned men she was divorced,

And the late marriage made of none effect:

Since which she was removed to Kimbolton,[654]

Where she remains now sick.

_Sec. Gent._ Alas, good lady! 35

[_Trumpets._[655]

The trumpets sound: stand close, the queen is coming.

[_Hautboys._

THE ORDER OF THE CORONATION.

1. _A lively Flourish of Trumpets._

2. _Then two_ Judges.

3. LORD CHANCELLOR, _with purse and mace before him_.

4. Choristers, _singing_. _Musicians._

5. Mayor of London, _bearing the mace_. _Then_ Garter, _in his

coat of arms, and on his head he wears a gilt copper crown_.

6. MARQUESS DORSET, _bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head

a demi-coronal of gold. With him, the_ EARL OF

SURREY, _bearing the rod of silver with the dove,

crowned with an earl's coronet. Collars of SS._

7. DUKE OF SUFFOLK, _in his robe of estate, his coronet on his

head, bearing a long white wand, as high-steward. With

him, the_ DUKE OF NORFOLK, _with the rod of marshalship, a

coronet on his head. Collars of SS._

8. _A canopy borne by four of the Cinque-ports; under it, the_

QUEEN _in her robe; in her hair richly adorned with pearl,

crowned. On each side her, the_ BISHOPS OF LONDON _and_

WINCHESTER.

9. _The old_ DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, _in a coronal of gold,

wrought with flowers, bearing the_ QUEEN'S _train_.

10. _Certain_ Ladies _or_ Countesses, _with plain circlets of

gold without flowers_.

_They pass over the stage in order and state._[656]

_Sec. Gent._ A royal train, believe me. These I know:

Who's that that bears the sceptre?[657]

_First Gent._ Marquess Dorset:

And that the Earl of Surrey, with the rod.

_Sec. Gent._ A bold brave gentleman. That should be[658] 40

The Duke of Suffolk?

_First Gent._ 'Tis the same: high-steward.

_Sec. Gent._ And that my Lord of Norfolk?

_First Gent._ Yes.

_Sec. Gent._ [_Looking on the Queen_] Heaven bless thee![659]

Thou hast the sweetest face I ever look'd on.

Sir, as I have a soul, she is an angel;

Our king has all the Indies in his arms, 45

And more and richer, when he strains that lady:[660]

I cannot blame his conscience.

_First Gent._ They that bear

The cloth of honour over her, are four barons[661]

Of the Cinque-ports.

_Sec. Gent._ Those men are happy; and so are all are near her.[662] 50

I take it, she that carries up the train

Is that old noble lady, Duchess of Norfolk.[663]

_First Gent._ It is; and all the rest are countesses.

_Sec. Gent._ Their coronets say so. These are stars indeed,

And sometimes falling ones.

_First Gent._ No more of that. 55

[_Exit procession; and then a great flourish of trumpets._[664]

_Enter a third_ Gentleman.

_First Gent._ God save you, sir! where have you been broiling?[665]

_Third Gent._ Among the crowd i' the abbey; where a finger

Could not be wedged in more: I am stifled[666]

With the mere rankness of their joy.

_Sec. Gent._ You saw[667]

The ceremony?[667]

_Third Gent._ That I did.[668]

_First Gent._ How was it? 60

_Third Gent._ Well worth the seeing.

_See. Gent._ Good sir, speak it to us.

_Third Gent._ As well as I am able. The rich stream

Of lords and ladies, having brought the queen

To a prepared place in the choir, fell off

A distance from her; while her grace sat down 65

To rest awhile, some half an hour or so,

In a rich chair of state, opposing freely[669]

The beauty of her person to the people.

Believe me, sir, she is the goodliest woman

That ever lay by man: which when the people 70

Had the full view of, such a noise arose

As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest,

As loud and to as many tunes: hats, cloaks,--

Doublets, I think,--flew up; and had their faces

Been loose, this day they had been lost. Such joy 75

I never saw before. Great-bellied women,

That had not half a week to go, like rams

In the old time of war, would shake the press,

And make 'em reel before 'em. No man living

Could say 'This is my wife' there, all were woven[670] 80

So strangely in one piece.

_Sec. Gent._ But what follow'd?[671]

_Third Gent._ At length her grace rose, and with modest paces

Came to the altar, where she kneel'd and saintlike

Cast her fair eyes to heaven and pray'd devoutly;

Then rose again and bow'd her to the people; 85

When by the Archbishop of Canterbury

She had all the royal makings of a queen,[672]

As holy oil, Edward Confessor's crown,

The rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems

Laid nobly on her: which perform'd, the choir, 90

With all the choicest music of the kingdom,

Together sung 'Te Deum.' So she parted,

And with the same full state paced back again

To York-place, where the feast is held.

_First Gent._ Sir,[673]

You must no more call it York-place; that's past;[673] 95

For, since the cardinal fell, that title's lost:

'Tis now the king's, and call'd Whitehall.

_Third Gent._ I know it;

But 'tis so lately alter'd that the old name[674]

Is fresh about me.

_Sec. Gent._ What two reverend bishops

Were those that went on each side of the queen? 100

_Third Gent._ Stokesly and Gardiner; the one of Winchester,[675]

Newly preferr'd from the king's secretary,

The other, London.

_Sec. Gent._ He of Winchester

Is held no great good lover of the archbishop's,[676]

The virtuous Cranmer.

_Third Gent._ All the land knows that: 105

However, yet there is no great breach; when it comes,[677]

Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him.

_Sec. Gent._ Who may that be, I pray you?

_Third Gent._ Thomas Cromwell;[678]

A man in much esteem with the king, and truly[678]

A worthy friend. The king has made him master[678][679][680] 110

O' the jewel house,[678][679][681]

And one, already, of the privy council.[679][681]

_Sec. Gent._ He will deserve more.[681]

_Third Gent._ Yes, without all doubt.[681]

Come, gentlemen, ye shall go my way,[682][683]

Which is to the court, and there ye shall be my guests:[682][684] 115

Something I can command. As I walk thither,

I'll tell ye more.

_Both._ You may command us, sir. [_Exeunt._

SCENE II. _Kimbolton._

_Enter_ KATHARINE, _Dowager, sick; led between_ GRIFFITH, _her

Gentleman Usher, and_ PATIENCE, _her woman_.

_Grif._ How does your grace?

_Kath._ O Griffith, sick to death!

My legs, like loaden branches, bow to the earth,[685]

Willing to leave their burthen. Reach a chair.

So; now, methinks, I feel a little ease.[686]

Didst thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou led'st me,[687] 5

That the great child of honour, Cardinal Wolsey,

Was dead?[688]

_Grif._ Yes, madam; but I think your grace,

Out of the pain you suffer'd, gave no ear to't.

_Kath._ Prithee, good Griffith, tell me how he died:

If well, he stepp'd before me, happily,[689] 10

For my example.

_Grif._ Well, the voice goes, madam:

For after the stout Earl Northumberland[690]

Arrested him at York, and brought him forward,

As a man sorely tainted, to his answer,

He fell sick suddenly, and grew so ill 15

He could not sit his mule.

_Kath._ Alas, poor man!

_Grif._ At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester,

Lodged in the abbey; where the reverend abbot,

With all his covent, honourably received him;[691]

To whom he gave these words, 'O father abbot, 20

An old man, broken with the storms of state,

Is come to lay his weary bones among ye;

Give him a little earth for charity!'

So went to bed; where eagerly his sickness

Pursued him still; and three nights after this, 25

About the hour of eight, which he himself

Foretold should be his last, full of repentance,[692]

Continual meditations, tears and sorrows,

He gave his honours to the world again,[693]

His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace. 30

_Kath._ So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him![694]

Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him,

And yet with charity. He was a man

Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking

Himself with princes; one that by suggestion 35

Tied all the kingdom: simony was fair-play:[695]

His own opinion was his law: i' the presence

He would say untruths, and be ever double

Both in his words and meaning: he was never,

But where he meant to ruin, pitiful: 40

His promises were, as he then was, mighty;

But his performance, as he is now, nothing:[696]

Of his own body he was ill, and gave

The clergy ill example.

_Grif._ Noble madam,

Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues 45

We write in water. May it please your highness

To hear me speak his good now?

_Kath._ Yes, good Griffith;

I were malicious else.

_Grif._ This Cardinal,

Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly

Was fashion'd to much honour from his cradle.[697] 50

He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one;

Exceeding wise, fair-spoken and persuading:

Lofty and sour to them that loved him not,

But to those men that sought him, sweet as summer.

And though he were unsatisfied in getting, 55

Which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam,

He was most princely: ever witness for him

Those twins of learning that he raised in you,

Ipswich and Oxford! one of which fell with him,[698]

Unwilling to outlive the good that did it;[699] 60

The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous,

So excellent in art and still so rising,

That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.

His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him;

For then, and not till then, he felt himself, 65

And found the blessedness of being little:

And, to add greater honours to his age

Than man could give him, he died fearing God.

_Kath._ After my death I wish no other herald,

No other speaker of my living actions, 70

To keep mine honour from corruption,

But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.

Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me,

With thy religious truth and modesty,

Now in his ashes honour: peace be with him! 75

Patience, be near me still; and set me lower:

I have not long to trouble thee. Good Griffith,

Cause the musicians play me that sad note

I named my knell, whilst I sit meditating[700]

On that celestial harmony I go to. 80

[_Sad and solemn music._

_Grif._ She is asleep: good wench, let's sit down quiet,

For fear we wake her: softly, gentle Patience.

_The vision. Enter, solemnly tripping one after another, six

personages, clad in white robes, wearing on their heads

garlands of bays, and golden vizards on their faces;

branches of bays or palm in their hands. They first congee

unto her, then dance; and, at certain changes, the first

two hold a spare garland over her head; at which the other

four make reverent curtsies; then the two that held the

garland deliver the same to the other next two, who observe

the same order in their changes, and holding the garland

over her head: which done, they deliver the same garland

to the last two, who likewise observe the same order: at

which, as it were by inspiration, she makes in her sleep

signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven: and

so in their dancing vanish, carrying the garland with them.

The music continues._[701]

_Kath._ Spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye all gone,[702]

And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?

_Grif._ Madam, we are here.

_Kath._ It is not you I call for: 85

Saw ye none enter since I slept?

_Grif._ None, madam.

_Kath._ No? Saw you not even now a blessed troop

Invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces

Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?[703]

They promised me eternal happiness, 90

And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel

I am not worthy yet to wear: I shall, assuredly.[704]

_Grif._ I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams

Possess your fancy.

_Kath._ Bid the music leave;

They are harsh and heavy to me. [_Music ceases._[705]

_Pat._ Do you note 95

How much her grace is alter'd on the sudden?

How long her face is drawn? how pale she looks,

And of an earthy cold? Mark her eyes![706]

_Grif._ She is going, wench: pray, pray.

_Pat._ Heaven comfort her!

_Enter a_ Messenger.[707]

_Mess._ An't like your grace,--[708]

_Kath._ You are a saucy fellow: 100

Deserve we no more reverence?

_Grif._ You are to blame,[709]

Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness,[710]

To use so rude behaviour: go to, kneel.

_Mess._ I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon;

My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying 105

A gentleman, sent from the king, to see you.

_Kath._ Admit him entrance, Griffith: but this fellow

Let me ne'er see again. [_Exeunt Griffith and Messenger._

_Re-enter_ GRIFFITH, _with_ CAPUCIUS.[711]

If my sight fail not,

You should be lord ambassador from the emperor,

My royal nephew, and your name Capucius.[712] 110

_Cap._ Madam, the same; your servant.

_Kath._ O, my lord,

The times and titles now are alter'd strangely

With me since first you knew me. But, I pray you,[713]

What is your pleasure with me?

_Cap._ Noble lady,

First, mine own service to your grace; the next, 115

The king's request that I would visit you;

Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me

Sends you his princely commendations,

And heartily entreats you take good comfort.

_Kath._ O my good lord, that comfort comes too late, 120

'Tis like a pardon after execution:

That gentle physic, given in time, had cured me;

But now I am past all comforts here but prayers.

How does his highness?

_Cap._ Madam, in good health.

_Kath._ So may he ever do! and ever flourish, 125

When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name

Banish'd the kingdom! Patience, is that letter,

I caused you write, yet sent away?

_Pat._ No, madam.

[_Giving it to Katharine._[714]

_Kath._ Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver[715]

This to my lord the king.

_Cap._ Most willing, madam.[716] 130

_Kath._ In which I have commended to his goodness

The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter,--

The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!--

Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding--

She is young and of a noble modest nature: 135

I hope she will deserve well--and a little

To love her for her mother's sake, that loved him,

Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition[717]

Is that his noble grace would have some pity

Upon my wretched women, that so long 140

Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully:

Of which there is not one, I dare avow,--

And now I should not lie--but will deserve,[718]

For virtue and true beauty of the soul,

For honesty and decent carriage, 145

A right good husband, let him be a noble:[719]

And, sure, those men are happy that shall have 'em.

The last is, for my men; they are the poorest,[720]

But poverty could never draw 'em from me;

That they may have their wages duly paid 'em, 150

And something over to remember me by:[721]

If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life[722]

And able means, we had not parted thus.[723]

These are the whole contents: and, good my lord,

By that you love the dearest in this world, 155

As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,

Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the king

To do me this last right.

_Cap._ By heaven, I will,

Or let me lose the fashion of a man!

_Kath._ I thank you, honest lord. Remember me 160

In all humility unto his highness:

Say his long trouble now is passing[724]

Out of this world; tell him, in death I bless'd him,

For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell,

My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,[725] 165

You must not leave me yet: I must to bed;

Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,[726]

Let me be used with honour: strew me over

With maiden flowers, that all the world may know

I was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me, 170

Then lay me forth: although unqueen'd, yet like

A queen and daughter to a king, inter me.

I can no more. [_Exeunt, leading Katharine._

FOOTNOTES:

[639] _You're_] Rowe. _Y'are_ Ff. _You are_ Capell.

_again_] _again, sir_ Keightley.

_So_] _And so_ Pope.

[640] _coronation?_] Capell. _coronation._ Ff.

[641] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

_royal_] _loyal_ Pope.

[642] _minds--As ... forward--_] _minds (As ... forward)_ Knight

(Boswell conj.) _minds, As ... forward_ Ff.

[643] _As_] _And_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_rights_] _right_ Hanmer.

_they are_] _they're_ Pope.

[644] _this day_] _these days_ Hanmer.

[645] _ask_] _task_ Warburton.

[646] _That_] _The_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_hand_] F₁. _hands_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[647] _He to be_] _To be_ Pope.

[648] Sec. Gent.] 2. F₄. 1. F₁ F₂ F₃.

[649] _beholding_] _beholden_ Pope.

[650] _too_] _too, sir_ Capell.

[651] _off_] om. Pope.

[652] _was often_] _oft was_ Hanmer.

[653] _not appearance_] _non-appearance_ Steevens conj.

[654] _Kimbolton_] F₃ F₄. _Kymmalton_ F₁ F₂.

[655] [Trumpets.] Capell. om. Ff.

[656] _The ... coming._] One line in Pope. Two lines, the first ending

_close_, in Ff.

[Hautboys.] Ho-boyes. F₁ F₂ F₃. Ho-boys. F₄. om. Capell.

Choristers] Quirristers F₁ F₂ F₃. Quiristers F₄.

Musicians.] Edd. Musicke. Ff.

he wears] he wore Ff. om. Rowe.

Collars of SS.] Rowe. Collars of Esses. Ff.

in her hair] her hair Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

They pass ... state.] Edd. Exeunt first passing over the Stage in Order

and State, and then, A great Flourish of Trumpets. Ff. Omitted by

Capell.

[657] _that that_] F₁ F₂. _that_ F₃ F₄. _that who_ Pope.

[658] _That_] _The next_ Hanmer. _That next_ Capell. _That lord_ S.

Walker conj. _And that_ Keightley.

[659] [Looking on the Queen] Johnson. om. Ff.

[660] _lady:_] Rowe. _lady,_ Ff.

[661] _honour over_] _state above_ Pope.

[662] _Those ... her._] As in Pope. Two lines, the first ending

_happy,_ in Ff.

_and so_] _so_ Pope.

[663] _Duchess of_] _the Dutchess of_ Rowe. _Duchess_ S. Walker conj.

[664] _And ... that._] First Gent. _And ... ones._ Sec. Gent. _No ...

that._ Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

First Gent.] 1. F₃ F₄. 2. F₁ F₂.

[Exit procession; and then ...] Exit procession, with ... Capell. om.

Ff.

[665] First Gent.] 1. Ff. 2. G. Capell.

_where_] _say where_ Hanmer. _and where_ Capell. _why, where_ S. Walker

conj.

_broiling_] _a-broiling_ Seymour conj.

[666] _I_] _and I_ Hanmer.

[667] _You saw The ceremony_] As in Hanmer. One line in Ff.

[668] _That I did_] F₁ F₂. _I did_ F₃ F₄.

[669] _opposing_] _exposing_ Long MS.

[670] _This_] _That_ Capell.

[671] _in_] _into_ Mitford conj.

_But_] _But pray_ Pope.

[672] _She had_] _Sh' had_ Pope. _Sh'ad_ Hanmer.

[673] _Sir, You must_] _You must_ Pope. _Good sir, You must_ Capell.

_Sir, you Must_ Steevens (1793).

_that's_] _that is_ Steevens (1793).

[674] _that_] om. Pope.

[675] _Stokesly_] F₄. _Stokeley_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[676] _archbishop's_] _Archbishops_ F₁. _Archbishop_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[677] _there is ... when it_] _there's ... when't_ Pope.

[678] _Thomas ... house_] As three lines, ending _esteem ... friend ...

house,_ in Malone.

[679] _A worthy ... council_] As three lines, ending _him ... house ...

councell,_ in Ff. As two lines, _... master O' th' jewel house and one

o' th' privy council._ Hanmer. As three lines, the first ending _King,_

in Steevens. Two lines, the first ending _master,_ in Keightley.

[680] _made_] _lately made_ S. Walker conj., reading _Master ...

already, of_ as one line.

[681] _O' the ... Yes_] As two lines, S. Walker conj., the first ending

_already, of._

[682] Capell ends the first line at _which._

[683] _ye shall_] _you shall_ Rowe (ed. 2). _you shall both_ Hanmer.

[684] _ye_] om. Pope.

Kimbolton.] Theobald.

[685] _loaden_] F₁. _loaded_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[686] _So; now_] _So--now_ Rowe. _So now_ Ff.

[Sitting down. Rowe.

[687] _led'st_] Rowe (ed. 2). _lead'st_ Ff.

[688] _think_] F₃ F₄. _thinke_ F₂. _thanke_ F₁. _thought_ Lettsom conj.

[689] _me, happily,_] _me happily_ Ff. _me happily,_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[690] _Earl_] _Earl of_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[691] _covent_] Ff. _convent_ Rowe.

[692] _full of_] F₁. _full_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[693] _gave_] F₁. _give_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[694] _So ... him!_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

_lie_] _lay_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_gently on_] F₁. _on_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _bury'd with_ Rowe. _lightly on_

Collier MS.

[695] _Tied_] _Ty'de_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _Ty'd_ F₄. _Tyth'd_ Hanmer.

[696] _is now_] _now is_ Rowe.

[697] _honour from his cradle._] _honour, from his cradle;_ Theobald.

_honour. From his cradle_ Ff.

[698] _Oxford!_] Pope. _Oxford:_ Ff.

[699] _to outlive_] _t'outlive_ Keightley.

_good that did it_] _good he did it_ Pope. _good man did it_ Collier

MS. _good that did it nourish_ Keightley. _good that rear'd it_

Staunton. _hand that fed it_ Anon. conj.

[700] _meditating_] F₁ F₄. _meditating._ F₂ F₃.

[701] reverent] reverend Ff.

changes] F₁. charges F₂ F₃ F₄.

vanish] they vanish Hanmer.

[702] [starting out of her Sleep. Capell.

_all_] om. Pope.

[703] _thousand_] F₁. _a thousand_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[704] _assuredly_] As a separate line, in Hanmer.

[705] _They are_] _'Tis_ Pope.

[706] _And_] _Her hand_ or _And feels_ Staunton conj.

_earthy cold_] _earthly cold_ Rowe (ed. 2). _earthy coldness_ Collier

(Collier MS.) _earthy colour_ Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)

_Mark_] _Observe_ Pope. _Mark you_ Capell.

[707] Messenger.] Gentleman. Capell.

[708] _An't_] Hanmer. _And't_ Ff.

[709] _to blame_] F₃ F₄. _too blame_ F₁ F₂.

[710] _lose_] F₄. _loose_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[711] [Exeunt....] Exeunt Gri. and Gen. Capell. Exit Messeng. Ff.

Re-enter....] Capell. Enter Lord Capuchius. Ff.

[712] _Capucius_] _Capuchius_ Ff (and passim).

[713] _With ... pray you_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.

[714] [Giving....] Malone. reaching it. Capell. Omitted in Ff.

[715] _most_] Ff. _must_ Rowe.

[716] _This_] _Thus_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_willing_] F₁. _willingly_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[717] _Heaven ... petition_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.

[718] _will deserve_] F₁ F₂. _well deserve_ F₃ F₄. _well deserves_

Hanmer.

[719] _husband, let ... noble:_] Pope. _husband, let ... noble,_ Rowe.

_husband (let ... noble)_ Ff. _husband; let ... noble;_ Capell.

[720] _the poorest_] _o' th' poorest_ S. Walker conj.

[721] _by_] om. Pope.

[722] _to have given_] _to've giv'n_ Hanmer.

[723] _able_] _abler_ S. Walker conj.

[724] _Say_] Ff. _And tell him_ Pope. _Say to him_ Keightley.

_passing_] _passing from him_ Capell. _passing fast_ or _passing,

passing_ Anon. conj.

[725] [Exeunt Capucius and Griffith. Edd. conj.

[726] [Enter women. Edd. conj.

ACT V.

SCENE I. _London. A gallery in the palace._[727]

_Enter_ GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester, _a_ Page _with a torch

before him, met by_ SIR THOMAS LOVELL.

_Gar._ It's one o'clock, boy, is't not?

_Boy._ It hath struck.

_Gar._ 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? 5

_Lov._ Came you from the king, my lord?[728]

_Gar._ I did, Sir Thomas, and left him at primero[729]

With the Duke of Suffolk.

_Lov._ I must to him too,

Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.

_Gar._ Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter? 10

It seems you are in haste: an if there be[730]

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 15

That seeks dispatch by day.

_Lov._ My lord, I love you;

And durst commend a secret to your ear

Much weightier than this work. The queen's in labour,[731]

They say, in great extremity; and fear'd[732]

She'll with the labour end.

_Gar._ The fruit she goes with[733] 20

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.

_Lov._ Methinks I could

Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says[734]

She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does 25

Deserve our better wishes.

_Gar._ But, sir, sir,

Hear me, Sir Thomas: you're a gentleman[735]

Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious;[736]

And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,

'Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me, 30

Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she,

Sleep in their graves.

_Lov._ 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[737]

O' the rolls, and the king's secretary; further, sir,[738] 35

Stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments,[739]

With which the time will load him. The archbishop[740]

Is the king's hand and tongue; and who dare speak[741]

One syllable against him?

_Gar._ Yes, yes, Sir Thomas,[742]

There are that dare; and I myself have ventured 40

To speak my mind of him: and indeed this day,[743]

Sir, I may tell it you, I think I have

Incensed the lords o' the council that he is--[744]

For so I know he is, they know he is--

A most arch-heretic, a pestilence 45

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[745]

And princely care foreseeing those fell mischiefs

Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded[746] 50

To-morrow morning to the council-board

He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Thomas,[747]

And we must root him out. From your affairs

I hinder you too long: good night, Sir Thomas.

_Lov._ Many good nights, my lord: I rest your servant. 55

[_Exeunt Gardiner and Page._

_Enter_ KING _and_ SUFFOLK.[748]

_King._ Charles, I will play no more to-night;[749]

My mind's not on't; you are too hard for me.

_Suf._ Sir, I did never win of you before.

_King._ But little, Charles,

Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.[750] 60

Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news?

_Lov._ 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[751] 65

Most heartily to pray for her.

_King._ What say'st thou, ha?

To pray for her? what, is she crying out?

_Lov._ So said her woman, and that her sufferance made

Almost each pang a death.

_King._ Alas, good lady!

_Suf._ God safely quit her of her burthen, and 70

With gentle travail, to the gladding of[752]

Your highness with an heir!

_King._ '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 75

Would not be friendly to.

_Suf._ I wish your highness

A quiet night, and my good mistress will

Remember in my prayers.

_King._ Charles, good night. [_Exit Suffolk._

_Enter_ SIR ANTHONY DENNY.[753]

Well, sir, what follows?

_Den._ Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop, 80

As you commanded me.

_King._ Ha! Canterbury?

_Den._ Ay, my good lord.[754]

_King._ 'Tis true: where is he, Denny?

_Den._ He attends your highness' pleasure.

_King._ Bring him to us.

[_Exit Denny._[755]

_Lov._ [_Aside_] This is about that which the bishop spake:[756]

I am happily come hither.[757] 85

_Re-enter_ DENNY, _with_ CRANMER.

_King._ Avoid the gallery. [_Lovell seems to stay_] Ha!

I have said. Be gone.[758]

What! [_Exeunt Lovell and Denny._

_Cran._ [_Aside_] I am fearful: wherefore frowns he thus?[759]

'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.

_King._ How now, my lord! you do desire to know[760]

Wherefore I sent for you.[760]

_Cran._ [_Kneeling_] It is my duty[761] 90

To attend your highness' pleasure.[762]

_King._ 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.[763]

Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak, 95

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 100

This morning come before us; where, I know,

You cannot with such freedom 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 105

To make your house our Tower: you a brother of us,[764]

It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness

Would come against you.

_Cran._ [_Kneeling_] I humbly thank your highness;[761]

And am right glad to catch this good occasion

Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff 110

And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know,

There's none stands under more calumnious tongues

Than I myself, poor man.[765]

_King._ Stand up, good Canterbury:

Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted

In us, thy friend: give me thy hand, stand up:[766] 115

Prithee, let's walk. Now, by my holidame,[767]

What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd

You would have given me your petition, that

I should have ta'en some pains to bring together

Yourself and your accusers, and to have heard you,[768] 120

Without indurance, further.

_Cran._ Most dread liege,

The good I stand on is my truth and honesty:[769]

If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies,[770]

Will triumph o'er my person; which I weigh not,

Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing 125

What can be said against me.[771]

_King._ Know you not

How your state stands i’ the world, with the whole world?

Your enemies are many, and not small; their practices[772]

Must bear the same proportion; and not ever

The justice and the truth o' the question carries 130

The due o' the verdict with it: at what ease[773]

Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt

To swear against you? Such things have been done.

You are potently opposed, and with a malice[774]

Of as great size. Ween you of better luck, 135

I mean, in perjured witness, than your master,

Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived[775]

Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to;

You take a precipice for no leap of danger,[776]

And woo your own destruction.[777]

_Cran._ God and your majesty 140

Protect mine innocence, or I fall into

The trap is laid for me!

_King._ Be of good cheer;

They shall no more prevail than we give way to.

Keep comfort to you; and this morning see

You do appear before them. If they shall chance,[778] 145

In charging you with matters, to commit you,

The best persuasions to the contrary

Fail not to use, and with what vehemency

The occasion shall instruct you: if entreaties

Will render you no remedy, this ring 150

Deliver them, and your appeal to us

There make before them. Look, the good man weeps![779]

He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother!

I swear he is true-hearted, and a soul

None better in my kingdom. Get you gone, 155

And do as I have bid you. [_Exit Cranmer._] He has strangled[780][781]

His language in his tears.[781][782]

_Enter_ Old Lady; LOVELL _following_.

_Gent._ [_Within_] Come back: what mean you?

_Old L._ I'll not come back; the tidings that I bring

Will make my boldness manners. Now, good angels

Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person 160

Under their blessed wings!

_King._ Now, by thy looks

I guess thy message. Is the queen deliver'd?

Say, ay, and of a boy.

_Old L._ Ay, ay, my liege;

And of a lovely boy: the God of heaven

Both now and ever bless her! 'tis a girl, 165

Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen

Desires your visitation, and to be

Acquainted with this stranger: 'tis as like you

As cherry is to cherry.

_King._ Lovell!

_Lov._ Sir?[783]

_King._ Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the queen.[784] 170

[_Exit._

_Old L._ An hundred marks! By this light, I 'll ha' more.[785]

An ordinary groom is for such payment.

I will have more, or scold it out of him.

Said I for this, the girl was like to him?[786][787]

I will have more, or else unsay't; and now,[786][788] 175

While it is hot, I'll put it to the issue. [_Exeunt._[786][789]

SCENE II. _Before the council-chamber._

Pursuivants, Pages, &c. _attending._

_Enter_ CRANMER, Archbishop of Canterbury.[790]

_Cran._ I hope I am not too late; and yet the gentleman[791]

That was sent to me from the council pray'd me

To make great haste. All fast? what means this? Ho!

Who waits there? Sure, you know me?

_Enter_ Keeper.

_Keep._ Yes, my lord;

But yet I cannot help you.[792] 5

_Cran._ Why?[792]

_Enter_ DOCTOR BUTTS.[793]

_Keep._ Your grace must wait till you be call'd for.[792]

_Cran._ So.

_Butts._ [_Aside_] This is a piece of malice. I am glad[794]

I came this way so happily: the king[795]

Shall understand it presently. [_Exit._

_Cran._ [_Aside_] 'Tis Butts,[796] 10

The king's physician: as he pass'd along,

How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me!

Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain,[797]

This is of purpose laid by some that hate me--

God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice-- 15

To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me

Wait else at door, a fellow-councillor,

'Mong boys, grooms and lackeys. But their pleasures[798]

Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.[799]

_Enter the_ KING _and_ BUTTS _at a window above_.

_Butts._ I'll show your grace the strangest sight--[800]

_King._ What's that, Butts? 20

_Butts._ I think your highness saw this many a day.

_King._ Body o' me, where is it?[801]

_Butts._ There, my lord:

The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury;

Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants,

Pages and footboys.

_King._ Ha! 'tis he, indeed: 25

Is this the honour they do one another?

'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had thought[802]

They had parted so much honesty among 'em,[803]

At least good manners, as not thus to suffer

A man of his place and so near our favour 30

To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures,

And at the door too, like a post with packets.

By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:

Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close;

We shall hear more anon. [_Exeunt._[804] 35

SCENE III. _The council-chamber._

_Enter_ LORD CHANCELLOR, _places himself at the upper end of

the table on the left hand; a seat being left void above

him, as for_ CANTERBURY'S _seat_; DUKE OF SUFFOLK, DUKE

OF NORFOLK, SURREY, LORD CHAMBERLAIN, GARDINER, _seat

themselves in order on each side_. CROMWELL _at lower end,

as secretary. Keeper at the door._[805]

_Chan._ Speak to the business, master secretary:[806]

Why are we met in council?[807]

_Crom._ Please your honours,

The chief cause concerns his grace of Canterbury.[808]

_Gar._ Has he had knowledge of it?

_Crom._ Yes.

_Nor._ Who waits there?

_Keep._ Without, my noble lords?

_Gar._ Yes.[809]

_Keep._ My lord archbishop; 5

And has done half an hour, to know your pleasures.

_Chan._ Let him come in.

_Keep._ Your grace may enter now.

[_Cranmer enters and approaches the council-table._[810]

_Chan._ My good lord archbishop, I'm very sorry

To sit here at this present and behold

That chair stand empty: but we all are men, 10

In our own natures frail and capable[811]

Of our flesh; few are angels: out of which frailty[811][812]

And want of wisdom, you, that best should teach us,

Have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little,

Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling 15

The whole realm, by your teaching and your chaplains--

For so we are inform'd--with new opinions,

Divers and dangerous; which are heresies,

And, not reform'd, may prove pernicious.

_Gar._ Which reformation must be sudden too, 20

My noble lords; for those that tame wild horses

Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle,

But stop their mouths with stubborn bits and spur 'em,

Till they obey the manage. If we suffer,

Out of our easiness and childish pity 25

To one man's honour, this contagious sickness,

Farewell all physic: and what follows then?

Commotions, uproars, with a general taint

Of the whole state: as of late days our neighbours,

The upper Germany, can dearly witness, 30

Yet freshly pitied in our memories.

_Cran._ My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress

Both of my life and office, I have labour'd,

And with no little study, that my teaching

And the strong course of my authority 35

Might go one way, and safely; and the end

Was ever to do well: nor is there living,

I speak it with a single heart, my lords,

A man that more detests, more stirs against,[813]

Both in his private conscience and his place, 40

Defacers of a public peace, than I do.[814]

Pray heaven, the king may never find a heart

With less allegiance in it! Men that make

Envy and crooked malice nourishment

Dare bite the best. I do beseech your lordships, 45

That, in this case of justice, my accusers,

Be what they will, may stand forth face to face,

And freely urge against me.

_Suf._ Nay, my lord,

That cannot be: you are a councillor,

And, by that virtue, no man dare accuse you. 50

_Gar._ My lord, because we have business of more moment,[815]

We will be short with you. 'Tis his highness' pleasure,

And our consent, for better trial of you,

From hence you be committed to the Tower;

Where, being but a private man again, 55

You shall know many dare accuse you boldly,

More than, I fear, you are provided for.

_Cran._ Ah, my good Lord of Winchester, I thank you;[816]

You are always my good friend; if your will pass,

I shall both find your lordship judge and juror, 60

You are so merciful. I see your end;

'Tis my undoing. Love and meekness, lord,

Become a churchman better than ambition:

Win straying souls with modesty again,

Cast none away. That I shall clear myself, 65

Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience,

I make as little doubt as you do conscience

In doing daily wrongs. I could say more,

But reverence to your calling makes me modest.

_Gar._ My lord, my lord, you are a sectary; 70

That's the plain truth: your painted gloss discovers,

To men that understand you, words and weakness.[817]

_Crom._ My Lord of Winchester, you are a little,[818]

By your good favour, too sharp; men so noble,

However faulty, yet should find respect 75

For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty[819]

To load a falling man.

_Gar._ Good master secretary,[820]

I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst

Of all this table, say so.

_Crom._ Why, my lord?

_Gar._ Do not I know you for a favourer 80

Of this new sect? ye are not sound.

_Crom._ Not sound?

_Gar._ Not sound, I say.

_Crom._ Would you were half so honest!

Men's prayers then would seek you, not their fears.

_Gar._ I shall remember this bold language.

_Crom._ Do.

Remember your bold life too.

_Chan._ This is too much;[821] 85

Forbear, for shame, my lords.

_Gar._ I have done.[822]

_Crom._ And I.

_Chan._ Then thus for you, my lord: it stands agreed,[823]

I take it, by all voices, that forthwith

You be convey'd to the Tower a prisoner;

There to remain till the king's further pleasure 90

Be known unto us: are you all agreed, lords?[824]

_All._ We are.

_Cran._ Is there no other way of mercy.

But I must needs to the Tower, my lords?

_Gar._ What other

Would you expect? you are strangely troublesome.[825]

Let some o' the guard be ready there.

_Enter_ Guard.[826]

_Cran._ For me? 95

Must I go like a traitor thither?

_Gar._ Receive him,

And see him safe i' the Tower.

_Cran._ Stay, good my lords,

I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords;

By virtue of that ring, I take my cause

Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it 100

To a most noble judge, the king my master.

_Cham._ This is the king's ring.[827]

_Sur._ 'Tis no counterfeit.

_Suf._ 'Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all,[828]

When we first put this dangerous stone a-rolling,

'Twould fall upon ourselves.

_Nor._ Do you think, my lords, 105

The king will suffer but the little finger

Of this man to be vex'd?

_Cham._ 'Tis now too certain:[827]

How much more is his life in value with him?

Would I were fairly out on't!

_Crom._ My mind gave me,

In seeking tales and informations 110

Against this man, whose honesty the devil

And his disciples only envy at,[829]

Ye blew the fire that burns ye: now have at ye!

_Enter_ KING, _frowning on them; takes his seat_.

_Gar._ Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven[830]

In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince, 115

Not only good and wise, but most religious:

One that, in all obedience, makes the church

The chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen

That holy duty, out of dear respect,[831]

His royal self in judgement comes to hear 120

The cause betwixt her and this great offender.

_King._ You were ever good at sudden commendations,[832]

Bishop of Winchester. But know, I come not

To hear such flattery now, and in my presence[833][834]

They are too thin and bare to hide offences.[834][835] 125

To me you cannot reach you play the spaniel,[836]

And think with wagging of your tongue to win me;

But, whatsoe'er thou takest me for, I'm sure

Thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody.

[_To Cranmer_] Good man, sit down. Now let me see the

proudest[837][838] 130

He, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee:[837]

By all that's holy, he had better starve

Than but once think this place becomes thee not.[839]

_Sur._ May it please your grace,--

_King._ No, sir, it does not please me.

I had thought I had had men of some understanding[840] 135

And wisdom of my council; but I find none.

Was it discretion, lords, to let this man,

This good man,--few of you deserve that title,--

This honest man, wait like a lousy footboy

At chamber-door? and one as great as you are? 140

Why, what a shame was this! Did my commission

Bid ye so far forget yourselves? I gave ye

Power as he was a councillor to try him,

Not as a groom: there's some of ye, I see,

More out of malice than integrity, 145

Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean:[841]

Which ye shall never have while I live.

_Chan._ Thus far,[842]

My most dread sovereign, may it like your grace

To let my tongue excuse all. What was purposed

Concerning his imprisonment, was rather, 150

If there be faith in men, meant for his trial

And fair purgation to the world, than malice,

I'm sure, in me.

_King._ Well, well, my lords, respect him;

Take him and use him well; he's worthy of it.

I will say thus much for him, if a prince 155

May be beholding to a subject, I[843]

Am, for his love and service, so to him.

Make me no more ado, but all embrace him:[844]

Be friends, for shame, my lords! My Lord of Canterbury,

I have a suit which you must not deny me; 160

That is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism;[845]

You must be godfather, and answer for her.

_Cran._ The greatest monarch now alive may glory

In such an honour: how may I deserve it,

That am a poor and humble subject to you? 165

_King._ Come, come, my lord, you'ld spare your[846]

spoons: you shall have two noble partners with you; the[846]

old Duchess of Norfolk, and Lady Marquess Dorset: will[846][847][848]

these please you?[846][848]

Once more, my Lord of Winchester, I charge you, 170

Embrace and love this man.[849]

_Gar._ With a true heart

And brother-love I do it.[850]

_Cran._ And let heaven

Witness how dear I hold this confirmation.

_King._ Good man, those joyful tears show thy true heart:[851]

The common voice, I see, is verified 175

Of thee, which says thus: 'Do my Lord of Canterbury

A shrewd turn, and he is your friend for ever.'[852]

Come, lords, we trifle time away; I long

To have this young one made a Christian.

As I have made ye one, lords, one remain: 180

So I grow stronger, you more honour gain. [_Exeunt._

SCENE IV. _The palace yard._[853]

_Noise and tumult within. Enter_ Porter _and his_ Man.

_Port._ You'll leave your noise anon, ye rascals: do you[854][855]

take the court for Paris-garden? ye rude slaves, leave your[854][856]

gaping.[854]

[_Within_] 'Good master porter, I belong to the larder.'[854][857]

_Port._ Belong to the gallows, and be hanged, ye rogue![854][858] 5

Is this a place to roar in? Fetch me a dozen crab-tree[854][859]

staves, and strong ones: these are but switches to 'em.[854][860]

I'll scratch your heads: you must be seeing christenings?[854]

do you look for ale and cakes here, you rude rascals?[854]

_Man._ Pray, sir, be patient: 'tis as much impossible-- 10

Unless we sweep 'em from the door with cannons--

To scatter 'em, as 'tis to make 'em sleep

On May-day morning; which will never be:

We may as well push against Powle's as stir 'em.[861]

_Port._ How got they in, and be hang'd? 15

_Man._ Alas, I know not; how gets the tide in?

As much as one sound cudgel of four foot--

You see the poor remainder--could distribute,

I made no spare, sir.

_Port._ You did nothing, sir.

Man. I am not Samson, nor Sir Guy, nor Colbrand,[862] 20

To mow 'em down before me: but if I spared any[862]

That had a head to hit, either young or old,[862]

He or she, cuckold or cuckold-maker,[862]

Let me ne'er hope to see a chine again;[862][863]

And that I would not for a cow, God save her![862][864] 25

[_Within_] 'Do you hear, master porter?'[857]

_Port._ I shall be with you presently, good master puppy.[857]

Keep the door close, sirrah.

_Man._ What would you have me do?

_Port._ What should you do, but knock 'em down by[865][866] 30

the dozens? Is this Moorfields to muster in? or have we[866]

some strange Indian with the great tool come to court, the[866]

women so besiege us? Bless me, what a fry of fornication[866]

is at door! On my Christian conscience, this one christening[866][867]

will beget a thousand; here will be father, godfather,[866] 35

and all together.[866]

_Man._ The spoons will be the bigger, sir. There is a[866]

fellow somewhat near the door, he should be a brazier by[866]

his face, for, o' my conscience, twenty of the dog-days now[866]

reign in's nose; all that stand about him are under the[866][868] 40

line, they need no other penance: that fire-drake did I hit[866]

three times on the head, and three times was his nose[866]

discharged against me; he stands there, like a mortar-piece,[866]

to blow us. There was a haberdasher's wife of small[866][869]

wit near him, that railed upon me till her pinked porringer[866] 45

fell off her head, for kindling such a combustion in the[866][870]

state. I missed the meteor once, and hit that woman, who[866]

cried out 'Clubs!' when I might see from far some forty[866][871]

truncheoners draw to her succour, which were the hope o'[866][872]

the Strand, where she was quartered. They fell on; I made[866][873] 50

good my place: at length they came to the broomstaff to[866][874]

me; I defied 'em still: when suddenly a file of boys behind[866][874][875]

'em, loose shot, delivered such a shower of pebbles, that[866][875][876]

I was fain to draw mine honour in and let 'em win the[866]

work: the devil was amongst 'em, I think, surely.[866] 55

_Port._ These are the youths that thunder at a play-house[866]

and fight for bitten apples; that no audience, but[866]

the tribulation of Tower-hill, or the limbs of Limehouse,[866][877][878]

their dear brothers, are able to endure. I have some of[866][879]

'em in Limbo Patrum, and there they are like to dance[866] 60

these three days; besides the running banquet of two[866]

beadles that is to come.[866]

_Enter_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN.

_Cham._ Mercy o' me, what a multitude are here![880]

They grow still too; from all parts they are coming,

As if we kept a fair here. Where are these porters,[881] 65

These lazy knaves? Ye have made a fine hand, fellows:[882]

There's a trim rabble let in: are all these

Your faithful friends o' the suburbs? We shall have

Great store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies,

When they pass back from the christening.

_Port._ An't please your honour,[883] 70

We are but men; and what so many may do,[884]

Not being torn a-pieces, we have done:[885]

An army cannot rule 'em.

_Cham._ As I live,

If the king blame me for't, I'll lay ye all

By the heels, and suddenly; and on your heads 75

Clap round fines for neglect: ye 're lazy knaves;[886]

And here ye lie baiting of bombards when

Ye should do service. Hark! the trumpets sound;

They're come already from the christening:[887]

Go, break among the press, and find a way out[888] 80

To let the troop pass fairly, or I'll find

A Marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months.

_Port._ Make way there for the princess.[889]

_Man._ You great fellow,

Stand close up, or I'll make your head ache.

_Port._ You i' the camlet, get up o' the rail;[890] 85

I'll peck you o'er the pales else. [_Exeunt._[891]

SCENE V. _The palace._[892]

_Enter_ Trumpets, _sounding; then two_ Aldermen, Lord Mayor,

Garter, CRANMER, DUKE OF NORFOLK _with his marshal's

staff_, DUKE OF SUFFOLK, _two_ Noblemen _bearing great

standing-bowls for the christening-gifts; then four_

Noblemen _bearing a canopy, under which the_ DUCHESS OF

NORFOLK, _godmother, bearing the child richly habited in

a mantle, &c., train borne by a Lady; then follows the_

MARCHIONESS DORSET, _the other godmother, and_ Ladies. _The

troop pass once about the stage, and_ Garter _speaks_.

_Gart._ Heaven, from thy endless goodness, send prosperous[893]

life, long, and ever happy, to the high and mighty[893]

princess of England, Elizabeth![893]

_Flourish. Enter_ KING _and Guard_.[894]

_Cran._ [_Kneeling_] And to your royal grace, and the

good queen.[895][896]

My noble partners and myself thus pray:[896] 5

All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady,[897]

Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy,[898]

May hourly fall upon ye!

_King._ Thank you, good lord archbishop:[899]

What is her name?

_Cran._ Elizabeth.

_King._ Stand up, lord.

[_The King kisses the child._

With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee![900] 10

Into whose hand I give thy life.

_Cran._ Amen.

_King._ My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal:[901]

I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady,

When she has so much English.

_Cran._ Let me speak, sir,

For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter 15

Let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em truth.

This royal infant--heaven still move about her!--

Though in her cradle, yet now promises

Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,

Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be-- 20

But few now living can behold that goodness--[902]

A pattern to all princes living with her

And all that shall succeed: Saba was never[903]

More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue

Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces,[904] 25

That mould up such a mighty piece as this is,[905]

With all the virtues that attend the good,

Shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse her,

Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:

She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her; 30

Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,[906]

And hang their heads with sorrow. Good grows with her:[907]

In her days every man shall eat in safety,

Under his own vine, what he plants, and sing

The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours: 35

God shall be truly known; and those about her

From her shall read the perfect ways of honour,[908][909]

And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.[909]

Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but, as when[910]

The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phœnix,[910] 40

Her ashes new create another heir[910]

As great in admiration as herself,[910]

So shall she leave her blessedness to one--[910]

When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness--[910]

Who from the sacred ashes of her honour[910] 45

Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,[910]

And so stand fix'd. Peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,[910]

That were the servants to this chosen infant,[910]

Shall then be his and like a vine grow to him:[910]

Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,[910] 50

His honour and the greatness of his name[910]

Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish,[910]

And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches[910]

To all the plains about him. Our children's children[910][911]

Shall see this, and bless heaven.[910]

_King._ Thou speakest wonders. 55

_Cran._ She shall be, to the happiness of England,[912]

An aged princess; many days shall see her,[912]

And yet no day without a deed to crown it.[912]

Would I had known no more! but she must die;[912]

She must; the saints must have her; yet a virgin,[912][913] 60

A most unspotted lily shall she pass[912][914]

To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.[912][915]

_King._ O lord archbishop,

Thou hast made me now a man! never, before

This happy child, did I get any thing. 65

This oracle of comfort has so pleased me,

That when I am in heaven I shall desire

To see what this child does, and praise my Maker.

I thank ye all. To you, my good lord mayor,

And your good brethren, I am much beholding;[916] 70

I have received much honour by your presence,

And ye shall find me thankful. Lead the way, lords:

Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye;

She will be sick else. This day, no man think

Has business at his house; for all shall stay:[917] 75

This little one shall make it holiday. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[727] London. A gallery....] Gallery.... Capell. Before the Palace.

Theobald.

[728] _Whither_] F₃ F₄. _Whether_ F₁ F₂.

[729] _and_] om. Pope.

[730] _an if_] Capell. _and if_ Ff.

[731] _work_] _word_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[732] _great_] om. F₄.

_and_] _and 'tis_ Rowe (ed. 2). _'tis_ Pope.

[733] _goes_] _goe_ F₂.

[734] _Cry the_] _Cry ye_ Anon. conj.

[735] _you're_] Theobald. _y' are_ Ff. _you are_ Steevens.

[736] _you_] _you are_ F₃ F₄.

[737] _is_] _he's_ Theobald. _he is_ Capell.

[738] _sir_] om. Pope.

[739] _trade of_] F₁ F₂ F₃. _trade for_ F₄. _tread for_ Warburton.

_moe_] Ff. _more_ Rowe.

[740] _time_] F₄. _Lime_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[741] _and tongue_] F₁ F₂. _or tongue_ F₃ F₄.

[742] _Yes, yes_] Ff. _Yes_ Pope.

[743] _and indeed this_] _indeed this_ Pope. _indeed this very_ Hanmer.

[744] _o' the_] _o' th'_ F₁ F₂. _of the_ F₃ F₄.

[745] _of_] _that of_ Keightley.

[746] _hath_] _he hath_ Pope. _h'ath_ Malone conj. _'hath_ Collier.

[747] _convented_] _convened_ Johnson.

[748] [Exeunt....] Exit.... Ff (after line 54).

Enter King....] Ff. Ex. Lov. Scene changes to an Apartment in the

Palace. Enter King.... Theobald.

As Lovell is going, Enter the King, and the Duke of Suffolk, as new

risen from Play. Capell.

[749] SCENE II. Pope.

_more_] _more with you_ S. Walker conj.

[750] Re-enter Lovel. Theobald. Enter Lovell. Hanmer.

[751] _In the great'st_] _In the greatest_ F₄. _In greatest_ Pope.

[752] _travail_] _travel_ Rowe.

[753] _good_] _a good_ Pope.

Enter....] Ff (after _follows,_ line 79).

[754] _Ay_] Rowe. _I_ Ff. _Yea_ Pope.

[755] [Exit Denny.] Rowe.

[756] [Aside] Rowe.

[757] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter Cranmer and Denny. Ff.

[758] _Avoid ... gone_] One line in Capell Two in Ff.

[759] _What!_] _What?_ F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

SCENE III. Pope.

[_Aside_] Capell.

_fearful_] _much fearful_ Hanmer.

[760] _How ... you_] Arranged as in Rowe (ed. 2). As three lines in Ff,

ending _Lord?... wherefore ... you._

[761] [Kneeling] Johnson.

[762] _To attend_] _T' attend_ Ff.

_arise_] _rise_ Pope.

[763] _I have ... hand_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

_I have_] _I've_ Pope.

_come, come_] _come_ Pope.

[764] _you_] _were you_ Long MS. _to_ Collier MS.

[765] _myself, poor man._ King.] _myself._ King. _Poor man,_ Grey conj.

[766] [Cranmer rises. Johnson.

[767] _holidame_] _holydame_ Ff. _holy Dame_ Rowe.

[768] _to have_] _have_ Pope.

[769] _good_] _ground_ Rann (Johnson conj.)

[770] _fail_] _fall_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[771] _What_] _Which_ Johnson.

[772] _enemies are_] _foes are_ Pope. _enemies_ Capell.

[773] _due_] F₃ F₄. _dew_ F₁ F₂.

[774] _You are_] _You're_ Pope.

[775] _whiles_] _while_ Pope.

[776] _precipice_] _precepit_ F₁.

[777] _And woo_] F₃ F₄. _And woe_ F₁. _Ane wooe_ F₂.

[778] _shall_] om. Pope.

[779] _good man_] F₃ F₄. _goodman_ F₁ F₂.

[780] _He has_] _He ha's_ Ff. _He'as_ Pope.

[781] _He has ... tears_] Arranged as in Hanmer. As one line in Ff.

[782] _His language_] F₁. _all his language_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _All language_

Hanmer.

Enter....] Capell. Enter Olde Lady. Ff.

[783] Enter Lovell. Steevens.

[784] _Give ... queen_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[Exit.] Exit King. Ff.

[785] _ha'_] F₃. _ha_ F₁ F₂ F₄. _have_ Capell.

[786] _Said ... issue_] Arranged as by Steevens. In Ff the lines end

_Ile ... hot ... issue._

[787] _like to_] _like_ Pope.

[788] _I will_] Steevens. _Ile_ F₁ F₂. _I'le_ F₃ F₄.

_and now_] _now_ Pope.

[789] _it is_] Steevens. _'tis_ Ff.

[Exeunt.] Capell. Exit Ladie. Ff.

[790] SCENE II.] SCENE IV. Pope.

Before the council-chamber.] Theobald. The council-Chamber. Capell.

Pursuivants, Pages, &c. attending. Enter....] Chair, under a State,

for the King; beneath, a Table: Chamber-keeper attending. Servants

at the Door without; to which, Enter Cranmer. Capell. Enter Cranmer,

Archbyshop of Canterbury. Ff.

[791] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[792] _But ... grace_] One line in Capell.

[793] Enter....] Capell. In Ff after _for_ line 7.

[794] [Aside] Dyce and Staunton.

_piece_] _Peere_ F₁.

[795] _happily_] F₁ F₂ F₃. _haply_ F₄.

[796] [Aside] Johnson.

[797] _sound_] _found_ Rowe.

[798] _'Mong ... pleasures_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Ff.

_'Mong_] _Among_ Capell.

_boys_] _footboys_ Anon. conj.

_grooms_] _and grooms_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[799] _fulfill'd_] Ff. _fulfilled_ Rowe.

[800] _sight--_] Rowe. _sight._ Ff.

[801] _o' me_] Pope. _a me_ Ff.

[802] _above 'em yet. I_] _above 'em.-- Yet I_ Theobald conj.

(withdrawn).

_had_] om. Pope.

[803] _They had_] _They'd_ Pope.

[804] [Exeunt.] Reed (1803). Curtain drawn. Capell.

[805] SCENE III.] Edd. SCENE V. Pope. om. Ff. See note (X).

The council-chamber.] Reed. The council. Theobald. A Councell Table

brought in with Chayres and Stooles, and placed under the State. Ff.

Enter ... secretary.] Ff.

Lord Chancellor,] Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor, Theobald conj.

(withdrawn).

Keeper at the door.] Edd. om. Ff.

[806] _master_] Steevens. _M._ F₁ F₂. _Mr._ F₃ F₄.

[807] _are we_] _we are_ Anon. conj.

[808] _chief_] om. Pope. _chiefest_ Capell.

_cause_] om. Anon. conj.

_concerns_] _'cerns_ Lettsom conj.

[809] _noble_] om. Steevens conj.

Gar. _Yes._] om. Mitford conj.

[810] enters and] Edd. om. Ff.

[811] _and capable Of our flesh:_] Capell. _and capable Of our flesh,_

Ff. _and capable Of frailty,_ Pope. _and culpable; Those frailty free

are angels:_ Theobald conj. _incapable; Of our flesh,_ Malone. _and

culpable: Of our flesh,_ Mason conj. _and culpable Of our flesh;_

Collier (Collier MS.)

[812] _Of our flesh; few_] _Of falling; so_ Anon. conj.

_out of_] _from_ Pope.

[813] _stirs_] F₄. _stirres_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _strives_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[814] _of a_] _of the_ Rowe.

[815] _we have_] _we've_ Pope.

[816] _Ah_] _Ay_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[817] _you, words_] _your words_ Long MS.

[818] _you are_] Pope. _y'are_ Ff. _you're_ Rowe.

[819] _a cruelty_] _cruelty_ Anon. conj.

[820] _master_] Steevens. _M._ F₁ F₂. _Mr._ F₃ F₄.

[821] Chan.] Capell. Cham. Ff.

_This is_] _This'_ S. Walker conj.

[822] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[823] Chan.] Capell (Theobald conj.) Cham. Ff.

[824] _lords?_] F₄. _lords._ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[825] _you are_] _you're_ Pope.

[826] Enter Guard] Enter the Guard. Ff.

[827] Cham.] Ff. Cha. Capell. Chan. Dyce.

[828] _'Tis the_] F₁ F₂. _'Tis his_ F₃ F₄.

[829] _disciples_] _diciples_ F₂.

[830] SCENE VI. Pope.

_Dread ... heaven_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[831] _out of_] _of our_ F₃ F₄.

[832] _You were_] _You're_ Pope.

[833] _flattery_] _flatteries_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[834] _presence They_] F₁. _presence, They_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _presence; They_

Capell.

[835] _bare_] Dyce (Malone conj.) _base_ Ff.

[836] _To me_] _To one_ Rann (Whalley conj.)

_reach you_] _reach, you_ Steevens (Mason conj.) _reach. You_ Ff.

[837] [To Cranmer.] Rowe. om. Ff.

[838] _proudest He,_] Ff. _proudest, He_ Collier.

[839] _this_] Rowe. _his_ Ff.

[840] _I had thought I had had men_] Ff. _I had had thought I had men_

Rowe (ed. 1). _I had thought I had men_ Rowe (ed. 2). _I thought I had

men_ Pope.

[841] _mean_] _means_ Pope.

[842] _live_] _do live_ Rowe (ed. 2).

Chan.] F₁ F₂. Cham. F₃ F₄.

_Thus far_] om. Pope.

[843] _beholding_] _beholden_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[844] _him_] om. Johnson.

[They embrace him; Gardiner last. Collier (Collier MS.)

[845] _That is,_] _There is_ Rowe.

[846] _Come ... you?_] As in Ff. Pope arranges as verse, ending the

lines _have ... Dutchess ... Dorset._ Capell ends them _have ...

Norfolk ... please you._

[847] _Lady_] _the Lady_ Rowe (ed. 2). _the old Lady_ Johnson (1771).

_Dorset_] F₁ F₂. _of Dorset_ F₃ F₄.

[848] _will these please you?_] Omitted by Pope.

[849] [They embrace again. Collier (Collier MS.)

[850] _brother-love_] Malone. _brother; love_ F₁. _brothers love_ F₂ F₃

F₄. _brother's love_ Rowe.

[851] _heart_] _hearts_ F₁.

[852] _A_] _But one_ Pope.

_he is_] Capell. _hee's_ F₁ F₂. _he's_ F₃ F₄.

[853] SCENE IV.] Edd. Scæna Tertia. Ff. SCENE VII. Pope.

The palace yard.] Theobald.

[854] _You'll ... rude rascals?_] As ten lines of verse in Capell,

ending _noise ... court ... gaping ... larder ... rogue ... roar in ...

ones to'em ... christnings? ... rascals?_

[855] _leave_] _leane_ F₂.

[856] _Paris-Garden_] F₄. _Parish garden_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[857] _master_] Steevens. _M._ F₁ F₂. _Mr._ F₃ F₄.

[858] _ye_] _you_ Capell.

[859] _roar_] _roate_ F₂.

[860] _switches to em._] _switches.--To 'em._ Warburton.

[861] _as well_] _is well_ F₂.

_Powle's_] _Powles_ F₁ F₂. _Poule's_ F₃. _Pauls_ F₄.

[862] _I ... her!_] As in Ff. Prose in Pope.

[863] _ne'er_] _never_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_chine_] _queen_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[864] _a cow_] _a crown_ Collier (Collier MS.) _my cow_ Staunton conj.

[865] _What should you do,_] In a line by itself in Ff. As prose in

Rowe.

[866] _but knock ... to come._] As prose in Ff. As verse in Capell. See

note (XI).

[867] _at door_] _at dore_ F₁ F₂. _at the door_ F₃ F₄.

[868] _in's_] _in his_ Capell.

[869] _blow us_] F₁ F₂. _blow us up_ F₃ F₄.

[870] _fell_] _sell_ F₂.

_a_] om. Capell.

[871] _from far_] om. Pope.

[872] _truncheoners_] F₁ F₂. _truncheons_ F₃ F₄. _truncheoneers_ Capell.

_hope_] _forlorn hope_ Hanmer.

_o'_] of Pope.

[873] _Strand_] F₄. _Strond_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[874] _to me_] _with me_ Pope. _wi'me_ Capell.

[875] _behind 'em, ... pebbles,_] _behind 'em deliver'd ... pibbles,

loose shot,_ Pope.

[876] _pebbles_] Johnson. _pibbles_ Ff.

[877] _tribulation_] Ff. _Tribulation_ Theobald. _sweet tribulation_

Capell.

[878] _limbs_] Pope. _Limbes_ F₁ F₂. _Limbs_ F₃ F₄. _lambs_ Steevens

conj. _young lambs_ Anon. conj.

[879] _brothers_] _brethren_ S. Walker conj.

[880] _a_] om. F₂.

[881] _here_] om. Pope.

[882] _Ye have_] _Y' have_ Ff.

_a fine_] _fine_ F₂.

[883] _An't please_] Capell. _And't please_ Ff. _Please_ Pope.

[884] _what so many_] _what-so man_ Anon. conj.

[885] _a-pieces_] _a pieces_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _in pieces_ F₄.

[886] _ye 're_] Dyce. _y' are_ Ff. _you are_ Steevens.

[887] _They're_] Capell. _Th' are_ Ff. _They are_ Steevens.

[888] _press_] F₄. _preasse_ F₁ F₂. _preass_ F₃.

_a way_] _away_ F₁.

[889] _there_] om. Warburton.

[890] _camlet_] Steevens. _Chamblet_ Ff. _camblet_ Pope.

_up o'_] _off_ Rann (Mason conj.) _up off_ Mason conj.

[891] _peck_] F₃ F₄. _pecke_ F₁ F₂. _pick_ Johnson.

_pales_] _pates_ Knight, ed. 2, (Anon. conj.) _poll_ Collier MS.

[892] SCENE V.] Edd. Scena Quarta. Ff. SCENE VIII. Pope.

The palace.] Theobald. Palace at Greenwich. Collier (Reed conj.)

[893] _Heaven ... Elizabeth!_] Printed as prose, first, by Capell. As

four lines, ending _Heaven, ... life, ... mighty ... Elisabeth,_ in Ff.

See note (XII).

[894] Guard.] Train. Capell.

[895] [Kneeling] Johnson. om. Ff.

[896] _queen. My ... pray:_] Edd. _queen, My ... pray_ Ff. _queen,

My ... pray,_ Rowe. _queen, My ... pray;_ Pope.

[897] _lady_] _day_ Johnson, 1771 (a misprint).

[898] _Heaven ever_] _That heav'n e'er_ Pope.

[899] _archbishop_] om. Steevens conj.

[900] [The King....] Johnson. om. Ff.

[901] _ye have_] Johnson. _y' have_ Ff. _you have_ Hanmer.

[902] _few now_] _few or none_ Warburton.

[903] _Saba_] _Sheba_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[904] _pure_] _poor_ Rowe (ed. 2). _blest_ Pope.

[905] _such_] F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

_is_] om. Pope.

[906] _corn_] F₃ F₄. _Corne_ F₁ F₂. See note (XIII).

[907] _And ... her:_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two lines, the first

ending _sorrow,_ in Ff.

[908] _read_] _tread_ Collier conj.

[909] _ways ... by those claim_] F₄. _way ... by those claime_ F₁ F₂

F₃. _ways ... claim by those_ Pope. _way ... by that claim_ Capell.

[910] _Nor shall ... heaven._] See note (XIV).

[911] _Our_] om. Pope.

[912] _She shall ... mourn her._] See note (XIV).

[913] _her; yet a virgin,_] Ff. _her yet a virgin;_ Theobald.

[914] _most_] _pure_ Capell (corrected in Errata).

[915] _To_] _Unto_ Dyce conj.

[916] _your good_] Theobald (Thirlby conj.) _you good_ Ff.

_beholding_] _beholden_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[917] _Has_] _'Has_ Ff. _H'as_ Rowe (ed. 2). _He'as_ Hanmer. _He has_

Capell.

THE EPILOGUE.

'Tis ten to one this play can never please

All that are here: some come to take their ease,[918]

And sleep an act or two; but those, we fear,[919]

We have frighted with our trumpets; so, 'tis clear,[920]

They'll say 'tis naught: others, to hear the city[921] 5

Abused extremely, and to cry 'That's witty!'

Which we have not done neither; that, I fear,

All the expected good we're like to hear[922]

For this play at this time, is only in[923]

The merciful construction of good women;[923] 10

For such a one we show'd 'em: if they smile,

And say 'twill do, I know, within a while

All the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap,

If they hold when their ladies bid 'em clap.

FOOTNOTES:

[918] _ease_] _case_ F₂.

[919] _sleep_] _sleep out_ F₃ F₄.

[920] _We have_] _W' have_ Ff. _We've_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[921] _'tis_] F₁. _it's_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[922] _we're_] _w'are_ Ff. _we are_ Capell.

[923] _is only in The_] _we shall not owe men, But_ Collier conj.

NOTES.

NOTE I.

I. 1. 167. Mr Collier says: "In the three earlier folios the word

is spelt 'wrenching,' which the printer of the fourth folio, not

understanding, altered to 'drenching.'" In the three copies of the

fourth folio now before us the word is 'wrenching.'

NOTE II.

I. 2. Capell, followed by Malone, made many gratuitous alterations in

the stage-directions of the Folios, which we have not thought it worth

while always to record.

NOTE III.

II. 3. 7-9. Pope's reading is as follows:

'Still growing in a majesty and pomp,

The which to leave, a thousand-fold more bitter

Than sweet at first t'acquire.'

Theobald, followed by Hanmer, has:

'Still growing to a majesty and pomp,

The which to leave's a thousand-fold more bitter

Than sweet at first t'acquire.'

Capell reads, following the arrangement of the Folios:

'Still growing in a majesty and pomp,--the which

To leave, 's a thousand fold more bitter, than

'Tis sweet at first to acquire.'

We are in doubt here as to which is the reading of Mr Collier's MS.

Corrector, for in his edition of Coleridge's Lectures he gives it,

'To leave's a thousand times more bitter, than

Sweet, &c.'

while in the second edition of his Shakespeare he quotes it as follows:

'To leave's a thousand-fold more better, than

'Tis sweet, &c.'

NOTE IV.

II. 3. 103. Mr Collier says, "If the blood of Anne Bullen had saluted

or welcomed the news,--'If my blood salute this a jot--' there would

have been no difficulty." It is not clear whether Mr Collier intends

this as a conjectural emendation or not.

NOTE V.

II. 3. The stage direction which we have given from the Folios has been

variously altered. The only important change which Capell introduces

is in making the Archbishop of Canterbury follow the Bishops. The

alteration 'between' for 'below' appeared in Reed's edition of 1803,

and has been followed by some modern editors.

NOTE VI.

II. 4. 75. This line appears to have been accidentally omitted by the

printer of the edition by Johnson, who, without taking the trouble

to refer even to Warburton's text, conjectured that the passage was

corrupt and proposed to read:

'Nay, before.--

Induc'd by potent circumstances, that

You are my enemy, I make my challenge.

You shall not be my judge.'

NOTE VII.

II. 4. 182. Mr Collier, in his 2nd edition, says, "We are quite

satisfied that Theobald was right in reading 'The bottom of my

conscience.'" Theobald does not adopt the conjecture in his text. His

note is as follows: "Tho this reading be sense, and therefore I have

not ventur'd to displace it; yet, I verily believe, the poet wrote;

'The bottom of my conscience,--' My reason is this. Shakespeare in all

his historical plays was a most diligent observer of Hollingshead's

Chronicle; and had him always in eye, wherever he thought fit to borrow

any matter from him. Now Hollingshead, in the speech which he has

given to King Henry upon this subject, makes him deliver himself thus.

'Which words, once conceived within the secret bottom of my conscience,

ingendred such a scrupulous doubt, that my conscience was incontinently

accombred, vex'd, and disquieted.'" Theobald appears to have forgotten

that the emendation was suggested to him by Dr Thirlby. See Nichols'

_Illustrations_, II. p. 461.

NOTE VIII.

III. 2. 192. The first and second folios, which in so doubtful a case

we have followed, read:

'that am, have, and will be (Though ... horrid) yet my duty, &c.'

The third and fourth extend the parenthesis so as to include line 198,

'(Though ... break).'

Rowe reads: 'that am I, have been, and will be: Though ... horrid; yet,

my duty, &c.'

Pope: 'that am I, have been, will be:' pointing the rest with Rowe.

Capell, reading as the folios, puts a full stop at 'be,' line 192, and

a semicolon at 'horrid,' line 196.

Mason proposes to omit the words 'that am, have, and will be,' because

he can find no meaning in them.

Malone supposes that a line following 192 has been lost.

Seymour proposes to read:

'that I am, have been, and shall be

....................................

And throw it from their soul (most firm and loyal)

Though perils &c.'

Jackson conjectures: 'that aim, has and will be, Though, &c.' or, 'that

aim has, and will be To you, though ... duty, And throw, &c.'

Mr Knight conjectures: 'that aim I have and will, Though, &c.,' 'will'

being here a noun.

Mr Collier adopts this reading, but takes 'will' to be a verb, for

'will have.'

Mr Singer reads: 'that I am true, and will be, Though, &c.' by which,

he says, all is made 'congruous and clear.'

Mitford would read: 'that am, and will be yours. Though, &c.'

Dr Badham suggests: 'that am your slave and will be. Though, &c.'

Mr Staunton conjectures: 'to that I am slave and will be, Though, &c.'

Sidney Walker says: "If there be no other corruption, the period after

'be' ought to be replaced by a comma: otherwise the words appear

unintelligible. Even so, however, this will be a most harsh instance of

ἀνακολουθία. But I rather think that a line is lost, somewhat to the

following effect:

'that I am, have, and will be,

[In heart and act, tied to your service; yea,]

Though all the world should, &c.'"

Mr Grant White adopts Mr Singer's reading, nearly: 'that am true and

will be, &c.'

Mr Nichols proposes to transfer 'yours' from line 199 to follow 'will

be:'

'that am, have, and will be yours

.................................

... and stand unshaken.'

Mr Keightley prints, 'that am, have and will be ... Though &c.,'

indicating that the sense is interrupted.

NOTE IX.

III. 2. 208, 209. The misreading 'may' for 'have,' which is so familiar

to us in this often-quoted passage, was not corrected by Pope or any

subsequent editor till Capell.

NOTE X.

V. 3. Mr Grant White suggests that a new scene should begin here,

"although the stage direction in the folio is only 'A Councell Table

brought in with Chayres and Stooles, and placed under the State,' &c.

But this is plainly the mere result of the absence of scenery of any

kind on Shakespeare's stage, and the audience were to imagine that

the scene changed from the lobby before the Council Chamber to that

apartment itself." We have adopted his suggestion, thinking that the

obvious propriety of changing the scene outweighs any inconvenience

which might result for purposes of reference. Hanmer, Warburton,

and Johnson all follow Pope in calling this Scene V. Theobald also

supposes a new scene to begin here, although in his edition the scenes

are not numbered. Capell, by his stage direction, indicated that the

scene presented the Council-chamber and the lobby both at once to the

eyes of the spectators.

NOTE XI.

V. 4. 30-61. It is scarcely worth while to record how Capell cut up

these thirty lines of prose into verse. No editor has followed him.

Mr Sidney Walker however has made a similar attempt, but is forced

to admit that in some changes of reading he has 'ventured beyond the

lawful limits of an emendator.' With the same license, it would be easy

to convert an Act of Parliament or a leading article into verse.

Mr Walker also has followed Capell, or perhaps has hit independently

on the same arrangement, as regards the first part of the scene. The

intervening lines from 10 to 30 are printed as verse in the folio. In

these he proposes some trifling changes of arrangement.

NOTE XII.

V. 5. 1-4. Pope, with more than usual audacity, makes the lines run

smoothly by thus changing them:

'Heav'n, from thy endless goodness, send long life,

And ever happy, to the high and mighty

Princess of England, fair Elizabeth.'

Theobald, Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson adopt Pope's reading without

remark.

NOTE XIII.

V. 5. 32. Mr Collier mentions that the second Folio has 'Come' in this

line, a misprint rectified by his 'old annotator.' In three copies

which we have consulted it is distinctly 'Corne.'

NOTE XIV.

V. 5. 39-55, 56-62. Theobald was the first to suggest that lines 39

to 55 'Nor shall this peace ... bless heaven,' and lines 56 to 62,

'She shall be ... mourn her,' were an interpolation. Cranmer's speech

originally, as he supposed, ended at 'not by blood.' Then the King

replied:

'Thou speakest wonders. O lord Archbishop, &c.'

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[D].

PRIAM, king of Troy.

HECTOR, }

TROILUS, }

PARIS, } his sons.

DEIPHOBUS, }

HELENUS, }

MARGARELON, a bastard son of Priam[E].

ÆNEAS, }

ANTENOR, } Trojan commanders.

CALCHAS, a Trojan priest, taking part with the Greeks.

PANDARUS, uncle to Cressida.

AGAMEMNON, the Grecian general.

MENELAUS, his brother.

ACHILLES, }

AJAX, }

ULYSSES, } Grecian commanders.

NESTOR, }

DIOMEDES, }

PATROCLUS, }

THERSITES, a deformed and scurrilous Grecian.

ALEXANDER, servant to Cressida[E].

Servant to Troilus[E].

Servant to Paris.

Servant to Diomedes.

HELEN, wife to Menelaus.

ANDROMACHE, wife to Hector.

CASSANDRA, daughter to Priam; a prophetess[E].

CRESSIDA, daughter to Calchas.

Trojan and Greek Soldiers, and Attendants.

SCENE: _Troy, and the Grecian camp_.

[D] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.] First given, imperfectly, by Rowe.

[E] Added by Theobald.

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.[924]

FOOTNOTES:

[924] TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.] See note (I).

THE PROLOGUE.[925]

In Troy there lies the scene. From isles of Greece

The princes orgulous, their high blood chafed,[926]

Have to the port of Athens sent their ships,

Fraught with the ministers and instruments

Of cruel war: sixty and nine, that wore 5

Their crownets regal, from the Athenian bay

Put forth toward Phrygia, and their vow is made

To ransack Troy, within whose strong immures[927]

The ravish'd Helen, Menelaus' queen,

With wanton Paris sleeps; and that's the quarrel. 10

To Tenedos they come;

And the deep-drawing barks do there disgorge[928]

Their warlike fraughtage: now on Dardan plains

The fresh and yet unbruised Greeks do pitch

Their brave pavilions: Priam's six-gated city,[929] 15

Dardan, and Timbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien,[930]

And Antenorides, with massy staples,[931]

And corresponsive and fulfilling bolts,[932]

Sperr up the sons of Troy.[933]

Now expectation, tickling skittish spirits, 20

On one and other side, Trojan and Greek,

Sets all on hazard: and hither am I come

A prologue arm'd, but not in confidence

Of author's pen or actor's voice, but suited

In like conditions as our argument, 25

To tell you, fair beholders, that our play

Leaps o'er the vaunt and firstlings of those broils,

Beginning in the middle; starting thence away[934]

To what may be digested in a play.

Like, or find fault; do as your pleasures are: 30

Now good or bad, 'tis but the chance of war.[935]

FOOTNOTES:

[925] THE PROLOGUE. _In Troy ... of war._] Omitted in Q. Ritson and

Steevens (1793), suggest that it is not Shakespeare's.

[926] _orgulous_] Steevens. _orgillous_ Ff.

[927] _immures_] _emures_ F₁.

[928] _barks_] F₃ F₄. _barkes_ F₂. _barke_ F₁.

[929] _six-gated city_] _six gates i' th' city_ Theobald.

[930] _Timbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien_] Ff. _Thymbria, Ilia, Scæa,

Troian_ Theobald. _Thymbria, Ilias, Chetas, Troyan_ Capell.

[931] _Antenorides_] Theobald. _Antenonidus_ Ff. _Anteroridas_ Pope.

[932] _fulfilling_] _full-filling_ Theobald conj.

[933] _Sperr_] _Sperre_ Theobald. _Stirre_ F₁ F₂. _Stirr_ F₃. _Stir_

F₄. _Sperrs_ Capell. _Sparr_ Collier MS.

[934] _Beginning in the_] _'Ginning i' th'_ Theobald.

_away_] om. Pope.

[935] _Now good or bad_] _Now good, now bad_ or _Or good or bad_ Capell

conj.

ACT I.

SCENE I. _Troy. Before Priam's palace._

_Enter_ PANDARUS _and_ TROILUS.[936]

_Tro._ Call here my varlet; I'll unarm again:

Why should I war without the walls of Troy,

That find such cruel battle here within?

Each Trojan that is master of his heart,[937]

Let him to field; Troilus, alas, hath none! 5

_Pan._ Will this gear ne'er be mended?

_Tro._ The Greeks are strong and skilful to their strength,

Fierce to their skill and to their fierceness valiant,

But I am weaker than a woman's tear,

Tamer than sleep, fonder than ignorance,[938] 10

Less valiant than the virgin in the night,

And skilless as unpractised infancy.

_Pan._ Well, I have told you enough of this: for my part,

I 'll not meddle nor make no farther. He that will have a[939]

cake out of the wheat must needs tarry the grinding.[940] 15

_Tro._ Have I not tarried?

_Pan._ Ay, the grinding; but you must tarry the bolting.[941]

_Tro._ Have I not tarried?

_Pan._ Ay, the bolting; but you must tarry the leavening.

_Tro._ Still have I tarried. 20

_Pan._ Ay, to the leavening; but here's yet in the word[942]

'hereafter,' the kneading, the making of the cake, the heating

of the oven, and the baking; nay, you must stay the[943]

cooling too, or you may chance to burn your lips.[944]

_Tro._ Patience herself, what goddess e'er she be, 25

Doth lesser blench at sufferance than I do.[945]

At Priam's royal table do I sit;[946]

And when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts,--[947][948]

So, traitor!--'When she comes!'--When is she thence?[948]

_Pan._ Well, she looked yesternight fairer than ever I[949] 30

saw her look, or any woman else.[949]

_Tro._ I was about to tell thee:--when my heart,[950]

As wedged with a sigh, would rive in twain,

Lest Hector or my father should perceive me,

I have, as when the sun doth light a storm,[951] 35

Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile:

But sorrow, that is couch'd in seeming gladness,

Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.

_Pan._ An her hair were not somewhat darker than[952]

Helen's--well, go to--there were no more comparison between 40

the women: but, for my part, she is my kinswoman;[953]

I would not, as they term it, praise her: but I would somebody[954]

had heard her talk yesterday, as I did. I will not

dispraise your sister Cassandra's wit, but--

_Tro._ O Pandarus! I tell thee, Pandarus,-- 45

When I do tell thee, there my hopes lie drown'd,

Reply not in how many fathoms deep[955]

They lie indrench'd. I tell thee, I am mad[956][957]

In Cressid's love: thou answer'st 'she is fair;'[957]

Pour'st in the open ulcer of my heart[958][959] 50

Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice,[959]

Handlest in thy discourse, O, that her hand,[959][960][961]

In whose comparison all whites are ink[961]

Writing their own reproach, to whose soft seizure[961]

The cygnet's down is harsh and spirit of sense[961][962] 55

Hard as the palm of ploughman: this thou tell'st me,[961]

As true thou tell'st me, when I say I love her;[963]

But, saying thus, instead of oil and balm,

Thou lay'st in every gash that love hath given me

The knife that made it. 60

_Pan._ I speak no more than truth.

_Tro._ Thou dost not speak so much.

_Pan._ Faith, I'll not meddle in't. Let her be as she is:[964]

if she be fair, 'tis the better for her; an she be not, she has[965]

the mends in her own hands. 65

_Tro._ Good Pandarus, how now, Pandarus![966]

_Pan._ I have had my labour for my travail; ill-thought

on of her, and ill-thought on of you: gone between and between,[967]

but small thanks for my labour.

_Tro._ What, art thou angry, Pandarus? what, with me? 70

_Pan._ Because she's kin to me, therefore she's not so[968]

fair as Helen: an she were not kin to me, she would be as[965][969]

fair on Friday as Helen is on Sunday. But what care I?[970]

I care not an she were a black-a-moor; 'tis all one to me.[965]

_Tro._ Say I she is not fair? 75

_Pan._ I do not care whether you do or no. She's a

fool to stay behind her father; let her to the Greeks; and

so I'll tell her the next time I see her: for my part, I'll

meddle nor make no more i' the matter.[971]

_Tro._ Pandarus,-- 80

_Pan._ Not I.

_Tro._ Sweet Pandarus,--

_Pan._ Pray you, speak no more to me: I will leave all

as I found it, and there an end. [_Exit. An alarum._[972]

_Tro._ Peace, you ungracious clamours! peace, rude sounds! 85

Fools on both sides! Helen must needs be fair,

When with your blood you daily paint her thus.

I cannot fight upon this argument;

It is too starved a subject for my sword.

But Pandarus--O gods, how do you plague me! 90

I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar;[973]

And he's as tetchy to be woo'd to woo[974]

As she is stubborn-chaste against all suit.[975]

Tell me, Apollo, for thy Daphne's love,

What Cressid is, what Pandar, and what we? 95

Her bed is India; there she lies, a pearl:

Between our Ilium and where she resides,[976]

Let it be call'd the wild and wandering flood,[977]

Ourself the merchant, and this sailing Pandar

Our doubtful hope, our convoy and our bark. 100

_Alarum. Enter_ ÆNEAS.

_Æne._ How now, Prince Troilus! wherefore not afield?[978]

_Tro._ Because not there: this woman's answer sorts,

For womanish it is to be from thence.

What news, Æneas, from the field to-day?

_Æne._ That Paris is returned home, and hurt. 105

_Tro._ By whom, Æneas?

_Æne._ Troilus, by Menelaus.

_Tro._ Let Paris bleed: 'tis but a scar to scorn;

Paris is gored with Menelaus' horn. [_Alarum._

_Æne._ Hark, what good sport is out of town to-day!

_Tro._ Better at home, if 'would I might' were 'may.' 110

But to the sport abroad: are you bound thither?

_Æne._ In all swift haste.

_Tro._ Come, go we then together. [_Exeunt._

SCENE II. _The same. A street._

_Enter_ CRESSIDA _and_ ALEXANDER _her man_.[979]

_Cres._ Who were those went by?

_Alex._ Queen Hecuba and Helen[980]

_Cres._ And whither go they?

_Alex._ Up to the eastern tower.

Whose height commands as subject all the vale,

To see the battle. Hector, whose patience[981]

Is as a virtue fix'd, to-day was moved:[982] 5

He chid Andromache and struck his armourer;[983]

And, like as there were husbandry in war,

Before the sun rose he was harness'd light,[984]

And to the field goes he; where every flower

Did, as a prophet, weep what it foresaw 10

In Hector's wrath.

_Cres._ What was his cause of anger?

Alex. The noise goes, this: there is among the Greeks[985]

A lord of Trojan blood, nephew to Hector;

They call him Ajax.

_Cres._ Good; and what of him?

_Alex._ They say he is a very man per se,[986][987] 15

And stands alone.[986]

_Cres._ So do all men, unless they are drunk, sick, or[988]

have no legs.

_Alex._ This man, lady, hath robbed many beasts of

their particular additions; he is as valiant as the lion, 20

churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant: a man into whom

nature hath so crowded humours that his valour is crushed[989]

into folly, his folly sauced with discretion: there is no man[989][990]

hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse of, nor any man

an attaint but he carries some stain of it: he is melancholy 25

without cause and merry against the hair: he hath the

joints of every thing; but every thing so out of joint that

he is a gouty Briareus, many hands and no use, or purblind[991]

Argus, all eyes and no sight.

_Cres._ But how should this man, that makes me smile, 30

make Hector angry?

_Alex._ They say he yesterday coped Hector in the battle

and struck him down, the disdain and shame whereof[992]

hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking.

_Enter_ PANDARUS.[993]

_Cres._ Who comes here?[994] 35

_Alex._ Madam, your uncle Pandarus.

_Cres._ Hector's a gallant man.

_Alex._ As may be in the world, lady.

_Pan._ What's that? what's that?

_Cres._ Good morrow, uncle Pandarus. 40

_Pan._ Good morrow, cousin Cressid: what do you talk

of? Good morrow, Alexander. How do you, cousin?[995]

When were you at Ilium?[996]

_Cres._ This morning, uncle.

_Pan._ What were you talking of when I came? Was 45

Hector armed and gone ere you came to Ilium? Helen[997]

was not up, was she?

_Cres._ Hector was gone; but Helen was not up.[998]

_Pan._ E'en so: Hector was stirring early.

_Cres._ That were we talking of, and of his anger. 50

_Pan._ Was he angry?

_Cres._ So he says here.

_Pan._ True, he was so; I know the cause too; he'll lay

about him to-day, I can tell them that: and there's Troilus

will not come far behind him; let them take heed of Troilus, 55

I can tell them that too.

_Cres._ What, is he angry too?

_Pan._ Who, Troilus? Troilus is the better man of the[999]

two.

_Cres._ O Jupiter! there's no comparison. 60

_Pan._ What, not between Troilus and Hector? Do

you know a man if you see him?

_Cres._ Ay, if I ever saw him before and knew him.

_Pan._ Well, I say Troilus is Troilus.

_Cres._ Then you say as I say; for, I am sure, he is not[1000] 65

Hector.[1000]

_Pan._ No, nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees.[1001]

_Cres._ 'Tis just to each of them; he is himself.[1002]

_Pan._ Himself! Alas, poor Troilus! I would he were.[1003]

_Cres._ So he is. 70

_Pan._ Condition, I had gone barefoot to India.[1004]

_Cres._ He is not Hector.

_Pan._ Himself! no, he's not himself: would a' were[1005]

himself! Well, the gods are above; time must friend or

end: well, Troilus, well, I would my heart were in her 75

body! No, Hector is not a better man than Troilus.

_Cres._ Excuse me.

_Pan._ He is elder.

_Cres._ Pardon me, pardon me.

Pan. Th' other's not come to't; you shall tell me another[1006] 80

tale, when th' other's come to't. Hector shall not have[1006]

his wit this year.[1007]

_Cres._ He shall not need it, if he have his own.

_Pan._ Nor his qualities.

_Cres._ No matter. 85

_Pan._ Nor his beauty.

_Cres._ 'Twould not become him; his own's better.

_Pan._ You have no judgement, niece: Helen herself

swore th' other day, that Troilus, for a brown favour--for

so 'tis, I must confess,--not brown neither,-- 90

_Cres._ No, but brown.[1008]

_Pan._ Faith, to say truth, brown and not brown.

_Cres._ To say the truth, true and not true.

_Pan._ She praised his complexion above Paris.[1009]

_Cres._ Why, Paris hath colour enough. 95

_Pan._ So he has.

_Cres._ Then Troilus should have too much: if she praised[1010]

him above, his complexion is higher than his; he having[1011]

colour enough, and the other higher, is too flaming a praise[1012]

for a good complexion. I had as lief Helen's golden tongue[1013] 100

had commended Troilus for a copper nose.

_Pan._ I swear to you, I think Helen loves him better[1014]

than Paris.[1014]

_Cres._ Then she's a merry Greek indeed.

_Pan._ Nay, I am sure she does. She came to him th' 105

other day into the compassed window,--and, you know, he

has not past three or four hairs on his chin,--

_Cres._ Indeed, a tapster's arithmetic may soon bring his

particulars therein to a total.

_Pan._ Why, he is very young: and yet will he, within 110

three pound, lift as much as his brother Hector.[1015]

_Cres._ Is he so young a man and so old a lifter?[1016]

_Pan._ But, to prove to you that Helen loves him: she

came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin--

_Cres._ Juno have mercy! how came it cloven? 115

_Pan._ Why, you know, 'tis dimpled: I think his smiling

becomes him better than any man in all Phrygia.

_Cres._ O, he smiles valiantly.[1017]

_Pan._ Does he not?

_Cres._ O yes, an 'twere a cloud in autumn.[1018] 120

_Pan._ Why, go to, then: but to prove to you that Helen

loves Troilus,--

_Cres._ Troilus will stand to the proof, if you'll prove[1019][1020]

it so.[1019]

_Pan._ Troilus! why, he esteems her no more than I esteem 125

an addle egg.

_Cres._ If you love an addle egg as well as you love an

idle head, you would eat chickens i'the shell.

_Pan._ I cannot choose but laugh, to think how she tickled

his chin; indeed, she has a marvellous white hand, I must[1021] 130

needs confess,--

_Cres._ Without the rack.

_Pan._ And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on

his chin.

_Cres._ Alas, poor chin! many a wart is richer. 135

_Pan._ But there was such laughing! Queen Hecuba

laughed, that her eyes ran o'er.[1022]

_Cres._ With mill-stones.

_Pan._ And Cassandra laughed.

_Cres._ But there was more temperate fire under the pot[1023] 140

of her eyes: did her eyes run o'er too?

_Pan._ And Hector laughed.

_Cres._ At what was all this laughing?

_Pan._ Marry, at the white hair that Helen spied on

Troilus' chin.[1024] 145

_Cres._ An't had been a green hair, I should have laughed[1025]

too.

_Pan._ They laughed not so much at the hair as at his

pretty answer.

_Cres._ What was his answer? 150

_Pan._ Quoth she, 'Here's but two and fifty hairs on[1026]

your chin, and one of them is white.'

_Cres._ This is her question.

_Pan._ That's true; make no question of that. 'Two and[1027]

fifty hairs,' quoth he, 'and one white: that white hair is my[1028] 155

father, and all the rest are his sons.' 'Jupiter!' quoth she,

'which of these hairs is Paris my husband?' 'The forked

one,' quoth he, 'pluck't out, and give it him.' But there[1029]

was such laughing! and Helen so blushed, and Paris so

chafed, and all the rest so laughed, that it passed. 160

_Cres._ So let it now; for it has been a great while going by.[1030]

_Pan._ Well, cousin, I told you a thing yesterday; think[1031]

on't.[1031]

_Cres._ So I do.[1032]

_Pan._ I'll be sworn 'tis true; he will weep you, an[165, 167] 165

'twere a man born in April.

_Cres._ And I'll spring up in his tears, an 'twere a nettle[1033]

against May. [_A retreat sounded._[1034]

_Pan._ Hark! they are coming from the field: shall we

stand up here, and see them as they pass toward Ilium?[1035] 170

good niece, do, sweet niece Cressida.

_Cres._ At your pleasure.

_Pan._ Here, here, here's an excellent place; here we

may see most bravely: I'll tell you them all by their names

as they pass by; but mark Troilus above the rest. 175

ÆNEAS _passes_.[1036]

_Cres._ Speak not so loud.

_Pan._ That's Æneas: is not that a brave man? he's one

of the flowers of Troy, I can tell you: but mark Troilus;[1037]

you shall see anon.

_Cres._ Who's that?[1038] 180

ANTENOR _passes_.

_Pan._ That's Antenor: he has a shrewd wit, I can tell[1039]

you; and he's a man good enough: he's one o' the soundest[1040]

judgements in Troy, whosoever, and a proper man of person.[1041]

When comes Troilus? I'll show you Troilus anon:

if he see me, you shall see him nod at me.[1042] 185

_Cres._ Will he give you the nod?

_Pan._ You shall see.

_Cres._ If he do, the rich shall have more.[1043]

HECTOR _passes_.

_Pan._ That's Hector, that, that, look you, that; there's

a fellow! Go thy way, Hector! There's a brave man, 190

niece. O brave Hector! Look how he looks! there's a

countenance! is't not a brave man?

_Cres._ O, a brave man![1044]

_Pan._ Is a' not? it does a man's heart good. Look you[1045]

what hacks are on his helmet! look you yonder, do you 195

see? look you there: there's no jesting; there's laying on,[1046]

take't off who will, as they say: there be hacks![1047]

_Cres._ Be those with swords?

_Pan._ Swords! any thing, he cares not; an the devil[1048]

come to him, it's all one: by God's lid, it does one's heart 200

good. Yonder comes Paris, yonder comes Paris.

PARIS _passes_.[1049]

Look ye yonder, niece; is't not a gallant man too, is't not?

Why, this is brave now. Who said he came hurt home to-day?[1050]

he's not hurt: why, this will do Helen's heart good

now, ha! Would I could see Troilus now! you shall see[1051] 205

Troilus anon.

_Cres._ Who's that?

HELENUS _passes_.

_Pan._ That's Helenus: I marvel where Troilus is.

That's Helenus. I think he went not forth to-day. That's

Helenus. 210

_Cres._ Can Helenus fight, uncle?

_Pan._ Helenus! no; yes, he'll fight indifferent well. I[1052]

marvel where Troilus is. Hark! do you not hear the[1053]

people cry 'Troilus'? Helenus is a priest.

_Cres._ What sneaking fellow comes yonder? 215

TROILUS _passes_.

_Pan._ Where? yonder? that's Deiphobus. 'Tis Troilus!

there's a man, niece! Hem! Brave Troilus! the prince of

chivalry!

_Cres._ Peace, for shame, peace!

_Pan._ Mark him; note him. O brave Troilus! Look[1054] 220

well upon him, niece; look you how his sword is bloodied,

and his helm more hacked than Hector's; and how he looks,

and how he goes! O admirable youth! he never saw[1055]

three-and-twenty. Go thy way, Troilus, go thy way! Had I a

sister were a grace, or a daughter a goddess, he should take[1056] 225

his choice. O admirable man! Paris? Paris is dirt to him;[1057]

and, I warrant, Helen, to change, would give an eye to boot.

Common Soldiers _pass_.[1058]

_Cres._ Here come more.[1059]

_Pan._ Asses, fools, dolts! chaff and bran, chaff and

bran! porridge after meat! I could live and die i'the eyes 230

of Troilus. Ne'er look, ne'er look; the eagles are gone:

crows and daws, crows and daws! I had rather be such a

man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece.

_Cres._ There is among the Greeks Achilles, a better[1060]

man than Troilus. 235

_Pan._ Achilles! a drayman, a porter, a very camel.

_Cres._ Well, well.

_Pan._ Well, well! Why, have you any discretion?

have you any eyes? do you know what a man is? Is not

birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, 240

gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and such like, the spice[1061]

and salt that season a man?[1062]

_Cres._ Ay, a minced man: and then to be baked with

no date in the pie, for then the man's date is out.[1063]

_Pan._ You are such a woman! one knows not at what[1064] 245

ward you lie.

_Cres._ Upon my back, to defend my belly; upon my wit,

to defend my wiles; upon my secrecy, to defend mine honesty;[1065]

my mask, to defend my beauty; and you, to defend all[1066]

these: and at all these wards I lie, at a thousand watches.[1067] 250

_Pan._ Say one of your watches.

_Cres._ Nay, I'll watch you for that; and that's one of the

chiefest of them too: if I cannot ward what I would not have[1068]

hit, I can watch you for telling how I took the blow; unless

it swell past hiding, and then it's past watching.[1069] 255

_Pan._ You are such another!

_Enter_ Troilus's Boy.[1070]

_Boy._ Sir, my lord would instantly speak with you.

_Pan._ Where?

_Boy._ At your own house; there he unarms him.[1071]

_Pan._ Good boy, tell him I come. [_Exit Boy._] I doubt[1072] 260

he be hurt. Fare ye well, good niece.

_Cres._ Adieu, uncle.

_Pan._ I will be with you, niece, by and by.[1073]

_Cres._ To bring, uncle?[1074]

_Pan._ Ay, a token from Troilus. 265

_Cres._ By the same token, you are a bawd.

[_Exit Pandarus._[1075]

Words, vows, gifts, tears, and love's full sacrifice,[1076]

He offers in another's enterprise:

But more in Troilus thousand fold I see

Than in the glass of Pandar's praise may be; 270

Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing:

Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing:[1077]

That she beloved knows nought that knows not this:[1078]

Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is:

That she was never yet that ever knew 275

Love got so sweet as when desire did sue:[1079]

Therefore this maxim out of love I teach:[1080]

Achievement is command; ungain'd, beseech.[1080][1081]

Then though my heart's content firm love doth bear,[1082]

Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear. [_Exeunt._[1083] 280

SCENE III. _The Grecian camp. Before Agamemnon's tent._

_Sennet._ _Enter_ AGAMEMNON, NESTOR, ULYSSES, MENELAUS,

_with others_.[1084]

_Agam._ Princes,[1085]

What grief hath set the jaundice on your cheeks?[1086]

The ample proposition that hope makes[1087]

In all designs begun on earth below

Fails in the promised largeness: checks and disasters 5

Grow in the veins of actions highest rear'd,

As knots, by the conflux of meeting sap,

Infect the sound pine and divert his grain[1088]

Tortive and errant from his course of growth.

Nor, princes, is it matter new to us 10

That we come short of our suppose so far

That after seven years' siege yet Troy walls stand;

Sith every action that hath gone before,[1089]

Whereof we have record, trial did draw

Bias and thwart, not answering the aim 15

And that unbodied figure of the thought

That gave't surmised shape. Why then, you princes,

Do you with checks abash'd behold our works,[1090]

And call them shames? which are indeed nought else[1091]

But the protractive trials of great Jove 20

To find persistive constancy in men:

The fineness of which metal is not found

In fortune's love; for then the bold and coward,

The wise and fool, the artist and unread,

The hard and soft, seem all affined and kin: 25

But in the wind and tempest of her frown,

Distinction with a broad and powerful fan[1092]

Puffing at all winnows the light away,

And what hath mass or matter, by itself[1093]

Lies rich in virtue and unmingled. 30

_Nest._ With due observance of thy godlike seat,[1094]

Great Agamemnon, Nestor shall apply[1095]

Thy latest words. In the reproof of chance[1096]

Lies the true proof of men: the sea being smooth,

How many shallow bauble boats dare sail 35

Upon her patient breast, making their way[1097]

With those of nobler bulk![1098]

But let the ruffian Boreas once enrage

The gentle Thetis, and anon behold

The strong-ribb'd bark through liquid mountains cut,[1099] 40

Bounding between the two moist elements,

Like Perseus' horse: where's then the saucy boat,

Whose weak untimber'd sides but even now

Co-rivall'd greatness? either to harbour fled,

Or made a toast for Neptune. Even so[1100] 45

Doth valour's show and valour's worth divide

In storms of fortune: for in her ray and brightness[1101]

The herd hath more annoyance by the breese[1102]

Than by the tiger; but when the splitting wind[1103]

Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks,[1103] 50

And flies fled under shade, why then the thing of courage[1104]

As roused with rage with rage doth sympathize,

And with an accent tuned in selfsame key[1105]

Retorts to chiding fortune.[1106]

_Ulyss._ Agamemnon,

Thou great commander, nerve and bone of Greece,[1107] 55

Heart of our numbers, soul and only spirit,[1108]

In whom the tempers and the minds of all

Should be shut up, hear what Ulysses speaks.

Besides the applause and approbation

The which, [_To Agamemnon_] most mighty for thy place

and sway,[1109] 60

[_To Nestor_] And thou most reverend for thy stretch'd-out life,[1110]

I give to both your speeches, which were such

As Agamemnon and the hand of Greece[1111]

Should hold up high in brass, and such again

As venerable Nestor, hatch'd in silver,[1112] 65

Should with a bond of air, strong as the axletree[1112]

On which heaven rides, knit all the Greekish ears[1113]

To his experienced tongue, yet let it please both,[1114]

Thou great, and wise, to hear Ulysses speak.[1115]

_Agam._ Speak, Prince of Ithaca; and be't of less expect[1116][1117] 70

That matter needless, of importless burthen,[1116]

Divide thy lips, than we are confident,[1116][1118]

When rank Thersites opes his mastic jaws,[1116][1119]

We shall hear music, wit and oracle.[1116]

_Ulyss._ Troy, yet upon his basis, had been down,[1116][1120] 75

And the great Hector's sword had lack'd a master,

But for these instances.[1121]

The specialty of rule hath been neglected:

And, look, how many Grecian tents do stand[1122]

Hollow upon this plain, so many hollow factions.[1122][1123] 80

When that the general is not like the hive[1124]

To whom the foragers shall all repair,[1125]

What honey is expected? Degree being vizarded,

The unworthiest shows as fairly in the mask.[1126]

The heavens themselves, the planets and this centre, 85

Observe degree, priority and place,

Insisture, course, proportion, season, form,[1127]

Office and custom, in all line of order:

And therefore is the glorious planet Sol

In noble eminence enthroned and sphered 90

Amidst the other; whose medicinable eye[1128]

Corrects the ill aspects of planets evil,[1129]

And posts like the commandment of a king,

Sans check to good and bad: but when the planets

In evil mixture to disorder wander, 95

What plagues and what portents, what mutiny,

What raging of the sea, shaking of earth,

Commotion in the winds, frights, changes, horrors,

Divert and crack, rend and deracinate

The unity and married calm of states[1130] 100

Quite from their fixure! O, when degree is shaked,[1131]

Which is the ladder to all high designs,[1132]

The enterprise is sick! How could communities,[1133]

Degrees in schools and brotherhoods in cities,

Peaceful commerce from dividable shores, 105

The primogenitive and due of birth,[1134]

Prerogative of age, crowns, sceptres, laurels,

But by degree, stand in authentic place?

Take but degree away, untune that string,

And, hark, what discord follows! each thing meets[1135] 110

In mere oppugnancy: the bounded waters

Should lift their bosoms higher than the shores,[1136]

And make a sop of all this solid globe:

Strength should be lord of imbecility,[1137]

And the rude son should strike his father dead:[1137] 115

Force should be right; or rather, right and wrong,[1137]

Between whose endless jar justice resides,[1138]

Should lose their names, and so should justice too.[1136][1137][1139]

Then every thing includes itself in power,[1140]

Power into will, will into appetite; 120

And appetite, an universal wolf,

So doubly seconded with will and power,

Must make perforce an universal prey,

And last eat up himself. Great Agamemnon,[1141]

This chaos, when degree is suffocate, 125

Follows the choking.[1142]

And this neglection of degree it is[1143]

That by a pace goes backward, with a purpose[1144][1145]

It hath to climb. The general's disdain'd[1144]

By him one step below; he by the next; 130

That next by him beneath: so every step,

Exampled by the first pace that is sick

Of his superior, grows to an envious fever

Of pale and bloodless emulation:

And 'tis this fever that keeps Troy on foot, 135

Not her own sinews. To end a tale of length,

Troy in our weakness stands, not in her strength.[1146]

_Nest._ Most wisely hath Ulysses here discover'd

The fever whereof all our power is sick.

_Agam._ The nature of the sickness found, Ulysses, 140

What is the remedy?

_Ulyss._ The great Achilles, whom opinion crowns

The sinew and the forehand of our host,[1147]

Having his ear full of his airy fame,

Grows dainty of his worth, and in his tent 145

Lies mocking our designs: with him, Patroclus,

Upon a lazy bed, the livelong day

Breaks scurril jests;[1148]

And with ridiculous and awkward action,[1149]

Which, slanderer, he imitation calls, 150

He pageants us. Sometime, great Agamemnon,[1150]

Thy topless deputation he puts on;[1151]

And, like a strutting player, whose conceit

Lies in his hamstring, and doth think it rich

To hear the wooden dialogue and sound 155

'Twixt his stretch'd footing and the scaffoldage,[1152]

Such to-be-pitied and o'er-wrested seeming[1153]

He acts thy greatness in: and when he speaks,

'Tis like a chime a-mending; with terms unsquared,[1154]

Which, from the tongue of roaring Typhon dropp'd, 160

Would seem hyperboles. At this fusty stuff,[1155]

The large Achilles, on his press'd bed lolling,[1156]

From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause;

Cries 'Excellent! 'tis Agamemnon just.[1157]

Now play me Nestor; hem, and stroke thy beard,[1158] 165

As he being dress'd to some oration.'[1159]

That's done; as near as the extremest ends

Of parallels, as like as Vulcan and his wife:[1160]

Yet god Achilles still cries 'Excellent![1161]

'Tis Nestor right. Now play him me, Patroclus, 170

Arming to answer in a night alarm.'

And then, forsooth, the faint defects of age

Must be the scene of mirth; to cough and spit.

And, with a palsy fumbling on his gorget,[1162]

Shake in and out the rivet: and at this sport[1163] 175

Sir Valour dies; cries 'O, enough, Patroclus;

Or give me ribs of steel! I shall split all[1164]

In pleasure of my spleen.' And in this fashion,

All our abilities, gifts, natures, shapes,

Severals and generals of grace exact,[1165] 180

Achievements, plots, orders, preventions,

Excitements to the field or speech for truce,

Success or loss, what is or is not, serves

As stuff for these two to make paradoxes.[1166]

_Nest._ And in the imitation of these twain, 185

Who, as Ulysses says, opinion crowns[1167]

With an imperial voice, many are infect.

Ajax is grown self-will'd and bears his head

In such a rein, in full as proud a place[1168]

As broad Achilles; keeps his tent like him;[1169] 190

Makes factious feasts; rails on our state of war

Bold as an oracle, and sets Thersites,

A slave whose gall coins slanders like a mint,

To match us in comparisons with dirt,

To weaken and discredit our exposure,[1170] 195

How rank soever rounded in with danger.[1171]

_Ulyss._ They tax our policy and call it cowardice,

Count wisdom as no member of the war,

Forestall prescience and esteem no act[1172]

But that of hand: the still and mental parts 200

That do contrive how many hands shall strike

When fitness calls them on, and know by measure[1173][1174]

Of their observant toil the enemies' weight--[1173][1175]

Why, this hath not a finger's dignity:

They call this bed-work, mappery, closet-war;[1176] 205

So that the ram that batters down the wall,

For the great swing and rudeness of his poise,

They place before his hand that made the engine,

Or those that with the fineness of their souls[1177]

By reason guide his execution.[1178] 210

_Nest._ Let this be granted, and Achilles' horse

Makes many Thetis' sons. [_Tucket._[1179]

_Agam._ What trumpet? look, Menelaus.[1180]

_Men._ From Troy.

_Enter_ ÆNEAS.[1181]

_Agam._ What would you 'fore our tent? 215

_Æne._ Is this great Agamemnon's tent, I pray you?

_Agam._ Even this.

_Æne._ May one that is a herald and a prince

Do a fair message to his kingly ears?[1182]

_Agam._ With surety stronger than Achilles' arm[1183] 220

'Fore all the Greekish heads, which with one voice

Call Agamemnon head and general.

_Æne._ Fair leave and large security. How may

A stranger to those most imperial looks

Know them from eyes of other mortals?

_Agam._ How! 225

_Æne._ Ay:[1184]

I ask, that I might waken reverence,

And bid the cheek be ready with a blush[1185]

Modest as morning when she coldly eyes[1186]

The youthful Phœbus:[1186] 230

Which is that god in office, guiding men?[1187]

Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon?

_Agam._ This Trojan scorns us; or the men of Troy

Are ceremonious courtiers.

_Æne._ Courtiers as free, as debonair, unarm'd, 235

As bending angels; that's their fame in peace:[1188]

But when they would seem soldiers, they have galls,

Good arms, strong joints, true swords; and, Jove's accord,[1189][1190]

Nothing so full of heart. But peace, Æneas,[1189]

Peace, Trojan; lay thy finger on thy lips! 240

The worthiness of praise distains his worth,

If that the praised himself bring the praise forth:[1191]

But what the repining enemy commends,[1192]

That breath fame blows; that praise, sole pure, transcends.[1193]

_Agam._ Sir, you of Troy, call you yourself Æneas? 245

_Æne._ Ay, Greek, that is my name.

_Agam._ What's your affair, I pray you?[1194]

_Æne._ Sir, pardon; 'tis for Agamemnon's ears.

_Agam._ He hears nought privately that comes from Troy.[1195]

_Æne._ Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him:[1196] 250

I bring a trumpet to awake his ear,

To set his sense on the attentive bent,[1197]

And then to speak.

_Agam._ Speak frankly as the wind;

It is not Agamemnon's sleeping hour:

That thou shalt know, Trojan, he is awake, 255

He tells thee so himself.

_Æne._ Trumpet, blow loud,[1198]

Send thy brass voice through all these lazy tents;

And every Greek of mettle, let him know,

What Troy means fairly shall be spoke aloud.

[_Trumpet sounds._[1199]

We have, great Agamemnon, here in Troy 260

A prince call'd Hector--Priam is his father--

Who in this dull and long-continued truce[1200]

Is rusty grown: he bade me take a trumpet,[1201]

And to this purpose speak. Kings, princes, lords!

If there be one among the fair'st of Greece, 265

That holds his honour higher than his ease,

That seeks his praise more than he fears his peril,[1202]

That knows his valour and knows not his fear,

That loves his mistress more than in confession[1203]

With truant vows to her own lips he loves, 270

And dare avow her beauty and her worth[1204]

In other arms than hers--to him this challenge.

Hector, in view of Trojans and of Greeks,

Shall make it good, or do his best to do it,[1205]

He hath a lady, wiser, fairer, truer,[1205] 275

Than ever Greek did compass in his arms;[1206]

And will to-morrow with his trumpet call

Midway between your tents and walls of Troy,

To rouse a Grecian that is true in love:

If any come, Hector shall honour him; 280

If none, he'll say in Troy when he retires,

The Grecian dames are sunburnt and not worth

The splinter of a lance. Even so much.

_Agam._ This shall be told our lovers, Lord Æneas:

If none of them have soul in such a kind, 285

We left them all at home: but we are soldiers;[1207]

And may that soldier a mere recreant prove,

That means not, hath not, or is not in love!

If then one is, or hath, or means to be,[1208]

That one meets Hector; if none else, I am he.[1209] 290

_Nest._ Tell him of Nestor, one that was a man

When Hector's grandsire suck'd: he is old now;

But if there be not in our Grecian host[1210]

One noble man that hath one spark of fire,[1211]

To answer for his love, tell him from me 295

I'll hide my silver beard in a gold beaver

And in my vantbrace put this wither'd brawn,[1212]

And meeting him will tell him that my lady[1213]

Was fairer than his grandam and as chaste

As may be in the world: his youth in flood,[1214] 300

I'll prove this truth with my three drops of blood.[1215]

_Æne._ Now heavens forbid such scarcity of youth![1216]

_Ulyss._ Amen.[1217]

_Agam._ Fair Lord Æneas, let me touch your hand;[1218]

To our pavilion shall I lead you, sir.[1219] 305

Achilles shall have word of this intent;[1220]

So shall each lord of Greece, from tent to tent:

Yourself shall feast with us before you go,

And find the welcome of a noble foe.

[_Exeunt all but Ulysses and Nestor._[1221]

_Ulyss._ Nestor![1222] 310

_Nest._ What says Ulysses?

_Ulyss._ I have a young conception in my brain;

Be you my time to bring it to some shape.

_Nest._ What is't?

_Ulyss._ This 'tis:[1223] 315

Blunt wedges rive hard knots: the seeded pride

That hath to this maturity blown up[1224]

In rank Achilles must or now be cropp'd,

Or, shedding, breed a nursery of like evil,

To overbulk us all.

_Nest._ Well, and how?[1225] 320

_Ulyss._ This challenge that the gallant Hector sends,

However it is spread in general name,

Relates in purpose only to Achilles.

_Nest._ The purpose is perspicuous even as substance,[1226]

Whose grossness little characters sum up:[1227] 325

And, in the publication, make no strain,[1227]

But that Achilles, were his brain as barren[1228]

As banks of Libya,--though, Apollo knows,[1229]

'Tis dry enough--will, with great speed of judgement,[1229]

Ay, with celerity, find Hector's purpose[1230] 330

Pointing on him.[1230]

_Ulyss._ And wake him to the answer, think you?

_Nest._ Yes, 'tis most meet: who may you else oppose,[1231]

That can from Hector bring his honour off,[1232]

If not Achilles? Though't be a sportful combat,[1233] 335

Yet in this trial much opinion dwells;[1234]

For here the Trojans taste our dear'st repute

With their finest palate: and trust to me, Ulysses,[1235]

Our imputation shall be oddly poised[1236]

In this wild action; for the success,[1237] 340

Although particular, shall give a scantling[1238]

Of good or bad unto the general;

And in such indexes, although small pricks

To their subsequent volumes, there is seen

The baby figure of the giant mass 345

Of things to come at large. It is supposed

He that meets Hector issues from our choice:

And choice, being mutual act of all our souls,

Makes merit her election, and doth boil,

As 'twere from forth us all, a man distill'd 350

Out of our virtues; who miscarrying,

What heart from hence receives the conquering part,[1239][1240]

To steel a strong opinion to themselves?[1240][1241]

Which entertain'd, limbs are his instruments,[1242][1243]

In no less working than are swords and bows[1242] 355

Directive by the limbs.[1242]

_Ulyss._ Give pardon to my speech;[1244]

Therefore 'tis meet Achilles meet not Hector.[1244][1245]

Let us, like merchants, show our foulest wares,[1244]

And think, perchance, they'll sell; if not,[1244][1246] 360

The lustre of the better yet to show,[1244][1247]

Shall show the better. Do not consent[1244][1248]

That ever Hector and Achilles meet;[1244]

For both our honour and our shame in this[1244]

Are dogg'd with two strange followers.[1244] 365

_Nest._ I see them not with my old eyes: what are they?[1249]

_Ulyss._ What glory our Achilles shares from Hector,[1250]

Were he not proud, we all should share with him:[1251]

But he already is too insolent;

And we were better parch in Afric sun[1252] 370

Than in the pride and salt scorn of his eyes,

Should he 'scape Hector fair: if he were foil'd,[1253]

Why then, we did our main opinion crush[1254]

In taint of our best man. No, make a lottery;

And by device let blockish Ajax draw[1255] 375

The sort to fight with Hector: among ourselves[1256]

Give him allowance for the better man;[1257]

For that will physic the great Myrmidon

Who broils in loud applause, and make him fall

His crest that prouder than blue Iris bends. 380

If the dull brainless Ajax come safe off,

We'll dress him up in voices: if he fail,

Yet go we under our opinion still

That we have better men. But, hit or miss,

Our project's life this shape of sense assumes, 385

Ajax employ'd plucks down Achilles' plumes.

_Nest._ Ulysses,[1258]

Now I begin to relish thy advice;[1258][1259]

And I will give a taste of it forthwith[1260]

To Agamemnon: go we to him straight. 390

Two curs shall tame each other: pride alone

Must tarre the mastiffs on, as 'twere their bone.[1261]

[_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[936] Troy. Before Priam's palace.] Capell. Troy. Rowe. The Palace in

Troy. Theobald.

Enter....] Enter Troilus, arm'd; Pandarus following. Capell.

[937] _Trojan_] F₄. _Troian_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _Troyan_ Q.

[938] _sleep_] _sheep_ Rann.

[939] _no_] _any_ Rowe.

[940] _needs_] om. Q.

[941] _Ay_] Rowe (ed. 1). _I_ Q Ff. _Ah_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[942] _here's_] F₄. _heeres_ F₁ F₂. _heres_ F₃. _heares_ Q.

[943] _of the oven_] _the oven_ Q.

[944] _you_] _yea_ Q.

_to burn_] _burne_ Q.

[945] _lesser_] _not less_ Anon. conj. (_Gent. Mag._ Vol. LX).

[946] _do I sit_] Q F₁. _I sit_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _I do sit_ Rowe.

[947] _Cressid_] _Cressida_ F₄.

[948] _thoughts,-- ... thence?_] _thoughts,--So, Traitor!--When she

comes? when is she thence?_ Rowe (ed. 2). _thoughts, So traitor then

she comes when she is thence._ Q. _thoughts, So (Traitor) then she

comes, when she is thence._ F₁ F₂. _thoughts, ... thence--_ F₃ F₄.

_thoughts,--So, Traitor!--When she comes, when she is thence_ Rowe (ed.

1).

[949] _Well ... else._] Prose in Pope. Three lines, ending _Well: ...

looke, ... else._ in Ff.

[950] _thee:--when_] _thee,--when_ Capell. _thee when_ Q. _thee, when_

Ff.

[951] _a storm_] Rowe. _a scorne_ Q. _a scorne_ F₁ F₂. _a-scorn_ F₃ F₄.

[952] _An_] Rowe (ed. 2). _And_ Q Ff.

[953] _women:_] _women!_ Q. _women._ Ff. _women,--_ Capell.

[954] _praise her_] Q. _praise it_ Ff.

[955] _fathoms_] F₄. _fadomes_ Q F₁ F₂ F₃.

[956] _indrench'd_] _intrench'd_ Rowe.

[957] _mad ... love:_] _mad ... love._ Ff. _madde: ... loue?_ Q.

[958] _Pour'st_] F₄. _powr'st_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _powrest_ Q.

_Pour'st ... heart_] Transpose to follow line 58, Barry conj.

[959] _heart Her ... Handlest_] _heart, Her ... Handest_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_heart; Her ... gate, her voice, Handlest_ Pope. _heart Her ... voice;

Handlest_ Theobald. _heart Her ... gait; her voice Handl'st_ Capell.

[960] _Handlest_] _Hand less_ Jackson conj.

_discourse, O, that her hand,_] Malone. _discourse: O that her hand_ Q.

_discourse. O that her hand_ Ff. _discourse--O that! her hand!_ Rowe.

_discourse--how white her hand!_ Theobald conj. _discourse:--O that

her hand!_ Capell. _discourse, that her hand,_ Rann. _discourse her

hand,--O that,_ or _discourse her hand--O, that her hand,_ Staunton

conj.

[961] _O, that ... ploughman:_] Marked as a quotation by Staunton.

[962] _The ... sense_] _And spirit of sense the cygnet's down is harsh_

Grant White conj.

_harsh and spirit...._] _harsh, to th' spirit...._ Hanmer. _harsh (and

spite of sense)_ Warburton. _harsh, in spirit...._ Capell.

[963] _As_] _And_ S. Walker conj.

[964] _in't_] Ff. _in it_ Q.

[965] _an_] Pope. _and_ Q Ff.

[966] _how now,_] _why, how now,_ Capell.

[967] _on of you_] Ff. _of you_ Q.

[968] _she's kin_] _she is kin_ F₃ F₄.

[969] _an_] Hanmer. _and_ Q Ff.

_not_] om. Q.

[970] _on Friday_] _a Friday_ Q.

_what care I?_] _what I?_ Q.

[971] _i'_] _in_ Steevens.

[972] _there_] _there's_ F₃ F₄.

[Exit.] Q. Exit. Pand. Ff.

An alarum.] Sound alarum. Q Ff.

[973] _Pandar_] _Pandarus_ Rowe.

[974] _tetchy_] Steevens (1793). _teachy_ Q Ff.

[975] _stubborn-chaste_] Theobald. _stubborne, chast_ Q Ff.

[976] _resides_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _recides_ F₁. _reides_ Q.

[977] _wild_] Q F₁. _mild_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[978] SCENE II. Pope.

_How ... afield?_] One line in Q. Two in Ff.

_afield_] F₂ F₃. _a field_ Q F₁ F₄. _i' th' field_ Rowe.

[979] SCENE II.] Capell. SCENE III. Pope.

Enter....] Enter Cressid and her man. Q Ff. Enter Cressida, and

Alexander her servant. Theobald.

[980] Alex.] Man. Q Ff (and throughout the scene). Ser. Rowe.

[981] _battle_] _fight_ Pope.

[982] _as_] _all_ Johnson conj.

_a virtue_] _the Virtue_ Theobald (Warburton conj.) _a statue_ Steevens

conj. (withdrawn). _a vulture_ Jackson conj.

[983] _chid_] Q. _chides_ Ff.

_and_] om. Anon. conj.

[984] _harness'd light_] _harnest lyte_ Q F₁. _harnest light_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_harness-dight_ Theobald. _harness'd tight_ Dyce conj.

[985] _The noise ... Greeks_] As in Q. Two lines in Ff.

_goes, this_] _goes this_ Q F₃ F₄. _goe's this_ F₁ F₂. _goes thus_ Pope.

[986] _They ... alone_] As verse first by Capell. Prose in Q Ff.

[987] _man_] _A_ Anon. apud Rann conj.

[988] _they_] _the_ Q.

[989] _crushed into_] _crusted into_ Warburton. _a crush unto_ Id. conj.

[990] _sauced_] _farced_ Theobald conj.

[991] _no use_] _of no use_ Hanmer.

_purblind_] _purblinde_ Q. _purblinded_ Ff. _a purblind_ Hanmer.

[992] _disdain_] _disdaind_ F₁.

[993] Enter Pandarus.] Omitted in Q.

[994] SCENE IV. Pope.

[995] _Good morrow, Alexander_] Omitted by Pope.

[996] _Ilium_] F₃ F₄. _Illum_ Q. _Illium_ F₁ F₂.

[997] _you_] Edd. _yea_ Q F₁. _ye_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_Ilium_] F₃ F₄. _Illium_ Q F₁ F₂.

[998] _up._] F₂ F₃ F₄. _up?_ Q F₁.

[999] _Who, Troilus?_] as a separate line in Ff.

[1000] _Then ... Hector._] Two lines, the first ending _I say,_ in Ff.

[1001] _nor Hector_] _not Hector_ Q F₁.

_degrees_] _degree_ Capell conj.

[1002] _just to ... them;_] _just to ... them,_ Rowe. _just, to ...

them_ Q Ff.

[1003] _were._] Q Ff. _were,_--Capell.

[1004] _Condition_] _'Condition_ Theobald. _On condition_ Hanmer.

_--condition_ Capell. _In his right condition!_ Keightley, reading

_were--_ in line 69.

[1005] _no,_] Rowe (ed. 2). _no?_ Q Ff.

_a'_] _a_ Q Ff. _he_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[1006] _other's_] Rowe. _others_ Q Ff.

[1007] _wit_] Rowe. _will_ Q Ff.

[1008] _brown_] _between_ Anon. conj.

[1009] _Paris_] _Paris's_ Hanmer.

[1010] _praised_] _prasi'd_ F₁.

[1011] _above, his ... is_] _about his complexion as_ Hanmer.

[1012] _and_] om. Hanmer.

[1013] _lief_] Steevens (1793). _lieve_ Q Ff.

[1014] _I ... Paris._] Two lines. The first ending _you,_ in Ff.

[1015] _lift_] _liste_ Q.

[1016] _he so_] _he is so_ F₁.

[1017] _valiantly_] _valianty_ Q. _daintily_ Singer conj.

[1018] _an_] Pope. _and_ Q Ff.

[1019] _Troilus ... so._] Two lines, the first ending _thee_ or _the_,

in Ff.

[1020] _the_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _thee_ Q F₁.

[1021] _marvellous_] Pope. _maruel's_ Q F₁. _marvel's_ F₂ F₃.

_marvell's_ F₄.

[1022] _eyes ran_] _eyes run_ F₃. _eye run_ F₄.

[1023] _more_] Ff. _a more_ Q.

_pot_] _por_ Q.

[1024] _Troilus_] _Troilus's_ F₄.

[1025] _An't_] Pope. _And t'_ Q F₁ F₂. _And't_ F₃. _And'_ F₄. _And_

Rowe.

[1026] _two_] Q Ff. _one_ Theobald.

[1027] _Two_] Q Ff. _One_ Theobald.

[1028] _my_] _the_ Pope.

[1029] _pluck't_] F₃ F₄. _pluckt_ Q F₁ F₂.

[1030] _So ... by._] Two lines, the first ending _now,_ in Ff.

_it has_] Q F₃ F₄. _is has_ F₁ F₂.

_while_] _wile_ F₂.

[1031] _Well ... on’t._] Two lines, the first ending _cozen,_ in Ff.

[1032] _do_] _does_ F₁.

[1033] _an_] Q Ff. _as_ Hanmer.

[1034] [A retreat sounded.] Sound a retreate. Q Ff (after line 166).

[1035] _toward_] _towards_ Rowe. _Ilium_] F₃ F₄. _Ilion_ Q. _Illium_ F₁

F₂.

[1036] Æneas passes.] Enter Æneas. Q Ff (and similarly for the rest).

[1037] _tell_] om. F₁.

[1038] _Who's that_] Omitted in Johnson (1771).

[1039] _shrewd_] _shrew’d_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _Shrow’d_ Q F₁.

[1040] _a man_] Ff. _man_ Q.

[1041] _judgements_] Q. _judgement_ Ff.

_of person_] _of's person_ Capell conj. _of his person_ Collier MS.

[1042] _him_] _him him_ F₁.

[1043] _rich ... more_] _rest ... none_ Hanmer. _mich ... more_

Warburton. _wretch ... more_ Staunton conj.

[1044] _a brave_] Q. _brave_ Ff.

[1045] _a'_] _a_ Q Ff. _he_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_man's_] _man_ Q.

[1046] _there’s laying_] _thers laying_ Q. _laying_ Ff.

[1047] _will_] _ill_ F₁.

[1048] _an_] Pope. _and_ Q Ff.

[1049] Paris passes.] Enter Paris. Q Ff (after line 198).

[1050] _hurt home_] _home hurt_ Rowe.

[1051] _now, ha!_] _now ha?_ Q. _now, ha?_ Ff. _now. Ha!_ Capell.

_shall see_] Q F₃ F₄. _shall_ F₁ F₂.

[1052] _indifferent well._] _indifferent well,_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _indifferent,

well,_ Q F₁.

[1053] _is_] om. F₂.

[1054] _note him_] _not him_ F₁.

[1055] _never_ Q. _ne're_ Ff.

[1056] _or_] _and_ Hanmer.

[1057] _O admirable man!_] Omitted by Capell.

[1058] _an eye_] Q. money Ff. _one eye_ Collier conj.

Common soldiers pass.] Enter common soldiers. Ff. Omitted in Q.

[1059] _come_] Ff. _comes_ Q.

[1060] _among_] Ff. _amongst_ Q.

[1061] _such like_] Q. _so forth_ Ff.

[1062] _season_] Q. _seasons_ Ff.

[1063] _date is_] Q. _dates_ Ff.

[1064] _a woman_] Q. _another woman_ Ff.

[1065] _wiles_] _will_ Johnson conj.

[1066] _my mask ... and you_] _upon my mask ... and upon you_ Collier

(Collier MS.)

[1067] _and at all ... at a_] _at all ... and at a_ Hanmer.

_lie, at_] _lye at, at_ F₁.

[1068] _too_] _two_ Q.

[1069] _it's_] F₁. _its_ Q. _is_ F₂ F₃. _it is_ F₄.

[1070] _You_] _Your_ F₂.

Enter....] Capell. Enter Boy. Q Ff (after line 255).

[1071] _there ... him_] Q. Omitted in Ff.

[1072] [Exit Boy.] Capell. om. Q Ff.

[1073] _I will be_] _I wilbe_ Q. _Ile be_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _I'le be_ F₄.

[1074] _uncle?_] Edd. _uncle:_ Q. _unkle._ Ff. _uncle--_Rowe.

[1075] [Exit Pandarus.] Ff. om. Q. Exit. Capell (after line 265).

[1076] _gifts_] Ff. _guifts_ Q. _griefs_ Reed (1803).

[1077] _joy's ... doing_] Q F₁. _the soules joy lyes in dooing_ F₂ F₃

F₄.

_lies_] _dies_ Mason conj. _lives_ Seymour conj.

[1078] _nought_] Ff. _naught_ Q.

[1079] _got_] Q F₁. _goe_ F₂. _go_ F₃ F₄.

[1080] Transposed in F₄.

[1081] _Achievement is_] _Achiev'd, men us_ Singer (Harness conj.)

_Achiev'd men still_ Collier MS.

[1082] _Then_] Q. _That_ Ff.

_heart's content_] _hearts content_ Q. _hearts contents_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_hearts content's_ F₄. _heart content's_ Rowe (ed. 2). _heart's

consent_ Mason conj.

[1083] [Exeunt.] Capell. Exit. Q Ff.

[1084] SCENE III.] Capell. SCENE V. Pope.

The Grecian....] Agamemnon's tent in the Grecian Camp. Rowe.

Sennet.] Senet. F₁. Sonet. F₂ F₃. Sonnet. F₄. om. Q. Trumpets. Rowe.

Enter ... Ulysses,] Capell. Enter ... Ulisses, Diomedes, Q Ff.

[1085] _Princes_] Keightley marks this as part of an imperfect line.

[1086] _the_] Ff. _these_ Q. _this_ Capell. _on_] Ff. _ore_ Q.

[1087] _hope makes_] Q F₁. _hopes makes_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _hopes make_ Rowe

(ed. 2).

[1088] _Infect_] Ff. _Infects_ Q.

_divert_] Rowe. _diverts_ Q Ff.

[1089] _every_] Ff. _ever_ Q.

[1090] _works_] _mocks_ Singer conj. _wrecks_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[1091] _call them shames_] Q. _thinke them shame_ Ff. _think them

shames_ Capell.

[1092] _broad_] Q. _lowd_ F₁ F₂. _loud_ F₃ F₄.

[1093] _matter, by itself_] Hanmer. _matter by it selfe,_ Q Ff.

[1094] _thy godlike_] Theobald. _the godlike_ Q. _thy godly_ Ff. _thy

goodly_ Pope.

[1095] _apply_] _supply_ Warburton.

[1096] _Thy ... chance_] One line in Q. Two in Ff.

[1097] _patient_] Ff. _ancient_ Q.

[1098] _nobler_] Q F₁. _noble_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_bulk!_] _bulk, and greater strength;_ Keightley.

[1099] _cut_] Q F₁. _cut's_ F₂. _cuts_ F₃ F₄.

[1100] _toast_] _tot_ Becket conj. _boast_ Halliwell conj.

[1101] _In ... brightness_] One line in Q. Two in Ff.

[1102] _breese_] _bryze_ Q. _brieze_ F₁. _brize_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1103] _the splitting wind Makes_] _splitting winds Make_ Pope.

[1104] _And ... why then_] _And flies are fled to shade_ Seymour conj.

_And flies along the sky, while bird and beast are Fled under shade,

why then_ Keightley.

_And ... courage_] One line in Q. Two, the first ending _then,_ in Ff.

_fled_] _get_ Pope. _flee_ Capell.

[1105] _tuned_] _turn'd_ Reed (1803).

[1106] _Retorts_] Dyce. _Retires_ Q F₃ F₄. _Retyres_ F₁ F₂. _Returns_

Pope. _Replies_ Hanmer. _Re-chides_ Staunton (Lettsom conj.) _Recries_

Anon. conj. _Revies_ Anon. conj.

[1107] _nerve_] Ff. _nerves_ Q.

[1108] _spirit_] Ff. _spright_ Q.

[1109] [To Aga.] Rowe.

_sway_] Q F₁. _may_ F₂ F₃. _merit_ F₄.

[1110] [To Nestor] Rowe.

_thy_] Ff. _the_ Q.

[1111] _hand_] _band_ Johnson conj. (withdrawn).

[1112] _hatch'd ... air_] _thatch'd ... awe_ Theobald conj. _harp'd ...

acier_ Jackson conj.

[1113] _On_] Q F₂ F₃ F₄. _In_ F₁.

_heaven rides_] Q. _the heavens ride_ Ff.

_the Greekish_] Q. _Greekes_ F₁ F₂. _Greeks_ F₃ F₄. _the Grecian_ Pope

(ed. 1). _the Grecians_ Pope (ed. 2).]

[1114] _yet_] om. Capell.

_let it please_] _please it_ Seymour conj.

[1115] _Thou_] _Though_ Hanmer.

[1116] Agam. _Speak, ... oracle._ Ulyss.] Omitted in Q.

[1117] _Prince of_] om. Anon. conj.

_and be't of_] _we_ Pope. _and we_ Capell. _and we it_ Keightley.

_of less_] _less_ Anon. conj.

_expect_] Pope. _expect:_ F₁. _expect;_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _expect,_ Rowe.

[1118] _lips, than_] _lips; then_ F₁. _lips: then_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1119] _mastic_] _mastiff_ Rowe. _mastive_ Boswell.

[1120] _his_] _her_ F₄.

_basis_] Ff. _bases_ Q.

[1121] _instances_] _instances, which now I'll shew you_ Keightley.

[1122] _do stand Hollow upon_] _do stand Upon_ Hanmer. _stand hollow

Upon_ Keightley.

[1123] _hollow factions_] _factions_ Steevens conj.

[1124] _is not like the_] _not likes the_ Warburton. _is not lik'd o'

the_ Capell. _'s not the life of the_ Heath conj.

[1125] _whom_] _which_ Hanmer.

[1126] _mask._] After this Keightley marks a line omitted.

[1127] _Insisture_] Ff. _In sisture_ Q. (for _In fixture_ Delius conj.)

[1128] _other_] _rest_ Pope, _ether_ Singer.

_medicinable_] _med'cinable_ Q Ff.

[1129] _ill aspects of planets evil_] Ff. _influence of evill planets_

Q.

[1130] _married_] _mirror'd_ Anon. conj.

[1131] _fixure_] Q F₁ F₂. _fixture_ F₃ F₄.

_O, when_] _When_ Pope. _So when_ Johnson conj.

_shaked_] _shakt_ Q. _shak'd_ Ff. _shaken_ Rowe.

[1132] _to_] Ff. _of_ Q.

[1133] _The_] Q Ff. _Then_ Hanmer.

[1134] _primogenitive_] Ff. _primogenitie_ Q. _primogeniture_ Rowe.

[1135] _meets_] _melts_ Q.

[1136] _Should_] _Would_ F₄.

[1137] _should_] _would_ F₄.

[1138] _Between ... resides_] Printed in italics in Q.

_resides_] _recides_ Q F₁. _presides_ Warburton.

[1139] _their_] _her_ F₁.

[1140] _includes_] _include_ Q.

[1141] _And last ... Agamemnon_] One line in Rowe (ed. 2). Two in Q Ff.

_himself_] _it self_ Theobald.

[1142] _choking._] _choking of the common weal;_ Keightley.

[1143] _it is_] Q. _is it_ Ff.

[1144] _backward ... climb_] _downward ... climb_ or _backward ...

advance_ Seymour conj.

[1145] _with_] Q. _in_ Ff.

[1146] _stands_] Q. _lives_ Ff.

[1147] _sinew_] Ff. _sinnow_ Q.

[1148] _jests_] _jests on thee and all of us_ Keightley.

[1149] _awkward_] _sillie_ Q.

[1150] _Sometime_] _Sometimes_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[1151] _topless_] _stopless_ Warburton.

[1152] _scaffoldage_] F₄. _scaffolage_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _scaffollage_ Q.

[1153] _o'er-wrested_] Pope. _ore-rested_ Q F₁ F₂ F₃. _o're-rested_ F₄.

_o'er-jested_ Delius conj.

[1154] _unsquared_] _unsquare_ Q.

[1155] _Would_] _Wound_ F₂.

_seen_] _seemes_ F₁.

[1156] _press'd bed_] _prest bed_ Q. _prest-bed_ Ff.

[1157] _just_] Ff. _right_ Q.

[1158] _hem_] Q. _hum_ Ff.

[1159] _dress'd_] _'drest_ Hanmer.

[1160] _as like as_] _like as_ Capell.

[1161] _god_] Q F₁. _good_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1162] _palsy fumbling_] _palsy'd fumbling_ Capell conj.

_palsy-fumbling_ Steevens (Tyrwhitt conj.)

[1163] _and at_] _at_ Hanmer.

[1164] _split_] _spilt_ F₄.

[1165] _of grace exact_] _though of grace exact_ Hanmer. _of grace;

exacts_ Warburton. _all grace extract_ Collier (Collier MS.) _are of

grace extract_ Singer conj. _of grace and act_ Staunton conj.

[1166] _paradoxes_] _parodies_ Johnson conj.

[1167] _Who_] _Whom_ Pope.

[1168] _place_] _pace_ Pope.

[1169] _broad_] _braid_ Becket conj.

_keeps_] _keepes_ Q. and _keepes_ Ff.

[1170] _and_] _our_ Q.

[1171] _rank_] _hard_ Pope.

[1172] _prescience_] _our prescience_ Rowe.

[1173] _calls_] _call_ F₁.

[1174] _know ... weight_] _know the measure, By their observant toil,

of the enemies' weight_ Johnson conj.

[1175] _enemies'_] _enemy's_ Delius conj.

[1176] _bed-work, mappery_] _bed-work Mapp'ry_ Theobald.

_bed-work-mapp'ry_ Hanmer.

[1177] _fineness_] _finesse_ Q.

[1178] _his_] _its_ Hanmer.

[1179] [_Tucket._] Ff. om. Q.

[1180] _trumpet?_] _trumpet's that?_ Capell.

_Menelaus_] om. Steevens conj.

[1181] SCENE VI. Pope.

Enter Æneas.] Ff. om. Q.

[1182] _ears_] _eyes_ Q.

[1183] _Achilles'_] _Alcides'_ Johnson conj.

[1184] _Ay:_] Rowe. _I,_ Q. _I:_ Ff. om. Pope. Put in a separate line

first by Steevens.

[1185] _bid_] Q. _on_ Ff.

[1186] _Modest ... Phœbus_] As in Ff. One line in Q.

[1187] _god in office, guiding_] Rowe. _god in office guiding_ Ff.

_god, in office guiding_ Q.

[1188] _fame_] _same_ Q.

[1189] _swords: and, Jove's accord, Nothing_] Theobald, _swords, &

Ioues accord, Nothing_ Ff. _sword, & great Ioues accord Nothing_ Q.

_swords: and with Jove's accord Nothing’s_ Malone conj. _swords; and

Love's a lord Nothing_ Steevens conj. _swords, great Jove's accord,

Nothing_ Mitford conj. See note (11).

[1190] _accord_] _sacaret_ Warburton conj. _own bird_ Mason conj. _a

god_ Malone conj. _a lord_ Steevens conj. _a core_ Jackson conj.

[1191] _If that the_] Q. _if that he_ Ff. _If he that's_ Pope.

[1192] _But what_] Q F₁. _What_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1193] _blows_] _follows_ Reed (1803).

_sole pure_] _soul-pure_ Collier MS. _pure Sol_ Staunton conj.

[1194] _affair_] _affaires_ Q.

_I pray you_] om. Steevens conj., reading _Ay, Greek ... affair?_ as

one line.

[1195] _He ... Troy_] One line in Q. Two in Ff.

_nought_] Ff. _naught_ Q.

[1196] _him_] _with him_ Q.

[1197] _sense on the_] _seat on that_ Q.

[1198] _loud_] _alowd_ Q.

[1199] [Trumpet sounds.] Sound trumpet. Q. The Trumpets sound. Ff.

[1200] _this_] _his_ Q.

[1201] _rusty_] _restie_ Q.

[1202] _That seeks_] Ff. _And feeds_ Q.

[1203] _confession_] _profession_ Hanmer.

[1204] _dare_] _dares_ Hanmer.

[1205] _good, ... it, He_] _good, (or ... it) He_ Theobald. _good, ...

it. He_ Q Ff.

[1206] _compass_] _couple_ Q.

[1207] _We_] _We have_ Rowe. _We've_ Pope.

[1208] _hath, or_] Ff. _hath a_ Q.

[1209] _else_] Q F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

_I am_] Q. _Ile be_ Ff. _I'm_ Pope.

[1210] _host_] _hoste_ Q. _mould_ Ff (for _world_ S. Walker conj.)

[1211] _One noble man_] F₁ F₂ F₃. _One nobleman_ F₄. _A noble man_ Q.

_one spark_] _no sparke_ Q.

[1212] _vantbrace_] Ff. _vambrace_ Q.

_this_] _my_ Q.

_wither'd_] Ff. _withered_ Q.

_brawn_] _braunes_ Q.

[1213] _will_] om. Q.

[1214] _in flood_] _is flood_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[1215] _prove this truth_] Malone. _prove this troth_ Q. _pawne this

truth_ Ff.

[1216] _forbid_] _for-fend_ Q.

_youth_] _men_ Q.

[1217] Ulyss. _Amen._] Aga. _Amen._ Capell, continuing the next speech

to Agamemnon.

[1218] Agam.] Aga. Ff. om. Q (reading _Amen: faire ... hand_ as one

line).

_Fair ... hand_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[1219] _you, sir._] _you? First_ Theobald conj.

_sir_] Q. _first_ Ff.

[1220] _intent_] _incent_ Anon. conj.

[1221] [Exeunt....] Exeunt. Manent Ulysses, and Nestor. Ff (Manet F₁).

Omitted in Q.

[1222] SCENE VII. Pope.

[1223] _This 'tis_] Ff. om. Q.

[1224] _blown_] _grown_ Capell conj.

[1225] _Well, and how?_] _Well, and how now?_ Rowe. _Well, sir, and

how?_ Capell. _Well, and how then?_ Keightley (Steevens conj.)

[1226] _The purpose_] _True the purpose_ Q.

_even_] om. Q.

[1227] _up: And ... strain,_] _up: And ... straine,_ Q. _up, And ...

straine_ Ff. _up, And ... strain:_ Rowe.

[1228] _Achilles, were_] Ff. _Achilles weare_ Q.

[1229] _though ... enough_] Printed in italics in Q.

[1230] _Ay ... him_] As in Ff. One line in Q.

[1231] _Yes, 'tis_] Ff. _Why tis_ Q. _Yes, It is_ Hanmer, putting

_Yes,_ in a separate line. _Yes, It is_ Steevens, reading as one line

_And wake ... Yes._

_who_] Q F₂ F₃ F₄. _whom_ F₁.

[1232] _his honour_] Ff. _those honours_ Q.

[1233] _Though't be_] _though_ Pope.

[1234] _this_] Ff. _the_ Q.

[1235] _and_] om. Pope.

[1236] _imputation_] _reputation_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[1237] _wild_] _wilde_ Q.

[1238] _give_] _have_ Rowe.

[1239] _from hence receives the_] Ff. _receiues from hence a_ Q.

[1240] _from hence ... themselves?_] _receives from thence a conquering

hope, Or feels a strong opinion in himself?_ Seymour conj.

[1241] _steel_] _steal_ Capell conj.

[1242] _Which ... limbs_] Ff. Omitted in Q.

[1243] _his_] _in his_ F₁.

[1244] _Give ... followers._] As in Ff. See note (III).

[1245] _'tis meet_] _'tis fit_ Pope.

[1246] _if not,_] _if not, why still_ Hanmer. _if they do not,_

Keightley (Steevens conj.) _or, if they do not,_ Seymour conj.

[1247] _better_] _fairer_ Anon. conj.

[1248] _better_] _better thus_ Grant White conj.

_consent_] _then consent_ Pope.

[1249] _I see_] _What are they? I see_ Capell.

[1250] _shares_] wins Keightley. _shears_ or _takes_ Anon. conj.

[1251] _share_] Q. _weare_ Ff.

[1252] _we were_] Ff. _it were_ Q.

_Afric_] _Afric's_ Anon. conj.

[1253] _fair_] _fairly_ Becket conj.

[1254] _did_] Ff. _do_ Q.

[1255] _device_] Ff. _devise_ Q.

[1256] _among_] _'mong_ Pope.

[1257] _for the better_] Q. _as the worthier_ Ff.

[1258] _Ulysses, Now I begin to_] Steevens. _Now Ulysses, I begin to_ Q

Ff. _Ulysses, now I_ Pope. _Now I begin to_ Capell.

[1259] _advice_] Ff. _advise_ Q.

[1260] _of it_] Ff. _thereof_ Q.

[1261] _Must tarre_] Ff. _Must arre_ Q.

_their bone_] Ff. _a bone_ Q.

ACT II.

SCENE I. _The Grecian camp._[1262]

_Enter_ AJAX _and_ THERSITES.

_Ajax._ Thersites!

_Ther._ Agamemnon--how if he had boils--full, all[1263]

over, generally?[1264]

_Ajax._ Thersites!

_Ther._ And those boils did run?--Say so,--did not the 5

general run then? were not that a botchy core?[1265]

_Ajax._ Dog!

_Ther._ Then would come some matter from him; I see[1266]

none now.

_Ajax._ Thou bitch-wolf's son, canst thou not hear? 10

Feel, then. [_Strikes him._[1267]

_Ther._ The plague of Greece upon thee, thou mongrel

beef-witted lord!

_Ajax._ Speak then, thou vinewed'st leaven, speak: I[1268]

will beat thee into handsomeness. 15

_Ther._ I shall sooner rail thee into wit and holiness: but,

I think, thy horse will sooner con an oration than thou[1269]

learn a prayer without book. Thou canst strike, canst[1270]

thou? a red murrain o' thy jade's tricks![1271]

_Ajax._ Toadstool, learn me the proclamation.[1272] 20

_Ther._ Dost thou think I have no sense, thou strikest

me thus?

_Ajax._ The proclamation!

_Ther._ Thou art proclaimed a fool, I think.[1273]

_Ajax._ Do not, porpentine, do not; my fingers itch.[1274] 25

_Ther._ I would thou didst itch from head to foot, and I

had the scratching of thee; I would make thee the loathsomest

scab in Greece. When thou art forth in the incursions,[1275]

thou strikest as slow as another.[1275]

_Ajax._ I say, the proclamation! 30

_Ther._ Thou grumblest and railest every hour on Achilles,

and thou art as full of envy at his greatness as Cerberus

is at Proserpina's beauty, ay, that thou barkest at him.[1276]

_Ajax._ Mistress Thersites![1277]

_Ther._ Thou shouldst strike him.[1278] 35

_Ajax._ Cobloaf![1278][1279]

_Ther._ He would pun thee into shivers with his fist, as a[1278][1280]

sailor breaks a biscuit.

_Ajax._ [_Beating him_] You whoreson cur![1281][1282]

_Ther._ Do, do.[1283] 40

_Ajax._ Thou stool for a witch!

_Ther._ Ay, do, do; thou sodden-witted lord! thou hast[1284]

no more brain than I have in my elbows; an assinego[1285]

may tutor thee: thou scurvy-valiant ass! thou art here but[1286]

to thrash Trojans; and thou art bought and sold among[1287] 45

those of any wit, like a barbarian slave. If thou use to

beat me, I will begin at thy heel and tell what thou art by

inches, thou thing of no bowels, thou![1288]

_Ajax._ You dog!

_Ther._ You scurvy lord! 50

_Ajax._ [_Beating him_] You cur![1281]

_Ther._ Mars his idiot! do, rudeness; do, camel, do, do.

_Enter_ ACHILLES _and_ PATROCLUS.[1289]

_Achil._ Why, how now, Ajax! wherefore do ye thus?[1290]

How now, Thersites! what's the matter, man?

_Ther._ You see him there, do you? 55

_Achil._ Ay; what's the matter?

_Ther._ Nay, look upon him.

_Achil._ So I do: what's the matter?

_Ther._ Nay, but regard him well.

_Achil._ 'Well!' why, so I do.[1291] 60

_Ther._ But yet you look not well upon him; for, whosoever[1292]

you take him to be, he is Ajax.

_Achil._ I know that, fool.

_Ther._ Ay, but that fool knows not himself.

_Ajax._ Therefore I beat thee. 65

_Ther._ Lo, lo, lo, lo, what modicums of wit he utters! his

evasions have ears thus long. I have bobbed his brain more[1293]

than he has beat my bones: I will buy nine sparrows for a[1294]

penny, and his pia mater is not worth the ninth part of a

sparrow. This lord, Achilles, Ajax, who wears his wit in 70

his belly and his guts in his head, I'll tell you what I say[1295]

of him.

_Achil._ What?

_Ther._ I say, this Ajax-- [_Ajax offers to strike him._[1296]

_Achil._ Nay, good Ajax. 75

_Ther._ Has not so much wit--

_Achil._ Nay, I must hold you.

_Ther._ As will stop the eye of Helen's needle, for whom

he comes to fight.

_Achil._ Peace, fool! 80

_Ther._ I would have peace and quietness, but the fool

will not: he there: that he: look you there!

_Ajax._ O thou damned cur! I shall--

_Achil._ Will you set your wit to a fool's?

_Ther._ No, I warrant you; for a fool's will shame it.[1297] 85

_Patr._ Good words, Thersites.[1298]

_Achil._ What's the quarrel?

_Ajax._ I bade the vile owl go learn me the tenour of the[1299]

proclamation, and he rails upon me.

_Ther._ I serve thee not. 90

_Ajax._ Well, go to, go to.

_Ther._ I serve here voluntary.

_Achil._ Your last service was sufferance, 'twas not voluntary;

no man is beaten voluntary: Ajax was here the

voluntary, and you as under an impress. 95

_Ther._ E'en so; a great deal of your wit too lies in[1300]

your sinews, or else there be liars. Hector shall have a

great catch, if he knock out either of your brains: a' were[1301]

as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel.

_Achil._ What, with me too, Thersites? 100

_Ther._ There's Ulysses and old Nestor, whose wit was

mouldy ere your grandsires had nails on their toes, yoke[1302]

you like draught-oxen, and make you plough up the wars.[1303]

_Achil._ What? what?

_Ther._ Yes, good sooth: to, Achilles! to, Ajax! to![1304] 105

_Ajax._ I shall cut out your tongue.

_Ther._ 'Tis no matter; I shall speak as much as thou[1305]

afterwards.

_Patr._ No more words, Thersites; peace![1306]

_Ther._ I will hold my peace when Achilles' brooch bids[1307] 110

me, shall I?

_Achil._ There's for you, Patroclus.

_Ther._ I will see you hanged, like clotpoles, ere I come[1308]

any more to your tents: I will keep where there is wit stirring,

and leave the faction of fools. [_Exit._ 115

_Patr._ A good riddance.

_Achil._ Marry, this, sir, is proclaim'd through all our

host:

That Hector, by the fifth hour of the sun,[1309]

Will with a trumpet 'twixt our tents and Troy

To-morrow morning call some knight to arms 120

That hath a stomach, and such a one that dare

Maintain--I know not what: 'tis trash. Farewell.[1310]

_Ajax._ Farewell. Who shall answer him?[1311]

_Achil._ I know not; 'tis put to lottery; otherwise

He knew his man. 125

_Ajax._ O, meaning you. I will go learn more of it.[1312]

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. _Troy. A room in Priam's palace._[1313]

_Enter_ PRIAM, HECTOR, TROILUS, PARIS, _and_ HELENUS.

_Pri._ After so many hours, lives, speeches spent,[1314]

Thus once again says Nestor from the Greeks:

'Deliver Helen, and all damage else,[1315]

As honour, loss of time, travail, expense,[1316]

Wounds, friends, and what else dear that is consumed 5

In hot digestion of this cormorant war,[1317]

Shall be struck off.' Hector, what say you to't?[1318]

_Hect._ Though no man lesser fears the Greeks than I

As far as toucheth my particular,[1319][1320]

Yet, dread Priam,[1319] 10

There is no lady of more softer bowels,[1321]

More spongy to suck in the sense of fear,

More ready to cry out 'Who knows what follows?'

Than Hector is: the wound of peace is surety,[1322][1323]

Surety secure: but modest doubt is call'd[1323] 15

The beacon of the wise, the tent that searches

To the bottom of the worst. Let Helen go.[1324]

Since the first sword was drawn about this question,

Every tithe soul, 'mongst many thousand dismes,

Hath been as dear as Helen; I mean, of ours: 20

If we have lost so many tenths of ours,

To guard a thing not ours, nor worth to us,[1325]

Had it our name, the value of one ten,[1326]

What merit's in that reason which denies[1327]

The yielding of her up?

_Tro._ Fie, fie, my brother! 25

Weigh you the worth and honour of a king,[1328]

So great as our dread father, in a scale[1329]

Of common ounces? will you with counters sum

The past proportion of his infinite?[1330]

And buckle in a waist most fathomless[1331] 30

With spans and inches so diminutive

As fears and reasons? fie, for godly shame![1332]

_Hel._ No marvel, though you bite so sharp at reasons,[1333]

You are so empty of them. Should not our father[1334]

Bear the great sway of his affairs with reasons,[1335] 35

Because your speech hath none that tells him so?[1336]

_Tro._ You are for dreams and slumbers, brother priest;

You fur your gloves with reason. Here are your reasons:[1337]

You know an enemy intends you harm;

You know a sword employ'd is perilous, 40

And reason flies the object of all harm:

Who marvels then, when Helenus beholds

A Grecian and his sword, if he do set

The very wings of reason to his heels,

And fly like chidden Mercury from Jove,[1338] 45

Or like a star disorb'd? Nay, if we talk of reason,[1338]

Let's shut our gates, and sleep: manhood and honour[1339]

Should have hare hearts, would they but fat their thoughts[1340]

With this cramm'd reason: reason and respect

Make livers pale and lustihood deject.[1341] 50

_Hect._ Brother, she is not worth what she doth cost[1342]

The holding.[1342]

_Tro._ What's aught, but as 'tis valued?[1343]

_Hect._ But value dwells not in particular will;

It holds his estimate and dignity[1344]

As well wherein 'tis precious of itself 55

As in the prizer: 'tis mad idolatry[1345]

To make the service greater than the god;[1346]

And the will dotes, that is attributive[1347]

To what infectiously itself affects,

Without some image of the affected merit.[1348] 60

_Tro._ I take to-day a wife, and my election

Is led on in the conduct of my will;

My will enkindled by mine eyes and ears.[1349]

Two traded pilots 'twixt the dangerous shores[1350]

Of will and judgement: how may I avoid,[1351] 65

Although my will distaste what it elected,[1351]

The wife I chose? there can be no evasion[1351][1352]

To blench from this, and to stand firm by honour.

We turn not back the silks upon the merchant

When we have soil'd them, nor the remainder viands[1353] 70

We do not throw in unrespective sieve,[1354]

Because we now are full. It was thought meet[1355]

Paris should do some vengeance on the Greeks:

Your breath of full consent bellied his sails;[1356]

The seas and winds, old wranglers, took a truce, 75

And did him service: he touch'd the ports desired;

And for an old aunt whom the Greeks held captive

He brought a Grecian queen, whose youth and freshness

Wrinkles Apollo's and makes stale the morning.[1357]

Why keep we her? the Grecians keep our aunt: 80

Is she worth keeping? why, she is a pearl,

Whose price hath launch'd above a thousand ships,

And turn'd crown'd kings to merchants.

If you'll avouch 'twas wisdom Paris went,

As you must needs, for you all cried 'Go, go,' 85

If you'll confess he brought home noble prize,[1358]

As you must needs, for you all clapp'd your hands

And cried 'Inestimable!' why do you now

The issue of your proper wisdoms rate,[1359]

And do a deed that Fortune never did,[1360] 90

Beggar the estimation which you prized

Richer than sea and land? O, theft most base,

That we have stol'n what we do fear to keep![1361]

But thieves unworthy of a thing so stol'n,[1362]

That in their country did them that disgrace[1363] 95

We fear to warrant in our native place!

_Cas._ [_Within_] Cry, Trojans, cry![1364][1365]

_Pri._ What noise? what shriek is this?

_Tro._ 'Tis our mad sister, I do know her voice.

_Cas._ [_Within_] Cry, Trojans![1365]

_Hect._ It is Cassandra. 100

_Enter_ CASSANDRA, _raving, with her hair about her ears_.[1366]

_Cas._ Cry, Trojans, cry! lend me ten thousand eyes,[1367]

And I will fill them with prophetic tears.

_Hect._ Peace, sister, peace!

_Cas._ Virgins and boys, mid age and wrinkled old,[1368]

Soft infancy, that nothing canst but cry,[1369] 105

Add to my clamours! let us pay betimes[1370]

A moiety of that mass of moan to come.

Cry, Trojans, cry! practise your eyes with tears!

Troy must not be, nor goodly Ilion stand;

Our firebrand brother, Paris, burns us all. 110

Cry, Trojans, cry! a Helen and a woe:

Cry, cry! Troy burns, or else let Helen go. [_Exit._

_Hect._ Now, youthful Troilus, do not these high strains[1371]

Of divination in our sister work

Some touches of remorse? or is your blood 115

So madly hot that no discourse of reason,

Nor fear of bad success in a bad cause,

Can qualify the same?

_Tro._ Why, brother Hector,

We may not think the justness of each act[1372]

Such and no other than event doth form it; 120

Nor once deject the courage of our minds,

Because Cassandra's mad: her brain-sick raptures

Cannot distaste the goodness of a quarrel

Which hath our several honours all engaged

To make it gracious. For my private part, 125

I am no more touch'd than all Priam's sons:[1373]

And Jove forbid there should be done amongst us

Such things as might offend the weakest spleen

To fight for and maintain!

_Par._ Else might the world convince of levity[1374] 130

As well my undertakings as your counsels:[1375]

But I attest the gods, your full consent[1376]

Gave wings to my propension and cut off

All fears attending on so dire a project.

For what, alas, can these my single arms? 135

What propugnation is in one man's valour,

To stand the push and enmity of those

This quarrel would excite? Yet, I protest,

Were I alone to pass the difficulties[1377]

And had as ample power as I have will, 140

Paris should ne'er retract what he hath done,

Nor faint in the pursuit.

_Pri._ Paris, you speak

Like one besotted on your sweet delights:

You have the honey still, but these the gall;

So to be valiant is no praise at all. 145

_Par._ Sir, I propose not merely to myself

The pleasures such a beauty brings with it;

But I would have the soil of her fair rape

Wiped off, in honourable keeping her.

What treason were it to the ransack'd queen, 150

Disgrace to your great worths, and shame to me,

Now to deliver her possession up

On terms of base compulsion! Can it be

That so degenerate a strain as this

Should once set footing in your generous bosoms?[1378] 155

There's not the meanest spirit on our party,[1379]

Without a heart to dare or sword to draw

When Helen is defended, nor none so noble,[1380]

Whose life were ill bestow'd or death unfamed

Where Helen is the subject: then, I say, 160

Well may we fight for her, whom, we know well,

The world's large spaces cannot parallel.

_Hect._ Paris and Troilus, you have both said well;

And on the cause and question now in hand[1381]

Have glozed, but superficially; not much[1382] 165

Unlike young men, whom Aristotle thought[1383]

Unfit to hear moral philosophy.

The reasons you allege do more conduce

To the hot passion of distemper'd blood

Than to make up a free determination 170

'Twixt right and wrong; for pleasure and revenge

Have ears more deaf than adders to the voice[1384]

Of any true decision. Nature craves

All dues be render'd to their owners: now,

What nearer debt in all humanity 175

Than wife is to the husband? If this law

Of nature be corrupted through affection,

And that great minds, of partial indulgence

To their benumbed wills, resist the same,

There is a law in each well-order'd nation[1385] 180

To curb those raging appetites that are

Most disobedient and refractory.[1386]

If Helen then be wife to Sparta's king,

As it is known she is, these moral laws

Of nature and of nations speak aloud[1387] 185

To have her back return'd: thus to persist

In doing wrong extenuates not wrong,

But makes it much more heavy. Hector's opinion

Is this in way of truth: yet, ne'ertheless,

My spritely brethren, I propend to you 190

In resolution to keep Helen still;

For 'tis a cause that hath no mean dependance

Upon our joint and several dignities.

_Tro._ Why, there you touch'd the life of our design:[1388]

Were it not glory that we more affected 195

Than the performance of our heaving spleens,

I would not wish a drop of Trojan blood

Spent more in her defence. But, worthy Hector,

She is a theme of honour and renown;

A spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds, 200

Whose present courage may beat down our foes,

And fame in time to come canonize us:

For, I presume, brave Hector would not lose

So rich advantage of a promised glory

As smiles upon the forehead of this action 205

For the wide world's revenue.

_Hect._ I am yours,

You valiant offspring of great Priamus.

I have a roisting challenge sent amongst

The dull and factious nobles of the Greeks

Will strike amazement to their drowsy spirits:[1389] 210

I was advertised their great general slept,

Whilst emulation in the army crept:[1390]

This, I presume, will wake him. [_Exeunt._

SCENE III. _The Grecian camp. Before the tent of Achilles._[1391]

_Enter_ THERSITES, _solus_.

_Ther._ How now, Thersites! what, lost in the labyrinth[1392]

of thy fury! Shall the elephant Ajax carry it thus? he

beats me, and I rail at him: O, worthy satisfaction! would

it were otherwise; that I could beat him, whilst he railed

at me. 'Sfoot, I'll learn to conjure and raise devils, but I'll 5

see some issue of my spiteful execrations. Then there's

Achilles, a rare enginer. If Troy be not taken till these[1393]

two undermine it, the walls will stand till they fall of themselves.

O thou great thunder-darter of Olympus, forget

that thou art Jove, the king of gods, and, Mercury, lose all 10

the serpentine craft of thy caduceus, if ye take not that[1394]

little little less than little wit from them that they have!

which short-armed ignorance itself knows is so abundant[1395]

scarce, it will not in circumvention deliver a fly from a

spider, without drawing their massy irons and cutting the[1396] 15

web. After this, the vengeance on the whole camp! or,

rather, the Neapolitan bone-ache! for that, methinks, is the[1397]

curse dependant on those that war for a placket. I have[1398]

said my prayers; and devil Envy say amen. What, ho!

my Lord Achilles! 20

_Enter_ PATROCLUS.[1399]

_Patr._ Who's there? Thersites! Good Thersites, come[1400]

in and rail.

_Ther._ If I could ha' remembered a gilt counterfeit,[1401]

thou wouldst not have slipped out of my contemplation:[1402]

but it is no matter; thyself upon thyself! The common 25

curse of mankind, folly and ignorance, be thine in great

revenue! heaven bless thee from a tutor, and discipline

come not near thee! Let thy blood be thy direction till

thy death! then if she that lays thee out says thou art a[1403]

fair corse, I'll be sworn and sworn upon't she never shrouded 30

any but lazars. Amen. Where's Achilles?[1404]

_Patr._ What, art thou devout? wast thou in prayer?[1405]

_Ther._ Ay; the heavens hear me!

_Patr._ Amen.[1406]

_Enter_ ACHILLES.

_Achil._ Who's there? 35

_Patr._ Thersites, my lord..

_Achil._ Where, where? Art thou come? why, my[1407]

cheese, my digestion, why hast thou not served thyself in[1408]

to my table so many meals? Come, what's Agamemnon?[1408]

_Ther._ Thy commander, Achilles: then tell me, Patroclus, 40

what's Achilles?

_Patr._ Thy lord, Thersites: then tell me, I pray thee,[1409]

what's thyself?

_Ther._ Thy knower, Patroclus: then tell me, Patroclus,

what art thou? 45

_Patr._ Thou mayst tell that knowest.[1410]

_Achil._ O, tell, tell.

_Ther._ I'll decline the whole question. Agamemnon

commands Achilles; Achilles is my lord; I am Patroclus'

knower, and Patroclus is a fool. 50

_Patr._ You rascal![1411]

_Ther._ Peace, fool! I have not done.[1411]

_Achil._ He is a privileged man. Proceed, Thersites.[1411]

_Ther._ Agamemnon is a fool; Achilles is a fool; Thersites[1411]

is a fool, and, as aforesaid, Patroclus is a fool.[1411] 55

_Achil._ Derive this; come.

_Ther._ Agamemnon is a fool to offer to command

Achilles; Achilles is a fool to be commanded of Agamemnon;[1412]

Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool, and Patroclus[1413]

is a fool positive. 60

_Patr._ Why am I a fool?

_Ther._ Make that demand of the prover. It suffices[1414]

me thou art. Look you, who comes here?[1415]

_Achil._ Patroclus, I'll speak with nobody. Come in[1416]

with me, Thersites. [_Exit._[1417] 65

_Ther._ Here is such patchery, such juggling and such

knavery! all the argument is a cuckold and a whore; a[1418]

good quarrel to draw emulous factions and bleed to death[1419]

upon. Now, the dry serpigo on the subject! and war and[1420][1421]

lechery confound all! [_Exit._[1420] 70

_Enter_ AGAMEMNON, ULYSSES, NESTOR, DIOMEDES, _and_ AJAX.[1422]

_Agam._ Where is Achilles?

_Patr._ Within his tent; but ill-disposed, my lord.

_Agam._ Let it be known to him that we are here.

He shent our messengers; and we lay by[1423]

Our appertainments, visiting of him:[1424] 75

Let him be told so, lest perchance he think[1425]

We dare not move the question of our place,

Or know not what we are.

_Patr._ I shall say so to him. [_Exit._[1426]

_Ulyss._ We saw him at the opening of his tent:

He is not sick. 80

_Ajax._ Yes, lion-sick, sick of proud heart: you may call[1427]

it melancholy, if you will favour the man; but, by my head,[1428]

'tis pride: but why, why? let him show us the cause. A[1429][1430]

word, my lord. [_Takes Agamemnon aside._[1430][1431]

_Nest._ What moves Ajax thus to bay at him? 85

_Ulyss._ Achilles hath inveigled his fool from him.

_Nest._ Who, Thersites?

_Ulyss._ He.

_Nest._ Then will Ajax lack matter, if he have lost his

argument. 90

_Ulyss._ No, you see, he is his argument that has his

argument, Achilles.

_Nest._ All the better; their fraction is more our wish[1432]

than their faction: but it was a strong composure a fool[1433]

could disunite. 95

_Ulyss._ The amity that wisdom knits not, folly may[1434]

easily untie.

_Re-enter_ PATROCLUS.[1435]

Here comes Patroclus.[1436]

_Nest._ No Achilles with him.[1437]

_Ulyss._ The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy:[1438] 100

his legs are legs for necessity, not for flexure.[1438][1439]

_Patr._ Achilles bids me say, he is much sorry,

If any thing more than your sport and pleasure

Did move your greatness and this noble state

To call upon him; he hopes it is no other[1440] 105

But for your health and your digestion sake,

An after-dinner's breath.

_Agam._ Hear you, Patroclus:[1441]

We are too well acquainted with these answers:

But his evasion, wing'd thus swift with scorn,[1442]

Cannot outfly our apprehensions. 110

Much attribute he hath, and much the reason

Why we ascribe it to him: yet all his virtues,[1443]

Not virtuously on his own part beheld,[1444]

Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss,

Yea, like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish,[1445] 115

Are like to rot untasted. Go and tell him,

We come to speak with him; and you shall not sin,[1446]

If you do say we think him over-proud

And under-honest; in self-assumption greater[1447]

Than in the note of judgement; and worthier than himself[1447][1448] 120

Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on,[1449][1450]

Disguise the holy strength of their command,[1450]

And underwrite in an observing kind[1451]

His humorous predominance; yea, watch

His pettish lunes, his ebbs, his flows, as if[1452] 125

The passage and whole carriage of this action[1453]

Rode on his tide. Go tell him this, and add,

That if he overhold his price so much,

We'll none of him, but let him, like an engine

Not portable, lie under this report:[1454] 130

'Bring action hither, this cannot go to war:[1454][1455]

A stirring dwarf we do allowance give[1454]

Before a sleeping giant:' tell him so.[1454]

_Patr._ I shall; and bring his answer presently. [_Exit._[1456]

_Agam._ In second voice we'll not be satisfied; 135

We come to speak with him. Ulysses, enter you.

[_Exit Ulysses._[1457]

_Ajax._ What is he more than another?

_Agam._ No more than what he thinks he is.

_Ajax._ Is he so much? Do you not think he thinks

himself a better man than I am? 140

_Agam._ No question.

_Ajax._ Will you subscribe his thought and say he is?

_Agam._ No, noble Ajax; you are as strong, as valiant,

as wise, no less noble, much more gentle and altogether[1458]

more tractable. 145

_Ajax._ Why should a man be proud? How doth pride

grow? I know not what pride is.[1459]

_Agam._ Your mind is the clearer, Ajax, and your virtues[1460]

the fairer. He that is proud eats up himself: pride is[1461]

his own glass, his own trumpet, his own chronicle; and 150

whatever praises itself but in the deed, devours the deed in[1462]

the praise.

_Ajax._ I do hate a proud man, as I hate the engendering[1463]

of toads.

_Nest._ [_Aside_] Yet he loves himself: is't not strange? 155

_Re-enter_ ULYSSES.[1464]

_Ulyss._ Achilles will not to the field to-morrow.

_Agam._ What's his excuse?

_Ulyss._ He doth rely on none,

But carries on the stream of his dispose

Without observance or respect of any,

In will peculiar and in self-admission.[1465] 160

_Agam._ Why will he not, upon our fair request,

Untent his person, and share the air with us?

_Ulyss._ Things small as nothing, for request's sake only[1466]

He makes important: possess'd he is with greatness,[1467]

And speaks not to himself but with a pride 165

That quarrels at self-breath: imagined worth[1468]

Holds in his blood such swoln and hot discourse

That 'twixt his mental and his active parts

Kingdom'd Achilles in commotion rages

And batters down himself: what should I say?[1469][1470] 170

He is so plaguy proud that the death-tokens of it[1469][1471]

Cry 'No recovery.'

_Agam._ Let Ajax go to him.

Dear lord, go you and greet him in his tent:

'Tis said he holds you well, and will be led[1472]

At your request a little from himself. 175

_Ulyss._ O Agamemnon, let it not be so!

We'll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes

When they go from Achilles. Shall the proud lord

That bastes his arrogance with his own seam[1473]

And never suffers matter of the world 180

Enter his thoughts, save such as do revolve[1474]

And ruminate himself, shall he be worshipp'd

Of that we hold an idol more than he?[1475]

No, this thrice worthy and right valiant lord

Must not so stale his palm, nobly acquired;[1476] 185

Nor, by my will, assubjugate his merit,

As amply titled as Achilles is,[1477][1478]

By going to Achilles:[1477]

That were to enlard his fat-already pride,[1479]

And add more coals to Cancer when he burns 190

With entertaining great Hyperion.

This lord go to him! Jupiter forbid,[1480]

And say in thunder 'Achilles go to him.'

_Nest._ [_Aside_] O, this is well; he rubs the vein of him.[1481]

_Dio._ [_Aside_] And how his silence drinks up this

applause![1481][1482] 195

_Ajax._ If I go to him, with my armed fist[1483]

I'll pash him o'er the face.[1483][1484]

_Agam._ O, no, you shall not go.

_Ajax._ An a' be proud with me, I'll pheeze his pride:[1485][1486]

Let me go to him.[1485] 200

_Ulyss._ Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel.

_Ajax._ A paltry, insolent fellow![1487]

_Nest._ [_Aside_] How he describes himself![1487][1488]

_Ajax._ Can he not be sociable?[1487]

_Ulyss._ [_Aside_] The raven chides blackness.[1487][1488] 205

_Ajax._ I'll let his humours blood.[1487][1489]

_Agam._ [_Aside_] He will be the physician that should[1487][1488][1490]

be the patient.[1487]

_Ajax._ An all men were o' my mind,--[1487][1491]

_Ulyss._ [_Aside_] Wit would be out of fashion.[1487][1488] 210

_Ajax._ A' should not bear it so, a' should eat swords[1487][1492]

first: shall pride carry it?[1487]

_Nest._ [_Aside_] An 'twould, you'ld carry half.[1487][1488][1493]

_Ulyss._ [_Aside_] A' would have ten shares.[1487][1488][1494][1495]

_Ajax._ I will knead him, I'll make him supple.[1487][1494][1496] 215

_Nest._ [_Aside_] He's not yet through warm: force

him[1487][1488][1494][1497]

with praises: pour in, pour in; his ambition is dry.[1487][1498]

_Ulyss._ [_To Agamemnon_] My lord, you feed too much[1499]

on this dislike.

_Nest._ Our noble general, do not do so.

_Dio._ You must prepare to fight without Achilles. 220

_Ulyss._ Why, 'tis this naming of him does him harm.[1500]

Here is a man--but 'tis before his face;[1501]

I will be silent.[1501]

_Nest._ Wherefore should you so?

He is not emulous, as Achilles is.

_Ulyss._ Know the whole world, he is as valiant.[1502] 225

_Ajax._ A whoreson dog, that shall palter thus with us![1503]

Would he were a Trojan![1504]

_Nest._ What a vice were it in Ajax now--[1505]

_Ulyss._ If he were proud,--[1506]

_Dio._ Or covetous of praise,-- 230

_Ulyss._ Ay, or surly borne,--

_Dio._ Or strange, or self-affected!

_Ulyss._ Thank the heavens, lord, thou art of sweet[1507]

composure;

Praise him that got thee, she that gave thee suck:[1508]

Famed be thy tutor, and thy parts of nature[1509] 235

Thrice-famed beyond, beyond all erudition:[1510]

But he that disciplined thine arms to fight,[1511]

Let Mars divide eternity in twain,

And give him half: and, for thy vigour,[1512]

Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield 240

To sinewy Ajax. I will not praise thy wisdom,[1513]

Which, like a bourn, a pale, a shore, confines[1514]

Thy spacious and dilated parts: here's Nestor,[1515]

Instructed by the antiquary times,[1516]

He must, he is, he cannot but be wise; 245

But pardon, father Nestor, were your days

As green as Ajax', and your brain so temper'd,[1517]

You should not have the eminence of him,

But be as Ajax.[1518]

_Ajax._ Shall I call you father?

_Nest._ Ay, my good son.[1519]

_Dio._ Be ruled by him, Lord Ajax. 250

_Ulyss._ There is no tarrying here; the hart Achilles

Keeps thicket. Please it our great general[1520]

To call together all his state of war:[1521]

Fresh kings are come to Troy: to-morrow[1522]

We must with all our main of power stand fast: 255

And here's a lord, come knights from east to west,

And cull their flower, Ajax shall cope the best.[1523]

_Agam._ Go we to council. Let Achilles sleep:[1524]

Light boats sail swift, though greater hulks draw deep.[1525]

[_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[1262] ACT II. SCENE I.] Rowe. om. Q Ff.

The Grecian Camp.] Rowe.

[1263] _boils_] _biles_ Q Ff.

[1264] [Talking to himself. Rowe.

[1265] _then_] Q. om. Ff.

_core_] _sore_ Collier MS. _corps_ Grant White. _cur_ Staunton conj.

[1266] _would_] Q. _there would_ Ff.

[1267] [Strikes him.] Ff. Omitted in Q.

[1268] _thou_] Q. _you_ Ff.

_vinewed'st_] _vinew'dest_ Knight. _vinnidst_ Upton conj. _unsalted_

Q. _whinid'st_ Ff. _unwinnow'd'st_ Theobald. _whinnid'st_ Hanmer.

_windyest_ Warburton. _vinew'd_ Johnson conj. _vinniedst_ Heath conj.

_vinied'st_ Rann.

_leaven_] _baven_ Hanmer.

[1269] _con_] Ff. _cunne_ Q.

_oration_] Ff. _oration without booke_ Q.

[1270] _a prayer_] Ff. _praier_ Q.

[1271] _murrain_] Rowe. _murren_ Ff. _murrion_ Q.

_o' thy_] F₃ F₄. _ath thy_ Q. _o'th thy_ F₁ F₂.

[1272] _Toadstool_] _Tode-stoole_ Q. _Toads stoole_ F₁ F₂. _Toads

stool_ F₃. _Toads-stool_ F₄.

[1273] _a_] om. Q.

[1274] _porpentine_] Ff. _porpentin_ Q. _porcupine_ Rowe.

[1275] _When ... another_] Q. Omitted in Ff.

[1276] _ay, that thou bark'st_] _O that thou bark'dst_ Johnson conj.

[1277] _Mistress_] _Master_ Grant White conj.

[1278] _Thou shouldest ... He would_] _Shouldst thou strike him, Ajax,

cobloaf! he would_ Nares conj.

[1279] Ajax. _Cobloaf!_] _Aiax Coblofe,_ Q (in italics, as part of

Thersites' speech).

_Cobloaf_] _Cop-loaf_ Malone conj.

[1280] _pun_] _pound_ Pope.

[1281] [Beating him] Rowe. om. Q Ff.

[1282] Ajax.] om. Q.

[1283] Ther.] om. Q.

_Do, do._] Ff. _Do? do?_ Q.

[1284] _Ay, do, do;_] _I, Do? do?_ Q. _I do, do._ Ff. _Ay, do,_ Rowe.

[1285] _brain_] _brain in thy head_ Capell conj.

_mine_] _my_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_assinego_] Pope, _asinico_ Q Ff. _asnico_] Grant White conj.

[1286] _thou_] Ff. _You_ Q.

_scurvy-valiant_] Dyce (S. Walker conj.) _scurvy valiant_ Q Ff.

_but_] _put_ Steevens.

[1287] _thrash_] Q. _thresh_ Ff.

[1288] _bowels_] _vowels_ Warburton conj.

[1289] Enter....] Ff. om. Q.

[1290] SCENE II. Pope.

_ye thus_] Q. _you this_ Ff (_yo_ F₄).

[1291] _so I do_] Q. _I do so_ Ff.

[1292] _whosoever_] F₃ F₄. _who some ever_ Q F₁ F₂.

[1293] _evasions_] _orations_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[1294] _I will_] Ff. _It will_ Q.

[1295] _I'll tell_] _I tell_ Q.

[1296] Ajax....] Ajax ... him, Achilles interposes. Rowe. om. Q Ff.

[1297] _for a_] Ff. _the_ Q.

[1298] _Thersites_] _Thesites_ Q.

[1299] _the vile_] Q. _thee vile_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _thee, vile_ F₄.

_tenour_] _tenor_ Q. _tenure_ Ff.

[1300] _E'en_] _Even_ Steevens.

_so;_] _so,_ Q Ff. _so--_ Rowe. _so?_ Capell.

[1301] _if he knock out_] Ff. _and knocke at_ Q. _an a' knock out_ Edd

conj.

_a'_] _a_ Q. _he_ Ff.

[1302] _your_] Theobald. _their_ Q Ff.

_on their toes_] Ff. Omitted in Q.

[1303] _wars_] Q. _waire_ F₁ F₂. _waie_ F₃ F₄. _war_ Hanmer.

[1304] _to, Achilles! to, Ajax!_] Theobald. _to Achilles, to Ajax,_ Q

Ff.

_to!_] Capell. _to--_ Q Ff.

[1305] _as much_] _as much wit_ Capell.

[1306] _peace!]_ _peace._ Q. Omitted in Ff.

[1307] _brooch_] Q Ff. _brach_ Rowe. _brock_ Malone conj.

[1308] _clotpoles_] _clatpoles_ Q. _clodpoles_ Hanmer.

[1309] _fifth_] F₃ F₄. _fift_ F₁ F₂. _first_ Q.

[1310] _Maintain--I_] Hanmer. _Maintaine I_ Q Ff.

[1311] _Farewell._] _Farewell,_ Q. _Farewell?_ Ff.

[1312] _I will_] _I'll_ Pope.

[Exeunt.] Pope. Exit. Ff. om. Q.

[1313] SCENE II.] Capell. SCENE III. Pope.

Troy....] Priam's Palace in Troy. Rowe.

[1314] _hours_] _years_ Theobald conj.

[1315] _damage_] _domage_ Q.

[1316] _travail_] _travaile_ F₁ F₂. _travel_ F₃ F₄. _travell_ Q.

[1317] _hot_] Q Ff. _not_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_cormorant_] _comorant_ F₁.

[1318] _struck_] F₄. _stroke_ Q F₁ F₂ F₃.

[1319] _As ... Priam,_] Arranged as by Collier. One line in Q Ff.

_As ... yet,_ in one line, omitting _dread Priam,_ Pope. _As ... yet,

Dread Priam,_ Capell.

[1320] _toucheth_] Q. _touches_ Ff.

[1321] _There is ... more softer_] _there's ... softer_ Seymour conj.

reading _Dread ... bowels_ as one line.

[1322] _wound_] _worm_ Hanmer.

[1323] _surety, Surety_] Ff. _surely, Surely_ Q.

[1324] _worst. Let_] Ff. _worst let_ Q. _wound. Let_ Hanmer.

_go._] F₃ F₄. _goe._ F₂. _go,_ Q F₁.

[1325] _nor_] _not_ Theobald. See note (IV).

[1326] _ten_] _tenth_ Seymour conj. (withdrawn).

[1327] _merit's_] Ff. _merits_ Q.

[1328] _Weigh_] Ff. _Way_ Q.

[1329] _as_] _is_ F₄.

_father_] Ff. _fathers_ Q.

[1330] _past_] _vast_ Rowe.

_past proportion_] _past-proportion_ Johnson. _part-proportion_ Anon.

conj.

[1331] _waist_] _waste_ Q F₁ F₂. _wast_ F₃ F₄.

[1332] _godly_] Ff. _Godly_ Q. _goodly_ Capell conj.

[1333] _at_] Ff. _of_ Q.

[1334] _are so empty ... father_] Q F₁. _are empty ... father_ F₂ F₃

F₄. _'re empty ... father Priam_ Pope.

[1335] _reasons_] Ff. _reason_ Q.

[1336] _tells_] _tell_ Q.

[1337] _gloves_] _gloze_ Becket conj.

_reason_] _reasons_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[1338] _And ... Jove, Or ... reason,_] As in Q. These lines are

inverted in Ff.

[1339] _Let's_] Ff. _Sets_ Q.

[1340] _have hearts_] Q. _hard hearts_ Ff.

[1341] _Make_] Q. _Makes_ Ff.

_livers_] F₁. _lyvers_ Q. _lovers_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1342] _Brother.... The holding_] Arranged as by Theobald. Prose in Q.

Two lines, the first ending _worth,_ in Ff.

[1343] _holding_] Ff. _keeping_ Q.

_What's_] _What is_ Theobald.

[1344] _his_] _its_ Pope.

[1345] _mad_] _madde_ Q. _made_ Ff. _rank_ Long MS.

[1346] _god_] _gods_ Pope.

[1347] _attributive_] Q. _inclineable_ Ff.

[1348] _affected_] _affected's_ Hanmer.

[1349] _by_] _in_ Rowe.

[1350] _shores_] _shore_ Q.

[1351] _avoid, ... chose?_] _avoid ... chose?_ Rowe. _auoide?...

choose,_ Q. _avoyde ... chose,_ Ff.

[1352] _chose_] _choose_ Q. _chuse_ Pope.

[1353] _soil'd_] _soild_ Q. _spoyl'd_ Ff.

[1354] _in_] _in the_ Keightley.

_sieve_] Johnson. _siue_ Q. _same_ F₁. _place_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _sink_ Delius

conj. _safe_ Anon. conj.

[1355] _are_] _ate_ F₂.

[1356] _of_] Ff. _with_ Q.

[1357] _Apollo's_] _Apollo_ Lettsom conj.

_stale_] Ff. _pale_ Q.

[1358] _he_] _be_ Q.

_noble_] Ff. _worthy_ Q.

[1359] _rate_] _rate thus_ Keightley.

[1360] _Fortune never_] Ff. _never fortune_ Q.

_did_] _bid_ Becket conj.

[1361] _That ... what_] _What ... that_ Hanmer. _That ... that_ Grant

White.

[1362] _But_] _Base_ Hanmer.

[1363] _That in_] _Who in_ Pope. _What in_ Hanmer.

[1364] SCENE IV. Pope.

[1365] Cas. [Within] Theobald.

[1366] Enter ...] Enter Cassandra, raving. Q (after line 96). Enter

Cassandra with her haire about her eares. Ff (after line 96). Theobald

first removed the stage direction from line 96 to 100.

[1367] SCENE IV. Hanmer.

[1368] _eld_] Collier (Theobald conj.) _elders_ Q. _old_ Ff.

[1369] _canst_] Q. _can_ Ff.

[1370] _clamours_] Q. _clamour_ Ff.

[1371] _youthful_] _youth_ Pope (ed. 2).

_these_] _the_ Rowe.

[1372] _We may_] _May we_ Heath conj.

[1373] _touch'd_] _touched_ Nicholson conj.

[1374] _convince_] _conceive_ Becket conj.

[1375] _my ... counsels_] _your counsels, as my undertakings_ Hanmer.

[1376] _But_] _For_ Hanmer.

[1377] _pass_] _poise_ Collier MS.

_the_] _these_ Anon. conj.

[1378] _footing in_] Q F₁. _foot in_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _foot within_ Rowe.

[1379] _There's_] Q F₁ F₄. _There_ F₂ F₃.

[1380] _nor_] om. Pope.

[1381] _And_] _But_ Theobald.

[1382] _glozed, but_] _glozd, but_ Q. _gloz'd, but_ Ff. _gloss'd, but_

Rowe. _glos'd but_ Theobald. _gloss'd but_ Hanmer.

[1383] _Aristotle thought_] _graver sages think_ Rowe, followed by Pope.

[1384] _adders_] _adders'_ Anon. conj.

[1385] _well-order'd_] _well-orderd_ Q. _well-ordred_ F₁ F₂.

_well-ordered_ F₃ F₄.

[1386] _refractory_] _refracturie_ Q F₁.

[1387] _nations_] Q. _nation_ Ff.

[1388] _design_] _designs_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[1389] _strike_] _shrike_ Q.

[1390] _Whilst ... crept_] Omitted by Pope.

[1391] SCENE III.] Capell. SCENE II. Rowe. SCENE V. Pope.

The Grecian camp.] Rowe.

Before the tent of Achilles.] Theobald.

[1392] _How now_] Q F₁. _Now now_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1393] _enginer_] F₁ F₂. _inginer_ Q. _enginier_ F₃. _engineer_ F₄.

[1394] _ye_] _yee_ Q. _thou_ Ff.

[1395] _short-armed_] _short-aimed_ Singer (Dyce).

[1396] _their_] Q. _the_ Ff.

_irons_] _iron_ Capell. _irons out_ Keightley.

[1397] _Neapolitan_] _Neopolitan_ Q. om. Ff.

[1398] _dependant_] Ff. _depending_ Q.

[1399] Enter Patroclus.] Ff. om. Q.

[1400] Patr.] Patr. [within. Anon. conj.

[1401] _ha'_] _a_ Q. _have_ Ff.

_counterfeit_] _counter_ Rowe.

[1402] _wouldst_] Ff. _couldst_ Q.

[1403] _art_] Ff. _art not_ Q.

[1404] _Amen._] _Amen._ Enter Patroclus. Anon. conj.

[1405] _in prayer_] Q. _in a prayer_ Ff.

[1406] Patr. _Amen._] Q. Omitted in Ff.

[1407] _Where, where?_] _Where, where,_ Ff. _Where? where? O where?_ Q.

[1408] _in to_] Capell. _into_ Q Ff. _up to_ Rowe.

[1409] _thyself_] Ff. _Thersites_ Q.

[1410] _mayst_] _maist_ Ff. _must_ Q.

[1411] Patr. _You rascal!... fool._] Ff. Omitted in Q.

[1412] _of Agamemnon_] Ff. Omitted in Q.

[1413] _Patroclus_] Ff. _this Patroclus_ Q.

[1414] _of the prover_] Q. _to the creator_ Ff. _to thy creator_ Rowe

(ed. 2). _of thy creator_ Capell.

[1415] SCENE VI. Pope.

[1416] _Patroclus_] Ff. _Come Patroclus_ Q. _Come:--Patroclus_ Edd.

conj.

[1417] [Exit.] Ff. om. Q.

[1418] _a cuckold and a whore_] Ff. _a whore, and a cuckold_ Q.

[1419] _emulous_] Q. _emulations_ F₁ F₂. _emulatious_ F₃ F₄.

[1420] _Now ... all!_] Ff. Omitted in Q.

[1421] _serpigo_] F₄. _suppeago_ F₁. _sarpego_ F₂. _serpego_ F₃.

[1422] [Exit.] Theobald. om. Q Ff.

Enter ... and Ajax.] Capell, after line 63: transferred by Dyce.

Enter ... Diomed, Aiax & Calcas. Q. Enter ... Ajax, and Chalcas. Ff

(after line 63).

[1423] _He shent our_] Theobald. _He sate, our_ Q. _He sent our_ Ff.

_He sent us_ Hanmer. _We sent our_ Collier (Theobald conj.) _He sent

back_ Keightley. See note (V).

[1424] _appertainment_] Ff. _appertainings_ Q.

[1425] _told so, lest_] _told so, least_ Q. _told of, so_ F₁. _told

of, least_ F₂. _told of, lest_ F₃ F₄. _told, if so_ Collier conj.

(withdrawn).

[1426] _say so_] _so say_ Ff.

[Exit.] Rowe (ed. 2). om. Q Ff.

[1427] _proud_] Q F₁. _a proud_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1428] _you will_] Q F₂ F₃ F₄. _will_ F₁.

[1429] _the cause_] Ff. _a cause_ Q.

[1430] _A word, my lord._] Ff. Omitted in Q.

[1431] [Takes ...] Malone. Drawing Agamemnon apart. Capell. To

Agamemnon. Rowe. om. Q Ff.

[1432] _their_] _this_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[1433] _composure_] Q. _counsell that_ Ff.

[1434] _knits not,_] _knits, not_ F₁.

[1435] Re-enter ...] Enter ... Ff. om. Q.

[1436] SCENE VII. Pope.

[1437] _him._] Q. _him?_ Ff.

[1438] _The ... flexure_] As prose first by Malone. As two lines in Q

Ff, the first ending _courtesie._

[1439] _legs are_] Q F₃ F₄. _legge are_ F₁. _legges are_ F₂.

_are ... for flexure_] Q. _are ... for flight_ Ff. _are for necessity,

not flexure_ Pope. _are for necessity, not for flexure_ Capell.

[1440] _upon_] _on_ Pope.

[1441] _breath_] _breathing_ Capell conj.

_Hear_] F₃ F₄. _Heare_ F₁ F₂. _Heere_ Q.

[1442] _wing'd_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _winged_ Q F₁.

[1443] _all_] om. Pope.

[1444] _on_] Q. _of_ Ff.

_beheld_] _upheld_ Mason conj.

[1445] _Yea,_] Q. _Yea, and_ F₁. _And_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_unwholesome_] _unholsome_ Q F₂. _unholdsome_ F₁. _unwholsome_ F₃.

_unwholsom_ F₄.

[1446] _come_] Q F₂ F₃ F₄. _came_ F₁.

_and_] om. Pope.

[1447] _And under-honest ... worthier_] _In self-assumption greater

than in note Of judgment: say, men worthier_ Pope.

[1448] _in the_] om. Steevens conj.

_and worthier_] _Tell him this; And add, besides, that worthier_ S.

Walker conj.

[1449] _tend_] Q. _tends_ Ff. _shend_ Becket conj.

[1450] _on, Disguise the_] Ff. _on Disguise, the_ Q.

[1451] _underwrite_] _under-write_ Q. _under write_ Ff. _under-goe_

Pope.

[1452] _pettish lunes_] Hanmer. _pettish lines_ Ff. _course, and time_

Q. _course and times_ Pope.

_his flows_] F₃ F₄. _his flowes_ F₁ F₂. _and flowes_ Q.

_as if_] Ff. _and if_ Q.

[1453] _carriage of this action_] Ff. _streame of his commencement_ Q.

[1454] See note (VI).

[1455] _cannot_] _can't_ Pope.

[1456] [Exit.] Rowe. om. Q Ff.

[1457] _enter you_] Ff. _entertaine_ Q. _enter_ Pope. _enter to him_

Anon. conj.

[Exit Ulysses.] Ff. om. Q.

[1458] _wise_] _wise too_ Capell, reading 137-155 as verse.

[1459] _what pride is_] Q. _what it is_ Ff.

[1460] _mind is_] _mind's_ Capell.

_the clearer_] _clearer_ Rowe.

_Ajax_] om. Q.

[1461] _that is_] _that's_ Capell.

[1462] _whatever_] _whate'er_ Capell.

_in the_] _i' the_ Capell.

[1463] SCENE VIII. Pope.

_as I hate_] Ff. _as I do hate_ Q.

[1464] [Aside] Capell.

_Yet_] Ff. _And yet_ Q.

_is't_] _is it_ Capell.

Re-enter Ulysses.] Capell. Enter Ulysses. Q Ff, after line 152.

[1465] _will peculiar_] _will-peculiar_ Warburton.

[1466] _request's_] Pope. _requests_ Q Ff.

[1467] _possess'd he is_] _he's possest._ Pope.

[1468] _worth_] Q. _wroth_ F₁ F₂. _wrath_ F₃ F₄.

[1469] _And batters.... He is_] As one line S. Walker conj.

[1470] _down himself_] Q. _gainst it selfe_ Ff. _'gainst himself_

Singer.

[1471] _plaguy_] om. Steevens conj.

_of it_] om. Hanmer.

[1472] _led_] Ff. _lead_ Q.

[1473] _seam_] _scum_ Mason conj.

[1474] _do_] F₃ F₄. _doe_ F₁ F₂. _doth_ Q.

[1475] _he_] _him_ Hanmer.

[1476] _Must_] Ff. _Shall_ Q.

_stale_] Rowe. _staule_ Q F₁ F₂. _staul_ F₃ F₄.

[1477] _As ... to Achilles_] One line in Q Ff. See note (VII).

[1478] _titled_] Ff. _liked_ Q.

_Achilles is_] _Achilles' is_ Hanmer.

[1479] Marked by Keightley as an imperfect line.

_fat-already pride_] Capell. _fat already pride_ Q F₃ F₄. _fat already,

pride_ F₁ F₂. _fat, already, pride_ Rowe. _pride, already fat_ Pope.

[1480] _lord_] _Lord_ Q F₄. _L._ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[1481] [Aside] Johnson.

[1482] _this_] Ff. _his_ Q.

[1483] _If ... face_] As prose in Q Ff. As verse first in Rowe (ed. 2).

[1484] _pash_] Ff. _push_ Q.

[1485] _An a' ... to him_] Arranged as in Q. As prose in Ff.

[1486] _An a'_] _An a_ Knight. _And he_ Q. _And a_ Ff. _An he_ Pope.

_pheeze_] _phese_ Q Ff.

[1487] Steevens reads as verse, ending the lines _describes ...

raven ... blood ... patient ... men ... fashion ... so ... carry it ...

shares ... supple ... praises ... dry._

[1488] [Aside] First marked by Capell.

[1489] _let_] Ff. _tell_ Q.

_humours_] Ff. _humorous_ Q.

[1490] _He will be the_] _He'll be_ Steevens (1793).

[1491] _An_] Hanmer. _And_ Q Ff.

_o'_] Rowe (ed. 2). _of_ Q. _a_ Ff.

[1492] _A' ... a'_] _A ... a_ Q Ff. _He ... he_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[1493] _An 'twould_] Pope. _And two'od_ Q. _And 'twould_ Ff.

[1494] Ulyss. _A' would ... warm: force...._] Distributed as by

Theobald. Ajax. _A would ... warme?_ Nest. _Force...._ Q. Ulis. _A

would ... shares._ Aia. _I will ... warme._ Nest. _Force...._ Ff.

[1495] _A' would_] _A would_ Q Ff. _He would_ Rowe (ed. 2). _He'd_

Steevens.

[1496] _I will ... I'll_] _I'll ... I will_ Capell.

[1497] _through_] _thorough_ Capell, reading as verse.

[1498] _praises_] _praiers_ Q.

_pour in, pour in_] _poure in, poure_ Q.

[1499] [To Agamemnon] Capell. om. Q Ff.

_lord_] _Lord_ Q F₄. _L._ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[1500] _does_] _do's_ Q. _doth_ Ff.

[1501] _Here ... silent_] As in Ff. One line in Q.

[1502] _valiant._] Ff. _valiant--_Q.

[1503] _shall palter_] _palters_ Pope (reading as verse).

_thus with us_] Ff. _with us thus_ Q.

[1504] _Would_] _I would_ Keightley.

[1505] _Ajax_] _our Ajax_ Capell.

[1506] Ulyss.] Nest. Lettsom conj.

[1507] _the heavens_] _heaven_ Anon. conj.

_lord_] _Lord_ Q. _L._ Ff.

[1508] _got_] Ff. _gat_ Q.

_she_] _her_ Pope.

[1509] _Famed_] _Fam'd_ Q. _Fame_ Ff.

[1510] _beyond, beyond all_] Ff. _beyond all thy_ Q. _beyond all_

Steevens (1793). _above all, thy_ Boswell conj.

[1511] _thine_] Q. _thy_ Ff.

[1512] _vigour_] _strength and vigour_ Hanmer. _vigor, lord_ Capell.

_vigour, let_ Grant White (S. Walker conj.)

[1513] _I will_] _I'll_ Pope.

[1514] _bourn_] F₃ F₄. _bourne_ F₁ F₂. _boord_ Q. _borne_ Hanmer.

[1515] _Thy_] Ff. _This_ Q.

[1516] _antiquary times_] _antiquary, Time_ Anon. conj.

[1517] _Ajax'_] Hanmer. _Ajax_ Ff.

[1518] _be_] Q F₁. _he_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1519] Nest.] Q. Ulis. Ff.

[1520] _thicket_] _thicker_ F₂.

_great_] Q. om. Ff.

[1521] _his_] Q F₁. _this_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[1522] _to Troy_] _to succour Troy_ Steevens conj.

_to-morrow_] _to-morrow, friends,_ Pope. _to-morrow, sirs,_ Capell.

_to-morrow-morn_ Keightley.

[1523] _cull_] Ff. _call_ Q.

[1524] _council_] F₄. _counsell_ Q. _counsaile_ F₁ F₂. _counsel_ F₃.

[1525] _sail_] _saile_ Q. _may saile_ Ff.

_hulks_] _hulkes_ Q. _bulkes_ Ff.

ACT III.

SCENE I. _Troy. A room in Priam's palace._

_Enter_ PANDARUS _and a_ Servant.[1526]

_Pan._ Friend, you, pray you, a word: do you not follow[1527]

the young Lord Paris?

_Serv._ Ay, sir, when he goes before me.[1528]

_Pan._ You depend upon him, I mean?[1529]

_Serv._ Sir, I do depend upon the Lord. 5

_Pan._ You depend upon a noble gentleman; I must[1530]

needs praise him.

_Serv._ The Lord be praised!

_Pan._ You know me, do you not?

_Serv._ Faith, sir, superficially. 10

_Pan._ Friend, know me better; I am the Lord Pandarus.

_Serv._ I hope I shall know your honour better.

_Pan._ I do desire it.

_Serv._ You are in the state of grace.[1531]

_Pan._ Grace! not so, friend; honour and lordship are 15

my titles. [_Music within._] What music is this?[1532]

_Serv._ I do but partly know, sir: it is music in parts.[1533]

_Pan._ Know you the musicians?

_Serv._ Wholly, sir.

_Pan._ Who play they to? 20

_Serv._ To the hearers, sir.

_Pan._ At whose pleasure, friend?

_Serv._ At mine, sir, and theirs that love music.

_Pan._ Command, I mean, friend.[1534]

_Serv._ Who shall I command, sir? 25

_Pan._ Friend, we understand not one another: I am

too courtly, and thou art too cunning. At whose request[1535]

do these men play?

_Serv._ That's to't, indeed, sir: marry, sir, at the request

of Paris my lord, who is there in person; with him, the[1536] 30

mortal Venus, the heart-blood of beauty, love's invisible[1537]

soul.[1538]

_Pan._ Who, my cousin Cressida?

_Serv._ No, sir, Helen: could not you find out that by[1539]

her attributes? 35

_Pan._ It should seem, fellow, that thou hast not seen[1540]

the Lady Cressida. I come to speak with Paris from the[1541]

Prince Troilus: I will make a complimental assault upon

him, for my business seethes.

_Serv._ Sodden business! there's a stewed phrase indeed![1542] 40

_Enter_ PARIS _and_ HELEN, _attended_.[1543]

_Pan._ Fair be to you, my lord, and to all this fair company!

fair desires, in all fair measure, fairly guide them!

especially to you, fair queen! fair thoughts be your fair

pillow!

_Helen._ Dear lord, you are full of fair words.[1544] 45

_Pan._ You speak your fair pleasure, sweet queen. Fair

prince, here is good broken music.

_Par._ You have broke it, cousin: and, by my life, you[1545]

shall make it whole again; you shall piece it out with a

piece of your performance. Nell, he is full of harmony.[1546] 50

_Pan._ Truly, lady, no.

_Helen._ O, sir,--

_Pan._ Rude, in sooth; in good sooth, very rude.

_Par._ Well said, my lord! well, you say so in fits.[1547]

_Pan._ I have business to my lord, dear queen. My 55

lord, will you vouchsafe me a word?

_Helen._ Nay, this shall not hedge us out: we'll hear[1548]

you sing, certainly.

_Pan._ Well, sweet queen, you are pleasant with me.

But, marry, thus, my lord: my dear lord, and most esteemed 60

friend, your brother Troilus--

_Helen._ My Lord Pandarus; honey-sweet lord,--

_Pan._ Go to, sweet queen, go to:--commends himself[1549]

most affectionately to you--[1549]

_Helen._ You shall not bob us out of our melody: if you[1550] 65

do, our melancholy upon your head![1550]

_Pan._ Sweet queen, sweet queen; that's a sweet queen,

i' faith.[1551]

_Helen._ And to make a sweet lady sad is a sour offence.[1552]

_Pan._ Nay, that shall not serve your turn; that shall it[1553] 70

not, in truth, la. Nay, I care not for such words; no, no.[1553]

And, my lord, he desires you, that if the king call for him[1553]

at supper, you will make his excuse.[1553][1554]

_Helen._ My Lord Pandarus,--

_Pan._ What says my sweet queen, my very very sweet[1555] 75

queen?

_Par._ What exploit's in hand? where sups he to-night?[1556]

_Helen._ Nay, but, my lord,--

_Pan._ What says my sweet queen? My cousin will[1557][1558]

fall out with you. You must not know where he sups.[1557][1558][1559] 80

_Par._ I'll lay my life, with my disposer Cressida.[1557][1560][1561]

_Pan._ No, no, no such matter; you are wide: come,

your disposer is sick.[1561]

_Par._ Well, I'll make excuse.[1562]

_Pan._ Ay, good my lord. Why should you say Cressida? 85

no, your poor disposer's sick.[1561][1563]

_Par._ I spy.[1564]

_Pan._ You spy! what do you spy? Come, give me an

instrument. Now, sweet queen.[1565]

_Helen._ Why, this is kindly done.[1566] 90

_Pan._ My niece is horribly in love with a thing you[1567]

have, sweet queen.

_Helen._ She shall have it, my lord, if it be not my lord

Paris.

_Pan._ He! no, she'll none of him; they two are twain.[1568] 95

_Helen._ Falling in, after falling out, may make them three.

_Pan._ Come, come, I'll hear no more of this; I'll sing

you a song now.

_Helen._ Ay, ay, prithee now. By my troth, sweet lord,[1569]

thou hast a fine forehead. 100

_Pan._ Ay, you may, you may.[1570]

_Helen._ Let thy song be love: this love will undo us all.

O Cupid, Cupid, Cupid!

_Pan._ Love! ay, that it shall, i'faith.

_Par._ Ay, good now, love, love, nothing but love. 105

_Pan._ In good troth, it begins so. [_Sings._[1571]

Love, love, nothing but love, still more![1572]

For, O, love's bow[1573]

Shoots buck and doe:[1573][1574]

The shaft confounds,[1575][1576] 110

Not that it wounds,[1575]

But tickles still the sore.

These lovers cry Oh! oh! they die:[1577]

Yet that which seems the wound to kill,[1578]

Doth turn oh! oh! to ha! ha! he![1577][1579] 115

So dying love lives still:

Oh! oh! a while, but ha! ha! ha![1577]

Oh! oh! groans out for ha! ha! ha![1577]

Heigh-ho![1580]

_Helen._ In love, i'faith, to the very tip of the nose. 120

_Par._ He eats nothing but doves, love, and that breeds[1581]

hot blood and hot blood begets hot thoughts and hot

thoughts beget hot deeds and hot deeds is love.[1582]

_Pan._ Is this the generation of love? hot blood, hot[1583]

thoughts and hot deeds? Why, they are vipers: is love a[1583][1584] 125

generation of vipers? Sweet lord, who's afield to-day?[1583][1585]

_Par._ Hector, Deiphobus, Helenus, Antenor, and all

the gallantry of Troy: I would fain have armed to-day, but[1586]

my Nell would not have it so. How chance my brother

Troilus went not? 130

_Helen._ He hangs the lip at something: you know all,

Lord Pandarus.

_Pan._ Not I, honey-sweet queen. I long to hear how

they sped to-day. You'll remember your brother's excuse?

_Par._ To a hair. 135

_Pan._ Farewell, sweet queen.

_Helen._ Commend me to your niece.

_Pan._ I will, sweet queen. [_Exit._

[_A retreat sounded._[1587]

_Par._ They're come from field: let us to Priam's hall,[1588]

To greet the warriors. Sweet Helen, I must woo you 140

To help unarm our Hector: his stubborn buckles,

With these your white enchanting fingers touch'd,[1589]

Shall more obey than to the edge of steel

Or force of Greekish sinews; you shall do more

Than all the island kings,--disarm great Hector. 145

_Helen._ 'Twill make us proud to be his servant, Paris;[1590]

Yea, what he shall receive of us in duty

Gives us more palm in beauty than we have,

Yea, overshines ourself.

_Par._ Sweet, above thought I love thee. [_Exeunt._[1591] 150

SCENE II. _An orchard to Pandarus' house._

_Enter_ PANDARUS _and_ TROILUS' Boy, _meeting_.[1592]

_Pan._ How now! where's thy master? at my cousin[1593]

Cressida's?

_Boy._ No, sir; he stays for you to conduct him thither.[1594]

_Pan._ O, here he comes.

_Enter_ TROILUS.

How now, how now! 5

_Tro._ Sirrah, walk off. [_Exit Boy._[1595]

_Pan._ Have you seen my cousin?

_Tro._ No, Pandarus: I stalk about her door,

Like a strange soul upon the Stygian banks[1596]

Staying for waftage. O, be thou my Charon, 10

And give me swift transportance to those fields[1597]

Where I may wallow in the lily-beds

Proposed for the deserver! O gentle Pandarus,[1598]

From Cupid's shoulder pluck his painted wings,

And fly with me to Cressid! 15

_Pan._ Walk here i' the orchard, I'll bring her straight.

[_Exit._[1599]

_Tro._ I am giddy; expectation whirls me round.[1600]

The imaginary relish is so sweet

That it enchants my sense: what will it be,[1601]

When that the watery palates taste indeed[1602] 20

Love's thrice repured nectar? death, I fear me,[1603]

Swounding destruction, or some joy too fine,[1604]

Too subtle-potent, tuned too sharp in sweetness,[1605]

For the capacity of my ruder powers:[1606]

I fear it much, and I do fear besides 25

That I shall lose distinction in my joys,

As doth a battle, when they charge on heaps

The enemy flying.

_Re-enter_ PANDARUS.[1607]

_Pan._ She's making her ready, she'll come straight:

you must be witty now. She does so blush, and fetches 30

her wind so short, as if she were frayed with a sprite: I'll[1608]

fetch her. It is the prettiest villain: she fetches her breath[1609]

as short as a new-ta'en sparrow. [_Exit._[1610]

_Tro._ Even such a passion doth embrace my bosom:

My heart beats thicker than a feverous pulse; 35

And all my powers do their bestowing lose,

Like vassalage at unawares encountering[1611]

The eye of majesty.

_Re-enter_ PANDARUS _with_ CRESSIDA.[1612]

_Pan._ Come, come, what need you blush? shame's a[1613]

baby. Here she is now: swear the oaths now to her that 40

you have sworn to me. What, are you gone again? you

must be watched ere you be made tame, must you? Come

your ways, come your ways; an you draw backward, we'll[1614]

put you i' the fills. Why do you not speak to her? Come,[1615]

draw this curtain, and let's see your picture. Alas the day,[1616] 45

how loath you are to offend daylight! an 'twere dark, you'ld

close sooner. So, so; rub on, and kiss the mistress. How

now! a kiss in fee-farm! build there, carpenter; the air is

sweet. Nay, you shall fight your hearts out ere I part you.

The falcon as the tercel, for all the ducks i' the river: go[1617] 50

to, go to.

_Tro._ You have bereft me of all words, lady.

_Pan._ Words pay no debts, give her deeds: but she'll

bereave you o' the deeds too, if she call your activity in[1618]

question. What, billing again? Here's 'In witness whereof[1619] 55

the parties interchangeably'--Come in, come in: I'll go get[1619]

a fire. [_Exit._[1620]

_Cres._ Will you walk in, my lord?

_Tro._ O Cressida, how often have I wished me thus![1621]

_Cres._ Wished, my lord?--The gods grant--O my lord![1622] 60

_Tro._ What should they grant? what makes this pretty

abruption? What too curious dreg espies my sweet lady[1623]

in the fountain of our love?

_Cres._ More dregs than water, if my fears have eyes.[1624]

_Tro._ Fears make devils of cherubins; they never see truly.[1625] 65

_Cres._ Blind fear, that seeing reason leads, finds safer[1626]

footing than blind reason stumbling without fear: to fear

the worst oft cures the worse.[1627]

_Tro._ O, let my lady apprehend no fear: in all Cupid's[1628]

pageant there is presented no monster.[1628] 70

_Cres._ Nor nothing monstrous neither?[1629]

_Tro._ Nothing, but our undertakings; when we vow to[1630]

weep seas, live in fire, eat rocks, tame tigers; thinking it

harder for our mistress to devise imposition enough than

for us to undergo any difficulty imposed. This is the[1631] 75

monstruosity in love, lady, that the will is infinite and the

execution confined, that the desire is boundless and the

act a slave to limit.

_Cres._ They say, all lovers swear more performance than

they are able, and yet reserve an ability that they never 80

perform, vowing more than the perfection of ten and discharging

less than the tenth part of one. They that have the

voice of lions and the act of hares, are they not monsters?

_Tro._ Are there such? such are not we: praise us as we

are tasted, allow us as we prove; our head shall go bare till 85

merit crown it: no perfection in reversion shall have a praise[1632]

in present: we will not name desert before his birth, and,

being born, his addition shall be humble. Few words to

fair faith: Troilus shall be such to Cressid as what envy

can say worst shall be a mock for his truth, and what[1633] 90

truth can speak truest, not truer than Troilus.

_Cres._ Will you walk in, my lord?

_Re-enter_ PANDARUS.[1634]

_Pan._ What, blushing still? have you not done talking[1635]

yet?

_Cres._ Well, uncle, what folly I commit, I dedicate to 95

you.

_Pan._ I thank you for that: if my lord get a boy of you,

you'll give him me. Be true to my lord: if he flinch, chide

me for it.

_Tro._ You know now your hostages; your uncle's word 100

and my firm faith.

_Pan._ Nay, I 'll give my word for her too: our kindred,

though they be long ere they are wooed, they are constant[1636]

being won: they are burs, I can tell you; they'll stick

where they are thrown. 105

_Cres._ Boldness comes to me now, and brings me heart.[1637]

Prince Troilus, I have loved you night and day[1637]

For many weary months.[1637]

_Tro._ Why was my Cressid then so hard to win?

_Cres._ Hard to seem won: but I was won, my lord, 110

With the first glance that ever--pardon me;[1638]

If I confess much, you will play the tyrant.

I love you now; but not, till now, so much[1639]

But I might master it: in faith, I lie;

My thoughts were like unbridled children, grown[1640] 115

Too headstrong for their mother. See, we fools!

Why have I blabb'd? who shall be true to us,

When we are so unsecret to ourselves?

But, though I loved you well, I woo'd you not;

And yet, good faith, I wish'd myself a man, 120

Or that we women had men's privilege[1641]

Of speaking first. Sweet, bid me hold my tongue;

For in this rapture I shall surely speak

The thing I shall repent. See, see, your silence,[1642]

Cunning in dumbness, from my weakness draws[1643] 125

My very soul of counsel! Stop my mouth.[1644]

_Tro._ And shall, albeit sweet music issues thence.[1645]

_Pan._ Pretty, i' faith.

_Cres._ My lord, I do beseech you, pardon me;

'Twas not my purpose thus to beg a kiss: 130

I am ashamed; O heavens! what have I done?

For this time will I take my leave, my lord.

_Tro._ Your leave, sweet Cressid?[1646]

_Pan._ Leave! an you take leave till to-morrow morning--[1647]

_Cres._ Pray you, content you.[1648] 135

_Tro._ What offends you, lady?[1648]

_Cres._ Sir, mine own company.[1648]

_Tro._ You cannot shun yourself.[1648][1649]

_Cres._ Let me go and try:[1648][1650]

I have a kind of self resides with you,[1651] 140

But an unkind self that itself will leave

To be another's fool. I would be gone:[1652]

Where is my wit? I know not what I speak.[1652]

_Tro._ Well know they what they speak that speak so wisely.[1653]

_Cres._ Perchance, my lord, I show more craft than love,[1654] 145

And fell so roundly to a large confession

To angle for your thoughts: but you are wise;[1655]

Or else you love not, for to be wise and love[1655][1656]

Exceeds man's might; that dwells with gods above.[1657]

_Tro._ O that I thought it could be in a woman-- 150

As, if it can, I will presume in you--[1658]

To feed for aye her lamp and flames of love;[1659]

To keep her constancy in plight and youth,

Outliving beauty's outward, with a mind[1660]

That doth renew swifter than blood decays! 155

Or that persuasion could but thus convince me,[1661]

That my integrity and truth to you

Might be affronted with the match and weight

Of such a winnowed purity in love;[1662]

How were I then uplifted! but, alas! 160

I am as true as truth's simplicity

And simpler than the infancy of truth.

_Cres._ In that I'll war with you.

_Tro._ O virtuous fight,

When right with right wars who shall be most right![1663]

True swains in love shall in the world to come[1664] 165

Approve their truths by Troilus: when their rhymes,[1665]

Full of protest, of oath and big compare,

Want similes, truth tired with iteration,[1666]

'As true as steel, as plantage to the moon,[1667]

As sun to day, as turtle to her mate, 170

As iron to adamant, as earth to the centre,'

Yet, after all comparisons of truth,[1668]

As truth's authentic author to be cited,[1669]

'As true as Troilus' shall crown up the verse[1670]

And sanctify the numbers.

_Cres._ Prophet may you be! 175

If I be false, or swerve a hair from truth,

When time is old and hath forgot itself,[1671]

When waterdrops have worn the stones of Troy,

And blind oblivion swallow'd cities up,

And mighty states characterless are grated 180

To dusty nothing, yet let memory,

From false to false, among false maids in love,

Upbraid my falsehood! when they've said 'as false[1672]

As air, as water, wind, or sandy earth,[1673]

As fox to lamb, or wolf to heifer's calf,[1674] 185

Pard to the hind, or stepdame to her son,'

'Yea,' let them say, to stick the heart of falsehood,

'As false as Cressid.'

_Pan._ Go to, a bargain made: seal it, seal it; I'll be the

witness. Here I hold your hand; here my cousin's. If ever[1675] 190

you prove false one to another, since I have taken such pains[1676]

to bring you together, let all pitiful goers-between be called

to the world's end after my name; call them all Pandars;

let all constant men be Troiluses, all false women Cressids,[1677]

and all brokers-between Pandars! Say 'amen.' 195