King John & Henry VIII

by William Shakespeare

  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 conduct87,

  Crave leave to view these ladies, and entreat

  An hour of revels89 with ’em.

  CARDINAL WOLSEY Say, Lord Chamberlain,

  They have done my poor house grace; for which I pay ’em

  A thousand thanks, and pray ’em take their pleasures.

  [The Masquers] choose Ladies [for the dance]. [The] King [chooses] Anne Bullen

  KING HENRY VIII The fairest hand I ever touched. O beauty,

  Till now I never knew thee!

  Music. [They] dance

  CARDINAL WOLSEY My lord.

  CHAMBERLAIN Your grace?

  CARDINAL WOLSEY Pray, tell ’em thus much from me:

  There should be one amongst ’em, by his person,

  More worthy this place99 than myself, to whom,

  If I but100 knew him, with my love and duty

  I would surrender it.

  CHAMBERLAIN I will, my lord.

  [He talks in a] whisper [to the Masquers]

  CARDINAL WOLSEY What say they?

  CHAMBERLAIN Such a one, they all confess,

  There is indeed, which they would have your grace

  Find out, and he will take it106.

  CARDINAL WOLSEY Let me see, then.

  By all your good leaves, gentlemen, here I’ll make

  My royal choice.

  KING HENRY VIII Ye have found him, cardinal:

  He unmasks

  You hold a fair111 assembly: you do well, lord.

  You are a churchman, or I’ll tell you, cardinal112,

  I should judge now unhappily.

  CARDINAL WOLSEY I am glad

  Your grace is grown so pleasant115.

  KING HENRY VIII My Lord Chamberlain,

  Prithee117 come hither: what fair lady’s that?

  CHAMBERLAIN An’t118 please your grace, Sir Thomas Bullen’s daughter —

  The Viscount Rochford — one of her highness’ women119.

  To Anne

  KING HENRY VIII By heaven, she is a dainty120 one.— Sweetheart,

  I were unmannerly to take you out121

  He drinks

  And not to kiss you. A health122, gentlemen:

  Let it go round.

  CARDINAL WOLSEY Sir Thomas Lovell, is the banquet124 ready

  I’th’privy chamber125?

  LOVELL Yes, my lord.

  To the King

  CARDINAL WOLSEY Your grace,

  I fear, with dancing is a little heated128.

  KING HENRY VIII I fear too much.

  CARDINAL WOLSEY There’s fresher air, my lord,

  In the next chamber.

  To Anne

  KING HENRY VIII Lead in your ladies, ev’ry one: sweet partner,

  To Cardinal Wolsey

  I must not yet forsake133 you:— let’s be merry,

  Good my lord cardinal: I have half a dozen healths

  To drink to these fair ladies, and a measure135

  To lead ’em once again, and then let’s dream136

  Who’s best in favour. Let the music knock it137.

  Exeunt with Trumpets

  Act 2 Scene 1

  running scene 4

  Enter two Gentlemen at several doors

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Whither away so fast?

  SECOND GENTLEMAN O, God save ye:

  Ev’n to the hall3, to hear what shall become

  Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN I’ll save you

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

  Of bringing back the prisoner.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN Were you there?

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Yes, indeed was I.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN Pray speak what has happened.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN You may guess quickly what.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN Is he found guilty?

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Yes, truly is he, and condemned upon’t.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN I am sorry for’t.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN So are a number more.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN But pray, how passed it16?

  FIRST GENTLEMAN I’ll tell you in a little17. The great duke

  Came to the bar, where to his accusations18

  He pleaded still not guilty, and alleged19

  Many sharp reasons to defeat the law20.

  The king’s attorney, on the contrary,

  Urged on the examinations, proofs22, confessions

  Of divers23 witnesses, which the duke desired

  To him brought viva voce24.1 to his face:

  At which appeared against him his surveyor,

  Sir Gilbert Perk his chancellor, and John Car,

  Confessor to him, with that devil monk,

  Hopkins, that made this mischief.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN That was he

  That fed him with his prophecies.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN The same:

  All these accused him strongly, which he fain32

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

  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 forgotten37.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN After all this, how did he bear himself?

  FIRST GENTLEMAN When he was brought again to th’bar, to hear

  His knell40 rung out, his judgement, he was stirred

  With such an agony, he sweat41 extremely,

  And something spoke in choler, ill42 and hasty:

  But he fell to43 himself again, and sweetly

  In all the rest showed a most noble patience.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN I do not think he fears death.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Sure he does not:

  He never was so womanish: the cause

  He may a little grieve at.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN Certainly

  The cardinal is the end50 of this.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN ’Tis likely

  By all conjectures: first, Kildare’s attainder52,

  Then deputy53 of Ireland, who, removed,

  Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,

  Lest he should help his father55.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN That trick of state56

  Was a deep envious57 one.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN At his58 return

  No doubt he will requite59 it: this is noted,

  And generally60, whoever the king favours,

  The card’nal instantly will find employment,

  And far enough from court too.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN All the commons

  Hate him perniciously64 and, o’my conscience,

  Wish him ten fathom deep: this duke as much

  They love and dote on, call him ‘bounteous Buckingham,

  The mirror67 of all courtesy’—

  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 William Sands, and Common People etc.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Stay there, sir,

  And see the noble ruined man you speak of.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN Let’s stand close70 and behold him.

  BUCKINGHAM All good people,

  You that thus far have come to pity me:

  Hear what I say, and then go home and lose73 me.

  I have this day received a traitor’s judgement74,

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

  And if I have a conscience, let it sink76 me,

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

  The law I bear no malice for my death,

  ’T has done upon the premises79, but justice:

  But those that sought it I could wish more80 Christians:

  Be what they will, I heartily forgive ’em:

  Yet let
’em look82 they glory not in mischief,

  Nor build their evils83 on the graves of great men,

  For then my guiltless blood must cry against ’em.

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

  Nor will I sue86, although the king have mercies

  More than I dare make faults87. You few that loved me,

  And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,

  His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave

  Is only bitter to him, only dying90:

  Go with me like good angels to my end,

  And as the long divorce of steel92 falls on me,

  Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice93,

  To Lovell

  And lift my soul to heaven.— Lead on, i’God’s name.

  LOVELL I do beseech your grace, for charity,

  If ever any malice in your heart

  Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.

  BUCKINGHAM 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 envy101

  Shall make my grave. Commend me to his grace:

  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 forsake105,

  Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live

  Longer than I have time to tell107 his years:

  Ever beloved and loving may his rule be:

  And when old time109 shall lead him to his end,

  Goodness and he fill up one monument110.

  LOVELL To th’water-side I must conduct your grace,

  Then give my charge112 up to Sir Nicholas Vaux,

  Who undertakes113 you to your end.

  VAUX Prepare there,

  The duke is coming: see the barge be ready,

  And fit it with such furniture116 as suits

  The greatness of his person.

  BUCKINGHAM Nay, Sir Nicholas,

  Let it alone: my state119 now will but mock me.

  When I came hither, I was Lord High Constable

  And Duke of Buckingham: now, poor Edward Bohun:

  Yet I am richer than my base122 accusers,

  That never knew what truth meant. I now seal123 it,

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

  My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,

  Who first raised head against usurping Richard126,

  Flying for succour to his servant Banister,

  Being distressed, was by that wretch betrayed,

  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,

  Henry the Eighth, life, honour, name and all

  That made me happy, at one stroke135 has taken

  For ever from the world. I had my trial,

  And must needs say a noble one, which makes me

  A little happier138 than my wretched father:

  Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both

  Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most:

  A most unnatural and faithless service.

  Heaven has an end142 in all: yet, you that hear me,

  This from a dying man receive as certain143:

  Where you are liberal of144 your loves and counsels,

  Be sure you be not loose145: for those you make friends

  And give your hearts to, when they once perceive

  The least rub147 in your fortunes, fall away

  Like water from ye, never found again

  But149 where they mean to sink ye. All good people,

  Pray for me. I must now forsake ye: the last hour

  Of my long weary life is come upon me. Farewell:

  And when you would say something that is sad,

  Speak how I fell. I have done, and God forgive me.

  Exeunt Duke and train

  FIRST GENTLEMAN O, this is full of pity. Sir, it calls,

  I fear, too many curses on their heads

  That were the authors156.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN If the duke be guiltless,

  ’Tis full of woe: yet I can give you inkling

  Of an ensuing evil, if it fall159,

  Greater than this.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Good angels keep it from us.

  What may it be? You do not doubt my faith162, sir?

  SECOND GENTLEMAN This secret is so weighty, ’twill require

  A strong faith to conceal it.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Let me have it:

  I do not talk much.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN I am confident167:

  You shall, sir: did you not of late168 days hear

  A buzzing169 of a separation

  Between the king and Katherine?

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Yes, but it held not171:

  For when the king once heard it, out of anger

  He sent command to the Lord Mayor straight173

  To stop the rumour, and allay174 those tongues

  That durst disperse it.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN But that slander, sir,

  Is found a truth now: for it grows again

  Fresher than e’er it was, and held for178 certain

  The king will venture at it179. Either the cardinal,

  Or some about him near180, have, out of malice

  To the good queen, possessed him with a scruple181

  That will undo her: to confirm this too,

  Cardinal Campeius183 is arrived, and lately,

  As all think, for this business.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN ’Tis the cardinal:

  And merely to revenge him on the emperor186

  For not bestowing on him at his asking

  The archbishopric of Toledo, this is purposed188.

  SECOND GENTLEMAN I think you have hit the mark189: but is’t not cruel

  That she should feel the smart190 of this? The cardinal

  Will have his will, and she must fall.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN ’Tis woeful.

  We are too open193 here to argue this:

  Let’s think in private more.

  Exeunt

  Act 2 Scene 2

  running scene 5

  Enter Lord Chamberlain, reading this letter

  CHAMBERLAIN ‘My lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with

  all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden and furnished2.

  They were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the

  north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of

  my lord cardinal’s, by commission and main5 power, took ’em

  from me, with this reason: his master would be served before

  a subject, if not before the king, which stopped our mouths,

  sir.’ I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them: he will have

  all, I think.

  Enter to the Lord Chamberlain the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk

  NORFOLK Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.

  CHAMBERLAIN Good day to both your graces.

  SUFFOLK How is the king employed?

  CHAMBERLAIN I left him private13,

  Full of sad14 thoughts and troubles.

  NORFOLK What’s the cause?

  CHAMBERLAIN It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife

  Has crept too near his conscience.

  SUFFOLK No, his conscience18

  Has crept too near another lady.

  NORFOLK ’Tis so:

  This is the cardinal’s doing: the king-cardinal,

  That blind22 priest, like the eldest son of fortune,

  Turns what he list. The king will know23 him one day.

  SUFFOLK Pray God he do: he’ll never know himself else.
/>   NORFOLK How holily he25 works in all his business,

  And with what zeal! For now he has cracked the league

  Between us and the emperor, the queen’s great-nephew,

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

  Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,

  Fears, and despairs, and all these for his marriage.

  And out of all these, to restore the king,

  He counsels a divorce, a loss of her

  That like a jewel has hung twenty years

  About his neck, yet never lost her lustre:

  Of her that loves him with that excellence

  That angels love good men with: even of her

  That when the greatest stroke of fortune falls

  Will bless the king: and is not this course pious?

  CHAMBERLAIN Heaven keep me from such counsel: ’tis most true

  These news are everywhere, every tongue speaks ’em,

  And every true heart weeps for’t. All that dare

  Look into these affairs see this main end42:

  The French king’s sister43. Heaven will one day open

  The king’s eyes, that so long have slept upon44

  This bold45 bad man.

  SUFFOLK And free us from his slavery.