King. "Tis midnight Charles, Prythee to bed, and in thy Prayres remember Th" estate of my poore Queene. Leaue me alone, For I must thinke of that, which company Would not be friendly too
Suf. I wish your Highnesse A quiet night, and my good Mistris will Remember in my Prayers
King. Charles good night.
Exit Suffolke.
Well Sir, what followes?
Enter Sir Anthony Denny.
Den. Sir, I haue brought my Lord the Arch-byshop, As you commanded me
King. Ha? Canterbury?
Den. I my good Lord
King. "Tis true: where is he Denny?
Den. He attends your Highnesse pleasure
King. Bring him to Vs
Lou. This is about that, which the Byshop spake, I am happily come hither.
Enter Cranmer and Denny.
King. Auoyd the Gallery.
Louel seemes to stay.
Ha? I haue said. Be gone.
What?
Exeunt. Louell and Denny.
Cran. I am fearefull: Wherefore frownes he thus?
"Tis his Aspect of Terror. All"s not well
King. How now my Lord?
You do desire to know wherefore I sent for you
Cran. It is my dutie T" attend your Highnesse pleasure
King. Pray you arise My good and gracious Lord of Canterburie: Come, you and I must walke a turne together: I haue Newes to tell you.
Come, come, giue me your hand.
Ah my good Lord, I greeue at what I speake, And am right sorrie to repeat what followes.
I haue, and most vnwillingly of late Heard many greeuous, I do say my Lord Greeuous complaints of you; which being consider"d, Haue mou"d Vs, and our Councell, that you shall This Morning come before vs, where I know You cannot with such freedome purge your selfe, But that till further Triall, in those Charges Which will require your Answer, you must take Your patience to you, and be well contented To make your house our Towre: you, a Brother of vs It fits we thus proceed, or else no witnesse Would come against you
Cran. I humbly thanke your Highnesse, And am right glad to catch this good occasion Most throughly to be winnowed, where my Chaffe And Corne shall flye asunder. For I know There"s none stands vnder more calumnious tongues, Then I my selfe, poore man
King. Stand vp, good Canterbury, Thy Truth, and thy Integrity is rooted In vs thy Friend. Giue me thy hand, stand vp, Prythee let"s walke. Now by my Holydame, What manner of man are you? My Lord, I look"d You would haue giuen me your Pet.i.tion, that I should haue tane some paines, to bring together Your selfe, and your Accusers, and to haue heard you Without indurance further
Cran. Most dread Liege, The good I stand on, is my Truth and Honestie: If they shall faile, I with mine Enemies Will triumph o"re my person, which I waigh not, Being of those Vertues vacant. I feare nothing What can be said against me
King. Know you not How your state stands i"th" world, with the whole world?
Your Enemies are many, and not small; their practises Must beare the same proportion, and not euer The Iustice and the Truth o"th" question carries The dew o"th" Verdict with it; at what ease Might corrupt mindes procure, Knaues as corrupt To sweare against you: Such things haue bene done.
You are Potently oppos"d, and with a Malice Of as great Size. Weene you of better lucke, I meane in periur"d Witnesse, then your Master, Whose Minister you are, whiles heere he liu"d Vpon this naughty Earth? Go too, go too, You take a Precepit for no leape of danger, And woe your owne destruction
Cran. G.o.d, and your Maiesty Protect mine innocence, or I fall into The trap is laid for me
King. Be of good cheere, They shall no more preuaile, then we giue way too: Keepe comfort to you, and this Morning see You do appeare before them. If they shall chance In charging you with matters, to commit you: The best perswasions to the contrary Faile not to vse, and with what vehemencie Th" occasion shall instruct you. If intreaties Will render you no remedy, this Ring Deliuer them, and your Appeale to vs There make before them. Looke, the goodman weeps: He"s honest on mine Honor. G.o.ds blest Mother, I sweare he is true-hearted, and a soule None better in my Kingdome. Get you gone, And do as I haue bid you.
Exit Cranmer.
He ha"s strangled his Language in his teares.
Enter Olde Lady.
Gent. within. Come backe: what meane you?
Lady. Ile not come backe, the tydings that I bring Will make my boldnesse, manners. Now good Angels Fly o"re thy Royall head, and shade thy person Vnder their blessed wings
King. Now by thy lookes I gesse thy Message. Is the Queene deliuer"d?
Say I, and of a boy
Lady. I, I my Liege, And of a louely Boy: the G.o.d of heauen Both now, and euer blesse her: "Tis a Gyrle Promises Boyes heereafter. Sir, your Queen Desires your Visitation, and to be Acquainted with this stranger; "tis as like you, As Cherry, is to Cherry
King. Louell
Lou. Sir
King. Giue her an hundred Markes.
Ile to the Queene.
Exit King.
Lady. An hundred Markes? By this light, Ile ha more.
An ordinary Groome is for such payment.
I will haue more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this, the Gyrle was like to him? Ile Haue more, or else vnsay"t: and now, while "tis hot, Ile put it to the issue.
Exit Ladie.
Scena Secunda.
Enter Cranmer, Archbyshop of Canterbury.
Cran. I hope I am not too late, and yet the Gentleman That was sent to me from the Councell, pray"d me To make great hast. All fast? What meanes this? Hoa?
Who waites there? Sure you know me?
Enter Keeper.
Keep. Yes, my Lord: But yet I cannot helpe you