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полная версияThe Life of Henry the Eighth

Уильям Шекспир
The Life of Henry the Eighth

ACT FOURTH

SCENE I. A street in Westminster

[Enter two Gentlemen, meeting one another.]

FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
You're well met once again.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
So are you.
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
You 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 GENTLEMAN
 
Never greater,
Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
May I be bold to ask what that contains,
That paper in your hand?
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
Yes; '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 GENTLEMAN
 
I 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 Katherine,
The Princess Dowager? How goes her business?
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
That 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 divorc'd,
And the late marriage made of none effect;
Since which she was remov'd to Kimbolton,
Where she remains now sick.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
Alas, good lady!
 

[Trumpets.]

 
The trumpets sound; stand close, the Queen is coming.
 

[Hautboys.]

THE ORDER OF THE CORONATION

1. A lively flourish of trumpets. 2. Then, Two Judges. 3. Lord Chancellor, with purse and mace before him. 4. Choristers, singing. Music. 5. Mayor of London, bearing the mace. Then Garter, in his coat of arms, and on his head he wore a gilt copper crown. 6. Marquess Dorset, bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head a demi-coronal of gold. With him, the Earl of Surrey, bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned with an earl's coronet. Collars of SS. 7. Duke of Suffolk, in his robe of estate, his coronet on his head, bearing a long white wand, as high steward. With him, The Duke of Norfolk, with the rod of marshalship, a coronet on his head. Collars of SS. 8. A canopy borne by four of the Cinque-ports; under it, the Queen in her robe, in her hair richly adorned with pearl, crowned. On each side her, the Bishops of London and Winchester. 9. The old Duchess of Norfolk, in a coronal of gold, wrought with flowers, bearing the Queen's train. 10. Certain Ladies or Countesses, with plain circlets of gold without flowers.

[Exeunt, first passing over the stage in order and state, and then a great flourish of trumpets.]

SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
A royal train, believe me. These I know.
Who's that that bears the sceptre?
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
Marquess Dorset;
And that the Earl of Surrey, with the rod.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
A bold brave gentleman. That should be
The Duke of Suffolk?
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
'Tis the same: High Steward.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
And that my Lord of Norfolk?
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
Yes.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
Heaven bless thee! [Looking on the Queen.]
Thou 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 GENTLEMAN
 
They that bear
The cloth of honour over her, are four barons
Of the Cinque-ports.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
Those 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 GENTLEMAN
 
It is; and all the rest are countesses.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
Their coronets say so. These are stars indeed;
And sometimes falling ones.
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
No more of that.
 

[Exit the last of the procession.]

[Enter a third Gentleman.]

 
God save you, sir! Where have you been broiling?
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
Among the crowds i' the Abbey, where a finger
Could not be wedg'd in more. I am stifled
With the mere rankness of their joy.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
You saw the ceremony?
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
That I did.
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
How was it?
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
Well worth the seeing.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
Good sir, speak it to us.
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
As well as I am able. The rich stream
Of lords and ladies, having brought the Queen
To a prepar'd place in the choir, fell of
A distance from her; while her Grace sat down
To rest a while, 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-belli'd 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 GENTLEMAN
 
But what follow'd?
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
At length her Grace rose, and with modest paces
Came to the altar; where she kneel'd, and saintlike
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 pac'd back again
To York Place, where the feast is held.
 
FIRST GENTLEMAN
 
Sir,
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 GENTLEMAN
 
I know it;
But 'tis so lately alter'd, that the old name
Is fresh about me.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
What two reverend bishops
Were those that went on each side of the Queen?
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
Stokesly and Gardiner; the one of Winchester,
Newly preferr'd from the King's secretary;
The other, London.
 
SECOND GENTLEMAN
 
He of Winchester
Is held no great good lover of the Archbishop's,
The virtuous Cranmer.
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
All 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 GENTLEMAN
 
Who may that be, I pray you?
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
Thomas 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 GENTLEMAN
 
He will deserve more.
 
THIRD GENTLEMAN
 
Yes, 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.
 
BOTH
 
You may command us, sir.
 

[Exeunt.]

 

SCENE II. Kimbolton

[Enter Katherine, Dowager, sick; led between Griffith, her gentleman usher, and Patience, her woman.]

GRIFFITH
 
How does your Grace?
 
KATHERINE
 
O Griffith, sick to death!
My legs, like loaden branches, bow to the earth,
Willing to leave their burden. Reach a chair.
So; now, methinks, I feel a little ease.
Didst thou not tell me, Griffith, as thou led'st me,
That the great child of honour, Cardinal Wolsey,
Was dead?
 
GRIFFITH
 
Yes, madam; but I think your Grace,
Out of the pain you suffer'd, gave no ear to't.
 
KATHERINE
 
Prithee, good Griffith, tell me how he died.
If well, he stepp'd before me, happily
For my example.
 
GRIFFITH
 
Well, the voice goes, madam:
For after the stout Earl Northumberland
Arrested him at York, and brought him forward,
As a man sorely tainted, to his answer,
He fell sick suddenly, and grew so ill
He could not sit his mule.
 
KATHERINE
 
Alas, poor man!
 
GRIFFITH
 
At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester,
Lodg'd in the abbey; where the reverend abbot,
With all his covent, honourably receiv'd him;
To whom he gave these words: "O, father abbot,
An old man, broken with the storms of state,
Is come to lay his weary bones among ye;
Give him a little earth for charity!"
So went to bed, where eagerly his sickness
Pursu'd him still; and, three nights after this,
About the hour of eight, which he himself
Foretold should be his last, full of repentance,
Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows,
He gave his honours to the world again,
His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace.
 
KATHERINE
 
So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him!
Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him,
And yet with charity. He was a man
Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking
Himself with princes; one that, by suggestion,
Tied all the kingdom. Simony was fair-play;
His own opinion was his law; i' the presence
He would say untruths; and be ever double
Both in his words and meaning. He was never,
But where he meant to ruin, pitiful.
His promises were, as he then was, mighty;
But his performance, as he is now, nothing.
Of his own body he was ill, and gave
The clergy ill example.
 
GRIFFITH
 
Noble madam,
Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues
We write in water. May it please your Highness
To hear me speak his good now?
 
KATHERINE
 
Yes, good Griffith;
I were malicious else.
 
GRIFFITH
 
This Cardinal,
Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly
Was fashion'd to much honour from his cradle.
He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one;
Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading;
Lofty and sour to them that lov'd him not,
But to those men that sought him, sweet as summer.
And though he were unsatisfied in getting,
Which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam,
He was most princely: ever witness for him
Those twins of learning that he rais'd in you,
Ipswich and Oxford! one of which fell with him,
Unwilling to outlive the good that did it;
The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous,
So excellent in art, and still so rising,
That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.
His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him;
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little;
And, to add greater honours to his age
Than man could give him, he died fearing God.
 
KATHERINE
 
After my death I wish no other herald,
No other speaker of my living actions,
To keep mine honour from corruption,
But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.
Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me,
With thy religious truth and modesty,
Now in his ashes honour. Peace be with him!
Patience, be near me still, and set me lower:
I have not long to trouble thee. Good Griffith,
Cause the musicians play me that sad note
I nam'd my knell, whilst I sit meditating
On that celestial harmony I go to.
 

[Sad and solemn music.]

GRIFFITH
 
She is asleep. Good wench, let's sit down quiet,
For fear we wake her; softly, gentle Patience.
 

[The vision. Enter, solemnly tripping one after another, six personages, clad in white robes, wearing on their heads garlands of bays, and golden vizards on their faces; branches of bays or palm in their hands. They first congee unto her, then dance; and, at certain changes, the first two hold a spare garland over her head; at which the other four make reverent curtsies. Then the two that held the garland deliver the same to the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the garland over her head; which done, they deliver the same garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order; at which, as it were by inspiration, she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven: and so in their dancing vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues.]

KATHERINE
 
Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone,
And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?
 
GRIFFITH
 
Madam, we are here.
 
KATHERINE
 
It is not you I call for.
Saw ye none enter since I slept?
 
GRIFFITH
 
None, madam.
 
KATHERINE
 
No? Saw you not, even now, a blessed troop
Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces
Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?
They promis'd me eternal happiness,
And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel
I am not worthy yet to wear. I shall, assuredly.
 
GRIFFITH
 
I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams
Possess your fancy.
 
KATHERINE
 
Bid the music leave,
They are harsh and heavy to me.
 

[Music ceases.]

PATIENCE
 
Do you note
How much her Grace is alter'd on the sudden?
How long her face is drawn! How pale she looks,
And of an earthly cold! Mark her eyes!
 
GRIFFITH
 
She is going, wench. Pray, pray.
 
PATIENCE
 
Heaven comfort her!
 

[Enter a Messenger.]

MESSENGER
 
An't like your Grace, —
 
KATHERINE
 
You are a saucy fellow.
Deserve we no more reverence?
 
GRIFFITH
 
You are to blame,
Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness,
To use so rude behaviour. Go to, kneel.
 
MESSENGER
 
I humbly do entreat your Highness' pardon;
My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying
A gentleman, sent from the King, to see you.
 
KATHERINE
 
Admit him entrance, Griffith; but this fellow
Let me ne'er see again.
 

[Exit Messenger.]

[Enter Capucius.]

 
If my sight fail not,
You should be lord ambassador from the Emperor,
My royal nephew, and your name Capucius.
 
CAPUCIUS
 
Madam, the same; your servant.
 
KATHERINE
 
O, my lord,
The times and titles now are alter'd strangely
With me since first you knew me. But, I pray you,
What is your pleasure with me?
 
CAPUCIUS
 
Noble lady,
First, mine own service to your Grace; the next,
The King's request that I would visit you,
Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me
Sends you his princely commendations,
And heartily entreats you take good comfort.
 
KATHERINE
 
O my good lord, that comfort comes too late;
'Tis like a pardon after execution.
That gentle physic, given in time, had cur'd me;
But now I am past all comforts here, but prayers.
How does his Highness?
 
CAPUCIUS
 
Madam, in good health.
 
KATHERINE
 
So may he ever do! and ever flourish,
When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name
Banish'd the kingdom! Patience, is that letter,
I caused you write, yet sent away?
 
PATIENCE
 
No, madam.
 

[Giving it to Katherine.]

KATHERINE
 
Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver
This to my lord the King.
 
CAPUCIUS
 
Most willing, madam.
 
KATHERINE
 
In which I have commended to his goodness
The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter;
The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!
Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding, —
She is young, and of a noble modest nature,
I hope she will deserve well, – and a little
To love her for her mother's sake, that lov'd him,
Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition
Is, that his noble Grace would have some pity
Upon my wretched women, that so long
Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully;
Of which there is not one, I dare avow,
And now I should not lie, but will deserve,
For virtue and true beauty of the soul,
For honesty and decent carriage,
A right good husband; let him be a noble;
And, sure, those men are happy that shall have 'em.
The last is, for my men, – they are the poorest,
But poverty could never draw 'em from me —
That they may have their wages duly paid 'em,
And something over to remember me by.
If Heaven had pleas'd to have given me longer life
And able means, we had not parted thus.
These are the whole contents; and, good my lord,
By that you love the dearest in this world,
As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,
Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the King
To do me this last right.
 
CAPUCIUS
 
By heaven, I will,
Or let me lose the fashion of a man!
 
KATHERINE
 
I thank you, honest lord. Remember me
In all humility unto his Highness.
Say his long trouble now is passing
Out of this world; tell him, in death I bless'd him,
For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell,
My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,
You must not leave me yet. I must to bed;
Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,
Let me be us'd with honour. Strew me over
With maiden flowers, that all the world may know
I was a chaste wife to my grave. Embalm me,
Then lay me forth. Although unqueen'd, yet like
A queen, and daughter to a king, inter me.
I can no more.
 

[Exeunt, leading Katherine.]

 

ACT FIFTH

SCENE I. A gallery in the palace

[Enter Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, a page with a torch before him, met by Sir Thomas Lovell.]

GARDINER
 
It's one o'clock, boy, is't not?
 
PAGE
 
It hath struck.
 
GARDINER
 
These should be hours for necessities,
Not for delights; times to repair our nature
With comforting repose, and not for us
To waste these times. Good hour of night, Sir Thomas!
Whither so late?
 
LOVELL
 
Came you from the King, my lord?
 
GARDINER
 
I did, Sir Thomas; and left him at primero
With the Duke of Suffolk.
 
LOVELL
 
I must to him too,
Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.
 
GARDINER
 
Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter?
It seems you are in haste. An if there be
No great offence belongs to't, give your friend
Some touch of your late business. Affairs, that walk,
As they say spirits do, at midnight, have
In them a wilder nature than the business
That seeks despatch by day.
 
LOVELL
 
My lord, I love you;
And durst commend a secret to your ear
Much weightier than this work. The Queen's in labour,
They say in great extremity; and fear'd
She'll with the labour end.
 
GARDINER
 
The fruit she goes with
I pray for heartily, that it may find
Good time, and live; but for the stock, Sir Thomas,
I wish it grubb'd up now.
 
LOVELL
 
Methinks I could
Cry thee amen; and yet my conscience says
She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does
Deserve our better wishes.
 
GARDINER
 
But, sir, sir,
Hear me, Sir Thomas. You're a gentleman
Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious;
And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,
'Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me,
Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she,
Sleep in their graves.
 
LOVELL
 
Now, sir, you speak of two
The most remark'd i' the kingdom. As for Cromwell,
Beside that of the jewel house, is made master
O' the rolls, and the King's secretary; further, sir,
Stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments,
With which the time will load him. The Archbishop
Is the King's hand and tongue; and who dare speak
One syllable against him?
 
GARDINER
 
Yes, yes, Sir Thomas,
There are that dare; and I myself have ventur'd
To speak my mind of him: and indeed this day,
Sir, I may tell it you, I think I have
Incens'd 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
He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Thomas,
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long. Good-night, Sir Thomas.
 
LOVELL
 
Many good-nights, my lord! I rest your servant.
 

[Exeunt Gardiner and Page.]

[Enter the King and Suffolk.]

KING
 
Charles, I will play no more to-night.
My mind's not on't; you are too hard for me.
 
SUFFOLK
 
Sir, I did never win of you before.
 
KING
 
But little, Charles;
Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.
Now, Lovell, from the Queen what is the news?
 
LOVELL
 
I could not personally deliver to her
What you commanded me, but by her woman
I sent your message; who return'd her thanks
In the great'st humbleness, and desir'd your Highness
Most heartily to pray for her.
 
KING
 
What say'st thou, ha?
To pray for her? What, is she crying out?
 
LOVELL
 
So said her woman; and that her suff'rance made
Almost each pang a death.
 
KING
 
Alas, good lady!
 
SUFFOLK
 
God safely quit her of her burden, and
With gentle travail, to the gladding of
Your Highness with an heir!
 
KING
 
'Tis midnight, Charles;
Prithee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone;
For I must think of that which company
Will not be friendly to.
 
SUFFOLK
 
I wish your Highness
A quiet night; and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers.
 
KING
 
Charles, good-night.
 

[Exit Suffolk.]

[Enter Sir Anthony Denny.]

 
Well, sir, what follows?
 
DENNY
 
Sir, I have brought my lord the Archbishop,
As you commanded me.
 
KING
 
Ha! Canterbury?
 
DENNY
 
Ay, my good lord.
 
KING
 
'Tis true; where is he, Denny?
 
DENNY
 
He attends your Highness' pleasure.
 
KING
 
Bring him to us.
 

[Exit Denny.]

LOVELL
 
[Aside.] This is about that which the bishop spake.
I am happily come hither.
 

[Re-enter Denny, with Cranmer.]

KING
 
Avoid the gallery. [Lovell seems to stay.]
Ha! I have said. Be gone.
What!
 

[Exeunt Lovell and Denny.]

CRANMER
 
[Aside.] I am fearful; wherefore frowns he thus?
'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.
 
KING
 
How now, my lord! you do desire to know
Wherefore I sent for you.
 
CRANMER
 
[Kneeling.] It is my duty
To attend your Highness' pleasure.
 
KING
 
Pray you, arise,
My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury.
Come, you and I must walk a turn together;
I have news to tell you. Come, come, 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 consider'd,
Have mov'd 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.
 
CRANMER
 
[Kneeling.] I humbly thank your Highness;
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly 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.
 
KING
 
Stand up, good Canterbury!
Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up;
Prithee, let's walk. Now, by my holidame,
What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd
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.
 
CRANMER
 
Most dread liege,
The good I stand on is my truth and honesty.
If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies,
Will triumph o'er my person; which I weigh not,
Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing
What can be said against me.
 
KING
 
Know you not
How your state stands i' th' world, with the whole world?
Your enemies are many, and not small; their practices
Must bear the same proportion; and not ever
The justice and the truth o' the question carries
The due o' the verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you? Such things have been done.
You are potently oppos'd, and with a malice
Of as great size. Ween you of better luck,
I mean, in perjur'd witness, than your Master,
Whose minister you are, whiles here He liv'd
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to!
You take a precipice for no leap of danger,
And woo your own destruction.
 
CRANMER
 
God and your Majesty
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is laid for me!
 
KING
 
Be of good cheer;
They shall no more prevail than we give way to.
Keep comfort to you; and this morning see
You do appear before them. If they shall chance,
In charging you with matters, to commit you,
The best persuasions to the contrary
Fail not to use, and with what vehemency
The occasion shall instruct you. If entreaties
Will render you no remedy, this ring
Deliver them, and your appeal to us
There make before them. Look, the good man weeps!
He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother!
I swear he is true-hearted; and a soul
None better in my kingdom. Get you gone,
And do as I have bid you.
 

[Exit Cranmer.]

 
He has strangled his language in his tears.
 

[Enter Old Lady, Lovell following.]

GENTLEMAN
 
[Within.] Come back! What mean you?
 
OLD LADY
 
I'll not come back; the tidings that I bring
Will make my boldness manners. Now, good angels
Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person
Under their blessed wings!
 
KING
 
Now, by thy looks
I guess thy message. Is the Queen deliver'd?
Say ay; and of a boy.
 
OLD LADY
 
Ay, ay, my liege;
And of a lovely boy. The God of Heaven
Both now and ever bless her! 'tis a girl,
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen
Desires your visitation, and to be
Acquainted with this stranger. 'Tis as like you
As cherry is to cherry.
 
KING
 
Lovell!
 
LOVELL
 
Sir?
 
KING
 
Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the Queen.
 

[Exit.]

OLD LADY
 
An hundred marks! By this light, I'll ha' more.
An ordinary groom is for such payment.
I will have more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this, the girl was like to him?
I will have more, or else unsay't; and now,
While it is hot, I'll put it to the issue.
 

[Exeunt.]

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