MyLord,theredwellswithinthatspiritMorethancanbediscernedbyoutwardeye。
SirChristopher,willyoupartwithyourman?
HALES。
IhavesoughttoproferhimtoyourLordship,AndnowIseehehathpreferedhimself。
WOLSEY。
Whatisthyname?
CROMWELL。
Cromwell,myLord。
WOLSEY。
Then,Cromwell,herewemaketheeSolicitorofourcauses,andnearestnextourself。Gardinergiveyoukindwelcometotheman。
[Gardinerembraceshim。]
MORE。
MyLord,youarearoyalWiner,Havegotamanbesidesyourbounteousdinner。
Well,Knight,praywecomenomore:
Ifwecomeoften,thoumaistshutthydoor。
WOLSEY。
SirChristopher,hadstthougivenmehalfthylands,ThoucouldestnothavepleasedmesomuchaswithThismanofthine。Myinfantthoughtsdospell:
Shortlyhisfortuneshallbeliftedhigher;
Trueindustrydothkindlehonour’sfire。
Andso,kindmasteroftheRules,farewell。
HALES。
Cromwell,farewell。
CROMWELL。
Cromwelltakeshisleaveofyou,Thatnearwillleavetoloveandhonouryou。
[Exitomnes。TheMusicplays,astheygoin。]
ACTIV。
[EnterChorus。]
CHORUS。
NowCromwell’shighestfortunesdothbegin。
Wolsey,thatlovedhimashedidhislife,Committedallhistreasuretohishands。
Wolseyisdead,andGardiner,hisman,IsnowcreatedBishopofWinchester:
PardonifweomitallWolsey’slife,BecauseourplaydependsonCromwell’sdeath。
Nowsitandseehishigheststateofall;
Hishaightofrisingandhissuddenfall。
Pardontheerrorsisallreadypast,Andliveinhopethebestdothcomeatlast:
Myhopeuponyourfavourdothdepend,Andlooktohaveyourlikingeretheend。
[Exit。]
ACTIV。SCENEI。Thesame。Apublicwalk。
[EnterGardinerBishopofWinchester,TheDukesofNorfolk,andofSuffolk,SirThomasMore,SirChristopherHales,andCromwell。]
NORFOLK。
MasterCromwell,sinceCardinalWolsey’sdeath,HismajestyisgiventounderstandThere’scertainbillsandwritingsinyourhand,ThatmuchconcernsthestateofEngland。
MyLordofWinchester,isitnotso?
GARDINER。
MyLordofNorfolk,wetwowearwhilomfellows;
And,masterCromwell,thoughourmaster’sloveDidbindus,whilehislovewastotheKing,Itisnotbootnowtodenythesethings,Whichmaybeprejudicialtothestate:
AndthoughthatGodhathraisedmyfortunehigherThananywayIlookedforordeserved,Yetmylifenolongerwithmedwell,ThanIprovetrueuntomySovereign:
Whatsayyou,masterCromwell?haveyouthosewritings?
Aye,orno?
CROMWELL。
Herearethewritings,anduponmyknees,IgivethemupuntotheworthyDukesOfSuffolkandofNorfolk:hewasmyMaster,Andeachvirtuouspart,Thatlivedinhim,Itenderedwithmyheart;
ButwhathisheadcomplottedgainstthestateMycountry’slovecommandsmethattohate。
HissuddendeathIgrievefor,nothisfall,Becausehesoughttoworkmycountry’sthrall。
SUFFOLK。
Cromwell,theKingshallhearofthisthyduty,WhomIassuremyselfwillwellrewardthee;
MyLordlet’sgountohisMajesty,Andshowthesewritingswhichhelongstosee。
[ExitNorfolkandSuffolk。]
[EnterBedfordhastily。]
BEDFORD。
Hownow,who’sthis?
Cromwell,bymysoul!welcometoEngland:
Thouoncedidstsavemylife,didstnotCromwell?
CROMWELL。
IfIdidso,’tisgreatergloryforme,Thatyourememberit,thanofmyselfVainlytoreportit。
BEDFORD。
Well,Cromwell,nowisthetime,IshallcommendtheetomySovereign:
Cheerupthyself,forIwillraisethystate。
ARussellyetwasneverfoundingrate。
[Exit。]
HALES。
Ohowuncertainisthewheelofstate。
WholatelygreaterthantheCardinal,Forfear,andlove?andnowwholowerlies?
GayhonoursarebutFortune’sflatteries,Andwhomthisdayprideandpromotionswells,Tomorrowenvyandambitionquells。
MORE。
WhoseestheCob-webintanglethepoorFly,Mayboldlysaythewretchesdeathisnigh。
GARDINER。
IknewhisstateandproudambitionWastootooviolenttolastover-long。
HALES。
Whosoarstoonearthesunwithgoldenwings,Meltsthem,toruinhisownfortunebrings。
[EntertheDukeofSuffolk。]
SUFFOLK。
Cromwell,kneeldowninKingHenry’sname。——
ArisesirThomasCromwell;thusbeginsthyfame。
[EntertheDukeofNorfolk。]
NORFOLK。
Cromwell,themajestyofEngland,Forthegoodlikingheconceivesofthee,Makestheemasterofthejewelhouse,ChiefSecretarytohimself,andwithall,Createstheeoneofhishighness’privyCounsel。
[EntertheEarlofBedford。]
BEDFORD。
WhereissirThomasCromwell?isheknighted?
SUFFOLK。
Heis,myLord。
BEDFORD。
Thentoaddhonourtohisname,TheKingcreateshimLordkeeperofHisprivySeal,andmasteroftheRules,WhichyousirChristopherdonowenjoy;
TheKingdetermineshigherplaceforyou。
CROMWELL。
MyLords,Thesehonorsaretoohighformydesert。
MORE。
Ocontentthee,man;whowouldnotchooseit?
Yetthouartwiseinseemingtorefuseit。
GARDINER。
Here’shonors,titles,andpromotions:
Ifearthisclimbingwillhaveasuddenfall。
NORFOLK。
Thencome,myLords;let’saltogetherbringThisnewmadeCounselortoEngland’sKing。
[ExitallbutGardiner。]
GARDINER。
ButGardinermeanshisgloryshallbedimmed。
ShallCromwellliveagreatermanthanI?
Myenvywithhishonournowisbred;
IhopetoshortenCromwellbythehead。
[Exit。]
ACTIV。SCENEII。London。AstreetbeforeCromwell’shouse。
[EnterFriskiballverypoor。]
FRISKIBALL。
OFriskiball,whatshallbecomeofthee?
Whereshaltthougo,orwhichwayshaltthouturnFortune,thatturnshertoounconstantwheel,HathturnedthywealthandrichesintheSea。
AllpartsabroadwhereeverIhavebeenGrowswearyofme,anddeniesmesuccour;
Mydebtors,theythatshouldrelievemywant,Forswearsmymoney,saystheyowemenone:
Theyknowmystatetoomeantobearoutlaw,AndhereinLondon,whereIofthavebeen,Andhavedonegoodtomanyawretchedman,Iamnowmostwretchedhere,despisedmyself。
Invainitis,moreoftheirheartstotry;
Bepatient,therefore,laytheedownanddie。
[Heliesdown。]
[EntergoodmanSeely,andhiswifeJoan。]
SEELY。
Come,Joan,come;let’sseewhathe’lldoforusnow。Iwiswehavedoneforhim,whenmanyatimeandoftenhemighthavegoneahungrytobed。
WIFE。
Alas,man,nowheismadeaLord,he’llneverlookuponus;he’llfulfilltheoldProverb:Setbeggarsahorse-back,andthey’llride。——A,wellidayformyCow!
suchashehathmadeuscomebehindhand:wehadneverpawnedourCowelsetopayourrent。
SEELY。
Well,Joan,he’llcomethisway:andbyGod’sdickers,I’lltellhimroundlyofit,andifheweretenLords:ashallknowthatIhadnotmyCheeseandmyBaconfornothing。
WIFE。
Doyouremember,husband,howhewouldmoochupmyCheesecakes?hehathforgotthisnow,butwe’llrememberhim。
SEELY。
Aye,weshallhavenowthreeflapswithaFoxtail;but,Ifaith,I’llgibberajoint,butI’lltellhimhisown。Stay,whocomeshere?Ostandup;herehecomes;standup。
[EnterHodgeveryfinewithaTipstaff;Cromwell,theMacecarriedbeforehim;Norfolk,andSuffolk,andattendants。]
HODGE。
Come,awaywiththesebeggarshere;riseup,sirra。
Come,outthegoodpeople:runaforethere,ho!
[Friskiballriseth,andstandsafaroff。]
SEELY。
Aye,wearekickedaway,nowwecomeforourown;
thetimehathbeenhewouldalookedmorefriendlyuponus。Andyou,Hodge,weknowyouwellenough,thoughyouaresofine。
CROMWELL。
Comehither,sirrah。——Stay,whatmenarethese?
MyhonestHostofHounslowandhiswife!
Iowetheemoney,father,doInot?
SEELY。
Aye,bythebodyofme,dooestthou。Wouldthouwouldestpayme:goodfourpounditis,Ihaveathepostathome。
CROMWELL。
Iknowtistrue。Sirra,givehimtenAngels:
Andlookyourwifeandyoudostaytodinner:
Andwhileyoulive,IfreelygivetoyouFourpoundayear,forthefourpoundIoughtyou。
SEELY。
Artnotchanged,artoldTomstill!NowGodblessthegoodLordTom。Home,Joan,home;I’lldinewithmyLordTomtoday,andthoushaltcomenextweek。FetchmyCow;home,Joan,home。
WIFE。
NowGodblessthee,mygoodLordTom;I’llfetchmycowpresently。
[ExitWife。]
[EnterGardiner。]
CROMWELL。
Sirra,gotoyonstranger;tellhimI
Desirehimstayatdinner。ImustspeakWithhim。
GARDINER。
MyLordofNorfolk,seeyouthissamebubble,Thatsamepuff?butmarktheend,myLord,Marktheend。
NORFOLK。
Ipromiseyou,Ilikenotsomethinghehathdone,Butletthatpass;theKingdothlovehimwell。
CROMWELL。
GodmorrowtomyLordofWinchester。
IknowyoubearmehardabouttheAbbeylands。
GARDINER。
HaveInotreason,whenreligioniswronged?
Youhadnocolourforwhatyouhavedone。
CROMWELL。
Yes;theabolishingofAntichrist,AndofthisPopishorderfromourRealm。
Iamnoenemytoreligion,Butwhatisdone,itisforEngland’sgood。
WhatdidtheyserveforbuttofeedasortOflazyAbbotsandoffullfedFriars?
Theyneitherplow,norsow,andyettheyreapThefatofalltheLand,andsuckthepoor:
Look,whatwastheirs,isinKingHenry’shands;
HiswealthbeforelayintheAbbeylands。
GARDINER。
Indeedthesethingsyouhavealleged,myLord,WhenGoddothknowtheinfantyetunbornWillcursethetimetheAbbeyswerepulleddown。
Ipray,nowwhereishospitality?
Wherenowmaypoordistressedpeoplego,Fortorelievetheirneed,orresttheirbones,Whenwearytraveldothoppresstheirlimbs?
Andwherereligiousmenshouldtakethemin,ShallnowbekeptbackwithaMastiffdo,Andthousandthousand——
NORFOLK。
O,myLord,nomore:thingspastredressTisbootlesstocomplain。
CROMWELL。
What,shallwetotheConvocationhouse?
NORFOLK。
We’llfollowyou,myLord;pray,leadtheway。
[EnterOldCromwelllikeaFarmer。]
OLDCROMWELL。
How?oneCromwellmadeLordKeepersinceI
leftPutneyAnddweltinYorkshire。Ineverheardbetternews:
I’llseethatCromwell,oritshallgohard。
CROMWELL。
Myagedfather!statesetaside,Father,onmykneeIcraveyourblessing:
Oneofmyservantsgoandhavehimin;
Atbetterleisurewillwetalkwithhim。
OLDCROMWELL。
NowifIdie,howhappyweretheday!
Toseethiscomfortrainsforthshowersofjoy。
[ExitOldCromwell。]
NORFOLK。
Thisdutyinhimshowsakindofgrace。
CROMWELL。
Goonbefore,fortimedrawsonapace。
[ExitallbuyFriskiball。]
FRISKIBALL。
IwonderwhatthisLordwouldhavewithme。
Hismansostrictlygavemechargetostay:
Ineverdidoffendhimtomyknowledge。
Well,goodorbad,Imeantobideitall;
WorsethanIamnownevercanbefall。
[EnterBanisterandhiswife。]
BANISTER。
Come,wife,Itakeitbealmostdinnertime,FormasterNewton,andmasterCrosbysentTomelastnight,theywouldcomedinewithme,Andtaketheirbondin:Ipraythee,hietheehome,Andseethatallthingsbeinreadiness。
MISTRESSBANISTER。
Theyshallbewelcome,husband;I’llgobefore。——
ButisnotthatmanmasterFriskiball?
[Sherunsandembraceshim。]
BANISTER。
Oheavens,itiskindmasterFriskiball!
Saysir,whathaphathbroughtyoutothispass?
FRISKIBALL。
Thesamethatbroughtyoutoyourmisery。
BANISTER。
Whywouldyounotacquaintmewithyourstate?
IsBanisteryourpoorfriendquiteforgot:
Whosegoods,whoselove,whoselifeandallisyours?
FRISKIBALL。
Ithoughtyourusagewouldbeastherest,Thathadmorekindnessatmyhandsthanyou,Yetlookedaskance,whenastheysawmepoor。
MISTRESSBANISTER。
IfBanistershouldbearsobaseaheart,Ineverwouldlookmyhusbandintheface,ButhatehimasIwouldaCockatrise。
BANISTER。
Andwellthoumightest,shouldBanisterdealso。
SincethatIsawyou,sir,mystateismended:
AndforthethousandpoundIowetoyou,Ihaveitreadyforyou,sir,athome;
AndthoughIgrieveyourfortuneissobad,Yetthatmyhap’stohelpyoumakemeglad。
Andnow,sir,willitpleaseyouwalkwithme?
FRISKIBALL。
NotyetIcannot,fortheLordChancellorHathherecommandedmetowaitonhim,ForwhatIknownot:prayGodtisformygood。
BANISTER。
nevermakedoubtofthat;I’llwarrantyou,HeisaskindanoblegentlemanAseverdidpossesstheplacehehath。
MISTRESSBANISTER。
Sir,mybrotherishissteward;ifyouplease,We’llgoalongandbearyoucompany:
Iknowweshallnotwantforwelcomethere。
FRISKIBALL。
Withallmyheart:butwhat’sbecomeofBagot?
BANISTER。
Heishanged,forbuyingjewelsoftheKing’s。
FRISKIBALL。
Ajustrewardforonesoimpious。
Thetimedrawson,sir;willyougoalong?
BANISTER。
I’llfollowyou,kindmasterFriskiball。
[ExitOmnes。]
ACTIV。SCENEIII。Thesame。Anotherstreet。
[EntertwoMerchants。]
FIRSTMERCHANT。
Now,masterCrosby,Iseeyouhaveacare,Tokeepyourword,inpaymentofyourmoney。
SECONDMERCHANT。
Bymyfaith,Ihavereasonuponabond;
Threethousandpoundistoomuchtoforfeit。
YetIdoubtnotMasterBanister。
FIRSTMERCHANT。
Bymyfaith,yoursumismorethanmine,Andyetiamnotmuchbehindyoutoo,ConsideringthattodayIpaidatcourt。
SECONDMERCHANT。
Mass,andwellremembered,What’sthereasontheLordCromwell’smenWearsuchlongskirtsupontheircoats。
Theyreachalmostdowntotheirveryham。
FIRSTMERCHANT。
Iwillresolveyou,sir;andthusitis:
TheBishopofWinchester,thatlovesnotCromwell,Asgreatmenareenvied,aswellasless——
Awhileagotherewasajarbetweenthem,AnditwasbroughttomyLordCromwell’sear,ThatBishopGardinerwouldsitonhisskirt;
Uponwhichword,hemadehismenlongBluecoats,AndintheCourtworeoneofthemhimself:
AndmeetingwiththeBishop,quothhe,’MyLord,Here’sskirtenoughnowforyourGracetositon;’
WhichvexedtheBishoptotheveryheart。
Thisisthereasonwhytheywearlongcoats。
SECONDMERCHANT。
Tisalwaysseen,andmarkitforarule,Thatonegreatmanwillenvystillanother:
Buttisathingthatnothingconcernsme。
What,shallwenowtoMasterBanister’s?
FIRSTMERCHANT。
Aye,come,we’llpayhimroyallyforourdinner。
[Exit。]
ACTIV。SCENEIV。Thesame。AroominCromwell’shouse。
[EntertheUsherandtheShewer,themeatgoesoverthestage。]
USHER。
Uncoverthere,Gentlemen。
[EnterCromwell,Bedford,Suffolk,OldCromwell,Friskiball,goodmanSeely,andattendants。]
CROMWELL。
MynobleLordsofSuffolkandofBedford,Yourhonors’welcometopoorCromwell’shouse。
Whereismyfather?nay,becovered,Father。
AlthoughthatdutytothesenoblemenDothchallengeit,yetI’llmakeboldwiththem。
Yourheaddothbearthecalendarofcare。
What,CromwellcoveredandhisFatherbare!
Itmustnotbe。Now,sir,toyou。IsnotYournameFriskiballandaFlorentine?
FRISKIBALL。
MynamewasFriskiball,tillcruelfateDidrobmeofmynameandofmystate。
CROMWELL。
Whatfortunebroughtyoutothiscountrynow?
FRISKIBALL。
Allotherpartshathleftmesuccourless,Saveonlythis。BecauseofdebtsIhave,Ihopetogainfortorelievemywant。
CROMWELL。
Didyounotonce,uponyourFlorencebridge,Helptwodistressedmen,robbedbytheBandetti?——
HisnamewasCromwell。
FRISKIBALL。
InevermademybrainacalendarOfanygoodIdid;
Ialwayslovedthisnationwithmyheart。
CROMWELL。
IamthatCromwellthatyouthererelieved。
SixteenDucatsyougavemefortoclotheme,Sixteentobearmychargesbytheway,AndsixteenmoreIhadformyhorsehire:
Therebethoseseveralsumsjustlyreturned,Yetwithinjustice,servingatmyneed,Andtorepaythemwithoutinterest。
Thereforereceiveofmethesefourseveralbags;
Ineachofthemthereisfourhundredmark;
Andbringmethenamesofallyourdebitors,Andiftheywillnotseeyoupaid,Iwill:
OGodforbid,thatIshouldseehimfall,Thathelpedmeinmygreatestneedofall。
HerestandsmyFatherthatfirstgavemelife,Alas,whatdutyistoomuchforhim?
Thismanintimeofneeddidsavemylife,AndthereforeIcannotdotoomuchforhim。
BythisoldmanIoftentimeswasfed,ElsemightIhavegonesupperlesstobed。
SuchkindnesshaveIhadofthesethreemen,ThatCromwellnowaycanrepayagain。
Nowintodinner,forwestaytoolong,Andtogoodstomachsisnogreaterwrong。
[Exitomnes。]
ACTIV。SCENEV。Thesame。AroomintheBishopofWinchester’shouse。
[EnterGardinerinhisstudy,andhisman。]
GARDINER。
Sirra,wherebethosemenIcausedtostay?
SERVANT。
Theydoattendyourpleasure,sir,within。
GARDINER。
Bidthemcomehither,andstayyouwithout:——
Forbythosemen,theFoxofthissameland,ThatmakesaGooseofbetterthanhimself,We’llworryhimuntohislatesthome,OrGardinerwillfailinhisintent。
AsfortheDukesofSuffolkandNorfolk,WhomIhavesentfortocomespeakwithme,Howsoever,outwardlytheyshadowit,YetintheirheartsIknowtheylovehimnot:
AsfortheEarlofBedford,heisbutone,Anddaresnotgainsaywhatwedosetdown。
[Enterthetwowitnesses。]
Now,myfriends,youknowIsavedyourlives,Whenbythelawyouhaddeserveddeath,Andthenyoupromisedmeuponyouroaths,Toventurebothyourlivestodomegood。
BOTHWITNESSES。
Wesworenomorethanthatwewillperform。
GARDINER。
Itakeyourwords;andthatwhichyoumustdoIsserviceforyourGod,andforyourKing:
Torootarebelfromthisflourishingland,Onethat’sanenemyuntotheChurch:
Andthereforemustyoutakeyoursolemnoaths,ThatyouheardCromwell,theLordChancellor,DidwishadaggeratKingHenry’sheart。
Fearnottoswearit,forIheardhimspeakit;
Thereforewe’llshieldyoufromensuingharms。
SECONDWITNESS。
Ifyouwillwarrantusthedeedisgood,We’llundertakeit。
GARDINER。
Kneeldown,andIwillhereabsolveyouboth。
ThisCrucifixIlayuponyourhead,Andsprinkleholy-wateronyourbrows。
Thedeedismeritoriousthatyoudo,Andbyitshallyoupurchasegracefromheaven。
FIRSTWITNESS。
Now,sir,we’llundertakeit,byoursouls。
SECONDWITNESS。
ForCromwellneverlovednoneofoursort。
GARDINER。
Iknowhedothnot,andforbothofyou,Iwillpreferyoutosomeplaceofworth:
Nowgetyouin,untilIcallforyou,ForpresentlytheDukesmeanstobehere。
[Exitwitnesses。]
Cromwell,sitfast,thytime’snotlongtoreign。
TheAbbeysthatwerepulleddownbythymeansIsnowameanformetopulltheedown:
Thypridealsothyownheadlightsupon,Forthouarthehathchangedreligion:——
Butnownomore,forheretheDukesarecome。
[EnterSuffolk,Norfolk,andtheEarlofBedford。]
SUFFOLK。
GooddentomyLordBishop。
NORFOLK。
HowfaresmyLord?what,areyouallalone?
GARDINER。
No,notalone,myLords;mymindistroubled;
IknowyourhonoursmusewhereforeIsent,Andinsuchhaste。What,cameyoufromtheKing?
NORFOLK。
Wedid,andleftnonebutLordCromwellwithhim。
GARDINER。
O,whatadangeroustimeisthiswelivein!
There’sThomasWolsey,he’salreadygone,AndThomasMore,hefollowedafterhim:
AnotherThomasyettheredothremain,Thatisfarworsethaneitherofthosetwain,Andifwithspeed,myLords,wenotpursueit,IfeartheKingandallthelandwillrueit。
BEDFORD。
AnotherThomas!prayGoditbenotCromwell。
GARDINER。
MyLordofBedford,itisthattraitorCromwell。
BEDFORD。
IsCromwellfalse?myheartwillneverthinkit。
SUFFOLK。
MyLordofWinchester,whatlikelihood,Orproofhaveyouofthishistreachery?
GARDINER。
MyLord,toomuch。——Callinthemenwithin。
[Enterwitnesses。]
Thesemen,myLord,upontheiroathsaffirm,ThattheydidhearLordCromwellinhisgarden,WishedadaggerstickingattheheartOfourKingHenry。Whatisthisbuttreason?
BEDFORD。
Ifitbeso,myheartdothbleedwithsorrow。
SUFFOLK。
Howsayyoufriends?what,didyouhearthesewords?
FIRSTWITNESS。
Wedid,andlikeyourgrace。
NORFOLK。
InwhatplacewasLordCromwellwhenhespakethem?
SECONDWITNESS。
InhisGarden,wherewedidattendasuit,Whichwehadwaitedfortwoyearandmore。
SUFFOLK。
Howlongistsinceyouheardhimspeakthesewords?
SECONDWITNESS。
Somehalfyearsince。
BEDFORD。
Howchancethatyouconcealeditallthistime?
FIRSTWITNESS。
Hisgreatnessmadeusfear,thatwasthecause。
GARDINER。
Aye,aye,hisgreatness;that’sthecauseindeed;
Andtomakehistreasonheremoremanifest,Hecallshisservantstohimroundabout,TellsthemofWolsey’slife,andofhisfall,Saysthathimselfhathmanyenemies,AndgivestosomeofthemaParkorManor,ToothersLeases,Landstoothersome:
Whatneedhedothusinhisprimeoflife,Andifhewerenotfearfulofhisdeath?
SUFFOLK。
MyLord,theselikelihoodsareverygreat。
BEDFORD。
Pardonme,Lords,forImustneedsdepart;
Theirproofsaregreat,butgreaterismyheart。
[ExitBedford。]
NORFOLK。
Myfriends,takeheedofthatwhichyouhavesaid。
Yoursoulsmustanswerwhatyourtonguesreports:
Therefore,takeheed,bewarywhatyoudo。
SECONDWITNESS。
MyLord,wespeaknomorebuttruth。
NORFOLK。
LetthemDepart。——MyLordofWinchester,letthesemenBeclosekeptuntilthedayoftrial。
GARDINER。
Theyshall,myLord:ho,takeinthesetwomen。
[Exitwitnesses。]
MyLords,ifCromwellhaveapublictrial,Thatwhichwedoisvoidbyhisdenial;
Youknowthekingwillcreditnonebuthim。
NORFOLK。
Tistrue,herulestheKingevenashepleases。
SUFFOLK。
Howshallwedofortoattachhim,then?
GARDINER。
Marry,myLords,thus:byanActhemadehimself,Withanintenttoentrapsomeofourlives,Andthisitis:IfanyCounsellorBeconvictedofhightreason,heshallBeexecutedwithoutapublictrial。
ThisAct,myLords,hecausedtheKingtomake。
SUFFOLK。
Adidindeed,andIrememberit,Andnowitisliketofalluponhimself。
NORFOLK。
Letusnotslackit,tisforEngland’sgood。
Wemustbewary,elsehe’llgobeyondus。
GARDINER。
WellhathyourGracesaid,myLordofNorfolk;
ThereforeletuspresentlytoLambeth。
ThethercomesCromwellfromtheCourttonight。
Letusarresthim,sendhimtotheTower,Andinthemorning,cutoffthetraitor’shead。
NORFOLK。
Come,then,aboutit,letusguardthetown。
ThisisthedaythatCromwellmustgodown。
GARDINER。
Along,myLords。——Well,Cromwellishalfdead;
Heshakedmyheart,butIwillshavehishead。
[Exeunt。]
ACTV。SCENEI。AstreetinLondon。
[EnterBedfordsolus。]
BEDFORD。
Mysoulislikeawatertroubled,AndGardineristhemanthatmakesitso。
O,Cromwell,Idofeartheyendisnear:
YetI’llpreventtheirmaliceifIcan。
Andingoodtime,seewherethemandothcome,Wholittleknowshownearshisdayofdoom。
[EnterCromwellwithhistrain。Bedfordmakesasthoughhewouldspeaktohim:hegoeson。]
CROMWELL。
You’rewellencountered,mygoodLordofBedford。
Iseeyourhonourisaddressedtotalk;
Praypardonme,Iamsentfortotheking,Anddonotknowthebusinessyetmyself。
Sofareyouwell,forImustneedsbegone。
[Exitallthetrain。]
BEDFORD。
Youmust;well,whatremedy?
Ifeartoosoonyoumustbegoneindeed。
Thekinghathbusiness,butlittledoestthouknow,Whosebusyforthylife:thouthinksnotso。
[EnterCromwellandthetrainagain。]
CROMWELL。
Thesecondtimewellmet,myLordofBedford;
Iamverysorrythatmyhasteissuch。
LordMarquessDorsetbeingsicktodeath,Imustreceiveofhimtheprivyseal。
AtLambeth,soon,myLord,we’lltalkourfill。
[Exitthetrain。]
BEDFORD。
Howsmoothandeasyisthewaytodeath!
[Enteraservant。]
MESSENGER。
MyLord,thedukesofNorfolkandofSuffolk,AccompaniedwiththeBishopofWinchester,EntreatsyoutocomepresentlytoLambeth,Onearnestmattersthatconcernsthestate。
BEDFORD。
ToLambeth!so:gofetchmepenandink。
IandLordCromwellthereshalltalkenough;
Aye,andourlast,Ifear,andifhecome。
[Hewritesaletter。]
Here,takethisletter,andbearittoLordCromwell。
Bidhimreadit;sayitconcernshimnear:
Away,begone,makeallthehasteyoucan。
ToLambethdoIgoawoefulman。
[Exit。]
ACTV。SCENEII。AstreetneartheThames。
[EnterCromwellandhistrain。]
CROMWELL。
IstheBargeready?IwillstraighttoLambeth,Andifthisoneday’sbusinessoncewerepast,I’dtakemyeasetomorrowaftertrouble。——
Hownow,myfriend,wouldstthouspeakwithme?
[TheMessengerbringshimtheletter;heputsitinhispocket。]
MESSENGER。
Sir,here’saletterfrommyLordofBedford。
CROMWELL。
Ogood,myfriend,commendmetothyLord。
Hold,takethoseAngels;drinkthemforthypains。
MESSENGER。
Hedothdesireyourgracetoreadit,Becausehesaysitdothconcernyounear。
CROMWELL。
Bidhimassurehimselfofthat。Farewell。
Tomorrow,tellhim,shallhehearfromme。——
Setonbeforethere,andawaytoLambeth。
[Exeuntomnes。]
ACTV。SCENEIII。Lambeth。
[EnterWinchester,Suffolk,Norfolk,Bedford,Sargeantatarms,theHerald,andhalberts。]
GARDINER。
Halberts,standcloseuntothewaterside;
Sargeantatarms,beboldinyouroffice;
Herald,deliveryourproclamation。
HERALD。
Thisistogivenoticetoalltheking’ssubjects:
ThelateLordCromwell,LordChancellorofEngland,Vicargeneralovertherealm,himtoholdandesteemasatraitoragainsttheCrownanddignityofEngland:SoGodsavetheking。
GARDINER。
Amen。
BEDFORD。
Amen,——androottheefromtheland,Forwhilstthoulivesttruthcannotstand。
NORFOLK。
Makealanethere,thetraitor’sathand。
KeepbackCromwell’smen;
Drownthemiftheycomeon。——Sargeant,youroffice。
[EnterCromwell,theymakealanewiththeirhalberts。]
CROMWELL。
WhatmeansmyLordofNorfolkbythesewords?
Sirs,comealong。
GARDINER。
Killthem,iftheycomeon。
SARGEANT。
LordCromwell,inkingHenry’sname,Idoarrestyourhonourofhightreason。
CROMWELL。
Sargeant,meoftreason?
[Cromwell’smenoffertodraw。]
SUFFOLK。
Killthem,iftheydrawasword。
CROMWELL。
Hold;Ichargeyou,asyouloveme,drawnotasword。
WhodaresaccuseCromwelloftreasonnow?
GARDINER。
Thisisnoplacetoreckonupyourcrime;
YourDove-likelookswereviewedwithserpent’seyes。
CROMWELL。
Withserpent’seyes,indeed,bythinetheywere;
ButGardinerdothyworst,Ifeartheenot。
Myfaith,comparedwiththine,asmuchshallpass,AsdoththeDiamondexceltheglass。
Attachedoftreason,noaccusersby!
Indeed,whattonguedaresspeaksofoulalie?
NORFOLK。
MyLord,myLord,mattersaretoowellknown,Anditistimethekinghadnotethereof。
CROMWELL。
Theking!letmegotohimfacetoface;
NobettertrialIdesirethanthat:
LethimbutsaythatCromwell’sfaithwasfeigned,Thenletmyhonourandmynamebestained。
Ifevermyheartagainstmykingwasset,OletmysoulinJudgementanswerit:
Then,ifmyfaith’sconfirmedwithhisreason,GainstwhomhathCromwell,then,committedtreason?
SUFFOLK。
MyLord,yourmattershallbetried;
Meantime,withpatiencecontentyourself。
CROMWELL。
PerforceImustwithpatiencebecontent。
OdearfriendBedford,doestthoustandsonear?
Cromwellrejoicethonefriendshedsatear。
Andwhetherist?whichwaymustCromwellnow?
GARDINER。
MyLord,youmustuntothetower。Lieutenant,Takehimtoyourcharge。
CROMWELL。
Well,whereyouplease;yetbeforeIpart,Letmeconferalittlewithmymen。
GARDINER。
Asyougobywater,soyoushall。
CROMWELL。
Ihavesomebusinesspresenttoimpart。
NORFOLK。
Youmaynotstay。Lieutenant,takeyourcharge。
CROMWELL。
Well,well,myLord,yousecondGardiner’stext。
Norfolk,farewell;thyturnwillbethenext。
[ExitCromwellandtheLieutenant。]
GARDINER。
Hisguiltyconsciencemakeshimrave,myLord。
NORFOLK。
Aye,lethimtalk;histimeisshortenough。
GARDINER。
MyLordofBedford,come;youweepforhim,Thatwouldnotshedhalfatearforyou。
BEDFORD。
Itgrievesmefortoseehissuddenfall。
GARDINER。
SuchsuccesswishItotraitorsstill。
[Exeunt。]
ACTV。SCENEIV。London。Astreet。
[EntertwoCitizens。]
FIRSTCITIZEN。
Why,canthisnewsbetrue?istpossible?
ThegreatLordCromwellarrestedupontreason!
Ihardlywillbelieveitcanbeso。
SECONDCITIZEN。
Itistootrue,sir;woulditwereotherwise,ConditionIspenthalfthewealthIhad。
IwasatLambeth,sawhimtherearrested,AndafterwardcommittedtotheTower。
FIRSTCITIZEN。
What,wastfortreasonthathewascommitted?
SECONDCITIZEN。
Kind,nobleGentleman!Imayruethetime。
AllthatIhave,Ididenjoybyhim,Andifhedie,thenallmystateisgone。
FIRSTCITIZEN。
Itmaybedoubtedthatheshallnotdie,BecausetheKingdidfavourhimsomuch。
SECONDCITIZEN。
Osir,youaredeceivedinthinkingso。
ThegraceandfavourhehadwiththekingHathcausedhimhavesomanyenemies:
Hethatincourtsecurewillkeephimself,Mustnotbegreat,forthenheisenviedat。
TheShrubissafe,whenastheCedarshakes;
ForwheretheKingdothloveabovecompare,Ofotherstheyasmuchmoreenviedare。
FIRSTCITIZEN。
Tispitythatthisnoblemanshouldfall,Hedidsomanycharitabledeeds。
SECONDCITIZEN。
Tistrue,andyetyouseeineachestate,There’snonesogood,butsomeonedothhimhate。
Andtheybeforewouldsmilehimintheface,Willbetheformosttodohimdisgrace:
What,willyougoalonguntotheCourt?
FIRSTCITIZEN。
IcarenotifIdo,andhearthenews,Howmenwilljudgewhatshallbecomeofhim。
SECONDCITIZEN。
Somewillspeakhardly,somewillspeakinpity。
GoyoutotheCourt,I’lluntotheCity;
ThereIamsuretohearmorenewsthanyou。
FIRSTCITIZEN。
Why,then,soonwillwemeetagain。
[Exit。]
ACTV。SCENEV。AroomintheTower。
[EnterCromwellintheTower。]
CROMWELL。
Now,Cromwell,hastthoutimetomeditate,Andthinkuponthystate,andofthetime。
Thyhonourscameunsought,aye,andunlookedfor;
Thyfallassudden,andunlookedfortoo。
WhatglorywasinEnglandthatIhadnot?
WhointhislandcommandedmorethanCromwell?
ExcepttheKingwhogreaterthanmyself?
ButnowIsee,whatafteragesshall:
Thegreatermen,moresuddenistheirfall。
AndnowdoIremembertheEarlofBedfordWasverydesirousfortospeaktome,Andafterwardsenttomealetter,ThewhichIthinkIhavestillinmypocket。
NowmayIreadit,forInowhaveleisure,AndthisItakeitis。[HereadstheLetter。]
MyLord,comenotthisnighttoLambeth,Forifyoudo,yourstateisoverthrown。
AndmuchIdoubtyourlife,andifyoucome;
Thenifyouloveyourself,staywhereyouare,OGod!hadIbutreadthisletter,ThenhadIbeenfreefromtheLion’spaw;
Deferringthistoreaduntiltomorrow,Ispurnedatjoy,anddidembracemysorrow。
[EntertheLieutenantoftheTowerandofficers。]
Now,masterLieutenant,when’sthisdayofdeath?
LIEUTENANT。
Alas,myLord,wouldImightneverseeit。
HerearetheDukesofSuffolkandofNorfolk,Winchester,Bedford,andsirRichardRatcliffe,Withothers,butwhytheycomeIknownot。
CROMWELL。
Nomatterwherefore,Cromwellisprepared;
ForGardinerhasmystateandlifeensnared。
Bidthemcomein,oryoushalldothemwrong,Forherestandshe,whomsomethinkslivestoolong。
Learningkillslearning,andinsteadofInkTodiphisPen,Cromwell’sheartblooddothdrink。
[EnteralltheNobles。]
NORFOLK。
Goodmorrow,Cromwell。What,alone,sosad?
CROMWELL。
Onegoodamongyou,noneofyouarebad。——
Formypart,itbestfitsmebealone;
Sadnesswithme,notIwithanyone。
What,isthekingacquaintedwithmycause?
NORFOLK。
Wehave,andhehathansweredus,myLord。
CROMWELL。
How,shallIcometospeakwithhimmyself?
GARDINER。
TheKingissoadvertisedofyourguilt,hewillbynomeansadmityoutohispresence。
CROMWELL。
Nowayadmitme?amIsosoonforgot?
Didhebutyesterdayembracemyneck,AndsaidthatCromwellwasevenhalfhimself,AndishisPrincelyearssomuchbewitchedWithscandalousignomy,andslanderousspeeches,Thatnowhedoothdenytolookonme?
Well,myLordofWinchester,nodoubtbutyouAremuchinfavourwithhisMajesty:
Willyoubearaletterfrommetohisgrace?
GARDINER。
Pardonme,I’llbearnotraitor’sletters。
CROMWELL。
Ha!Willyoudothiskindnessthen?TellhimBywordofmouth,whatIshallsaytoyou?
GARDINER。
ThatwillI。
CROMWELL。
But,onyourhonour,willyou?
GARDINER。
Aye,onmyhonor。
CROMWELL。
Bearwitness,Lords。——Tellhimwhenhehathknownyou,Andtriedyourfaithbuthalfsomuchasmine,He’llfindyoutobethefalsestheartedmanInEngland。Pray,tellhimthis。
BEDFORD。
Bepatient,goodmyLord,intheseextremes。
CROMWELL。
MykindandhonorableLordofBedford,Iknowyourhonoralwayslovedmewell;
But,pardonme,thisstillshallbemytheme;
GardineristhecausemakesCromwellsoextreme。
SirRalphSadler,pray,awordwithyou:
Youweremyman,andallthatyoupossessCamebymymeans;torequiteallthis,Willyoutakethisletterhereofme,Andgiveitwithyourownhandstotheking?
SADLER。
Ikissyourhand,andneverwillIrest,Eretothekingthiswillbedelivered。
[ExitSadler。]
CROMWELL。
WhyyetCromwellhathonefriendinstore。
GARDINER。
Butallthehastehemakesshallbebutvain。——
Here’sadischargeforyourprisoner,Toseehimexecutedpresently。——
MyLord,youhearthetenorofyourlife。
CROMWELL。
Idoembraceit,welcomemylastdate,AndofthisglisteringworldItakelastleave:
And,nobleLords,Itakemyleaveofyou。——
AswillinglyIgotomeetwithdeath,AsGardinerdidpronounceitwithhisbreath:
Fromtreasonismyheartaswhiteassnow,Mydeathonlyprocuredbymyfoe。
Ipray,commendmetomySovereignking,AndtellhiminwhatsorthisCromwelldied,Tolosehisheadbeforehiscauseweretried:
ButlethisGrace,whenheshallhearmyname,Sayonlythis:Gardinerprocuredthesame。
[EnteryoungCromwell。]
LIEUTENANT。
Hereisyourson,cometotakehisleave。
CROMWELL。
Totakehisleave!Comehither,HarryCromwell。
Mark,boy,thelastwordsthatIspeaktothee。
FlatternotFortune,neitherfawnuponher;
Gapenotforstate,yetlosenosparkofhonor;
Ambition,liketheplagueseethoueschewit;
Idiefortreason,boy,andneverknewit。
Yetletthyfaithasspotlessbeasmine,AndCromwell’svirtuesinthyfaceshallshine。
Come,goalongandseemeleavemybreath,AndI’llleavetheeupontheflowerofdeath。
SON。
O,father,Ishalldietoseethatwound;
Yourbloodbeingspiltwillmakemyhearttosound。
CROMWELL。
How,boy,notlookupontheAxe!
HowshallIdothentohavemyheadstrokeoff?
Comeon,mychild,andseetheendofall,AndaftersaythatGardinerwasmyfall。
GARDINER。
MyLord,youspeakitofanenviousheart;
Ihavedonenomorethanlawandequity。
BEDFORD。
O,goodmyLordofWinchester,forbear;
Itwouldabetterseemedyoutobeenabsent,Thanwithyourwordsdisturbadyingman。
CROMWELL。
Whome,myLord?no,hedisturbsnotme。
Mymindhestirsnot,thoughhismightyshockHathbroughtmo’peers’headsdowntotheblock。
Farewell,myboy!allCromwellcanbequeath,Myheartyblessing;soItakemyleave。
HANGMAN。
Iamyourdeath’sman;pray,myLord,forgiveme。
CROMWELL。
Evenwithmysoul。Why,man,thouartmyDoctor,AndbringsmepreciousPhysicformysoul。——
MyLordofBedford,Idesireofyou,Beforemydeath,acorporalembrace。
[Bedfordcomestohim,Cromwellembraceshim。]
Farewell,greatLord;myloveIdocommend,Myhearttoyou;mysoultoheavenIsend。
Thisismyjoythat,eremybodyfleet,Yourhonouredarmsismytruewindingsheet。
Farewell,dearBedford;mypeaceismadeinheaven。
ThusfallsgreatCromwellapoorellinlength,Torisetounmeasuredheight,wingedwithnewstrength,ThelandofWorms,whichdyingmendiscover,Mysoulisshrinedwithheaven’scelestialcover。
[ExitCromwellandtheofficers,andothers。]
BEDFORD。
Well,farewell,Cromwell,thetruestfriend,ThateverBedfordshallpossessagain。——
Well,Lords,Ifear,whenthismanisdead,You’llwishinvainthatCromwellhadahead。
[EnteronewithCromwell’shead。]
OFFICER。
HereistheheadofthedeceasedCromwell。
BEDFORD。
Praythee,gohence,andbearhisheadawayUntohisbody;interthembothinclay。
[EnterSirRalphSadler。]
SADLER。
Honow,myLords:what,isLordCromwelldead?
BEDFORD。
LordCromwell’sbodynowdothwantahead。
SADLER。
OGod!alittlespeedhadsavedhislife。
Hereisakindreprievecomefromtheking,Tobringhimstraightuntohismajesty。
SUFFOLK。
Aye,aye,sirRalph,reprievescomesnowtoolate。
GARDINER。
Myconsciencenowtellsmethisdeedwasill:
WouldChristthatCromwellwerealiveagain。
NORFOLK。
Come,letustotheking,whomwellIknow,WillgrieveforCromwell,thathisdeathwasso。
[Exeuntomnes。]
FINIS。