They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for. Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves, You are so noble: To your highness' hand I tender my commission; by whose virtue, K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted Forthwith, for what you come:-Where's Gardiner? A woman of less place might ask by law, K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; and my favour To him that does best; God forbid else. Cardinal, Re.enter Wolsey, with Gardiner. Wol. Give me your hand: much joy and favour to you; You are the king's now. Gard. But to be commanded For ever by your grace, whose hand has rais'd me. K. Hen. Come hither, Gardiner. [Aside. [They converse apart. Cam. My lord of York, was not one doctor Pace In this man's place before him? Wol. Yes, he was. 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, Kept him a foreign man* still; which so griev'd 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, If I command him, follows my appointment; I will have none so near else. Learu this, brother, We live not to be grip'd by meaner persons. K. Hen. Deliver this with modesty to the queen. [Exit Gardiner. The most convenient place that I can think of, So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience,- [Exeunt. SCENE III. An ante-chamber in the Queen's apartments. Enter Anne Bullen, and an old Lady. Anne. Not for that neither;-Here's the pang that pinches : His highness having liv'd so long with her: aud she Out of the king's presence. Still growing in a majesty and pomp,-the which Would move a monster. Old L. Melt and lament for her. Anne. Hearts of most hard temper O, God's will! much better, She ne'er had known pomp: though it be temporal, It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance, panging I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born, Beshrew me, I would, And venture maidenhead for't; and so would you, You, that have so fair parts of woman on you, Which, to say sooth ||, are blessings: and which gifts (Saving your mincing) the capacity Of your soft cheverila conscience would receive, Anne. * A sentence of ejection. Nay, good troth, + Quarreller. › Possession. Old L. Yes, troth, and troth,-You would not be a queen ? Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven. Old L. 'Tis strange; a three-pence bow'd* would hire me, Old as I am, to queen it: But, I pray you, Anne. No, in truth. Old L. Then you are weakly made: Pluck off a little; I would not be a young count in your way, Anne. How you do talk! I swear again, I would not be a queen Old L. In faith for little England You'd venture an emballing: I myself Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here? Enter the Lord Chamberlain. Cham. Good-morrow, ladies. What wer't worth to know The secret of your conference? Anne. My good lord, Not your demand; it values not your asking: Cham. It was a gentle business, and becoming The action of good women: there is hope, All will be well. Anne. Now I pray God, amen! Cham. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings * Crook'd. Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady, Anne. I do not know, What kind of my obedience I should tender; Are all I can return. 'Beseech your lordship, Cham. Lady, [Aside. Beauty and honour in her are so mingled, yet, But from this lady may proceed a gem, Anne. My honour'd lord. [Exit Lord Chamberlain, Old L. Why, this it is; see, see! I have been begging sixteen years in court, This compell'd fortune!) have your mouth fill'd up, * Opinion. |