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Incens'd the lords o'the council, that he is
(For so I know he is, they know he is,)

A most arch heretick, a pestilence

That does infect the land: with which they moved,
Have broken with the king; who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint, (of his great grace
And princely care; foreseeing those fell mischiefs
Our reasons laid before him,) he hath commanded,
To-morrow morning to the council-board

I

He be convented. He's a rank weed, sir Thomas,
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long: good night, sir Thomas.
Lov. Many good nights, my lord; I rest your
[Exeunt GARDINER and Page.

servant.

As LOVELL is going out, enter the King, and the
Duke of SUFFOLK.

K. Hen. Charles, I will play no more to-night;
My mind's not on't, you are too hard for me.
Suf. Sir, I did never win of you before.
K. Hen. But little, Charles;

Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.

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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 greatest humbleness, and desir'd your highness
Most heartily to pray for her.

K. Hen.

What say'st thou ? ha!

To pray for her? what, is she crying out?

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Lov. So said her woman; and that her sufferance

made

Almost each pang a death.

K. Hen.

Alas, good lady!

Suf. God safely quit her of her burden, and With gentle travail, to the gladding of

Your highness with an heir!

K. Hen.

'Tis midnight, Charles,

Pr'ythee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone;
For I must think of that, which company
Will not be friendly to.

Suf.

I wish your highness

A quiet night, and my good mistress will

Remember in my prayers.

K. Hen.

Charles, good night.

[Exit SUFFOLK.

Enter Sir ANTHONY DENNY.

Well, sir, what follows?

As

Den. Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop,

you commanded me.

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Lov. This is about that which the bishop spake ;

I am happily come hither.

[Aside.

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Cran. I am fearful:-Wherefore frowns he thus ?

'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.

K. Hen. How now, my lord? You do desire to

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My good and gracious lord of Canterbury.

Come, you and I must walk a turn together;

I have news to tell you: Come, come, give me your

hand,

Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,
And am right sorry to repeat what follows:
I have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord,

Grievous complaints of you; which, being consi

der'd,

Have mov'd us and our council, that you shall
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
To make your house our Tower: You a brother of
us, 2

2 One of the council.

It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness
Would come against you.

Cran.

I humbly thank your highness; And am right glad to catch this good occasion

Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know,

There's none stands under more calumnious tongues, Than I myself, poor man.

K. Hen.

Stand up, good Canterbury; Thy truth, and thy integrity, is rooted

In us, thy friend: Give me thy hand, stand
up;
Pr'ythee, let's walk. Now, by my holy-dame,
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
Without indurance, further.

Cran.

Most dread liege,

The good I stand on is my truth, and honesty;

If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies,

Will triumph o'er my person; which I weigh3 not, Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing

What can be said against me.

K. Hen.

Know you not how

Your state stands i'the world, with the whole world? Your enemies

4

Are many, and not small; their practices
Must bear the same proportion: and not ever
The justice and the truth o'the question carries
The due o'the verdict with it: At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
4 Always.

3 Value.

To swear against you? such things have been done.
You are potently oppos'd; and with a malice.
Of as great size. Ween' you of better luck,
I mean, in perjur'd witness, than your master,
Whose minister you are, whiles here he liv'd
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to;
You take a precipice for no leap of danger,
And woo your own destruction.

God, and your majesty,

Cran.
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into

The trap is laid for me!

K. Hen. 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, 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 Deliver them, and your appeal to us

There make before them.

weeps!

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Look, the good man

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,

And do as I have bid you. [Erit CRANMER.] He has strangled

His language in his tears.

5 Think.

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