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  • William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act II, Scene II

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Scene IIAn ante-chamber in the palaceEnter Chamberlain, reading a letterChamberlainMy lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. 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 main 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 Chamberlain, Norfolk and SuffolkNorfolkWell met, my lord chamberlain.ChamberlainGood day to both your graces.SuffolkHow is the king employ’d?ChamberlainI left him private, Full of sad thoughts and troubles.NorfolkWhat’s the cause?ChamberlainIt seems the marriage with his brother’s wife Has crept too near his conscience.SuffolkNo, his conscience Has crept too near another lady.Norfolk’Tis so: This is the cardinal’s doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he list. The king will know him one day.SuffolkPray God he do! he’ll never know himself else.NorfolkHow holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! for, now he has crack’d 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?ChamberlainHeaven keep me from such counsel! ‘Tis most true 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, The French king’s sister. Heaven will one day open The king’s eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold bad man.SuffolkAnd free us from his slavery.NorfolkWe had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all From princes into pages: all men’s honours Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion’d Into what pitch he please.SuffolkFor 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 Touch me alike, they’re breath I not believe in. I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him To him that made him proud, the pope.NorfolkLet’s in; And with some other business put the king From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him: My lord, you’ll bear us company?ChamberlainExcuse me; The king has sent me otherwhere: besides, You’ll find a most unfit time to disturb him: Health to your lordships.NorfolkThanks, my good lord chamberlain.Exit Chamberlain; and King Henry VIII draws the curtain, and sits reading pensivelySuffolkHow sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted.King Henry VIIIWho’s there, ha?NorfolkPray God he be not angry.King Henry VIIIWho’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations? Who am I? ha?NorfolkA gracious king that pardons all offences Malice ne’er meant: our breach of duty this way Is business of estate; in which we come To know your royal pleasure.King Henry VIIIYe are too bold: Go to; I’ll make ye know your times of business: Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?Enter Cardinal Wolsey and Cardinal Campeius, with a commissionWho’s there? my good lord cardinal? O my Wolsey, The quiet of my wounded conscience; Thou art a cure fit for a king.To Cardinal CampeiusYou’re welcome, Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom: Use us and it.To Cardinal WolseyMy good lord, have great care I be not found a talker.Cardinal WolseySir, you cannot. I would your grace would give us but an hour Of private conference.King Henry VIIITo Norfolk and SuffolkWe are busy; go.NorfolkAside to SuffolkThis priest has no pride in him?SuffolkAside to NorfolkNot to speak of: I would not be so sick though for his place: But this cannot continue.NorfolkAside to SuffolkIf it do, I’ll venture one have-at-him.SuffolkAside to NorfolkI another.Exeunt Norfolk and SuffolkCardinal WolseyYour grace has given a precedent of wisdom Above all princes, in committing freely Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? The Spaniard, tied 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 Have their free voices: Rome, the nurse of judgment, Invited by your noble self, hath sent One general tongue unto us, this good man, This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius; Whom once more I present unto your highness.King Henry VIIIAnd 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.Cardinal CampeiusYour grace must needs deserve all strangers’ loves, You are so noble. To your highness’ hand I tender my commission; by whose virtue, The court of Rome commanding, you, my lord Cardinal of York, are join’d with me their servant In the unpartial judging of this business.King Henry VIIITwo equal men. The queen shall be acquainted Forthwith for what you come. Where’s Gardiner?Cardinal WolseyI know your majesty has always loved her So dear in heart, not to deny her that A woman of less place might ask by law: Scholars allow’d freely to argue for her.King Henry VIIIAy, 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 Cardinal WolseyRe-enter Cardinal Wolsey, with GardinerCardinal WolseyAside to GardinerGive me your hand much joy and favour to you; You are the king’s now.GardinerAside to Cardinal WolseyBut to be commanded For ever by your grace, whose hand has raised me.King Henry VIIICome hither, Gardiner.Walks and whispersCardinal CampeiusMy Lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace In this man’s place before him?Cardinal WolseyYes, he was.Cardinal CampeiusWas he not held a learned man?Cardinal WolseyYes, surely.Cardinal CampeiusBelieve me, there’s an ill opinion spread then Even of yourself, lord cardinal.Cardinal WolseyHow! of me?Cardinal CampeiusThey 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 grieved him, That he ran mad and died.Cardinal WolseyHeaven’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. Learn this, brother, We live not to be grip’d by meaner persons.King Henry VIIIDeliver this with modesty to the queen.Exit GardinerThe most convenient place that I can think of 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! O, ’tis a tender place; and I must leave her.Exeunt

William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act II

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William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act III, Scene II

  • William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act III, Scene II

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

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TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

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  • Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
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