For holy offices I have a time; a time K. Hen. You have said well. Wol. And ever may your highness yoke together, As I will lend you cause, my doing well With my well saying! K. Hen. you: 'Tis well said again; And 'tis a kind of good deed, to say well: And yet words are no deeds. My father lov'd He said, he did; and with his deed did crown His word upon you. Since I had my office, I have kept you next my heart; have not alone Employ'd you where high profits might come home, But par'd my present havings, to bestow My bounties upon you. Wol. What should this mean? Sur. The Lord increase this business! [Aside. K. Hen. Have I not made you The prime man of the state? I pray you, tell me, What say you? Wol. My sovereign, I confess, your royal graces, Shower'd on me daily, have been more, than could My studied purposes requite; which went Beyond all man's endeavours:-my endeavours Have ever come too short of my desires, Yet, fil'd with my abilities: Mine own ends Have been mine so, that evermore they pointed Can nothing render but allegiant thanks; K. Hen. A loyal and obedient subject is Fairly answer'd; Therein illustrated: The honour of it more On you, than any; so your hand, and heart, your power, Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty, As 'twere in love's particular, be more To me, your friend, than any. I do profess, Wol. That for your highness' good I ever labour'd More than mine own; that am, have, and will be. Though all the world should crack their duty to you, And throw it from their soul; though perils did K. Hen. 'Tis nobly spoken: Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, For you have seen him open't.-Read o'er this; And, after, this: and then to breakfast, with Wol. [Exit King, frowning upon Cardinal Wolsey: the Nobles throng after him, smiling, and whispering. What should this mean? What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd it? He parted frowning from me, as if ruin. Leap'd from his eyes: So looks the chafed lion Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him; Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper; I fear, the story of his anger.-'Tis so; This paper has undone me:-'Tis the account Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together I writ to his holiness. Nay then, farewel! I have touch'd the highest point of all my great ness; And, from that full meridian of my glory, I haste now to my setting: I shall fall Re-enter the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain. Nor. Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you To render up the great seal presently Stay, Wol. Where's your commission, lords? words cannot carry Authority so weighty. Suf. Who dare cross them? Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly? Wol. Till I find more than will, or words, to do it, (I mean, your malice,) know, officious lords, I dare, and must deny it. Now I feel Of what course metal ye are moulded,―envy. As if it fed ye? and how sleek and wanton Ye appear in every thing may bring my ruin! Follow your envious courses, men of malice; (Mine, and your master,) with his own hand gave me: Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours, Wol. It must be himself then. Sur. Thou art a proud traitor, priest. Wol. Proud lord, thou liest; Within these forty hours Surrey durst better Have burnt that tongue, than said so. Thy ambition, Sur. (With thee, and all thy best parts bound together,) Weigh'd not a hair of his. Plague of your policy! You sent me deputy for Ireland; Far from his succour, from the king, from all Wol. This, and all else This talking lord can lay upon my credit, you, Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be, |