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  • William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act IV

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Act IVScene IA street in WestminsterEnter two Gentlemen, meeting one anotherFirst GentlemanYou’re well met once again.Second GentlemanSo are you.First GentlemanYou come to take your stand here, and behold The Lady Anne pass from her coronation?Second Gentleman’Tis all my business. At our last encounter, The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial.First Gentleman’Tis very true: but that time offer’d sorrow; This, general joy.Second Gentleman’Tis well: the citizens, I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds— As, let ’em have their rights, they are ever forward— In celebration of this day with shows, Pageants and sights of honour.First GentlemanNever greater, Nor, I’ll assure you, better taken, sir.Second GentlemanMay I be bold to ask at what that contains, That paper in your hand?First GentlemanYes; ’tis the list Of those that claim their offices this day By custom of the coronation. The Duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims To be high-steward; next, the Duke of Norfolk, He to be earl marshal: you may read the rest.Second GentlemanI thank you, sir: had I not known those customs, I should have been beholding to your paper. But, I beseech you, what’s become of Katharine, The princess dowager? how goes her business?First GentlemanThat I can tell you too. The Archbishop Of Canterbury, accompanied with other Learned and reverend fathers of his order, Held a late court at Dunstable, six miles off From Ampthill where the princess lay; to which She was often cited by them, but appear’d not: And, to be short, for not appearance and The king’s late scruple, by the main assent Of all these learned men she was divorced, And the late marriage made of none effect Since which she was removed to Kimbolton, Where she remains now sick.Second GentlemanAlas, good lady!TrumpetsThe trumpets sound: stand close, the queen is coming.HautboysThe Order of the CoronationA lively flourish of Trumpets.2. Then, two Judges.3. Lord Chancellor, with the purse and mace before him.4. Choristers, singing. MusicMayor of London, bearing the mace. Then Garter, in his coat of arms, and on his head a gilt copper crown.Marquess Dorset, bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head a demi-coronal of gold. With him, Surrey, bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned with an earl’s coronet. Collars of SS.Suffolk, in his robe of estate, his coronet on his head, bearing a long white wand, as high-steward. With him, Norfolk, with the rod of marshalship, a coronet on his head. Collars of SS.A canopy borne by four of the Cinque-ports; under it, Queen Anne in her robe; in her hair richly adorned with pearl, crowned. On each side her, the Bishops of London and Winchester.The old Duchess of Norfolk, in a coronal of gold, wrought with flowers, bearing Queen Anne’s train.Certain Ladies or Countesses, with plain circlets of gold without flowers.They pass over the stage in order and stateSecond GentlemanA royal train, believe me. These I know: Who’s that that bears the sceptre?First GentlemanMarquess Dorset: And that the Earl of Surrey, with the rod.Second GentlemanA bold brave gentleman. That should be The Duke of Suffolk?First Gentleman’Tis the same: high-steward.Second GentlemanAnd that my Lord of Norfolk?First GentlemanYes;Second GentlemanHeaven bless thee!Looking on Queen AnneThou hast the sweetest face I ever look’d on. Sir, as I have a soul, she is an angel; Our king has all the Indies in his arms, And more and richer, when he strains that lady: I cannot blame his conscience.First GentlemanThey that bear The cloth of honour over her, are four barons Of the Cinque-ports.Second GentlemanThose men are happy; and so are all are near her. I take it, she that carries up the train Is that old noble lady, Duchess of Norfolk.First GentlemanIt is; and all the rest are countesses.Second GentlemanTheir coronets say so. These are stars indeed; And sometimes falling ones.First GentlemanNo more of that.Exit procession, and then a great flourish of trumpetsEnter a third GentlemanFirst GentlemanGod save you, sir! where have you been broiling?Third GentlemanAmong the crowd i’ the Abbey; where a finger Could not be wedged in more: I am stifled With the mere rankness of their joy.Second GentlemanYou saw The ceremony?Third GentlemanThat I did.First GentlemanHow was it?Third GentlemanWell worth the seeing.Second GentlemanGood sir, speak it to us.Third GentlemanAs well as I am able. The rich stream Of lords and ladies, having brought the queen To a prepared place in the choir, fell off A distance from her; while her grace sat down To rest awhile, some half an hour or so, In a rich chair of state, opposing freely The beauty of her person to the people. Believe me, sir, she is the goodliest woman That ever lay by man: which when the people Had the full view of, such a noise arose As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest, As loud, and to as many tunes: hats, cloaks— Doublets, I think,—flew up; and had their faces Been loose, this day they had been lost. Such joy I never saw before. Great-bellied women, That had not half a week to go, like rams In the old time of war, would shake the press, And make ’em reel before ’em. No man living Could say ‘This is my wife’ there; all were woven So strangely in one piece.Second GentlemanBut, what follow’d?Third GentlemanAt length her grace rose, and with modest paces Came to the altar; where she kneel’d, and saint-like Cast her fair eyes to heaven and pray’d devoutly. Then rose again and bow’d her to the people: When by the Archbishop of Canterbury She had all the royal makings of a queen; As holy oil, Edward Confessor’s crown, The rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems Laid nobly on her: which perform’d, the choir, With all the choicest music of the kingdom, Together sung ‘Te Deum.’ So she parted, And with the same full state paced back again To York-place, where the feast is held.First GentlemanSir, You must no more call it York-place, that’s past; For, since the cardinal fell, that title’s lost: ‘Tis now the king’s, and call’d Whitehall.Third GentlemanI know it; But ’tis so lately alter’d, that the old name Is fresh about me.Second GentlemanWhat two reverend bishops Were those that went on each side of the queen?Third GentlemanStokesly and Gardiner; the one of Winchester, Newly preferr’d from the king’s secretary, The other, London.Second GentlemanHe of Winchester Is held no great good lover of the archbishop’s, The virtuous Cranmer.Third GentlemanAll the land knows that: However, yet there is no great breach; when it comes, Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him.Second GentlemanWho may that be, I pray you?Third GentlemanThomas Cromwell; A man in much esteem with the king, and truly A worthy friend. The king has made him master O’ the jewel house, And one, already, of the privy council.Second GentlemanHe will deserve more.Third GentlemanYes, without all doubt. Come, gentlemen, ye shall go my way, which Is to the court, and there ye shall be my guests: Something I can command. As I walk thither, I’ll tell ye more.BothYou may command us, sir.Exeunt

The Famous History of the Life of Henry the Eighth

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William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act II

  • William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act II

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