Enter Olde Lady.
Gent.witbin. Come backe : what meane you?

Lady. lle not come backe, the tydings that I bring
Will make my boldnesse, manners. Now good Angels
Fly o're thy Royall head, and shade thy person
Vnder their blessed wings.

King. Now thy lookes
I gefle thy Message. Is the Queene deliuer'd ?
Say I, and of a boy.

Lady. I,I my Liege,
And of a louely Boy : the God of heauen
Both now, and euer blefse her : 'Tis a Gyrle
Promises Boyes heereafter. Sir, your Queen
Defires your Visitation, and to be
Acquainted with this stranger; 'tis as like you,
As Cherry, is to Cherry.

King. Louell.
Lou. Sir.

King. Giue her an hundred Markes.
Ile to the Queene.

Exit King. Lady, An hundred Markes? By this light, I le ha more. An ordinary Groome is for such payment. I will haue more, or scold it out of him. Said I for this, the Gyrle was like to him? Ile Haue more, or else vnsay't : and now, while’tis hot, Ile put it to the issue.

Exit Ladie.

Scena Secunda.

Heard many greeuous. I do say my Lord
Greeuous complaints of you ; which being confider'd,
Haue mou'd Vs, and our Councell, that you shall
This Morning come before vs, where I know
You cannot with such freedome purge your selfe,
But that till further Triall, in those Charges
Which will require your Answer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented
To make your house our Towre : you, a Brother of vs
It fits we thus proceed, or else no witnesse
Would come against you.

Cran. I humbly thanke your Highnese,
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnowed, where my Chaffe
And Corne Thall Aye asunder. For I know
There's none stands vnder more calumnious tongues,
Then I my selfe, poore man.

King. Stand vp, good Canterbury,
Thy Truth, and thy Integrity is rooted
In vs thy Friend. Giue me thy hand, stand vp,
Prythee let's walke. Now by my Holydame,
What manner of man are you? My Lord, I look'd
You would haue giuen me your Petition, that
I should haue tane some paines, to bring together
Your selfe, and your Accusers, and to haue heard you
Without indurance further.

Cran. Most dread Liege,
The good I stand on, is my Truth and Honestie:
If they shall faile, I with mine Enemies
Will triumph o're my person, which I waigh not,
Being of those Vertues vacant. I feare nothing
What can be said against me.

King. Know you not
How your state ltands i'th'world, with the whole world?
Your Enemies are many, and not small; their practises
Must beare the same proportion, and not euer
The Iustice and the Truth o'th'question carries
The dew o'th'Verdiet with it; at what ease
Might corrupt mindes procure, Knaues as corrupt
To sweare against you : Such things haue bene done.
You are Potently oppos'd, and with a Malice
Of as great Size. Weene you of better lucke,
I meane in periur'd Witnesse, then your Master,
Whole Minister you are, whiles heere he liu'd
V pon this naughty Earth ? Go too, go too,
You take a Precepit for no leape of danger,
And woe your owne destruction.

Cran. God, and your Maiesty Protect mine innocence, or I fall into The trap is laid for me.

King. Be of good cheere, They shall no more prevaile, then we giue way too : Keepe comfort to you, and this Morning see You do appeare before them. If they shall chance In charging you with matters, to commit you : The belt perfwations to the contrary Faile not to vse, and with what vehemencie Th’occasion shall instruct you. If intreaties Will render you no remedy, this Ring Deliver them, and your Appeale to vs There make before them. Looke, the goodman weeps : He's honest on mine Honor. Gods blest Mother, I sweare he is true-hearted, and a foule None better in my Kingdome. Get you gone, And do as I haue bid you.

Exit Cranmer. He ha's strangled his Language in his teares.

Enter Cranmer, Arcbbyshop of Canterbury.

Cran. I hope I am not too late, and yet the Gentleman
That was sent to me from the Councell, pray'd me
To make great hast. All faft? What meanes this? Hoa?
Who waites there? Sure you know me!

Enter Keeper.
Keep. Yes, my Lord :
But yet I cannot helpe you.

Cran. Why?
Keep. Your Grace must waight till you be callid for.

Enter Doctor Buis.
Cran. So.

Burs. This is a Peere of Malice : I am glad
I came this way so happily. The King
Shall vnderstand it presently.

Ex? Buts
Cran. 'Tis Buts.
The Kings Phyfitian, as he past along
How earnestly he cast his eyes vpon me:
Pray heauen he found not my disgrace : for certaine
This is of purpose laid by some that hate me,
(God turne their hearts, I neuer fought their malice)
To quench mine Honor ; they would shame to make me
Wait else at doore : a fellow Councellor
'Mong Boyes, Groomes,and Lackeyes.
But their pleasures
Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.

Butts. I thinke your Highnesse saw this many a day.
Kin. Body a me : where is it?

Butrs. There my Lord :
The high promotion of his Grace of Canterbury,
Who holds his State at dore 'mongst Purseuants,
Pages, and Foot-boyes.

Kin. Ha ? "Tis he indeed.
Is this the Honour they doe one another?
'Tis well there's one aboue 'em yet; I had thought
They had parted so much honesty among 'em,
At least good manners; as not thus to suffer
A man of his Place, and so neere our fauour
To dance attendance on their Lordships pleasures,
And at the dore too, like a Post with Packets :
By holy Mary (Butts) there's knauery;
Let'em alone, and draw the Curtaine close :
We shall heare more anon.

A Councell Table brought in with Cbayres and Stooles, and

placed under ibe State. Enter Lord Chancellour, places bimselfe at the upper end of tbe Table, on tbe left band: A Seate being left void aboue bim, as for Canterburies Seate. Duke of Suffolke, Duke of Norfolke, Surrey, Lord Chamberlaine, Gardiner, seat themselues in Order on each side. Cromwell at lower end, as Secretary. Cban. Speake to the businesse, M. Secretary; Why are we met in Councell?

Crom. Please your Honours,
The chiefe cause concernes bis Grace of Canterbury.

Gard. Ha's he had knowledge of it?
Crom. Yes.
Norf. Who waits there?
Keep. Without my Noble Lords ?
Gard. Yes.

Keep. My Lord Archbishop :
And ha's done halfe an houre to know your pleasures.

Cban. Let him come in.
Keep. Your Grace may enter now.

Cranmer approches ebe Councell Table.
Cban. My good Lord Archbishop, I'm very sorry
To fit heere at this present, and behold
• That Chayre stand empty : But we all are men
In our owne natures fraile, and capable
Of our flesh, few are Angels; out of which frailty
And want of wisedome, you that best should teach vs,
Haue misdemean'd your selfe, and not a little :
Toward the King first, then his Lawes, in filling
The whole Realme, by your teaching & your Chaplaines
(For so we are inform’d) with new opinions,
Divers and dangerous ; which are Heresies;
And not reform’d, may proue pernicious.

Gard. Which Reformation must be sodaine too My Noble Lords; for those that tame wild Horses, Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle; But stop their mouthes with stubborn Bits & spurre 'em, Till they obey the mannage. If we suffer Out of our eafinesse and childish pitty To one mans Honour, this contagious ficknesse ; Farewell all Phyficke: and what followes then? Commotions, vprores, with a generall Taint Of the whole State; as of late dayes our neighbours, The vpper Germany can deerely witnesse : Yet freshly pittied in our memories.

Cran. My good Lords ; Hitherto, in all the Progresse Both of my Life and Office, I haue labour'd, And with no little study, that my teaching

And the strong course of my Authority,
Might goe one way, and safely; and the end
Was euer to doe well : nor is there living,
(I speake it with a single heart, my Lords)
A man that more detests, more stirres against,
Both in his priuate Conscience, and his place,
Defacers of a publique peace then I doe :
Pray Heauen the King may neuer find a heart
With lesse Allegeance in it. Men that make
Enuy, and crooked malice, nourishment;
Dare bite the best. 1 doe beseech your Lordships,
That in this case of Iustice, my Accusers,
Be what they will, may stand forth face to face,
And freely vrge against me.

Suff. Nay, my Lord,
That cannot be; you are a Counsellor,
And by that vertue no man dare accuse you. (ment,

Gard. My Lord, because we haue busines of more moWe will be short with you. 'Tis his Highnesse pleasure And our consent, for better tryall of you, From hence you be committed to the Tower, Where being but a priuate man againe, You shall know many dare accuse you boldly, More then (I feare) you are prouided for.

Cran. Ah my good Lord of Wincbefter : I thanke you, You are alwayes my good friend, if your will passe, I shall both finde your Lordship, Iudge and Iuror, You are so mercifull. I see your end, 'Tis my vndoing. Loue and meekenesse, Lord Become a Churchman, better then Ambition : Win straying Soules with modesty againe, Cast none away: 'That I shall cleere my selfe, Lay all the weight ye can vpon my patience, I make as little doubt as you doe conscience, In doing dayly wrongs. I could say more, But reuerence to your calling, makes me modest.

Gard. My Lord, my Lord, you are a Sectary,
That's the plaine truth; your painted glosse discouers
To men that vnderstand you, words and weaknesse.

Crom. My Lord of Winchester, y'are a little,
By your good fauour, too sharpe; Men so Noble,
How euer faultly, yet should finde respect
For what they haue beene : 'tis a cruelty,
To load a falling man.

Gard. Good M. Secretary,
I cry your Honour mercie; you may worst
Of all this Table say so.

Crom. Why my Lord?

Gard. Doe not I know you for a Fauourer
Of this new Sect? ye are not found.

Crom. Not found ?
Gard. Not found I say.

Crom. Would you were halfe so honeft:
Mens prayers then would seeke you, not their feares.

Gard. I shall remember this bold Language.

Crom. Doe.
Remember your bold life too.

Cham. This is too much;
Forbeare for shame my Lords.

Gard. I haue done.
Crom. And I.

Cbam. Then thus for you my Lord, it stands agreed
I take it, by all voyces : That forth with,
You be conuaid to th’Tower a Prisoner;
There to remaine till the Kings further pleasure
Be knowne vnto vs : are you all agreed Lords.

All

All. We are.
Cran. Is there no other way of

mercy, But I must needs to th' Tower my Lords?

Gard. What other,
Would you expect? You are strangely troublesome:
Let some o'th Guard be ready there.

Enter tbe Guard.
Cran. For me?
Must I goe like a Traytor thither?

Gard. Receiue him,
And see him safe i'ch' Tower.

Cran. Stay good my Lords,
I haue a little yet to say. Looke there my Lords,
By vertue of that Ring, I take my cause
Out of the gripes of cruell men, and give it
To a most Noble ludge, the King my Maister.

Cbam. This is the Kings Ring.
Sur. 'Tis no counterfeit.
Suff. 'Ts the right Ring, by Heau'n: I told ye all,
When we first put this dangerous stone a rowling,
"Twold fall vpon our selues.

Norf. Doe you thinke my Lords
The King will suffer but the little finger
Of this man to be vex'd?

Cham. Tis now too certaine;
How much more is his Life in value with him?
Would I were fairely out on't.

Crom. My mind gaue me,
In seeking tales and Informations
Against this man, whose honesty the Diuell
And his Disciples onely enuy at,
Ye blew the fire that burnes ye: now have at ye.

Not as a Groome : There's some of ye, I see,
More out of Malice then Integrity,
Would trye him to the vtmost, had ye meane,
Which ye shall neuer haue while I live.

Cban. Thus farre
My most dread Soueraigne, may it like your Grace,
To let my tongue excuse all. What was purpos'd
Concerning his Imprisonment, was rather
(If there be faith in men) meant for his Tryall,
And faire purgation to the world then malice,
I'm sure in me.

Kin. Well, well my Lords respect him,
Take him, and vse him well; hee's worthy of it.
I will say thus much for him, if a Prince
May be beholding to a Subiect; I
Am for his loue and seruice, fo to him.
Make me no more adoe, but all embrace him;
Be friends for shame my Lords: My Lord of Canterbury
I haue a Suite which you must not deny mee.
That is, a faire young Maid that yet wants Baptisme,
You must be Godfather, and answere for her.

Cran. The greatest Monarch now aliue may glory
In such an honour : how may I deserue it,
That am a poore and humble Subiect to you?

Kin. Come, come my Lord, you'd spare your spoones; You shall haue two noble Partners with you : the old Duchesse of Norfolke, and Lady Marquesfe Dorset? will these please you?

Once more my Lord of Wincbester, I charge you Embrace, and loue this man.

Gard. With a true heart, And Brother; loue I doe it.

Cran. And let Heauen Witnesse how deare, I hold this Confirmation. (hearts,

Kin. Good Man, those ioyfull teares thew thy true The common voyce I see is verified Of thee, which layes thus : Doe my Lord of Canterbury A threwd turne, and hee's your friend for euer : Come Lords, we trifle time away: I long To haue this young one made a Christian. As I haue made ye one Lords, one remaine: So I grow stronger, you more Honour gaine. Exeunt.

Scena Tertia.

Enter King frowning on bem, takes bis Seate.
Gard. Dread Soueraigne,
How much are we bound to Heauen,
In dayly thankes; that gaue vs such a Prince;
Not onely good and wile, but most religious:
One that in all obedience, makes the Church
The cheefe ayme of his Honour, and to strengthen
That holy duty out of deare respect,
His Royall felfe in ludgement comes to heare
The cause betwixt her, and this great offender.

Kin. You were euer good at fodaine Commendations,
Bishop of Winchester. But know I come not
To heare such flattery now, and in my presence
They are too thin, and base to hide offences,
To me you cannot reach. You play the Spaniell,
And thinke with wagging of your tongue to win me :
But whatsoere thou tak'st me for; I'm sure
Thou hast a cruell Nature and a bloody.
Good man fit downe : Now let me see the proudest
Hee, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee.
By all that's holy, he had better itarue,
Then but once thinke his place becomes thee not.

Sur. May it please your Grace;

Kin. No Sir, it doe's not please me, I had thought, I had had men of some vnderstanding, And wisedome of my Councell; but I finde none : Was it discretion Lords, to let this man, This good man (few of you deserue that Title) This honest man, wait like a lowsie Foot-boy At Chamber dore ? and one, as great as you are? Why, what a shame was this? Did my Commission Bid ye so farre forget your selues? I gaue ye Power, as he was a Counsellour to try him,

Noyse and Tumult within: Enter Porter and

bis man. Port. You'l leaue your noyse anon ye Rascals: doe you take the Court for Parish Garden : ye rude Slaues, leaue your gaping:

Wirbin. Good M. Porter I belong to th' Larder. Port. Belong to th' Gallowes, and be hang’d ye Rogue: Is this a place to roare in ? Fetch me a dozen Crab-tree Itaues, and strong ones; these are but switches to 'em : Ile scratch your heads; you must be seeing Christenings? Do you looke for Ale, and Cakes heere, you rude Raskalls?

Man. Pray Sir be patient; 'tis as much impossible, Vnlesse wee sweepe 'em from the dore with Cannons, To scatter 'em, as 'tis to make 'em seepe On May-day Morning, which will neuer be : We may as well push against Powles as stirre 'em. Por. How got they in, and be hang'd ?

Man.

By th' heeles, and sodainly:and on your heads
Clap round Fines for neglect : y'are lazy knaues,
And heere ye lye baiting of Bombards, when
Ye should doe Seruice. Harke the Trumpets sound,
Th’are come already from the Christening,
Go breake among the preaffe, and finde away out
To let the Troope passe fairely; or Ile finde
A Marshallsey, shall hold ye play these two Monthes.

Por. Make way there, for the Princesse.

Man. You great fellow,
Stand close vp, or lle make your head ake.

Por. You i'th'Chamblet, get vp o'th'raile,
Ile pecke you o're the pales else. Exeunt.

Scena Quarta.

Man. Alas I know not, how gets the Tide in ?
As much as one found Cudgell of foure foote,
(You see the poore remainder) could distribute,
I made no spare Sir.

Port. You did nothing Sir.

Man. I am not Sampson, nor Sir Guy, nor Colebrand,
To mow 'em downe before me: but if I spar'd any
That had a head to hit, either young or old,
He or shee, Cuckold or Cuckold-maker :
Let me ne're hope to see a Chine againe,
And that I would not for a Cow, God saue her.

Wirbin. Do you heare M. Porter ?

Port. I shall be with you prefently, good M. Puppy, Keepe the dore close Sirha.

Man. What would you haue me doe?

Por. What should you doe, But knock 'em downe by th' dozens? Is this More fields to muster in? Or haue wee some strange Indian with the great Toole, come to Court, the women so besiege vs ? Blesse me, what a fry of Fornication is at dore On my Christian Conscience this one Christening will beget a thousand, here will bee Father, God-father, and all together.

Man. The Spoones will be the bigger Sir: There is a fellow somewhat neere the doore, he should be a Brasier by his face, for o'my conscience twenty of the Dogdayes now reigne in's Nose; all that stand about him are vnder the Line, they need no other pennance: that FireDrake did I hit three times on the head, and three times was his Nose discharged against mee; hee stands there like a Morter-piece to blow vs. There was a Habberdashers Wife of small wit, neere him, that rail'd vpon me, till her pinck'd porrenger fell off her head, for kindling such a combustion in the State. I mift the Meteor once, and hit that Woman, who cryed out Clubbes, when I might see from farre, some forty Truncheoners draw to her succour, which were the hope o'th' Strond where the was quartered ; they fell on, I made good my place; at length they came to th' broome staffe to me, I defide 'em stil, when sodainly a File Boyes behind 'em, loose shot, deliuer'd such a showre of Pibbles, that I was faine to draw mine Honour in, and let 'em win the Worke, the Diuell was amongst 'em I thinke surely.

Por. These are the youths that thunder at a Playhouse, and fight for bitten Apples, that no Audience but the tribulation of Tower Hill, or the Limbes of Limehouse, their deare Brothers are able to endure. I haue some of 'em in Limbo Patrum, and there they are like to dance these three dayes; besides the running Banquet of two Beadles, that is to come.

Enter Trumpets sounding : Tben two Aldermen, L. Maior,

Garter, Cranmer, Duke of Norfolke witb bis Marshals

Staffe, Duke of Suffolke, iwo Noblemen, bearing great standing 'Bowles for the Christening Guifts : Tben foure Noblemen bearing a Canopy, vnder which ebe Dutcbeple of Norfolke, Godmotber, bearing the Childe richly babited in a Manile, &c. Traine borne by a Lady: Tben followes the Marcbionelle Dorset, ibe orber Godmother, and Ladies. The Troope palle once about the Stage, and Garter speakes.

Gart. Heauen
From thy endlesse good neffe, send prosperous life,
Long, and euer happie, to the high and Mighty
Princesse of England Elizabeth.

Flourish. Enter King and Guard. Cran. And to your Royall Grace, & the good Queen, My Noble Partners, and my selfe thus pray All comfort, ioy in this most gracious Lady, Heauen euer laid vp to make Parents happy, May hourely fall vpon ye.

Kin. Thanke you good Lord Archbishop: What is her Name?

Cran. Elizabeth.

Kin. Stand vp Lord,
With this Kisse, take my Blessing: God protect thee,
Into whose hand, I giue thy Life.

Cran. Amen.

Kin. My Noble Gossips, y’haue beene too Prodigall; I thanke ye heartily :

So shall this Lady,
When the ha's so much English.

Cran. Let me speake Sir,
For Heauen now bids me; and the words I vtter,
Let none thinke Flattery; for they'l finde 'em Truth.
This Royall Infant, Heauen still moue about her;
Though in her Cradle; yet now promises
V pon this Land a thousand thousand Blessings,
Which Time Thall bring to ripenesse : She shall be,
(But few now liuing can behold that goodnesse)
A Patterne to all Princes liuing with her,
And all that shall succeed : Saba was neuer
More couetous of Wisedome, and faire Vertue
Then this pure Soule shall be. All Princely Graces
That mould vp such a mighty Piece as this is,
With all the Vertues that attend the good,
Shall still be doubled on her. Truth thall Nurse her,

Holy

a

Enter Lord Chamberlaine.
Cbam. Mercy o'me: what a Multitude are heere?
They grow still too; from all Parts they are comming,
As if we kept a Faire heere? Where are these Porters ?
These lazy knaues? Y'haue made a fine hand fellowes ?
Theres a trim rabble let in: are all these
Your faithfull friends o'th'Suburbs? We shall haue
Great store of roome no doubt, left for the Ladies,
When they passe backe from the Christening?

Por. And't please your Honour,
We are but menjand what so many may doe,
Not being torne a pieces, we haue done :
An Army cannot rule 'em.

Cbam. As I live,
If the King blame me for’t; Ile lay ye all

a

a

Holy and Heauenly thoughts ftill Counsell her :
She shall be lou'd and fear'd. Her owne shall blesse her;
Her Foes shake like a Field of beaten Corne,
And hang their heads with sorrow :
Good growes with her.
In her dayes, Euery Man shall cate in lafety,
Vnder his owne Vine what he plants; and sing
The merry Songs of Peace to all his Neighbours.
God shall be truely knowne, and those about her,
From her shall read the perfect way of Honour,
And by those claime their greatnesse;not by Blood.
Nor shall this peace Neepe with her : But as when
The Bird of Wonder dyes, the Mayden Phoenix,
Her Alhes new create another Heyre,
As great in admiration as her selfe.
So Thall the leaue her Blessed nefTe to One,
(When Heauen Thal call her from this clowd of darknes)
Who, from the sacred Ashes of her Honour
Shall Star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,
And so stand fix'd. Peace, Plenty, Loue, Truth, Terror,
That were the Seruants to this chosen Infant,
Shall then be his, and like a Vine grow to him ;
Where euer the bright Sunne of Heauen shall line,
His Honour, and the greatnesse of his Name,
Shall be, and make new Nations. He shall fourish,

And like a Mountaine Cedar, reach his branches,
To all the Plaines about him: Our Childrens Children
Shall see this, and blesse Heauen.

Kin. Thou speakest wonders.

Cran. She shall be to the happinesse of England, An aged Princesse ; many dayes shall see her, And yet no day without a deed to Crowne it. Would I had knowne no more : But she must dye, She must, the Saints muft haue her; yet a Virgin, A most vnspotted Lilly shall the passe To th' ground, and all the World shall mourne her.

Kin. O Lord Archbishop Thou hast made me now a man, neuer before This happy Child, did I get any thing. This Oracle of comfort, ha's so pleas'd me, That when I am in Heauen, I thall defire To see what this Child does, and praise my Maker. I thanke ye all. To you my good Lord Maior, And you good Brethren, I am much bebolding: I haue receiu'd much Honour by your presence, And ye shall find me thankfull. Lead the way Lords, Ye must all see the Queene, and the must thanke ye, She will be ficke els. This day, no man thinke 'Has businesse at his house; for all fall stay: This Little-One shall make it Holy-day. Exeunt.