Lov.

Now, sir, you speak of two

The most remarked i' the kingdom. As for Crom

well,

Beside that of the jewel-house, he's made Master O' the Rolls, and the King's Secretary; further, sir,

Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments, With which the time will load him. The Arch

bishop

Is the King's hand and tongue; and who dare

speak

One syllable against him?

Gar.

Yes, yes, Sir Thomas,

There are that dare; and I myself have ventured To speak my mind of him: and, indeed, this

day,

Sir, I may tell it you, I think, I have

Incensed the lords o' the council, that he is
For so I know he is, they know he is—

A most arch heretic, a pestilence

That does infect the land: with which they moved
Have broken with the King; who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint, of his great grace
And princely care, foreseeing those fell mischiefs
Our reasons laid before him; hath commanded,
To-morrow morning to the council-board

164

He be convented.

KING HENRY VIII.

He's a rank weed, Sir Thomas,

And we must root him out.

From your affairs

I rest your I hinder you too long: good night, Sir Thomas.

Lov. Many good nights, my lord.

servant.

[Exeunt GARDINER and Page.

As LOVELL is going out, enter the KING and the Duke of SUFFOLK.

K. Hen. Charles, I will play no more to-night : My mind 's not on 't; you are too hard for me.

Suf. Sir, I did never win of

K. Hen. But little, Charles;

you

before.

Nor shall not when my fancy's on my play.
Now, Lovell, from the Queen what is the news?
Lov. I could not personally deliver to her
What you comman led me, but by her woman
I sent your message; who returned her thanks
In the great'st humbleness, and desired your high-

ness

Most heartily to pray for her.

K. Hen.

What say'st thou! Ha!

To pray for her?

What is she crying out?

Lov. So said her woman; and that her suffer

ance made

Suf. God safely quit her of her burden, and With gentle travail, to the gladding of

Your highness with an heir!

K. Hen.

"Tis midnight, Charles:

Pr'ythee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember The estate of my poor Queen. Leave me alone; For I must think of that, which company

Would not be friendly to.

Suf.

I wish your highness

A quiet night, and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers.

K. Hen.

Charles, good night.—

[Exit SUFFOLK

Enter Sir ANTHONY DENNY.

Well, sir, what follows?

Den. Sir, I have brought my lord the Archbishop,

Lov. [Aside.] This is about that which the

Bishop spake :

I am happily come hither.

Cran. I am fearful:-wherefore frowns he thus? 'Tis his aspect of terror: all's not well.

K. Hen. How now, my lord? You do desire to

My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury.

Come, you and I must walk a turn together;

I have news to tell you. Come, come, give me your hand.

Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak,
And am right sorry to repeat what follows.
I have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord,

Grievous complaints of you; which, being considered,

Have moved us and our Council, that

you shall

This morning come before us; where, I know,

You cannot with such freedom purge yourself,
But that, till further trial in those charges
Which will require your answer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented
To make your house our Tower: you a brother
of us,

It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness

Would come against you.

Cran.

I humbly thank your highness,

And am right glad to catch this good occasion Most thoroughly to be winnowed, where my chaff And corn shall fly asunder; for, I know,

There's none stands under more calumnious tongues, Than I myself, poor man.

K. Hen.
Thy truth and thy
In us, thy friend.

Prythee, let's walk.

Stand up, good Canterbury: integrity is rooted

Give me thy hand, stand up:

What manner of man

Now, by my halidom,

are you? My lord, I looked

You would have given me your petition, that
I should have ta'en some pains to bring together
Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard

you,

Without indurance, further.

Cran.

Most dread liege,

The good I stand on is my truth and honesty :