 | When you see me, You know me. Or the famous Chronicle Historie of king Henry the eight, with the birth and vertuous life of Edward Prince of Wales |  |
Woolsie.
Gentlemen giue leaue: you great embassadors,
From Francis the most christian king of Fraunce:
My Lord of Paris, and Lord Boneuet,
Welcome to England: since the king your maister
Intreates our furtherance to aduance his peace;
Giuing vs titles of high dignitie,
As next elect to Romes Supremacie.
Tell him we haue so wrought with English Henry
(Who, as his right hand loues the Cardinall)
That vn-delaid, you shal haue audience:
And this day will the king in person sit
To heare your message, and to answere it.
Boneuet.
Your grace hath done vs double curtesie:
For so much doth the king our maister long,
To haue an answer of this embassage.
As minutes are thought months till we returne.
Paris.
And that is the cause his highnesse moues your grace,
To quicke dispatch betwixt the king and him:
And for a quittance of your forwardnesse,
And hopefull kindnesse to the crowne of Fraunce,
Twelue reuerent Bishops are sent post to Rome,
Both from his highnesse and the Emperour,
To moue Campeus and the Cardinals,
For your election to the papall throne,
That Woolsies head may weare the tripall Crowne.
Wool.
We thanke his highnesse for remembring vs.
And so salute my Lord the Emperour,
Both which (if Woolsie be made Pope of Rome)
Shall be made famous through all Christendome.
Enter Bonner.
Bon.
Sir William Cumpton from his highnesse comes,
To do a message to your excellence,
VVool.
Delay him a while, and tell him we are busie,
Meane time my Lords you shall with draw your selues,
Our priuate conference must not be knowne,
Let all your gentlemen in their best array,
Attend you brauely to king Henries court,
Where we in person presently will meete you:
And doubt not wele preuaile succesfully.
Bone.
But hath your grace yet moued his highnes sister,
For kind acceptance of our Soueraignes loue.
Wool.
I haue, and by the kings meanes finisht it,
And yet it was a taske, I tell yee Lords,
That might haue bene imposed to Hercules,
To win a Lady of her spirit and yeares.
To see her first loue cround with siluer haires,
As old king Lewes is, that bedrid lyes.
Vnfit for loue, or worldly vanities.
Bon.
But tis is countries peace the king respects.
Wol.
We thinke no lesse, & we haue fully wrought it,
The Emperours forces that were leuied,
To inuade the frontyres of loe Burgondy,
Are staid in Brabant by the kings commaund,
The Admirall Hayward that was lately sent,
With threescore saile of ships and pinnaces,
To Batter downe the townes in Normandy,
Is by our care for him, cald home againe:
Then doubt not of a faire successefull end,
Since VVoolsie is esteemd your Soueraines friend.
Par.
We thanke your excellence, and take our leaues,
VVool.
Hast ye to court, ile meete ye presently.
Bone.
God morrow to your grace.
Exeunt.
VVol.
God morrow Lords, go cal Sir VVilliam Cumpton in,
We must haue narrow eyes, and quicke conceit,
To looke into these dangerous stratagemes,
I will effect for Fraunce, as they for me:
If Woolsie to the Popes high state attaine,
The league is kept, or else hele breakt againe.
Enter Bonner and Cumpton.
Now good Sir William.
The king my Lord intreates your reuerent grace,
There may be had some priuate conference,
Betwixt his highnesse and your excellence,
Before he heare the French Embassadors,
And wils you hasten your repaire to him.
Wool.
We will attend his highnesse presently,
Bonner, see all our traine be set in readinesse,
That in our state and pompe pontificiall,
We may passe on to grace king Henries court.
Cump.
I haue a message from the Queene my Lord,
Who much commends, & humbly thanks your grace,
For your exceeding loue, and zealous prayers,
By your directions through all England sent:
To inuocate for her sound prosperous helpe,
By heauens faire hand in child-bed passions.
Wool.
We thanke her highnesse that accepts our loue,
In all Cathedrall Churches through the land,
Are Masses, Derges, and Prosessions sung:
With prayers to heauen to blesse her Maiestie,
And send her ioy, and quicke deliuery:
And so Sir William do my duty to her,
Queene Iane was euer kind and courteous,
And alwaies of her subiects honoured.
Cump.
I take my leaue my Lord:
Exit.
Wol.
Now Woolsie worke thy wittes like gaddes of steele,
And make them plyable to all impressions,
That King and Queene and all may honour thee:
So toild not Cæsar in the state of Roome,
As Woolsie labours in the affaires of Kings:
As Hanniball with oyle did melt the Alpes:
To make a passage into Italie:
So must we beare our high pitcht Eminence
To digge for glorie in the hearts of men.
Till we haue got the papall diadem:
And to this end haue I composd this plot,
And made a League betweene the French and vs:
And match their Aged King in holy Mariage,
With Ladie Mary Royall Henries sister:
That he in peace complotting with the Emperor
May plead for vs within the Courts of Rome
Wherefore was Alexanders fame so great,
And where doth Woolsie faile to follow him,
That thus commandeth Kings and Emperors,
Great Englands Lord haue I so won with words:
That vnder culloure of aduising him,
I ouerrule both Counsell, Court, and King:
Let him command, but we will execute.
Making our glorie to out-shine his fame
Till we haue purchast an eternall name.
As we directed to the Shriffes of London,
Of certaine new deuised Articles.
For ordering those brothelles called the Stewes?
Bon.
They are readie my Lord, and the Shrieue attends for them,
Wol.
Dispatch him quickely, and haste after me;
We must attend the Kings high Maiestie.
Sound Trumpets, Enter King Harry the Eight, Queene Iane bigge with Child, the Cardinall, Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke, Dudlie, Graye, Compton, the Ladie Marie, The Countesse of Salisburie attending on the Queene.
King.
Charles Brandon, Dudly, and my good Lord Gray,
Prepare your selues, and be in readinesse,
To entertaine these French Embassadors,
Meete them before our royall Pallace Gate:
And so conduct them to our Maiestie.
We meane this day to giue them Audience.
Dud., Gray.
We will my Lord.
Brand.
Let one attend without.
And bring vs word when they are comming on:
King.
How now Queene Iane (Mother of God) my loue
Thou wilt neuer be able to sit halfe this time:
Ladies, I feare shele wake ye, yer be long,
Me thinkes she beares her burthen verie heauily,
And yet good sister and my honored Lords,
If this faire houre exceede not her expect.
And passe the callender of her accounts,
Shee will heare this Embassage, Iane wilt thou not.
Q. Iane.
Yes my deere Lord, I cannot leaue your sight.
So long as life retaines this Mantion?
In whose sweete lookes bright soueraigntyes in Thronde,
That make all Nations loue and honor thee,
Within thy frame sits Awfull Maiestie,
Admird and feard euen of thine enemies;
To be with thee, is my felicitie.
Not to behold the state of all the world,
Could winne thy Queene, thy sicke vnwildie Queene,
To leaue her Chamber, in this mothers state.
But sight of thee vnequall potentate,
Kyng.
God a-mercie Iane, reach me thy princely hand.
Thou art now a right woman, goodly, cheife of thy sex;
Me thinkes thou art a Queene suparlatiue,
Mother, a God this is a womans glorie,
Like good September Vines loden with fruite.
How ill did they define the name of wemen,
Adding so foule a preposition:
To call it woe to man, tis woe from man.
If woe it be, and then who dus not know,
That weomen still from men receaue their woe.
Yet, they loue men for it, but whats their gaine,
Poore soules no more but trauaile for their paine;
Come, loue thou art sad, call Will Sommers in, to
Make her merrie, where is the foole to day,
Dud.
He was met my Leige they say at London
Earely this morning with Doctor Skelton,
Kyng.
Hes neuer from him, goe let a grome be sent,
And fetch him home, my good Lord Cardinall:
Who are the cheife of these Embassadors?
Wool.
Lord Boneuet the French high Admirall,
And Iohn de Mazo reuerent Bishop of Paris.
King.
Let their welcome be thy care good Woolsie,
Wool.
It shall my Liege.
Enter Cumpton.
King.
Spare for no cost, Compton, what newes?
Cump.
Embassadors my Liege.
King.
Inough, go giue them entertainement Lords,
Charles Brandon, hearst thou, giue them courtesie
Inough, and state inough, go conduct them.
Brand.
I go my Lord.
Enter Will sommers booted and spurred, blowing a horne.
King.
How now William, what? post, post, where
haue you bene riding.
Will.
Out of my way old Hary, I am all on the spurre,
I can tell yee, I haue tidings worth telling.
Why, where hast thou bin:
Wil.
Marrie I rise early, and ride post to London, to
know what newes was here at Court.
King.
Was that your neerest way William?
Will.
O I, the verie foote pathe, but yet I rid the horse
way to here it, I warrant there is nere a Cundhead keeperin
Londō, but knowes what is done in all the Courts
in Cristendome.
Wolsie.
And what is the best newes there William?
VVill.
Good newes for you my Lord Cardinall, for
one of the old wemen Waterbearers told me for certain,
that last Friday all the belles in Rome Rang backward,
there was a thowsand Derges sung, sixe hundred auemaries
said, euerie man washt his face in holy water, the
peopel crossing and blessing themselues to send them a
new Pope, for the old is gon to purgatory.
VVolsie.
Ha, ha, ha,
Will.
Nay, my Lord you'd laugh, if't were so indeed, for
euery bodie thinks if the Pope were dead, you gape for
a benefice, but this newes my Lord is cald too good to
be true.
King.
But this newes came a pace Will, that came
from Rome to London since Friday last.
Will.
For, twas at Billings-gate by Satterday Morning,
twas a full Moone, and it came vp in a spring tide.
Kin.
Then you here of the Embassadors that are come.
Willi.
I, I, & that was the cause of my ryding to know
what they came for, I was told it all at a Barbars.
King.
Ha, ha, what a fooles this, Iane, and what
doe they say he comes for, Will:
William:
Marry they say he comes to craue thy aide against the
great Turk that vowes to ouerrunne all France within this fortnight,
he's in a terrible rage belik, & they say, the reason is, his, old god Mamet
that was buried ith top on's Church at Meca, his Tombe fell
downe, and kilde a Sowe and seuen Pigges, whereupon they thinke
all swines flesh is new sanctified, and now it is thought the Iewes wil
fall to eating of porke extreamely after it.
king.
This is strang indeede, but is this all,
Will.
No there is other newes that was told me, among the wemen
at a backe house, and that is this, they say, the great Bell in glassenberie.
Tor has told twise, and that king Arthur, and his Knights
of the round Table that were buried in Armour, are aliue again, crying
Saint Gorge for England, and meane shortly to conquere Rome,
king.
The Embassadors are comming, and heare William see that
you be silent, when you see them heare.
William:
Ile be wise and say little I warrant thee, and therefore till I
see em come, Ile go talke with the Queene; how dost thou lane, sirra.
Harrie, shee lookes verie bigge vpon me, but I care not, and shee
bring thee a young Prince, Will sommers may hap's be his foole, whē
you two are both dead and rotten:
Kin:
Goe to William, how now Iane what groning,
Gods me th'hast an Angrie soldiers frowne:
William.
I thinke so Harrie, thou hast prest her often:
I am sure this two yeres she has seru'd vnder thy stādard.
Q: Iane,
Good faith my Lord I must intreat your grace
That with your fauour I may leaue the presence:
I cannot stay to heare this Embassage,
king.
Gods holy mother, Ladies lead her to her chāber,
Goe bid the Midwiues, and the Nursses waight,
Make holesome fiers and take her from the Ayer,
Now Iane God bring me but a chopping boy,
Be but the Mother to a Prince of Wales
Ad a ninth Henrie to the English Crowne,
And thou mak'st full my hopes, faire Queene adew:
And may heauens helping hand our ioyes renew:
Comp:
God make your Maiestie a happie Mother,
Dud:
And helpe you in your weakest passions,
With zealous prayer we all will inuocate:
The powers deuine for your deliuerie:
Q: Iane,
We thanke you all, and in faire enterchange
We'l pray for you: now on my humble knees,
I take my leaue of your high Maiestie,
God send your highnesse long and happie Raigne,
And blesse this kingdome, and your subiects lyues:
And to your gratious heart all ioy restore,
I feare I shall neuer behold you more,
King,
Doe not thinke so faire Queene, goe to thy bed,
Let not my loue be so discomforted.
Wil,
No. no, I warrāt thee Iane, make hast & dispatch this
That thou maist haue another against next Christmas
King,
Ladies attend her, Countesse of Salisburie, sister Mary
VVho first brings word that Harrie hath a Son
Shall be rewarded well:
Will,
I, Ile bee his suertie: but doe you heare wenches, shee that
Childs like the father or els shee shall haue nothinng.
Enter Lords and Embassadors
King.
Welcome Lord Bonneuet, welcome Bishop
What from our brother brings this Embassage.
Bonneuet.
Most faire cōmends great & renowned Hen.
We in the person of our Lord and King,
Here of your highnesse, doe intreate a League
And to reedefie the former peace:
Held betwixt the Realmes of England and of France,
Of late disordred for some pettie wrongs:
And pray your Maiestie to stay your powers:
Alreadie leuied in low Burgandie,
Which to maintaine our oaths, shall be ingadge,
And to confirme it with more surety,
He craues your faire consent vnto his loue,
And giue the Lady Marie for his Queene,
The second sister to your Royall selfe.
So may an heire springing from both your bloods.
Make both Realmes happie by a lasting League,
King.
Wee kindely doe receiue your Maisters loue,
And yet our grant stands stronge vnto his suit,
If that no following censure feeble it:
For we herein must take our Counsels aide.
But howsoeuer our answere shall be swift,
Meane time we grant you faire accesse to woe,
And winne her (if you can) to be his Queene.
Our selfe will second you. Right welcome both,
Lord Cardinall, these Lords shall be your Guests,
But let our Treasure Wast to welcome them:
Banquet them, how they will, what cheere, what sport,
Let them see Harry keepes a kingly Court:
VVolsie:
I shall my Soueraigne.
Ex. Wools:
Ki
With draw a while our selues will follow ye.
Now Will are you not deceiu'd in this Embassage,
You heard they came for aide against the Turke.
Will.
Well then; now I see there is loud lies told in London
But als on for their comming's to as much purpose as the other:
king:
And why I pray,
Wil.
Why dost thou thinke thy sister such a foole, to marrie such
an old dies veneris, he get herwith Prince? I, when either I, or the
Cardinall prooue Pope, and that will neuer be, I hope:
How knowest thou him to be old, thou neuer sawest him?
VVill.
No, nor he me, but I saw his picture with ner-a tooth ethe
head out, and all his beard as well fauoured as a white frost, but it is
no matter, if he haue her, he will dye shortly, and then she may help
to bury him,
Enter Ladyes.
1 Lad.
Runne, Runne, good Maddam, call the Ladyes in.
Call for more Womens helpe, the Queene is sicke.
2 Lad.
For Gods loue goe backe againe, and warme more clothes,
O let the wine be well burned I charge yee.
VVill.
I, In any case, or I cannot drinke it, doost thou heare Harry,
what a coile they keepe: I warrant, these women will drinke thee vp
more wine, with their gossipping, then was spent in all the Conduits
at thy Coronation.
Enter Lady Mary and the Countes of Salisbury.
King,
Tis no matter Will, How now Ladies,
La: Mary,
I beseech your grace command the foole
forth of the pesence,
k.
Away William you must be gone, her's womens matters in hand
Willi,
Let them speake loe then, Ile not out of the roome, sure,
Count,
Come, come let's thrust him out, he'le not sturre else:
Will:
Thrust me, nay and ye goe to thrusting, ile thrust some of you
downe I warrant ye:
King:
Nay, goe good William:
VVill.
Ile out of their company Harry, they will scratch worse then
cats, if they catch me, therefore Ile hence and leaue them, God boy
Ladyes do you heare Maddam Mary, you had neede to be wary,
my newes is worth a white-cake, you must play at tennis with old
Saint Dennis, and your maiden-heade must lye at the stake.
Exit.
King.
Ha, ha, the foole tels you true (my gentle sister)
But to our businesse, how fares my Queene?
How fares my Iane, has she a sonne for me?
To raise againe our kingdomes soueraignty
Lady Mary,
That yet rests doubtfull, O my princely Lord.
Your poore distressed Queene lyes weake and sicke,
And be it sonne or daughter, deere she buyes it,
Euen with her deerest life, for one must dye:
All Womens helpe is past. Then good my Leige,
Resolue it quickly, if the Queene shall liue,
You must your hapeles Queene of life bereaue,
Ki.
You peirce me with your newes, run, send for helpe.
Spend the reuenewes of my Crowne for aide,
To saue the life of my beloued Queene:
How hap't she is so ill attended on.
That we are put to this extremity,
To saue the Mother or the child to dye.
Countesse.
I beseech your grace resolue immediatly,
King.
Immediatly (saist thou) O, tis no quicke resolue
Can giue good verdit in so sad a choise:
To loose my Queene, that is my some of blisse,
More vertuous than a thowsand Kingdomes be;
And should I lose my Sonne (if Sonne it be)
That all my subiects so desire to see.
I loose the hope of this great Monarchy.
What shall I doe?
Lady Marie.
Remember the Queene my Lord:
King.
I not forget her (Sister) O poore soule,
But I forget thy paine and miserie,
Goe, let the Childe die; let the Mother liue,
Heauens powerfull hand may more children giue:
Away, and comfort her with our reply,
Harry will haue his Queene though thowsands die.
I know no issue of her princely wombe:
Why then should I preferre 't before her life.
Exit. La.
Whose death ends all my hopefull ioyes on earth.
God's will be done, for suer it is his will,
For secret reasons to himselfe best knowne:
Perhaps he did mould forth a Sonne for me,
And seeing (that sees all) in his creation,
To be some impotent and coward spirit,
Vnlike the figure of his Royall Father:
Has thus decrede, least he should blurre out fame,
As Whylome did the sixt king of my name
Loose all his Father (the first Henrie) wonne.
Ile thanke the Heauens for taking such a Sonne.
Whose within there?
Enter Compton.
My Lord.
king.
Goe Compton, bid Lord Seimer come to me,
The honor'd Father of my wofull Queene
Now now what newes?
We did deliuer what your highnesse wild,
Which was no sooner by her grace receiud:
But with the sad report, she seemd as dead,
Which causd vs stay, after reuouerie.
She sent vs backe tintreate your Maiestie,
As euer you did take delight in her,
As you preferre the quiet of her soule,
That now is readie to forsake this life,
As you desire to haue the life of one,
She doth intreate your grace that she may dye,
Least both doth perish in this agonie:
For to behold the infant suffer death,
Were endlesse tortures, made to stop her breath.
Then to my Lord (quoth she) thus gently say,
The child is faire, the mother earth and clay.
King.
Sad messenger of woe; oh my poore Queene,
Canst thou so soone consent to leaue this life,
So pretious to our soule, so deere to all,
To yeeld the hopefull yssue of thy loines,
To raise our second comfort, well, be it so:
Ill, be it so: stay, I reuoke my word,
But that you say helpes not, for she must dye:
Yet if ye can saue both, ile giue my crowne:
Nay, all I haue, and enter bonds for more,
Which with my conquering sword with fury bent,
Ile purchase in the farthest continent,
Vse all your chiefest skill, make hast away,
Whilst we for your successe deuoutly pray.
Enter Lord Seymer.
Seym.
All ioy and happinesse betide my Soueraigne.
King.
Ioy be it good Lord Seymer noble father,
Or ioy, or griefe, thou hast a part in it,
Thou comst to greete vs in a doubtfull houre,
Thy daughter and my Queene lies now in paine,
And if I loose, Seymer thou canst not gaine.
Sey.
Yet comfort, good my Liege, this womans woe,
Why? tis as certaine to her as her death,
Both giuen her in her first creation:
It is a sower to sweete, giuen them at first,
By their first mother, then put sorrow hence:
Your grace, ere long shall see a gallant Prince.
Be thou a Prophet Seymer in thy words,
Thy loue some comfort to our hopes affoords,
How now.
Enter two Ladies.
Count.
My gratious Lord, here I present to you,
A goodly sonne: see here your flesh, your bone,
Looke here royall Lord, I warrant tis your owne.
Seym.
See here my Liege, by the rood a gallant Prince,
Ha little cakebread, foregod a chopping boy.
King.
Euen now I wept with sorow, now with ioy,
Take that for thy good newes, how fares my Queene.
Enter Mary and one Lady.
Count.
O my good Lord, the wofull.
King.
Tell no more of woe, speake, doth she liue?
What? weepe ye all, nay, then my heart misgiues,
Resolue me sister, is the newes worth hearing.
L. Mary.
Nor worth the telling, royall Soueraigne.
King.
Now, by my crowne, thou dimst my royaltie,
And with thy cloudie lookes eclipst my ioyes,
Thy silent eye bewrayes a ruthfull sound,
Stopt in the organs of thy troubled spirit:
Say, is she dead.
La. Mary.
Without offence she is.
Kin.
Without offence, saist thou, heauen take my soule,
What can be more offensiue to my life:
Then sad remembrance of my faire Queenes death,
Thou wofull man, that camst to comfort me:
How shall I ease thy hearts calamitie?
That cannot helpe thy selfe, how one sad minute
Hath raisd a fount of sorrowes in his eyes,
And bleard his aged cheekes, yet Seymer see,
She hath left part of her selfe, a sonne to me:
To thee a graund-child, vnto the land a Prince,
The perfect substance of his royall mother,
In whom her memory shall euer liue:
Phænix Iana obit nato Phænice,
Dolendum secula phænices nulla tulisse duas.
One Phenix dying, giues another life,
Thus must we flatter our extreamest griefe.
What day is this.
Cump.
Saint Edwards euen my Lord.
Prepare for christning, Edward shall be his name,
Enter the Cardinall, Embassadors, Bonner and Gardner.
Wool.
My Lords of Fraunce you haue had small cheere with vs,
But you must pardon vs, the times are sad,
And soorts not now for mirth and banqueting:
Therefore I pray make your swift returne,
Commend me to your king, and kindly tell him,
The English Cardinall will remaine his friend,
The Lady Mary shall be forthwith sent,
And ouertake ye ere you reach to Douer:
And for the businesse that concearnes the league,
Vrge it no more, but leaue it to my care.
Bone.
We thanke your grace, my good Lord Cardinal,
And so with thankfulnesse we take our leaues.
Wool.
Happily speed my honorable Lords,
My heart, I sweare, still keepes you company,
Farewell to both, pray your king remember,
My sute betwixt him and the Emperour,
We shall be thankfull, if they thinke on vs.
Par.
We will be earnest in your cause my Lord,
So of your grace we once more take our leaues.
Wool.
Againe farewell, Bonner conduct them forth,
Now Gardner, what thinkst thou of these times.
Gard.
Well, that the leagues confirmd, my gratious Lord,
Ill, that I feare the death of good Queene Iane,
Will cause new troubles in our state againe.
VVool.
Why thinkst thou so?
Gard.
I feare false Luther: doctrins spread so farre,
Least that his highnesse now vnmaried,
Should match amongst that sect of Lutherans,
You saw how soone his maiestie was wonne,
To scorne the Pope, and Romes religion,
When Queene Anne Bullen wore the diadem.
Wool.
Gardner tis true, so was the rumor spread:
But Woolsie wrought such meanes she lost her head,
Tush feare not thou whilst Haries life doth stand,
He shall be king, but we will rule the land.
Bonner come hither, you are our trustie friend:
See that the treasure we haue gathered,
The smoake pence, and the tributary fees,
That English chimnies pay the Church of Rome:
Be barreld close within the inner seller,
Wele send it ouer shortly to prepare,
Our swift aduancement to Saint Peters chaire,
Be trustie, and be sure of honors speedily,
The king hath promised at the next election,
Bonner shall haue the Bishopricke of London.
Bon.
I humbly thanke your grace.
Wool.
And Gardner shall be Lord of Winchester:
Had we our hopes, what shall you not be then,
When we haue got the Papall diadem.
Exeunt.
Enter Brandon, Dudley, Gray, Seymer, Compton.
Br.
How now Sir William Cumpton, where is the king.
Cum.
His grace is walking in the gallery,
As sad and passionate as ere he was.
Dud.
Twere good your grace went in to comfort him.
Bran.
Not I Lord Dudley, by my George I sweare,
Vnlesse his Highnesse first had sent for me,
I will not put my head in such a hazzard,
I know his anger, and his spleene too well.
Gray.
Tis strange, this humor hath his highnesse held,
Euer since the death of good Queene Iane,
That none dares venture to conferre with him.
Enter Cardinall, Sommers, and Patch.
Dud.
Here comes the Cardinall.
Bran.
I, and two fooles after him, his Lordship is well attended still
Sem.
Lets win this prelate to salute the king,
It may perhaps worke his disgrace with him.
Wool.
How now William, what? are you here to.
VVill.
I my Lord, all the fooles follow you, I come to
bid my cosin Patch welcome to the court, and when I
come to Yorke house, hele do as much for me, will yee
not Patch?
Pat.
Yes cosin, hey, da, tere, dedell, dey, day.
sing.
Wool.
What, are you singing sirra.
Will.
Ile make him cry as fast anon I hold a peny.
Dud.
God morrow to your grace my good Lord Cardinall.
Wool.
We thanke your honour.
Enter king within.
Kyng.
What Cumpton, Carew.
Call within.
Harke, the king cals.
King.
Mother of God, how are we attended on: who waights without.
Brand.
Go in Sir William, and if you find his grace
In any milder temper then he was last night,
Let vs haue word, and we will visit him.
Cump.
I Will my Lord.
Exit.
Wool.
What is the occasion, that the kings so mou'd.
Brand.
His grace hath taken such an inward greefe,
With sad remembrance of the Queene that's dead:
That much his highnesse wrongs his state and person,
Besides in Ireland, do the Burkes rebell,
And stout Pearsie that disclod the plot,
Was by the Earle of Kildare late put to death.
And Martin Luther out of Germanie,
Has writ a booke against his Maiestie,
For taking part with proud Pope Iulius,
Which being spred by him through Christendome,
Hath thus incenst his royall maiestie.
Wool.
Tush, I haue newes, my Lord, to salue that sore,
And make the king more feard through christendome,
Then euer was his famous auncestors:
Nor can base Luther with his heresies,
Backt by the proudest germaine potentate,
Heretically blurre king Henries fame:
For honour that he did Pope Iulius,
Who in high fauour of his Maiestie,
Hath sent Campeus with a bull from Rome,
To adde vnto his title this high stile:
That he and his faire posteritie,
Proclaimd defenders of the faith shall be:
For which intent the holy Cardinals come,
As Legats from the Emperiall court of Rome.
Gr.
This newes, my Lord, may somthing ease his mind,
Twere good your grace would go and visit him.
Wool.
I will, and doubt not but to please him well.
Seym.
So, I am glad he's in, and the king be no better pleased then
he was at our last parting, hele make him repent his saucinesse.
Brand.
How now old William, how chance you go not to the king, and comfort him.
Will.
No birlady, my Lord, I was with him too lately already, his
fist is too heauie for a foole to stand vnder, I went to him last night,
him merry: and he gaue me such a boxe on the eare, that stroke me
cleane through three chambers, downe foure paire of staires, fell
ore fiue barrels, into the bottome of the seller, and if I had not well
lickard my selfe there, I had neuer liu'd after it.
Bran.
Faith Will, ile giue thee a veluet coate, and thou canst but
make him merry.
Will.
Will ye my Lord, and ile venter another boxe on the eare but
ile do it.
Enter Cumpton.
Cum.
Cleare the presence there, the king is comming,
Gods me, my Lords, what meant the Cardinall,
So vnexpected thus to trouble him.
Gray.
Is the king mou'd at it.
Enter the king and VVolsie.
Cumpt.
Iudge by his countenance, see he comes:
Bran.
Ile not indure the storme.
Dud.
Nor I.
Wil.
Runne foole your maister will be feld else.
King.
Did we not charge that none should trouble vs,
Presumptuous priest, proud prelate as thou art,
How comes it you are growne so saucie sir,
Thus to presume vpon our patience,
And crosse our royall thought disturbd and vext,
By all your negligence in our estate,
Of vs and of our countries happinesse.
VVool.
My gracious Lord.
King.
Fawning beast stand backe:
Or by my crowne, ile foote thee to the earth,
Wheres Brandon, Surrey, Seymer, Gray,
Where is your counsell now, O now ye crooch,
And stand like pictures at our presence doore,
Call in our guard, and beare them to the Tower,
Mother of God, ile haue the traitors heads,
Go hale them to the blocke, vp, vp, stand vp,
Ile make you know your duties to our state,
Am I a cypher, is my sight growne stale,
Am I not Hary, am I not Englands king, Ha.
Will.
So la, now the watchwords giuen, nay and hee
once cry ha, neare a man in the court dare for his head
speake againe, lye close cosin Patch.
Ile not come neare him cosin, has almost kild
me with his countenance.
King.
We haue bene too familiar, now I see,
And you may dally with our maiestie:
Where are my pages there.
Page.
My Lord.
Enter pages.
Kin.
Trusse sirra, none to put my garter on,
Giue me some wine, here stuffe a the tother side,
Proud Cardinall who follow'd our affaires in Italy,
That we that honor'd so Pope Iulius,
By dedicating bookes at thy request,
Against that vpstart sect of Lutheraus,
Should by that hereticke be banded thus,
But by my George, I sweare, if Henry liue,
Ile hunt base Luther through all Germany,
And pull those seuen electors on their knees:
If they but backe him against our dignities.
Bace slaue tie soft, thou hurtst my legge,
And now in Ireland the Burkes rebell,
And with his stubborne kernes makes hourely rodes,
To burne the borders of the English pale,
And which of all your counsels helpes vs now.
Enter Cumpton with wine.
Cumpt.
Heres wine, my Lord.
Kin.
Drinke, and be dambd, I cry thee mercy Cumpton,
What the diuell mentst thou to come behind me so,
I did mistake, ile make thee amends for it,
By holy Paule, I am so crost and vext,
I knew not what I did, and here at home,
Such carefull statsemen do attend vs,
And lookes so wisely to our common weale,
That we haue ill May-dayes, and riots made:
For lawlesse rebels do disturbe our state,
Twelue times this terme, haue we in person sate,
Both in the starre chamber, and Chauncery courts,
To heare our subiects sutes determined:
Yet tis your office Woolsie, but all of you
May make a packehorse of king Henry now:
Well, what would ye say.
Wool.
Nothing that might displease your maiesty,
I haue a message from the Pope to you.
King.
Then keepe it still, we will not heare it yet,
We cannot yet commaund our patience,
Reach me a chaire.
Brand.
Now wil, or neuer, make the king but smile,
And with thy mirthfull toyes allay his spleene,
That we his counten, may conferre with him,
And by my Honor, ile reward thee well,
Too him good Will.
Will.
Not too fast, I pray, least will Sommers nere bee
seene againe, I knowe his qualities as well as the best
an ye: for euer when he's angry, and no body dare
speake to him, ye thrust me in by the head and shoulders,
and then wee fall to buffits, but I know who has
the worst ant: but go, my Lord, stand aside, and stirre
not till I call yee, let my cosin Patch and I alone, and
hee goe to boxing, wele fall both vpon him, thats certaine:
but and the worst come, bee sure the Cardinals
foole shall pay fort.
Bra.
Vse your best skill, good william, ile not be seene,
Vnlesse I see him smile.
wil.
Where art thou cosin, alas poore foole, he's crept
vnder the table, vp cosin, feare nothing, the stormes
past, I warrant thee.
Patch.
Is the king gon, cosin?
wil.
No, no, yonder he sits, we are all friends now,
The Lords are gone to dinner, and thou and I must waite at the kings table.
Patch.
Not I birlady, I would not waite vpon such a
Lord, for all the liuings in the land, I thought he would
haue kild my Lord Cardinall, he lookt so terribly.
wil.
Foe, he did but iest with him, but ile tell thee cosin
the rarest tricke to bee reueng'd ast passes, and ile giue
thee this fine silke point, and thou'lt do it.
Patch.
Obraue, obraue, giue me it cosin, and ile doe what so ere tis.
wil.
Ile stand behind the post here, and thou shalt goe
softly stealing behind him, as hee sits reading yonder,
and when thou comst close to him, cryboh, and wele
scarre him so, he shall not tell where to rest him.
Patch.
But will he not be angry?
wil.
No, no, for then ile shew my selfe, and after he sees who tis, hele
by it, for all the house shall see him hugge thee in his armes, &
dandle thee vp and down with hand & foot an thou wert a footebal,
Page.
O fine come cosen, giue me the pynt first, & ile rore so lowd
that ile make him beleeue that the diuels come.
Will:
So doe and feare nothing, for an thou wert the diuell himselfe,
hele coniure thee I warrant thee, I would not haue such a coniuring
for twentie crownes: but whē he has made way, ile make him merry
enough, I doubt it not, so so now cossen looke to your Coxecomb:
Pag:
Boe.
King:
Mother of God whats that.
Page.
Boe.
King:
Out asse take that and tumble at my feete.
For thus Ile spurne thee vp an downe the house:
Pach:
Helpe cossen helpe:
Will:
No cossen now he's coniuring. I dare not come neere him.
king.
Who set this nat'rall neere to trouble me.
En, Comp:
Whose that stands laffing there, the foole, ha, ha,
Wheres Comptō. Mother a God I haue found his drift, tis the craftiest
old villaine in christendome, marke good Sir William, because the
foole durst not come neere himselfe, seeing our anger, sent this sillie
Asse, that we might wreake our royall spleene on him: whilest hee
stāds laffing to behold the lest, bith blessed La. (Cōpton) Ile not leaue
the foole, to gaine a million, he contents me so, come hether Will,
Will.
Ile know whether ye haue donne knocking first, my cosen
pach looks pittifully, ye had best bee friendes with vs I can tell you,
weele scare ye out of your skin els
King:
Alas, poore pach hold sirra ther's an Angell to buy you points
Wil.
Law Cosin, did not I say he'le make much on ye,
Pach:
I cosin but has made such a singing in my head
I cannot see where I am.
Will.
All the better cosin and your head fall a singing,
your feete may fall a dauncing & so saue charges to the
piper:
King.
Wil Sommers, prethee tell me why didst thou send him first.
VVil.
Because ile haue him haue the first fruits of thy furie. I knowe
how the matter stood with the next that disturb'd thee, therefore I
kept ith rereward, that if the battaile grew too hot, I might run presently
King.
But wherefore came ye.
Will.
To make thee leaue thy mellancholly and turne merrie man againe,
thou hast made all the Court in such a pittifull case as passes,
dares speake to thee, but thou art readie to choppe of
their heads fort: and now I seeing what a fretting furie
thou continuest in, and euerie one said twol'd kill thee if
thou keepst it, pulld eene vp my heart, and vowd to
loose my head, but ile make thee leaue it,
Ling.
Well William I am behoulding to ye.
Ye shall haue a new Coate and a cap for this.
Wil.
Nay then, I shall haue two new coats and cappes,
for Charles Brandon promised mee one before, to performe
this enterprise:
King.
He shall keepe his word will, goe call him in,
Call in the Lords tell them our spleene is calmbd:
Mother a God we must giue way to wrath.
That chafes our Royall blood with anger thus:
And vse some mirth I see to comfort vs.
Draw neere vs Lords, Charles Brandon list to me:
Will Sommers here must haue a Coate of you,
But Patch has earned it dearest whers the foole?
VVil.
Hees enne creeping as nere the doore as he can,
Heele faine begon I see, and he could get out,
Wouldest thou not cosin?
Pach:
Yes cosin VVil. Ild faine be walking, I am afraid,
I am not as I should be:
VVil.
Come, ile helpe thee out then, dost thou heare my
Lord Cardinall, your foole is in a pittifull taking, hee
smells terriblie.
Wools:
You are too craftie for him William,
King:
So is he Woolsey credit me.
Wil:
I thinke so my Lord, as long as will liue, the Cardinals
foole must giue way to the Kings foole:
K:
Well sir bequiet, and my reuerent Lords,
I thanke you for your patient suffering,
We were disturbed in our thoughts we sweare,
We now intreat you speake and we will heare,
Wools.
Then may it please your sacred Maiestie.
Campe.
Legate to his holinesse,
Attends with letters from the Court of Rome.
King:
Let him draw neere, weele giue him Audience,
Dudley: and Gray Attend the Cardinall,
And bring Campeus to our presence here:
Dud., Gray,
We goe my Lord:
king:
Brandon and Seymer, place your selues by vs,
To heare this message from his holinesse,
You reuerent princes pillers of the Church:
Legats, Apostolicke, how fares the Pope,
Campeus, In health great King and from his sacred lips:
I bring a blessing Appostolicall:
To English Henrie and his subiects all:
And more to manifest his loue to thee,
The prop and piller of the Churches peace:
And gratifie thy loue made plaine to him,
In learned books gainst Luthers heresie,
He sends me thus to greet thy Maiestie:
VVith stile and titles of high dignitie,
Command the Heralds and the Trumpets forth:
Semer:
Gentlemen dispatch and call them in:
VVill:
Lord blesse vs, whats here to doe now.
Campe,
Receaue this Bull sent from his holinesse.
For confirmation of his dignitie
To thee, and to thy faire posteritie.
VVill:
Tis well the Kings a widdower, and he had put
forrh your Bull with his hornes forward, Ide haue mard
your message. I can tell ye.
K:
Peace
Wil:
Herralds attend him:
Campe:
Trumpets prepare whilst we allowd pronounce
This sacred message from his Holinesse,
And in his reuerent name I heare proclayme
Henrie the Eight by the grace of God,
King of England, France and Ireland
And to this title, from the Pope we giue:
Defender of the faith, in peace to liue:
VVools, Sound Trumpets, and God saue the King.
K:
VVe thanke his holinesse for this princely fauour,
Receiuing it with thankes and reuerence:
In which whilst we haue life, his grace shall see,
Our sword defender of the faith shalbe,
Goe one of you salute the Maior of London,
Bid him with Herralds and with Trumpets sound,
Proclaime our Titles through his gouernment,
Goe Gray, see it donne, attend him fellowes:
I goe my Lord, Trumpets follow me,
Exit:
King.
What more Lord Legat doth his holinesse will?
Campe:
That Henry Ioyning with the Christian Kings
Of France and Spaine, Denmarke: and Portugale
would send an Armie to assaile the Turke,
That now inuades with Warre the Ile of Rhodes,
Or send twelue thowsand pound to be disposd,
As his holines thinkes best for their reliefe.
Wili:
I thought so, I knew twoold be a monnie matter,
when als done, now thart defēder of the faith, the Pope
will haue thee defend euerie thing himself and all.
kyng:
Take hence the foole.
vvil:
I, when can ye tel? dost thou thinke any oth Lords
will take the foole, none here, I warrant, except the
Cardinals.
kyng,
What a knauish fooles this, Lords you must beare
with him, come hether VVyll, what saist thou to this
newe tytell giuen vs by the Pope, speake, ist not
rare?
VVill:
I know not how rare it is, but I know how deer
twill bee, for I perceiue twill cost thee twelue thowsand
pounds, at least, besides the Cardynals cost in comming.
kyng,
All thats nothing, the title of defender of
the faith is worth yee, twise as much, say, is it
not.
VVyll:
No by my troth, dost heare old Harie; I am suer,
the true faith is able to defend it selfe without thee, and
as for the Popes faith (good faith's) not worth a farthing,
and therefore giue him not a penny.
K.
Goe too sirra meddle not you with the Popes
matters:
VV:
Let him not meddle with thy matters then, for,
and he meddle with thee, Ile middle with him thats certaine
and so farewell, Ile goe and meete my little young
Master Prince Edward, they say hee comes to Courte
to night, Ile to horsebacke, Prethee Harie send one to
hold my sturrup: shall I tell the Prince what the Pope
has donne.
I and thou wilt Will, hee shall be defender of the faith too, one day.
Will.
No, and he and I can defend our selues, we care not,
For we are sure the faith can.
(Exit.
King.
Lord Legat, so we reuerence Rome and you,
As nothing you demaund, shall be denied:
The Turke will we expell from Christendome,
Sending stout souldiers to his holinesse,
And mony to releeue distressed Rhoades:
So if you please, passe in to banquetting,
Goe Lords attend them, Brandon and Compton stay,
We haue some businesse to conferre vpon.
Comp.
We take our leaue.
Exit.
King.
Most hartie welcome to my reuerent Lords.
So, now to our businesse, Brandon say,
Heare yee no tydings from our sister Mary,
Since her arriuall in the Realme of France?
Bron.
Thus much we heard my Lord, at Cales met her
The youthfull Dolphin, and the Peeres of France:
And brauely brought her to the King at Towers,
Where he both married her, and crownde her Queene.
King.
Tis well, but Brandon and Compton list to me,
I must imploy your aide and secrecie,
This night we meane in some disguised shape,
To visit London, and to walke the round,
Passe through their watches, and obserue the care
And speciall diligence to keepe our peace.
They say night-walkers, hourely passe the streets,
Committing theft, and hated sacriliege:
And slightly passe vnstaied, or vnpunished,
Goe Compton, goe, and get me some disguise,
This night weele see our Cities gouernment:
Brandon, doe you attend at Baynards-Castle,
Compton shall goe disguisde along with me,
Our swordes and bucklers shall conduct vs safe,
But if we catch a knock to quit our paine,
Weele put it vp, and bye vs home againe.
Exit.
Constable.
Come neighbours, we haue a straight command,
Our watches be seuerely lookt into:
Much theft and murder was committed lately,
There are two strangers, marchants of the Stillyard
Cruelly slaine, found floating on the Temmes:
And greatly are Stewes had in suspect,
As places fitting for no better vse,
Therefore be carefull and examine all,
Perhaps we may attach the murderer.
1 Watch.
Nay I assure yee maister Constable, those stew-houses
are places of much slaughter and redemption, and many
cruell deedes of equitie and wickednesse are committed
there, for diuers good men loose both their money and their
computation by them, I abiure yee; how say you neighbor
Prichall?
Cob.
Neighbour Capcase, I knowe you're a man of courrage,
and for the merry cobler of Limestreete, tho I sit as lowe as
Saint Faithes, I can looke as high as Paules: I haue in my
dayes walkte to the stewes as well as my neighbours, but if the
mad wenches fall to burdering once, and cast men into the
Thames, I haue done with them, theres no dealing, if they carrie
fire in one hand, and water ith tother.
Con.
Well maisters we are now plac'st about the Kings businesse,
And I know ye all sufficient in the knowledge of it,
I need not to repeate your charge againe:
Good neighbours, vse your greatest care I pray,
And if vnruly persons trouble yee,
Call and ile come: so syrs goodnight.
Exit Constable.
God ye godnight and twentie syr, I warrant yee, yee
neede not reconcile to our charge, vor some on vs has discharged
the place this forty yeare I am sure. Neighbours what
thinke you best to be done?
Cob.
Euery man according to his calling neighbour, if the
enemie come, here lyes my towne of Garrison, I set on him as
I set on a patch, if he tread on this side, I vnderlay him on this
side, or prick him through both sides, I yerke him, and tricke
him, pare him and peece him, then hang him vp beth heeles
till Sunday.
1 Wat.
How say yee, by my faith neighbour Prichall yee
speake to the purpose, for indeed neighbours, euery sencible
watch-man is to seeke the best reformation to his owne destruction.
2 Wat.
But what thinke yee neighbours, if euery man take
a nap now, eth fore hand eth night, and goe to bed afterward.
Cob.
That were not a misse neither, but and youle take but
euery man his pot first, youle sleepe like the man eth Moone
yfaith.
2
Doe yee thinke neighbour, there is a man eth Moone?
1 Wat.
I assure yee in a cleare day, I haue seente at midnight.
2 Wat.
Of what occupation is he trow?
Cob.
Some thinkes he's a shepheard, because ons dog, some
saies he's a baker going to heate his ouen with a bauen ats
backe, but the plaine truth is, I thinke he was a cobler, for yee
know what the song sayes, I see a man eth Moone, fie man, fie,
I see a man eth Moone, clowting Saint Peters shoone, and so
by this reason, he should be a cobler.
1 Wat.
By my fekins he saith true, alas, alas, goodman Dormouse
hath euen giuen vp the gost already, tis an honest quiet
soule I warrant yee.
Cob.
It behoues vs all to be so how doe yee neighbour Dormouse?
Dor.
Godspeed yee, Godspeed yee, nay and yee goe a godsname,
I haue nothing to say to yee.
2
Lawe yee, his minds ons businesse, though he be nere so sleepie,
Cob.
Come lets all ioyne with him and steale a nappe, euery
man maisters to his seuerall stall.
2
Agreed, Godnight good neighbours.
Nay, lets take no leaue, ile but winke a while, and see
you againe.
Enter King, and Compton, with bids on his backe.
King.
Come sir William,
We may now stand vpon our gaurd you see,
The watch has giuen vs leaue to arme our selues,
They feare no danger, for they sleepe secure:
Goe carry those bils we tooke to Baynards Castle,
And bid Charles Brandon to disguise himselfe,
And meet me presently at Grace Church Corner,
We will attempt to passe through all the watches,
And so I tak't t'will be an easie taske,
Therefore make haste.
Comp.
I will my Liege.
King.
The watch-word if I chance to send to yee,
Is the great Stagge of Baydon, so my name shall bee.
Comp.
Inough, weele thinke on it.
Exit.
Kin.
So, now weele forward, soft yonder's light,
I and a watch, and all asleepe burlady:
These are good peaceable subiects, heres none
Beckens to any, all may passe in peace: Ho sirrha.
Cob.
Stand, who goes there?
King.
A good fellow. Stands a hainous word ethe Kings
High way, you haue bene at Noddie, I see.
Cob.
I, and the first card comes to my hand's a Knaue.
King.
I am a Coatecard indeed.
Cob.
Then thou must needes be a Knaue, for thou art neither
King nor Queene, (I am sure) But whether goest thou?
King.
About a little businesse that I haue in hand.
Cob.
Then good night, prethy trouble me no longer.
King.
VVhy this is easie enough, heres passage at pleasure,
What wretch so wicked, would not giue faire words
After the foulest fact of Villainie?
That may escape vnseene so easily,
Or what should let him that is so resolu'd
To murder, rapine, theft, or sacriledge?
I see the Citie are the sleepie heads,
Fond heedlesse men, what bootes it for a King,
To toyle himselfe in this high state affaires,
To summon Parliaments, and call together
The wisest heads of all his Prouinces:
Making statutes for his subiects peace,
That thus neglecting them, their woes increase.
Well, weele further on, soft here comes one,
Ile stay and see, how he escapes the watch.
Enter Blacke VVill.
Black VVill.
So, now I am got within the Cittie, I am as
safe as in a Sanctuarie: it is a hard world, when Blacke VVill, for
a venture of fiue pound, must commit such pettie robberies
at Mile-ende, but the plaine truth is, the Stewes from whence
I had my quartaridge is now growne too hote for me: theres
some suspection of a murther lately done vpon two Marchants
of the Stilliard, which indeede as farre as some fiue or
sixe stabs comes too, I confesse I had a hand in. But mumbudget,
all the Dogges in the towne must not barke at it.
I must withdraw awhile till the heate bee ore, remooue my
lodging, and liue vpon darke nights and mistie mornings.
Now let me then see, the strongest watch in London intercept
my passage.
King.
Such a Fellow would I faine meete withall:
Well ouertaken syr.
Blacke VVill.
Sblood come before me syr:
What a Diuell art thou?
King.
A man at least.
Black.
And art thou valiant?
King.
I carry a sword and a buckler ye see.
Black.
A sword and a buckler, and know not me,
Not Blacke Will?
King.
No trust mee.
Blacke Will.
Slaue, then thou art neither Traueller, nor
Purse-taker: for I tell thee, Blacke Will is knowne and feared
though the seuenteene Prouinces: theres not a sword
of my manhood. I am tole-free in all Citties, & the Subburbs
about them: this is my Sconce, my Castle, my Cittadell, and
but King Harry, God blesse his Maiestie, I feare not the
proudest.
King.
O yes, some of his guard.
Blacke VVil.
Let his guard eats beefe and be thankfull, giue
me a man wil couer himself with his buckler, and not booge
and the diuel come.
King.
Me thinkes thou wert better liue at Court as I doe,
King Harry loues a man, I can tell ye.
Blacke Will.
Would thou and all the men hee keepes were
hangde, and ye loue not him then: but I will not change my
reuenues for all his guardes wages.
King.
Hast thou such store of liuing?
Blacke will.
Art thou a good fellow?
May I speake freely, and wilt not tel the king ont?
King.
Keepe thine owne counsell, and feare not,
For of my faith the King shall know no more for mee, then
thou telst him.
UUill.
And I tell him any thing let him hang me: but for
thy selfe, I thinke if a fat purse come ith way, thou wouldest
not refuse it. Therefore leaue the Court and sharke with me,
I tell thee, I am chiefe commander of all the Stewes, theres
not a whoore shifts a smocke but by my priuiledge, nor opens
her shoppe before I haue my weekely tribute: And to
assure thee my valour carryes credite with it, doe but walke
with me through the streetes of London, and let mee see the
proudest watch disturbe vs.
King.
I shall be glad of your conduct syr.
Black.
Follow me then, and ile tell thee more.
1. Watch.
Stand, who goes there?
Blac.
A good fellow: come close, regard them not.
2. Watch.
How shall wee know thee to be a good fellow?
Blacke UUill.
My names Blacke Will.
1. Watch.
Oh, God giue yee good night, good Maister Blacke William.
God boye sir, God boye,
I am glad we are so well rid on him.
Will.
Law sir, you see heres egresse enough,
Now follow me, & you shal see weele haue regresse backe againe.
1. Watch.
Hoe comes there?
Cob.
Come afore the Constable.
VVil.
What haue ye forgot me so soone? tis I.
2. VVatch.
O, tis M. Blacke VVilliam,
God blesse ye sir, God blesse ye.
Black.
How likst thou now?
King.
Faith excellent: but prethe tell me, doest thou face
the world with thy man-hood, that thus they feare thee, or
art thou truely valiant?
Blacke VVill.
Sfoote, doest thou doubt of my man-hood?
Nay then defend your selfe, ile giue you a try all presently, betake
yee to your tooles sir, ile teach ye to stand vpon Intergatories.
King.
I am for ye, theres neere a man the King keepes shal
refuse ye: but tell mee, wilt thou keepe the Kings Acte for
fighting.
Blacke.
As ye please sir: yet because th'art his man, ile obserue
it, and neither thrust nor strike beneath the knee.
King.
I am pleasde, haue at you sir.
They fight.
1. Watch.
Helpe neighbours, O take ye to your browne
Billes, call vp the Constable, heres a peece of chance-meddle
ready to be committed: set on good-man Sprichall.
Cob.
Ile ferke them a both sides, lye close neighbour Dormouse,
keepe the kings peace, I charge ye, helpe M. Constable.
Enter the Constable.
Con.
Keepe the peace, or strike them downe.
Black.
Sownes, I am hurt, hold I say.
2. VVatch.
Let them not passe nieghbours, heres bloodshed
drawne vpon one of the Kings Officers.
Con.
Take away their weapons, and since you are so hot,
Ile set you where you shall be coole enough.
Blacke Wil.
Sownes the Moones a wayning harlot, with
the glimse of her light I lost his poynt, & mistooke my ward,
had neere brocht my blood else.
pray sir what are you?
King.
I am the Kings man sir, and of his Guard.
Con.
More shame you should so much forget your selfe,
For as I takte, tis parcell of your oath,
As well to keepe his peace, as guard his person:
And if a Constable be not present by,
You may as well as he, his place supply:
And seeing yee so neglect your oath and dutie,
Goe bare them to the Counter presently,
There shal yee answere for these misdemeanors.
2 Wat.
Has broake my head syr, and furthermore it bleeds.
Con.
Away with them both, they shall pay thee well ere
they come forth, I warrant thee.
Will.
I beseech yee syr.
King.
Neuer intreat man, we shall haue baile I doubt it not,
But maister Constable, I hope youle doe me this fauour, to let
one of your watchmen goe of an arrant for me, if I pay him?
Con.
With all my heart syr, heres one shall goe.
King.
Hold thee good fellowe, heres an angell for thee, goe
thy way to Baynards Castle, & aske for one Brandon, he serues
the Duke of Suffolke, and tell him his bedfellow, or the great
stagge of Baydon this night is clapteth Counter, and bid him
come speake with me. Come Constable lets goe, syrrha make
hast.
Exit.
Cob.
I warrant you syr, and this be all, ide haue done it for
halfe the mony: well, I must enquire for one Brandon, and tell
him the great stag of Baydon is eth Counter, burlady I doubt
they be both craftie knaues, and this is some watch-word betweene
them: beth masse I doubt hee nere come well by his
mony, hees so liberall, well ile forward.
Enter Brandon, and Compton.
Bron.
Syr William, are you sure it was at Graces-Church
His Maiestie appointed we should meete him?
We haue bin there and mist him, what thinke yee syr?
Good faith I know not.
His Highnesse is too vnterous bold, my Lord:
I know he will forsake himselfe in this,
Opposing still against a world of oddes.
Bran.
Good faith tis true: but soft here comes one,
How now good fellow, whether goest thou?
Cob.
It lyes in my authoritie sir,
To aske you that question.
For I am one of the kings watch, I can tell ye.
Co.
Then perhaps thou canst tel vs some tydings:
Didst thou not see a good lustie tall bigge set man, passe
through your watch to night?
Cob.
Yes sir, there was such a man came to our watch to
to night, but none that past through, for he behaued himselfe
so, that he was laid hold on quickly, and now he is forth comming
in the Counter.
Brandon.
And whether art thou going?
Cob.
Faith sir, has giuen me an Angel, to doe an arrande
for him at Baynards Castle, to one Brandon, that serues the
Duke of Suffolke; he sayes he is his Bed-fellow, and I must tell
him, the great Stagge of Baydon, is eth Counter.
Bran.
If thine errande bee to Brandon, I can saue thee a labour,
for I am the man thou lookst for, wee haue beene seeking
him almost all this night: hold thee theres an Angel for
thy newes, ile baile him I warrant thee.
Exit.
Cob.
I thanke you sir: but hees not so soone baylde, as you
thinke for, theres two of the Kings watch has their heads
broke, and that must bee answered for, but alls won to mee,
let them shuffell as they will, the Angels has flowne about to
night, and two guls are light into my handes, and these ile
keepe, let him get out as he can.
Exit.
Enter the King in Prison.
King.
Hoe Porter, whose without there?
Porter.
Whats the matter now? will yee not goe to bed to night?
No trust me, twill be morning presently,
And I haue hope I shall be bailde ere then:
I prethe if thou canst, entreate some of the prisoners to keepe
me companie a paire of houres, or so: and weele spend them:
ethe rouse of healthes, and all shall be my cost.
Say wilt thou pleasure me?
Port.
If that will pleasure ye sir, ye shall not want for company,
heres I now that can tend it, they haue hunger and ease
enough at all times.
King.
Theres a couple of Gentlemen in the next roome, I
prethe let them come in, and thers an Harry Soueraigne for
thee.
Port.
I thanke you sir, I am as much beholding to you, as
to King Harry for it.
Exit.
King.
I, I assure thee thou art.
Well M. Constable, you haue made the Counter
This night, the royall Court of Englands King:
And by my crowne I sweare, I would not for
A thousand pound t'ware otherwise.
The Officers in Citties, now I see,
Are like an Orchard set with seuerall Trees,
Where one must cherish one, rebuke the other:
And in this wretched Counters I perceiue,
Mony playes fast and loose, purchaces fauour,
And without that, nought but miserie.
A poore Gentleman hath made complaint to mee,
I am vndone (quoth he) and kept in prison,
For one of your fellows that serues the King,
Being bound for him, and he neglecting me.
Hath brought mee to this woe and miserie.
Another Cittizen there is, complaines
Of one belonging to the Cardinall,
That in his Maisters name hath taken vp
Commodities, valued at a thousand pound:
The paiment being deferde hath causde him break,
And so is quite vndone. Thus kings & Lords I see,
Are oft abusde by seruants treacherie.
But whist a whyle, here comes my fellow prisoners.
1. Prisoner.
Wheres this bullie Grig, this lad of life, that will
scowre the counter with right renish to night? Oh Sir you are
welcome.
King.
I thanke ye syr, nay weele be as great as our word, I
assure yee. Heere Porter, thers mony, fetch wine I prethe:
Gentlemen you cannot bee merry in this melancholy place;
but heres a Lad has his heart as light as his purse. Sirra, thou
art some mad slaue I thinke, a reguler companion: won that
that vses to walke a nights, or so. Art thou not?
1. Pri.
Harke ethen eare, thart a good fellow.
King.
I am right borne I assure thee.
1. Pri.
King Harry loues a man, and thou a woman:
Shall I teach thee some wit?
And tell thee why I met thee here?
I went and set my limbe-twigs, and I thinke
I got some hundred pound,
By a crooked measure at Coome Parke:
And now seeing there was watch layde,
And much search for suspitious persons:
I got won as honest as my selfe to arrest me,
By a contrary name, and lay me eth counter,
And here I know thayle nere seeke me,
And so when the heats ore, I am at libertie,
And meane to spend my crownes lustily:
How likst thou this my Bullie?
King.
An excellent pollicie.
1. Pri.
But mum, no words: vse it for your self, or so.
King.
O syr, feare it not, be merry Gentlemen: Is not this
wine come yet? Gods me, forget our chiefe geust, wheres my
sword and buckler-man? wheres Blacke will? how now man,
melancholy? let not a little wipe make vs enemies, clap hands,
and be friends.
Will.
My bloods vp still.
King.
When tis at highest twill fall againe, come handes, hands.
Blacke Wil.
Ile shake hands with thee, because thou carriest
a Sword and Buckler, yet thart not right Cauelere, thou
knowst not how to vse them, thaste a heauie arme.
King.
I a good smart stroke.
Thou cutst my head indeed, but twas no play, thou
layest open enough, I could haue entred at my pleasure.
King.
Nay I haue stout guard I assure ye.
Wil.
Childish to a man of valour, when thou shouldst
haue borne thy Buckler here, thou lettest it fall to thy knee,
thou gauest mee a wipe, but twas meere chaunce: but had
we not beene parted, I had taught ye a little Schoole play I
warrant ye.
Brandon speakes within.
Brandon.
What hoe, porter: who keepes the gates there?
Porter.
Who knockes so fast?
Enter Brandon and Compton hastily.
Compt:
Stand by sirrah.
Porter.
Keepe backe I say, whither wil ye presse amongst the prisoners?
Bran.
Sirrah to the Court, and we must in.
Port.
Why sir, the courts not kepteth Counter to day.
Bran.
Yes when the king is there,
All happinesse betide our Soueraigne.
Will.
Sownes king Harry.
1. Pri.
Lord I beseech thee no.
All.
We all intreat your grace to pardon vs.
King.
Stand vp good men: beshrew ye Brandon for discocouering
vs, we shall not spend our time so well this moneth:
but theres no remedie now, the worst is this,
Ye all are courtiers yet. Nay, nay, come forward,
Euen now you know we were more familiar:
You see pollicies holdes not alwayes currant,
I am found out, and so I thinke will you be:
Goe Porter let him be remoued to Newgate,
This place I see is too secure for him:
Weele send you further word for his bestowin.
1. Pri.
I beseech your Grace.
King.
Theres no grace in thee, nor none for thee:
Goe, away with him.
Exit Porter and Prisoner.
Will.
Sownes I shall to Tyburne presently.
King.
Gentlemen, you that haue beene wrongde by my
seruants and the Cardinals, shall giue me neerer notes of it,
Send your petitions to the Court to me.
And doubt not but you shall haue remedie:
Theres fortie Angels, drinke to King Harries health,
And thinke withall, much wrong Kings men may do:
The which their maisters nere consent vnto.
2 Pris.
God blesse your Maiesty with happy life,
That thus respect; your wofull subiects griefe,
King.
Wheres Black VVill, nay come neerer man,
I came neerer you, though yee mislikte my play.
VVill.
Beth Lord, your Maiesties the best sword and buckler
man in Europe, ye lye as close to your wards, carrie your point
as faire, that no Fencer comes neere ye for gallant Fence-play.
King.
Nay now yee slatter me.
Will.
Foregod yee broake my head most gallantly.
King.
I But twas but by chance ye know, but now your heads
broke, you looke for a plaster I am sure.
Will.
And your grace will giue me leaue, Ile put it vp and
goe my waies presently.
King.
Nay soft syr, the Keeper wil denie yee that priuiledge,
Come hither syrrha, because ye shal know King Harrie loues
a man, & I perceiue theres some mettall in thee, theres twentie
Angels for thee, marrie it shall be to keepe yee in prison still,
till we haue further vse for ye. If yee can breake through watches
with egres and regres so valiantly, ye shal doote amongst
your countries enemies.
VVill.
The wars sweet King, tis my delight, my desire, my
chaire of state, create me but a tattord Corporall, and giue me
some preheminēce ouer the vulgar hot-shots, and I beat them
not forward to as braue attempts, and march my selfe Ith
Vantguard, as ere carierd against a Castle wall, break my head
in two places more, and consume me with the mouth of a double
culuering, Ile liue and dye with thee sweet King.
King.
Twill be your best course sir, goe take him in,
VVhen we haue need of men, weele send for him.
VVill.
God blesse your maiestie, ile goe drinke to your health.
Exit.
King.
Begone sir, keeper I thanke you for our lodging,
Praie tell the Constable that brought vs hither,
We thanke him, and commend his faithful seruice.
Gentlemen lets heare from you, & so God morrow,
Keeper, theres for my fees, discharge the offices:
And giue them charge that none discouer vs,
Till we are past the citie: in this disguise we came,
Weele keepe vs still, and so depart againe.
Once more God morrow, you may now report,
Your connter was one night King Henries court.
Away and leaue vs, Brandon what further newes?
(Exit.
Bran.
The old king of France is dead my Liege,
And left your sister Mary a young widdow.
King.
God forbid man, what not so soone I hope,
She has not yet bin married fortte daies:
Is this newes certaine?
Bran.
Most true my Lord.
King.
Alas poore Mary, so soone a widdow,
Before thy wedding robes be halfe worne out:
We must then prepare black funerall garments too,
Well, weele haue her home, the league is broake:
And weele not trust her safetie with the French.
Charles Brandon, you shall goe to France for her,
See that your traine be richly furnished,
And if the daring French, braue thee in attempts
Of honour, Barriers, Tilt, and Turnament:
So to retaine her, bare thee like thy selfe,
An English man, dreadlesse of the prowdest:
And highly scorning lowly hardinesse.
Bran.
I shall my Soueraigne, and in her honour,
Ile cast a challenge through all the court:
And dare the proudest Peere in France for her.
King.
Commend me to the Ladie Catherine Parry,
Giue her this Ring, tell her on sunday next
She shall be Queene, and crownde at Westminster:
And Anne of Cleane shall be sent home againe:
Come syrs, weele leaue the citie, and the counter now,
The day begins to breake, lets hye to court,
Exit.
Enter the Cardinall reading a letter, Bonner in his Bishops Roabes.
VVol.
My reuerent Lord of London,
Our trustie friend, the king of France is dead,
And in his death, our hopes are hindred:
The Emperour too, mislikes his praises,
But we shall crosse him fort I doubt it not:
And tread vpon his pompe imperiall,
That thus hath wrongde the English Cardinall.
Bon.
Your graces letters by Campeans sent,
I doubt not but shall worke your full content.
Wol.
I that must be our safest way to worke,
Monie will make vs men, when men stand out:
The Bastard Fredericke to attaine the place,
Hath made an offer to the Cardinalls,
Of threescore thousand pound, which we will pay,
Three times thrice double, ere we lose the day.
Enter Will Sommers and Patch.
Patch.
Come cousen William, Ile bring yee to my Lord
Cardinall presently.
Will.
I thanke yee cousen, and when you come to the court,
Ile bring you to the King againe, yee knowe cousen, he gaue
yee an angell.
Patch.
I but he gaue me such a blow oth eare for it, as I care
not for comming Ins sight againe while I liue.
Wol.
How now Patch, who haue you got there? what Will
Sommers welcome good William.
Will.
I thanke your grace, I hard say your Lordship had
made two new Lords here, and so the two old fooles are come
to waite on them.
Bon.
VVe thanke yee VVilliam.
Patch.
Your Lordship will be wel guarded, & we follow ye,
fooles I assure yee.
VVill.
No indeede, my cousen Patch here is something too
square to be set on your shooe, marry and youle weare him
on your shoulder, the foole shall ride yee.
VVol.
A shrewde foole Bonner, come hither William, I haue a
quarrell to you since our last ryming.
VVill.
About your faire Leman at Charlton my Lord, I remember.
Bon.
You speake plaine William.
Will.
Yee neuer knew foole a flatterer I warrant yee.
Wol.
Well VVill, Ile try your ryming wits once more,
What say you to this?
The bells hang high, and lowd they cry, what do they speake?
Will.
If you should dye, theres none would cry, though
your neck should breake.
Wol.
You are something bitter VVilliam: But come on, once
more I am for yee. A rod in schoole, a whip for a foole, is alwaies
in season.
Will.
A halter and a rope, for him that would be pope,
Against all right and reason.
Wol.
Hees too hard for me still, Ile giue him ouer, come
tell me Will, whats the newes at Court?
Will.
Marry my Lord, they say the King must be married
this morning.
Wol.
Married Will, to whom I prethee?
Will.
Why to my Lady Catherin Parry, I was once by, when
he was wooing on her, and then I doubted they would go together
shortly.
Wol.
Holy Saint Peter sheeld his Maiestie,
She is the hope of Luthers heresie:
If she be Queene, the Protestants will swell,
And Cranmer, Tutor to the Prince of Wales,
Will boldly speake gainst Romes Religion,
But Bishops weele to Court immediately,
And plot the downfall of these Lutherans:
You two are Tutors to the Princes Mary,
And make her hate the name of Protestant:
I doe suspect that Latimer and Ridly,
Chiefe teachers of the faire Elizabeth,
Are not sound Catholickes, nor friendes to Rome,
If it be so, weele soone remoue them all:
Tis better they should dye, then thousands fall.
Come follow vs. Manit, VVil, and Patch.
Exit omnes.
VVill.
Your Lords mad, till he be at the wedding, twas maruell
the King stole it so secretly and nere told him ont, but alls
one, if he be married, let him play with his Queene to night,
and then to morrow heele call for me, theres no foole toth wilfull
still. What shall we doe cousen?
Patch.
Ile goe get the key of the wine-seller, and thou and
Ile keepe a passage there to night.
Will.
VVe haue but a little wit betweene vs already cousen,
and so we should haue none at all.
Patch.
VVhen our wits be gone, weele sleepe eth sellor, and
lye without our wits for one night.
Will.
Content, and then eth morning weele but wet them
with an other cup more, and thaile shaue like a rasor all day
after. Come close good cuzze, let no bodie goe with vs, least
they be drunke before vs, for fooles are innocents, and must be
accessarie to no mans ouerthrow.
Exit.
Sound Trumpets.
Enter King, Queene Katherine, Cardinall, Semer, Dudly, Gray.
Enter Compton, crying Hoboyes.
King.
VVelcome Queene Katherine, seat thee by our side,
Thy sight faire Queene, by vs thus dignified,
Earles, Barrons, Knights, and Gentlemen,
Against yee all, weele be chiefe challenger,
To fight at Barriours, Tilt, and Turnament,
In honour of the faire Queene Katherine.
Queene.
VVe thanke your highnesse, and beseech your grace,
VVithout such honors is your handmaid pleasde,
Obediently to yeeld all loue and dutie,
That may beseeme your sacred Maiestie.
King.
God a mercie, but where are our children?
Prince Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth,
The royall Issue of three famous Queenes,
How haps we haue not seene them here to day?
Dud.
They all my Liege attend your maiestie,
And your faire queene, so within the presence here.
King.
Tis well, Dudlie call Cranmer in,
He is chiefe Tutor to our Princely sonne,
For precepts that concerne diuinitie.
Enter Cranmer.
And here he comes, Cranmer, you must ply the Prince,
Let his wast howers be spent in getting learning:
And let those linguists for choyce languages,
Be carefull for him in their best indeuours,
Bid Doctor Tye, ply him to Musicke hard,
Hees apt to learne, therefore be diligent,
He may requite your loue when we are gone.
Cran.
Our care and duty shall be had my Lord.
King.
We thanke yee.
I tell thee Cranmer he is all our hopes,
That what our age shall leaue vnfinished,
In his faire raigne shall be accomplished.
Goe and attend him, how now Wil Sommers, whats the newes with you?
Enter Will Sommers.
VVil.
I come to bid thee and thy new Queene Godmorrow.
Looke to him Kate least he cozen thee, prouide ciuill Orenges
enough, or heele haue a Lemmon shortly.
Queene.
Godamercie VVill, thout tell me then, wilt thou not?
VVill.
I and watch him too, or let him nere trust me: but doest
heare Harry, because Ide have thee haue the poores prayers, I
haue brought thee some petitions, the Fryers and Priests pray
too, but I thinke tis as children say grace, more for fashion
heard, because they beg for Godsake, therefore I prethee
dispatch them.
King.
Reade them Semer.
Semer.
The humble petition of the Lady Seaton, for her
distressed son, that in his owne defence, vnhappily hath slaine a man.
King.
The Lady Seaton, Gods holy mother,
Her sonne has had our pardon twise alreadie,
For two stout subiects that his hand hath slaine.
VVill.
And any had said so but thou Harry, Ide haue tolde
him a lyde, hee nere kild but one, thou kildst the tother: for
and thou hadst hang'd him for the first, the two last had bin
aliue still.
King.
The foole tels true, they wrong our Maiestie
That seeke our pardon for such crueltie:
Away with it.
VVill.
Giue me it againe, It shall nere be seene more I assure
ye: and I had knowne tad come for that purpose, It should nere
haue bin brought for VVill I warrant yee.
Se.
This other comes from two poore prisoners eth counter.
King.
We know the inside then, come giue them me,
Lord Cardinall, heres one is dedicated to you.
How! read it: whose there? Compton enquire for Rookesbie a
Groome of the wardrope, and bring him hither.
Comp.
I will.
King.
Cardinall, what find yee written there?
Wol.
Mine own discredit, and the vndoing of an honest citizen,
by a false seruant.
Will.
Tis not your foole my Lord I warrant ye.
Wol.
No will?
Will.
I thought so, I knewe twas one of your knaues, for
your fooles are harmelesse.
Queen.
Welsed Wil, thou louest thy maisters credit I know.
Will.
I Kate as well as any Courtier he keepes:
I had rather hee should haue the poores prayers, then the Popes.
Faith I am of thy mind Will, I thinke so too.
King.
Take heed what yee say Kate, what a Lutheran?
Wol.
Tis Heresie faire Queene, to thinke such thoughts.
Queene.
And much vncharity to wrong the poore?
Will.
VVell, and when the Pope is at best, hee is but Saint
Peters debutie, but the poore, present Christ, and therefore
should be something better regarded.
King.
Goe too foole.
Wol.
Syrrha, youle be whipt for this.
Will.
Would the King wood whip thee and all the Popes
whelpes out of England once, for betweene yee, yee haue rackt
and puld it so, we shal be all poore shortly, you haue had foure
hundred threescore pound within this three yeare for smoakepence,
you haue smoakte it yfaith: dost heare Harry, next time
they gather them, let them take the chimnies, and leaue the
coyne behind them, wee haue clay enough to make bricke,
though we want siluer mines to make mony.
King.
VVell William your tongue is priuiledgde.
VVol.
But my good Liege, I feare theres shroder heads
Although kept close, has set this foole a worke,
Thus to exstirpe against his holinesse.
VVill.
Doe not you thinke so my Lord, nor stomake no bodie
about it: yee know what the old Prouerbe saies, therefore
be patient, great quarrellers small credit winnes:
VVhen fooles set stooles, and wise men breake their shinnes:
therefore thinke not on it, for Ile sit downe by thee Kate and
say nothing, for here comes one to be examined.
Enter Compton and Rookesbie.
King.
O syr, you're welcome, Is your name Kookesbie?
Rookes.
your poore seruant is so calde my Lord.
King.
Our seruant we gesse yee by the cloath yee weare, but
for Your pouertie tis doubtful, your credit is so good. Lets see
whats the mans name, ha! Hopkins, doe you know the man?
Hopkins? No my Lord.
King.
Had you neuer no dealings with such a man?
Rookes.
No, if it like your Maiestie.
King.
No, if it like our Maiestie, saucie varlet:
It likes not our Maiestie, thou shouldst say no:
It likes vs not, thou lyest, for that we know.
You know him not, but he too well knowes you,
And lyes imprisoned slaue, for whats thy due.
Rookes.
Sure some enuious man hath misinformd.
King.
Darst thou denie it still, out-facing knaue,
Mother a God, ile hang thee presently.
Sirra ye lie: and though ye weare the kings cloath,
Yet we dare tell ye so before the king:
Slaue thou doest know him.
He here complaines he is vndone by thee,
And the kings man hath causde his miserie.
Yet youle out-face it still, denie, forsweare, and lie sir, ha?
Wil.
Not a word more, if thou louest thy life, vnlesse thou't
confesse all, and speake faire.
Rookes.
I doe beseech your Grace.
K.
Out periurde knaue, what doest thou serue the King,
And darste thou thus abuse our Maiestie:
And wrong my subiects by thy trecherie?
Thinkst thou false theefe, thou shalt be priuiledged
Because thart my man, to hurt my people:
Villaine, those that guard me, shal regard mine honour:
Put off that coate of proofe, that strong securitie:
Vnder which ye march like a halbertere,
Passing through purgatorie, and none dare strike:
A Seriants mace must not presume to touch
Your sacred shoulders with the kings owne writ,
Gods deere Lady, does the cloath ye weare,
Such priuiledge and strong preuention beare.
Ha, ist Rookesby?
Rookes.
My royall Lord.
Enter a Messenger in haste.
King.
Take that, and know your time to tell your
Message: Sirra, I am busie.
So, theres one seru'd: I thinke you would take two
more with all your heart, so you were well rid on him.
Rookes.
Your pardon good my Liege.
King.
Ha, pardon, thee: I tell thee did it touch thy life in
ought, more then mine owne displeasure, not the world
should purchase it, vilde Catiffe: hadst thou neglected this
thy dutie to our persons danger: Hadst thou thy selfe against
me ought attempted, I might bee sooner wonne to pardon
thee, then for a subiects hatefull iniurie.
Queene.
Let me entreat your Grace to pardon him,
King.
Away Kate, speake not for him,
Out of my lenitie I let him liue,
Discharge him from my cloath and countenance,
To the Counter to redeeme his creditor,
Where he shall satisfie the vtmost mite
Of any debt, default or hindrance:
Ile keepe no man to blurre my credite so,
My cloth shall not pay what my seruants owe.
Away with him.
Exit.
Now my Lord Cardinal, speakes not your paper so?
Car.
Yes my good Lord, your Grace hath showne a patterne,
to draw forth mine by, I assure your Highnesse,
Is ment for mine seruants that beares such mindes,
Their Maisters thus but serues them in their kindes.
King.
Wheres this fellow now that brings this newes?
Will.
He is gone with a flea in his eare: But has left his Message
behind with my Lord Dudley, here.
King.
And whats the newes?
Dudlye.
Duke Brandon my Liege.
King.
Oh, hees returnde from France:
And who comes with him?
Dudlye.
His royall wife, my Lord.
King.
Ha! royall wife: whose that?
Dud.
Your Highnesse sister, the late Q. of France.
Kin.
Our sister Q. his wife: who gaue him her?
Gra.
Tis sed they were married at Douer, my liege.
King.
Twere better he had nere seen the Towne.
Enter Brandon and Mary.
Dudly.
He comes himself my Liege, to answere it.
Bran.
Health to my Soueraigne.
Kin.
And our brother king, your Message is before ye sir:
Off with his head.
Bran.
I beseech your Grace giue me leaue.
King.
Nay you haue taken leaue, away with him, bid the
Captaine of our Guard, conuey him to the Tower.
Bran.
Heare me my Lord.
Audatious Brandon, thinkst thou excuse shall serue.
Lady Mary.
Right gracious Lord.
King.
Go too, your prayers will scarce saue your selfe,
Durst ye contract your selfe without our knowledge?
Hence with that hare-braine, Duke to the Tower I say,
And beare our carelesse sister to the Fleete:
I know syr, you broke a Launce for her,
And brauely did vnhorse the Challengers:
Yet was there no such prize set on her head,
That you without our leaue should marry her.
Queen.
Oh my Lord, let me intreat for them.
King.
Tut Kate, though thus I seeme
A while to threaten them,
I meane not to disgrace my sister so:
Away with them. What say ye Lords,
Is he not worthy death for his misdeed?
Bon. & Gar.
Vnlesse your Grace shall please to pardon him.
King.
He deserues it then?
Bon & Gar.
He does my Liege.
King.
You are knaues and fooles, and ye flatter me:
Gods holy Mother, Ile not haue him hurt, for all your heads:
Deare Brandon, I imbrace thee in mine armes:
Kind sister, I loue you both so well.
I cannot dart another angry frowne
To game a kingdom: here take him Marie,
I hold the happier in this English choyce,
And tell on Brandon, whats the newes in France.
Bran.
The league is broke betwixt the Emperor
And the yong king of France: Forces are mustring
On ether part my Lord, for horse and foote.
Hot variance is expected speedily,
The Emperor is marching now to Landersey,
There to inuade the townes of Burgondie.
King.
God and S. George, weele meet his Maiesty,
And strike a league of Christian amitie.
Lord Cardinall, you shall to France with speed,
And in our name salute the Emperor,
Weele giue direction for your Embassage.
The next faire wind, shall make vs France to greet,
Where Charles the Emperor, and king shall meete.
Exit Omnes.
Enter Cranmor, Doctor Tye: and young Browne, meets them with the Princes cloake and hat.
Cran.
How now yong Browne, what haue you there?
Brown.
The Princes cloake and hat, my Lord.
Cran.
Where is his Grace?
Browne.
At Tennis, with the Marquesse Dorset.
Cran.
You and the Marquesse, draw the Princes mind
To follow pleasure, & neglect his booke:
For which the King blames vs. But credite me,
You shall be soundly paide immediately.
Brow.
I pray ye good my L. ile goe call the Prince away.
Crā.
Nay, now ye shal not, whose within there ho?
Seruant.
My Lord.
Cran.
Goe beare this yongster to the Chappel, straite
And bid the M. of the Children whippe him well:
The Prince will not learne sir, and you shall smart for it.
Bro.
O good my L. Ile make him ply his booke to morrow.
Cran.
That shall not serue your turne, away I say.
Exit.
So sir, this pollicie was well deuisde: Since he was whipt thus
for the Princes faults,
Than he attained in a yeere before,
For still the fearefull boy to saue his breech,
Doth hourely haunt him whereso ere he goes.
Tye.
Tis true my Lord, and now the Prince perceiues it,
As loath to see him punisht for his faults,
Plays it of purpose to redeeme the boy,
But pray my Lord, lets stand aside awhile,
And note the greeting twixt the Prince and him,
Cra.
See where the boy comes and the Kings Foole with him;
Lets not be seene, but list their conference.
Will.
Nay boy, and ye crie youle spoyle your eye sight,
come, come trusse vp your hose, you must hold fast your
winde, both before and behinde, and blow your nose.
Browne.
For what Foole?
Will.
Why for the mote in thine eye, is there not won
in't, wherefore dost thou crie else?
Br.
I prethy Will go cal the Prince from the Tenniscourt.
Will.
Dost thou cry for that? nay then I smell a Ratte, the
Prince has playd the Trewant to day, and his Tutors has
drawne blood of thy buttocks fort: why boy tis honourable
to be whipt for a Prince.
Bro.
I would he would either leaue the Tenniscourt and
ply his Booke, or giue me leaue to be no Courtier.
Will.
I, for ile be sworne thy breech lyes ith Hassard about
it, but looke litle Ned, yonder he comes.
Enter the Prince, and the young Marquesse with their Rackets, diuers attending.
Marq.
Some Rubbers for the Prince.
Seruant.
Here my good Lord.
Prince.
One take our Rackets, and reach my Cloake,
By my faith Marques, you are too hard for me.
Ma.
Your Grace will say so, though ye ouer-match me.
Pr.
Why how now Browne, whats the matter?
Bro.
Your Grace loyters, and will not ply your booke,
and your Tutors has whipt me for it.
Pr.
Alas poore Ned, I am sorrie for it, I'le take the more
lectors they read me last night out of Virgill and Ouid, I am
perfect in: onely I confesse I am something behinde in my
Greeke Authors.
Wil.
And for that speech, they haue declynde it vpon his
breech.
Prin.
And for my logicke, thou shalt witnesse thy selfe I
am perfect: for nowe will I proue, that though thou wert
whipt for me, yet this whipping was good for thee.
Mar.
Ile hardly beleeue you my Lord, though Ramus
himselfe should proue it: well, probe.
Pr.
Marke my Probleme.
Bona virga facit bonum puerum:
Bonum est, te esse bonum puerum:
Ergo bona verga, res bona est: And that's this, Ned.
A good rodde makes a good boy: t'is good that thou
shouldst be a good boy: (ergo) therefore a good rod is good.
Wil.
Nay berladie, the better the rodde is, it's the worse
for him, that's certaine: but do'st heare me, boy; since hee
can prooue a rodde to bee so good, let him tak't himselfe
next time.
Prin.
In trueth, I pittie thee, and inwardly I feele the
stripes thou barest, and for thy sake, Ned, ile plie my booke
the faster; in the meane time, thou shalt not say, but the
Prince of Wales will honourably reward thy seruice: come,
Browne, kneele downe.
Wil.
What, wilt thou knight him, Ned?
Pr.
I will; my father ha's knighted many a one, that
neuer shedde drop of blood for him; but hee ha's often for
mee.
Wil.
O braue! hee lookes like the myrrour of knighthood
already.
Enter Crumpt.
Cleere the presence, Gentlemen, the
King is comming.
Pr.
The King? gods me, reach me my booke: call my
Tutors in: come growne, Ile confirme thy knighthood afore
the King.
Mar.
Here bee your Tutors, my Lorde, and yonder the
King comes.
Pri.
Health to your Maiestie.
King.
God a mercy Ned; I, at your booke so hard, t'is
well, t'is well; now Bishop Cranmar, and good doctor Tye,
I was going to the gallory, and thought to haue had your
Scholler with me, but seeing you'r so busie, Ile not trouble
him, come on Wil, come, goe you along with me, what
make you among the schollers here?
Wil.
I come to learne my quy que quod to keepe mee
from the rod: marre here's one was whipt in pudding time
for he ha's gotten a knighthood about it: looke old Harry,
doe's he not looke more furious then he was wont.
King.
Who Wil, young Browne, Gods Mary mother,
his father is a gallant Knight, as any these south partes of
England holds.
Wil.
He cannot compare with his sonne tho, if hee were
right donsal delphebus, or the very knight of the Sunne himselfe,
yet this knight shall vnhorse him.
King.
When was he made a knight Wil.
Wil.
Marry ithe last action, I can assure you, there was hot
seruice, and some on vm came so neere him, they had like
to smelt ont: but when all was done, the poore gentleman
was pittifuly wounded in the back partes, as may appeare
by the scarre, if his knightship would but vntrusse there.
King.
But who knighted him, William?
Wil.
That did Ned here: and he has earnd it too, for I
am sure, this two yeere he has bin lasht, for his learning.
King.
Ha, how, come hither Ned, is this true?
Pr.
It is, my Lord, and I hope your highnesse wil confirme
my deed.
King.
Confirme it, Gods holy mother, what shrode
boyes are these? Cranmar and Tye, do yee obserue the
Prince, nowe by my Crowne young Ned thou hast honord
me.
Thy friendes aduanc't to types of dignitie.
We here confirme, be still Sir Edward Browne:
But heare ye Ned, now you haue made him Knight,
You must giue him some liuing, or else tis nothing.
Will.
I by my troth, he is now but a Knight vnder Forma
papris, for a Knight without liuing is no better than an
ordinarie Gallant.
King.
Well, what will ye giue him Ned?
Prince.
When I haue heard of something that may doe
him good, I will entreat your Maiestie for him, and ith
meane time from mine owne allowance Ile maintaine
him.
King.
Tis well sayd: but for your sake Sonne Edward,
wele prouide for him; Cranmar, see presently a
Pattent drawne, wherein wee will confirme to him
from our Exchequor a Thousand Markes a yeere.
Browne.
I thanke your Maiestie.
And as I am true Knight, Ile fight and die for ye.
Will.
Now if your Tutors come to whip ye, you may
chuse whether youle vntrusse byth order of armes.
King.
Well Ned, see ye plye your learning, and lets
haue no more Knightes made in this Action, looke to
him Browne, if hee loyter, his Tutors will haue you vp
for't.
Browne.
I hope my Lord, they dare not whip me now.
King.
Berladie Sir, thats doubtfull.
Will.
If they doe, he shall make thee a Lord, and then
they dare not.
King.
Well Cranmar wele leaue ye, when your pupyll
has done his taske ye set him now, let him come and visite
vs: on Gentlemen into the Gallerie.
Pr.
Heauen keepe your Maiestie.
Gentlemen draw neere.
Exit.
Tye.
God morrow to your Grace.
Prince.
God morrow Tutors at noone, tis God euen, is it not?
Cran.
We saw not your Grace to day.
O ye quippe me cunningly for my Trewantship,
that I was not at my Booke to day, but I haue thought of
that ye read last night, I assure ye.
Cran.
We doubt it not faire Prince: Lords, Gentlemen
giue leaue.
Will.
All voide the rowme, theres but Schollers and
Fooles.
Cr.
I hope your excellence can answere me in that axiom
of Phylosophie, I propounde to ye.
Prince.
I promise ye Tutor, tis a Probleme to me, for the
difference of your Authors opinions, makes me differ in
mine owne: some say, Omne animal est, aut homo, aut bestia,
that euerie liuing creature is, or man, or beast.
Will.
Then a womans a beast, for shees no man.
Pr.
Peace William youle be expul'st else: And againe
some Authors affirme, that euerie beast is foure-footed.
Will.
Then a Fooles no beast, for he has but two.
Prince.
Yet againe Will.
Will.
Mum Ned, no words, Ile be as still as a small bag-pipe.
Cra.
Omne Animal est, aut homo, aut bestia: And thus tis
prooued my Lord, Omne Animal, est rationalis, vel irrationalis,
homo est rationalis, Bestia irrationalis,
Mongst all the creatures in this Vniuerse,
Or on the earth, or flying in the ayre,
Man onely reason hath, others onely sence,
So what is onely sensuall, in not man, but beast:
For man both sence and reason hath:
So euerie creature, hauing one of these, is sure or man, or
best: and though all beasts are not foure-footed.
Will.
Thats certaine a louse has sixe.
Cran.
I beseech your Grace.
Pr.
Away William.
Will.
Not a word more as I am William.
Cr.
For many beasts haue winges seruing in stead of feet,
and some haue hornes, of which we thus esteeme, Animal
cornutum non habet dentes supremas, No horned beast hath
Will.
Thats a lye, a Cuckold has.
Pr.
Thrust the Foole out of the presence there.
W.
Well, Cedant arma toge, The schollers shall haue the
fooles place.
Pr.
Well Cranmar, you haue made me able to prooue a
man no beast, if he prooue not himselfe so, wele now leaue
this: And now resolue me for Diuinitie. Cranmar I loue
ye, and I loue your Learning, speake and wele heare ye:
This Land ye know stands wauering in her Faith,
Betwixt the Papists and the Protestants,
You know we all must die, and this flesh
Part, with her part of immortalitie,
Tutor, I doe beleeue both Heauen and Hell:
Doe you know any third place for the soules abode
Cald'd Purgatorie, as some would haue me thinke,
For from my Sister Marie and her Tutors,
I haue oft receiued Letters to that purpose:
I loue ye Cranmar, and shall beleeue what ere ye speake,
Therefore I charge ye tell the truth.
Cran.
How thinkes your Grace, is there a place of Purgatorie or no?
P.
Truly I think none, yet must I vrge to you whats layd
To me, this world you know hath ben fiue Thousand yeres
Still encreasing, still decreasing, still replenish't,
How long it will be, none know's but he that made it,
We al do cal ourselus Gods children, yet sure some are not,
But think ye Tutor that the compasse of that heauen & hell,
Is able to containe those soules so numberlesse,
That euer breathed since the first breath was giuen,
Wthout a Tertium, or a third place.
Who puts these doubts within your Graces head
Are like their owne beleefe, slite, and vnregarded,
And is as easily answered and confuted:
Quod est infinitum, non habet finem,
Cælum est opus Dei, opus Dei est infinitum:
Ergo Cælum, est infinitum.
That which is infinite hath no end at all,
For that eternitie, that euerlasting essence,
Is of himselfe all infinite, that heauen and hell are so,
His power, his workes, and wordes doe witnesse it,
For what is infinite, hath in it selfe no end,
Then must the heauens which is his glorious seat,
Be incomprehensible contayning him,
Then what should neede a third place to containe,
A world of Infinites so vast and mayne.
Pr.
I thanke ye Cranmar, and doe beleeue ye
What other proofes haue been maintayn'd to me
Or shalbe, you shall know and ayd me in them:
Ynough for this time, who's there? Doctor Tye
Our Musicks Lecturer? pray draw nere: Indeed I take much delight in ye
Tye.
In Musick may your Grace euer delight,
Though not in me, Musicke is fit for Kings,
And not for those knowes not the chime of strings.
Pr.
Truely I loue it yet there are a sort
Seeming more pure than wise, that will vpbrayd at it,
Calling it idle, vaine, and friuolous.
Tye.
Your Grace hath sayd, indeed they doe vpbrayd
That terme it so, and those that doe are such
As in themselues no happie concords hold,
All Musicke jars with them, but sounds of good.
But would your Grace a while be patient,
In Musickes praise, thus will I better it.
Musicke is heauenly, for in Heauen is Musicke,
For there the Seraphins doe sing continually,
And when the best was borne, that euer was man,
A Quire of Angels sang for ioy of it,
What of Celestiall was reueald to man,
Was much of Musicke, tis sayd the beasts did worship
And sang before the Deitie supernall,
The kingly Prophet sang before the Arke,
And with his Musicke charmd the heart of Saule,
And if the Poet fayle vs not my Lord,
The dulcet tongue of Musicke made the stones
To mooue, irrationall beast, and birds to daunce
And last, the Trumpets Musicke shall awake the dead,
T'appeare in that high house of Parliament,
When those that gnash their Teeth at Musicke sound,
Shall make that place where Musicke nere was found.
Pr.
Thou giuest it perfect life, skilfull Doctor
I thanke thee for the honour'd praise thou giuest it,
I pray thee lets heare it too.
Tye.
Tis readie for your Grace, giue breath to your loude tun'd instruments.
Loude Musicke.
Pr.
Tis well, me thinkes in this sound I prooue a comepleat age,
As Musicke, so is man gouern'd by stops,
Aw'd by diuiding notes, sometimes aloft,
Sometime below, and when he hath attain'd,
His high and loftie pitch, breathed his sharpest and most
Shrillest ayre, yet at length tis gone,
And fals downe flat to his conclusion,
(Soft Musicke.)
Another sweetnesse, and harmonious sound,
A milder straine, another kinde agreement,
Yet mong'st these many stringes, be one vntun'd
Or jarreth low, or hyer than his course
Not keeping steddie meane among'st the rest,
Corrupts them all, so doth bad men the best.
Tye.
Inough, let voyces now delight his princely eare.
A Song.
Pr.
Doctor, I thanke you and commend your cunning,
I oft haue heard my Father merrily speake,
In your hye praise, and thus his Highnesse sayth,
England, one God, one truth, one Doctor hath
For Musicks Art, and that is Doctor Tye,
Admir'rd for skill in Musickes harmonie.
Tye.
Your Grace doth honor me with kind acceptance,
Yet one thing more, I doe beseech your Excellence
To daine, to Patronize this homely worke,
Which I vnto your Grace haue dedicate.
Pr.
What is the Title?
Tye.
The Acts of the holy Apostles turn'd into verse,
Which I haue set in seuerall parts to sing,
Worthy Acts, and worthily in you remembred.
And haue them sung within my fathers Chappell:
I thanke yee both. Now Ile craue leaue a while
To be a little idle: pray let our lingguistes,
French and Italians, to morrow morne be ready,
I must confer with them, or I shall leese
My little practise, so God-den good Tutors.
Exit.
Cran.
Health to your Highnesse, God increase your dayes:
The hope of England, and of learnings praise.
Enter Bonner and Gardiner reading.
Bon.
What haue yee here my Lord of Winchester?
Gard.
Heriticall and damned heresies,
Precepts that Cranmers wisdome taught the Prince,
The Pope and we are held as heritickes,
What thinkst thou Bonner of this wauering age?
Bon.
As Sea-men do of stormes, yet hope for faire wether,
Berlady Gardiner we must looke about,
The Protestants begin to gather head,
Luther hath sowne well, and Englands ground
Is fatte and fertile to increase his seed,
Heres loftie plants, what, bishops and Prelats,
I nobilitie temporall, but we shall temper all
At the returne of our high Cardinall.
Gar.
Bonner tis true, but in meane time we must
Preuent this ranckor that now swels so big,
That it must out or breake, they haue a dangerous head,
And much I feare.
Bon.
What not the King I hope?
Gard.
Tis doubtfull he will bend, but sure
Queene Katherens a strong Lutheran, hard yee not
How in presence of the King and Cardinall,
She did exsterp against his Holinesse.
Bon.
But had our English Cardinall once attaind,
The high possession of Saint Peters Chaire,
Heed barre some toungs that now haue scope too much,
Tis he must doo't Gardiner, 'tis a perilous thing,
Queene Katherin can do much with Englands King.
Gard.
I Bonner, thats the summe of all,
Bon.
See where she comes with the Kings Sister,
And from the Princes lodging, lets salute her.
Gard.
God morrow to your Maiestie.
Quee.
God morrow to my reuerent Lords of London and
of Winchester, saw yee the King to day?
Bon.
His Highnesse was not yet abroade this morning,
But here we will attend his excellence.
Quee.
Come sister weele go see his Maiestie.
La. Ma
We will attend yee Maddam.
Quee.
Gentlemen set forward, God morrow Lords.
Gard.
Ill morrow must it be to you or vs,
Conspirators gainst men religious,
Bonner, these Lutherans do conspire I see,
And scoffe the Pope and his supremacie.
Bon.
Lets strike in time then, and incense the King,
And sodainly their states to ruine bring:
The Trumpets sounds, it seemes the Queene is comming,
Weele watch and take aduantage cunningly.
Enter the King, Queene, Lady Mary, Brandon, Semer, Gray, and Dudley.
King.
Wheres Brandon?
Bran.
My Leedge.
King.
Come hether Kate.
Bran.
Did your grace call?
Kin.
Ile speake we anon, Ile speake we anon: Come Kate
lets walke a little, whose there? my Lords of London and of
Winchester, welcome, welcome: by this your maister the
Cardinall I troe, has parted with the Emperour, & set a league
betweene the French and him; Mother of God,
But Wolseys diligence we neede not feare,
Ha, thinke yee he will not.
Gard.
No doubt he will my Lord.
King.
I Gardner twill be his best pollicie,
Their friendship must aduance his dignitie.
If ere he get the Papall gouernance.
And that will neuer be I hope.
Sem.
Twere pittie it should.
Gray.
Hee's proud enough already.
Kin.
Haw, whats that yee talke there.
Bran.
They say my Lord hee's gone with such a traine,
As if he should be elected presently.
King.
Fore-god tis a gallant Priest, come hether Charles
prithee let me leane a thy shoulder, by Saint George, Kate
grow stiffe me thinkes.
Quee.
Wilt please your Highnesse sit and rest your selfe?
King.
No, no Kate, Ile walke still, Brandon shall stay mine
arme, I me fat and pursie, and twill get me a stomack: Sawst the
Prince to day Kate?
Quee.
I my good Lord.
King.
God blesse him, and make him fortunate, I tell yee
Lords, the hope that England hath, is now in him, fore-god I
thinke old Harry must leaue yee shortly; well, Gods will be
done, heerle be old shuffling then, ha will there not; well, you
say nothing, pray God there be not, I like not this difference
in religion I, Gods deere Lady, and I liue but seauen yeere
longer, weele take order throughly.
Bon.
We heare that Luther out of Germanie
Hath writ a booke vnto your Maiestie,
Wherein he much repents his former deeds,
Crauing your Highnesse pardon, and withall,
Submits himselfe vnto your Graces pleasure.
Kin.
Bonner tis true, and we haue answered it,
Blaming at first his haughtie insolence,
And now his lightnesse and inconstancie,
That writ he knew not what so childishly.
Gard.
Much bloodshed there is now in Germanie,
About this difference in religion,
With Lutherans, Arians, and Anabaptists,
As halfe the Prouince of Heluetia,
Is with their tumults almost quite destroyde.
Quee.
Me thinkes twere well my royall Soueraigne,
Your Grace, the Emperour, and the Christian kings,
That Luther writ against the Catholickes,
And supertitions of the Church of Rome:
And if they teach a truer way to heauen,
Agreeing with the Hebrew Testament,
Why should they not be red and followed?
Kin.
Thou sayst wel Kate, so they agree with the scriptures,
I thinke tis lawfull to peruse and read them, speake Bishops?
Gard.
Most vnlawfull my deare Soueraigne,
Vnlesse permitted by his Holynesse.
Queen.
How proue ye that my Lord?
Kin.
Well sed Kate, to them againe good wench, Lordes
giue vs leaue awhile, auoyde the Presence there, we'll heare
the Bishops and my Queene dispute.
Queen.
I am a weake Scholler my Lord,
But on conditiō that your Highnesse, nor these reuerent Lords,
Will take no exceptions at my womans wit,
I am content to holde them Argument:
And first with reuerence to his Maiestie.
Pray tell me, why would ye make the King beleeue,
His Highnesse and the people vnder him,
Are tyde so strictly to obay the Pope?
Bon.
Because faire Queene he is Gods Deputie.
Queen.
So are all Kings; and God himselfe commaunds
The King to rule, and people to obay,
And both to loue and honour him:
But you that are sworne seruants vnto Rome,
How are ye faithfull subiects to the King,
When first ye serue the Pope then after him?
Gard.
Madame these are that sectes of Lutherans,
That makes your Highnesse so mistake the Scriptures,
Your slender arguments thus aunswered
Before the King, God must be worshipped.
Queen.
Tis true, but pray ye answere this:
Suppose, the King by Proclamation,
Commaunded you and euery of his subiects,
On paine of death, and forfeit of his goods,
To spurne against the Popes authoritie:
But this I thinke, if that his Grace did so,
Your slight obedience all the world should know.
King.
Gods-mother Kate, thoust toucht them there,
What say yee to that Bonner?
Bon.
Were it to any but her Maiestie,
These questions were confuted easily.
Quee.
Pray tell the King then, what Scripture haue yee,
To teach religion in an vnknowne language?
Instruct the ignorant to kneele to Saints,
By bare-foote pilgrimage to visite shrines,
For mony to release from Purgatorie,
The vildest villaine, theefe, or murderer,
All this the people must beleeue you can,
Such is the dregs of Romes religion.
Gard.
I, those are the speeches of those hereticks,
Cranmor, Ridley, and blunt Lattimer,
That dayly raile against his Hollynesse,
Filling the land with hatefull heresies.
Quee.
Nay be not angry, nor mistake them Lords,
What they haue said or done, was mildly followed,
As by their Articles are euident.
King.
Where are those Articles Kate?
Quee.
Ile goe and fetch them to your Maiestie,
And pray your Highnesse view them gratiously.
Exit Quee.
Kin.
Go fetch them Kate: a sirra, we haue womē doctors,
Now I see, Mother a God, here's a fine world the whilste,
That twixt so many mens opinions,
The holy Scriptures must be banded thus.
Gard.
God graunt it breede no farther detriment,
Vnto your crowne and sacred dignitie:
They that would alter thus Religion,
I feare they scarcely loue your royall person.
Kin.
Ha! take heed what you say Gardiner.
Gard.
My loue and dutie to your Maiestie,
Bids me be bolde to speake my conscience,
Vnlesse your safetie and your life they hate,
Why should they dayly thus disturbe the state.
Proude traytors will pretend religion.
For vnder colour of reformation
The vpstart followers of Wickcliffes doctrine,
In the fift Henries dayes arise in armes:
And had not dilligent care preuented them,
Their powres had sodainely surprisd the King,
And good my Leege who knows their proud intent,
That thus rebell against your gouernment.
Kin.
Shrode proofes berlady and by saint Peter,
I sweare we will not trust their gentlenesse,
Speake Gardner and resolue vs speedily,
Whose the ring-leader of this lusty crew?
Bon.
Vnlesse your highnes please to pardon vs,
We dare not speake nor vrge your maiesty.
Kin.
We pardon what ye speake, resolue vs speedely.
Gard.
Then if your royall person will be safe,
Your life preserude and this faire Realme in peace.
And all these troubles smoothly pacifide,
The Queene deare Lord must be remoued from you.
Kin.
Haw, the Queene, bold Sir aduise ye well,
Take heede ye do not wrong her loyalty.
Gard.
See here my leege are proofes too manifest,
Her highnesse with a sect of Lutherans:
Haue priuate meetings, secret conuentickells,
To wrest the grounds of all religion:
Seeking by tumults to subuert the state,
The which with out your maiesties consent,
Is treason capitall against the Crowne.
Bon.
And seeing without the knowledge of your grace,
They dare attempt these dangerous stratagems,
Tis to befearde, which heauen we pray preuent,
They do conspire against your sacred life.
Gard.
Why else, should all these priuate meetings be
without the knowledge of your maiesty.
Kin.
Mother a god these proofes are probabell,
And strong presumptions doe confirme your words,
within there, ho?
My Lord.
Kin.
Sir William Compton see the dores made fast,
Dubble our gard let none come nere our person,
Sommon the counsell to confer with vs,
Bid them attend vs in the priuy chamber,
Comp.
Here is a letter for your maiesty,
From Martin Luther out of Germany.
Kin.
Dambd Scysmatick still will he trouble vs
with bookes and letters, leaue it and be gone:
Exit Compt.
The villaine thinks to smooth his trechery,
By fawning speeches to our maiesty,
But by my George Lord Bishops if I liue,
Ile roote his fauorits from Englands bounds
What writes his worship?
Gard.
Now Bonner stir, the game is set a foot,
The king is now incenst, lets follow close
To haue Queene Katherne shorter by a head,
These heresies will cease when she is dead.
Kin.
Holy saint Peter what a knane is this,
Ere while he writ submissiuely to vs;
And now againe repents his humblenesse,
Bishops it seemes being toucht with our reply
He wrights thus boldly to our maiesty,
Gardner looke here he was deceaued he says
When he thought to finde Iohn Baptist in the
Courts of princes, or resident with those that are
Cloathed in purple, Mother a god, Ist not a dangerous knaue.
Gard.
False luther knaues he has great friends in England:
Else durst he not thus moue your Maiestie.
Kin.
Weele cut his friends oft, ere they grow too strong
And sweepe these vypers from our state ere long,
No maruell though Queene Katherne plead for him,
That is I see the greatest Lutherin,
How Is your counsels we proceede in these?
Bon.
tware best your grace did send her to the Towre.
Before they further doe confir with her.
Kin.
Let it be so, go get a warrant drawne,
And with a strong garde beare her to the Towre.
Let Cranmer from the Prince be straight remooued,
And come not neere the Court on paine of death,
Mother a God, shall I be baffeld thus,
By traitors, rebels and false heritickes:
Get Articles for her araignement readie,
If she of treason be conuict, I sweare,
Her head goes off, were she my kingdomes aire.
Sound. Exit.
Enter the Prince, Cranm: Tye, and the young Lords.
Prin.
Cranmer.
Cran.
My Lord.
Prin.
Where is Franciscoe our Italian Tutor?
Cran.
He does attend your Grace without my Lord.
Prin.
Tell him anon we will conferre with him,
Weele plie our learning Browne least you be beaten,
We will not haue your Knighthood so disgrast.
Brow.
I thanke yee good my Lord,
And your Grace would but a little plie your learning,
I warrant yee Ile keepe my Knighthood from breeching.
Prin.
Faith Ned I will: how now what letter's that?
1. Ser.
From your Graces sister the Lady Mary.
Prin.
Come giue it me, we gesse at the contents.
Cranmer, my sister oft hath writ to me,
That you and Bishop Bonner might conferre,
About these points of new Religion,
Tell me Tutor will yee dispute with him.
Cran.
Withall my hart my Lord, and wish the king,
Would daine to here our disputation.
Prin.
What hast thou there?
2. Ser.
A Letter from your royall sister, young Elizabeth.
Prin.
Another Letter ere we open this,
Well we will view them both immediatly,
I pray yee attend vs in the next Chamber,
And Tutors if I call yee not before,
Giue me some notice, if the king my Father
Be walkt abroade, I must goe visite him.
Tye.
We will faire Prince.
Prin.
What sayes my sister Mary? she is eldest,
The blessed Mother of thy redeemer, with all the Angels &
holy Saints be intermissers to preserue thee of Idolatrie, to
invocate the Saints for helpe.
These are thy blinded Tutors, Bonner, Gardner,
That wrong thy thoughts with foolish herisies,
Ile read no farther: to him will Edward pray
For preseruation, that can himselfe preserue me,
Without the helpe of Saint or cerimonie.
What writes Elizabeth, sweete sister thou hast my hart.
And of Prince Edwards loue hast greatest part.
Be stedfast in thy faith, and let thy prayers
Be dedicate to God onely for tis he alone
Can strengthen thee, and confound thine enimies,
Giue a setled assurance of thy hopes in heauen,
God strengthen thee in all temptations,
And giue thee grace to shun Idolatrie,
Heauen send thee life to inherite thy election,
To God I commend thee, who still I pray preserue thee.
Thy louing Sister Elizabeth.
Thy lines shalbe my contemplations cures,
And in thy vertues will I meditate,
To Christ Ile onely pray for me and thee:
Enter Cranmer.
This I imbrace, away Idolatrie,
How now Cranmer, where's the King?
Cran.
Conferring with his counsell gratious Prince,
There is some earnest businesse troubles him:
The Guardes are doubled, and commandment giuen,
That none be suffered to come neere the presence,
God keepe his Maiestie from traitors hands.
Pri.
Amen good Cranmer, what should disturbe him thus?
Is Cardinall Wolsey yet returnd from France?
Tye.
I my good Lord, and this day comes to court.
Prin.
Perhaps this hastie businesse of the King,
Is touching Wolsey and his Embassage.
Pray God it be no worse my Lord.
Ent. Compt.
Tye.
Here comes sir William Compton from his highnesse.
Comp.
Health to your excellencie.
Prin.
What newes sir William?
Comp.
The King expects your Graces companie,
And wils your Highnesse come and speake with him,
And doctor Cranmer, from his Maiestie,
I charge yee speedily to leaue the Court,
And come not neere the Prince on paine of death,
Without direction from the King and Peeres.
Cran.
Sir I obey yee, God so deale with me,
As I haue wisht vnto his Maiestie.
Prin.
Cranmer banisht the Court, for what I pray?
Comp.
I know not gratious Lord, pray pardon me,
Tis the Kings pleasure; and trust me I am sorry
It was my hap to bring this heauie message.
Cran.
Nay good sir William, your message moues not me,
My seruice to his royall Maiestie
Was alwayes true and iust, so helpe me heauen:
Onely I pray your Grace to moue the King,
That I may come to tryall speedily,
And if in ought I haue deserued death,
Let me not draw another minutes breath.
Exit Cranmer.
Compt.
Will yee goe my Lord.
Prin.
Not yet, we are not your prisoner, are we sir?
Compt.
No my deere Lord.
Prin.
Then goe before, and we will follow yee,
Your worship will forget your selfe I see,
Enter Tye.
My tutor thrust from court so sodainly, this is strange.
Tye.
The Queene my Lord is come to speake with you.
Enter Queene.
Prin.
Auoyde the presence then, and conduct her in,
Ile speake with her, and after see the King,
Quee.
Leaue vs alone I pray yee.
Prin.
Your grace is welcome, how fares your Maiestie.
Quee.
Neuer so ill deare Prince, for now I feare,
Euen as a wretched caitiffe kild with care,
I am accusde of treason, and the king
I know his frowne is death, and I shall dye.
Prin.
Who are your accusers.
Quee.
I know not.
Prin.
How know yee then his Grace is so incenst.
Quee.
One of my Gentlemen passing by the presence,
Tooke vp this bill of accusations,
Wherein twelue Articles are drawne against me,
It seemes my false accusers lost it there,
Here they accuse me of conspiracie,
That I with Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley,
Doo seeke to raise rebellion in the state,
Alter religion, and bring Luther in,
And to new gouernment inforce the king,
Prin.
Then thats the cause that Cranmer was remooued,
But did your Highnesse ere conferre with them?
As they haue here accusde yee to the king.
Quee.
Neuer nor euer had I one such thought,
As I haue hope in him my soule hath bought.
Prin.
Then feare not gratious Maddam, Ile to the king,
And doubt not but Ile make your peace with him.
Quee.
O pleade for me, tell him my soule is cleare,
Neuer did thought of treason harbor heere,
As I intended to his sacred life,
So be it to my soule or ioy or greefe.
Prin.
Stay here till I returne, Ile moue his maiestie,
That you may answer your accusers presently.
Exit Prince.
Quee.
O I shall neuer come to speake with him,
The Lion in his rage is not so sterne,
As Royall Henry in his wrathfull spleene,
And they that haue accusd me to his grace,
Will worke such meanes I neare shall see his face,
Wretched Queene Katherin, would thou hadst beene
Kate Parre still, and not great Englands Queene.
Ent. Comp.
Compt.
Health to your Maiestie.
Quee.
Wish me good Compton woe and miserie,
This giddie flattering world I hate and scoffe,
Ere long I know Queene Katherins head must off.
Comp.
I did fayre Queene, and much sad tidings bring,
His grace in secret hath reueild to me
What is intended to your Maiesty,
Which I in loue and duty to your highnesse,
Am come to tell ye and to counsell ye
The best I can in this extremitie.
Then on my knees I dare intreat your grace,
Not to reuaile what I shall say to you,
For then I am assurde that deaths my due.
Que.
I will not on my faith, good Comptton speake,
That with thy sad reports my heart may breake.
Comp.
Thus then at your fayre feete my life I lay,
In hope to driue your highnes cares away:
You are accusde of high conspiracy
And treason gainst his royall maiesty.
So much they haue insenst his excellency,
That he hath granted firme commssion
To attach your person and conuay ye hence,
Close prisoner to the Towre, Articles are drawne,
And time appoynted for arrainement there.
Good maddame be aduisd, by this I know,
The officers are sent to arest your person:
Preuent their malice, hast ye to the King.
Ile vse such meanes that you shall speake with him,
There plead your Innocency, I know his grace
Will heare ye mildly therfore delay not,
If you be taken ere you see the king,
I feare ye neuer more shall speake to him.
Que.
Oh Comptton twixt thy loue and my sage feare,
I feele ten thousand sad vexations here,
Leade on I pray, Ile be aduisd by thee,
The King is angry and the Queene must dye.
Exit
Enter Boner & Gardner with the commission.
Gard.
Come Boner now strike sure the yrons hott.
Vrge all thou canst, let nothing be forgot.
We haue the Kings hand here to warrant vs,
Twas well the Cardinall came and so luckely.
If that religion thus were altered.
Which made his highnes with a firy spleene,
Direct out warrants to attache the Queene.
Bon.
Twas excellent, that Ceder once orethrowne,
To crop the lower shrubs let vs alone.
Gard.
Those Articles of accusations,
We framd against her being lost by you
Had like to ouerthrow our pollicy,
Had we not stoutly vrgd his maiesty.
Bon.
Well well, what's now to be done.
Gard.
A gard must be prouided speedely,
To beare her prisoner vnto London Towre,
And watch conuenient place to arest her person.
Bon.
Tush any place shall serue, for who dare contradict
His highnesse hand, euen from his side wele hale her,
And beare her quickly, to her longest home,
Lest we and ours by her to ruine come.
Gard.
About it then, let them vntimely dye,
that scorne the Pope and Romes supremacie.
Exeunt.
Enter the King & Prince, the Guarde before them.
King.
Guarde, watch the dores and let none come nere vs,
But such as are attendant on our person
Mother a God tis time to sturre, I see,
When traitors creeps so nere our maiesty:
Must English Harry walke with armed Gards,
Now in his old age, must I feare my life,
By hatefull treason of my Queene and wife.
Prin.
I do beseech your royall maiesty,
To here her speake ere ye condemne her thus.
King.
Go too Ned, I charge ye speake not for her,
shes a dangerous traytor how now, who knocks so loud there.
Gard.
Tis Cardinall Wolsye my Lord.
Kin.
And it be the Deuill tell him he comes not here.
Byd him attend vs till our better leasure:
Come hither Ned let me conferre with you.
Didst euer heare the disputation
Twixt Cranmer and the Queene about Religion.
Neuer my Lord, I thinke they neuer yet,
At any time had speech concerning it.
King.
O thou art deceaued Ned, It is too certaine,
knocks.
Hoyday more knocking, knock yrons an his heeles,
And beare him hence what ere he be disturbe vs, who ist?
Gard.
S. William Compton my Leedge.
Kin.
Ist he, well let him in, Gods holy mother, heere's a stur
indeed, Compton ye knock too lowde for entrance here.
You care not though the king be neere so neere, say ye sir
haw,
Comp.
I do beseech you pardon for my bouldnesse.
King.
Well what's your busines.
Comp.
The Queene my Lord intreats to speake with you,
Kin.
Body a me, is she not rested yet.
Why doe they not conuay her to the Towre,
We gaue commission to attach her presently.
Where is she?
Comp.
At the dore my Soueraigne.
Kin.
So nere our presence, keepe her out I charge ye.
Bend all your Holbeards points against the dore,
If she presume to enter strike her through,
Dare she presume againe to looke on vs.
Pri.
Vpon my knees, I do beseech your highnes
To heare her speake.
Kin.
Vp Ned, stand vp I will not looke on her,
Mother a god, stand close and gard it sure,
If she come in, ile hang ye all I sweare.
Prin.
I doe beseech your Grace.
Kin.
Sir boye no more, ile here no more of her,
Proud slut, bold traitresse, and forgetfull beast,
Yet dare she further moue our patience.
Prin.
'Ile pawne my princely word, right royall father,
She shall not speake a word to anger ye.
Kin.
Will you pawne your word for her, mother a god
The Prince of Wales his word is warrant for a king,
And we will take it Ned, go call her in.
Enter Queene
Sir William let the gard attend without,
Reach me a chaire, all but the prince depart.
Dus your blacke soule the gylte of conscience feele,
Out, out, your a traytor.
Que.
A traytor, O you all seeing powres,
Here witnesse to my Lord my loyalty
A traytor, O then you are too mercifull,
If I haue treason in me, why rip ye not
My vgly hart out with your weapons poynt,
O my good Lord, if it haue traytors blood,
It will be black, deformd, and tenibrous,
If not, from it will spring a scarlet fountaine,
And spit defiance in their periurde throates
That haue accusde me to your maiesty,
Making my state thus full of misery.
Kin.
Canst thou deny it.
Quee.
Else should I wrongfully accuse my selfe,
Of my deare Lord I do beseech your highnesse
To satisfie your wronged Queene in this,
Vpon what ground growes this suspicion,
Or who thus wrongfully accuseth me.
Of cursed treason gainst your maiesty.
Kin.
Some probable effects my selfe can witnesse,
Others our faithfull subiects can testifie:
Haue you not oft maintained arguments,
Euen to our face against religion:
Which ioynd with other complots show it selfe,
As it is gathered by our loyall subiects,
For treason Cappitall against our person,
Gods holy mother youle remoue vs quickly,
And turne me out, old Harry must away,
Now in mine age, lame and halfe bed-rid,
Or else youle keepe me fast inough in prison,
Haw, mistris, these are no hatefull treasons these.
Queen.
Heauen on my fore-head write my worst intent,
And let your hate against my life be bent,
If euer thought of ill against your maiestie,
Was harbord here refuse me gratious God,
To your face, my ledge, if to your face I speake it.
Nor are they loyall that so iniure me;
What I did speake, was as my womans wit,
To hold out Argument could compasse it,
My puny schollership is helde too weake
To maintaine proofes about religion,
Alas I did it but to wast the time,
Knowing as then your grace was weake and sickly,
So to expell parte of your paine and griefe:
And for my good intent they seeke my life,
O God, how am I wrongd.
Kin.
Ha, saist thou so, was it no otherwise.
Que.
What should I say, that you might credit me,
If I am false, heauen strike me sodainly.
King.
Body a me, what euerlasting knaues are these that
wrong thee thus, alas poore Kate, come stand vp, stand vp,
wipe thine eyes, wipe thine eyes, foregod twas told me
that thou wert a traytor: I could hardly thinke it, but that
it was applide so hard to me, Godsmother Kate I feare my
life I tell ye, King Harry would be loath to die by treason
now, that has bid so many brunts vnblemished, yet I confesse
that now I growe stiffe, my legges faile me first but they
stand furthiest from my hart, and thats still sound, I thanke my
God, giue me thy hand, come kisse me Kate, so now ime
friends againe, hurson knaues, crafty varlets, make thee a traytor
to oulde Harries life, well, well, ile meete with some on
them, Sfoute come sit on my knee Kate. Mother a god he that
says th'art false to me by Englands crowne ile hang him presently.
Que.
When I haue thought of ill against your state,
Let me be made the vildest reprobate.
Kin.
Thats my good Kate, but byth mary God, Queene Katherne
you must thanke prince Edward here.
Que.
I shalbe euer thankfull to his highnesse.
And pray for him and for your maiesty,
Ki.
Come Kate weell walke a while eth garden heere, who
keepes the dore there?
My Lord.
King.
Sir William Compton, here, take my ring,
Bid Doctor Cranmer haste to Court againe,
Give him that token of king Henries love,
Discharge our guards, we feare no traytors hand,
Our State, beloved of all doth firmely stand:
Go Compton.
Comp:
I go my Lord.
King.
Bid Wolsey haste him to our royall presence,
Great Charles the mighty Romane Emperour,
Our Nephew, and the hope of Christendome
Is landed in our faire Dominion,
To see his Vnckle and the English Court;
Wee'le entertaine him with imperiall port:
Come hither Ned.
Enter Bonner and Gardner with the guard.
Gar:
Felows, stay there, and when I cal, come forward,
The service you pursue, is for the king;
Therefore I charge you to performe it boldly,
We have his hand and seale to warrant it.
Guard:
Wee'le fellow you with resolution sir,
The Church is on our side, what should we feare?
Gard:
See yonder, shees talking with his Maiesty,
Thinke you we may attempt to take her heere?
Bon:
Why should we not, have we not firme cōmission
To attach hir any where? be bold, and feare not:
Fellowes come forward.
King.
How now, whats heere to do?
Qu:
The Bishops it seemes my Lord would speake with you.
King.
With bills and holberds, well, tarry there Kate,
Ile go my selfe; Now wherefore come you?
Gard:
As loyall subiects to your state and person,
We come to apprehend that trayterous woman.
King.
Y'are a couple of drunken knaves and varlets,
Gods holy mother, shee is more true and iust,
Thus to vsurpe vpon our government?
Call you her traytor? y'are lying beastes and false conspiratours.
Bon:
Your Maiesty hath seene what proofes we had.
King.
Here you Bonner, you are a whorson coxcomb,
What proofes had ye, but treasons of your owne inventions?
Queene.
O my deare Lorde, respect the reverend Bishoppes.
Bonner and Gardner loves your Maiestie.
King.
Alas poore Kate, thou think'st full little what they come for;
Thou hast small reason to commend their loves,
That falsly have accusde thy harmelesse life.
Queene.
O God, are these mine enemies?
Gard:
We have your highnesse hand to warrant it.
King.
Lets see it then.
Gard:
Tis heere my Liege.
King.
So, nowe yee have both my hand to contradict
what one hand did: and now our word againe shal serve
as warrant to beare you both as prisoners to the Fleete,
You fellows that came to attach the Queene,
Lay hands on them, and beare them to the Fleete.
Queene.
O I beseech your highnesse on my knees,
Remit the doome of their imprisonment.
King.
Stand vp good Kate, thou wrongst thy Maiesty,
To plead for them that thus have iniurde thee
Queene.
I have forgotten it, and do still intreate
Their humble pardons at your gratious feet.
King.
Mother of God, what a foolish woman's this,
Well, for her sake we rovoke our doome,
But come not neere vs as you love your lives:
Away and leave vs, you are knaves and miscreants,
Whorson Caitifes, come to attach my Queene!
Queene.
Vex not my Lord, it will distemper you.
Enter Branden.
Mother a God, Ile temper some on then for't
How now Branden?
Bran:
The Emperour my Lord.
King.
Get a traine readie there, Charles Branden, come.
Weel'e meete the Monarke of imperiall Rome:
Go Ned, prepare your selfe to meete the Emperour,
Weele send you further notice of our pleasure.
Enter Cardinall and Wil.
Attend the Prince there: Welcome Lord Cardinall,
Hath not our tedious iorney into France,
Disturbed your Graces health and reverent person?
Wil:
No, no, ne're feare him Harry, he haz got
More by the iourney, heele be Pope shortly.
King.
What, William, how chance I have not seene
you to day? I thought you would not have bin the hindmost
man to salute me.
Wil:
No more I am not Harry, for yonder is Patch
behinde me, I could never get him before me, since thou
coniurt him i'th great chamber, all the horse i'th towne
cannot hawle him into thy presence I warrant thee.
King.
Will hee not come in?
Wil:
Not for the world, he stands watching at the dore,
Hee'le not stirre while the Cardinal come;
Then the foole will follow him every where.
Wool:
I thank you William, I am beholding to you stil.
Wil:
Na my Lord, I am more beholding vnto you,
I thanke your foole for it, we have ransakled your winesellers
since you went into France: Doe you blush my
Lord? na, thats nothing, you have wine there, is able to
set a colour in any mans face I warrant it.
King:
Why William, is the Cardinalls wine so good?
Wil:
Better then thine Ile be sworne, Ile take but
two handfulls of his wine, and it shall fill foure hogges-heads
of thine (looke here else)
Wool:
Mordieu.
Wil:
Mor divell, ist not? for without coniuring, you
could never do it: But I pray you my Lord call vppon
Mor dieu no longer, but speake plaine English, you have
conscience.
King.
Is his wine turned into gold, Wil?
Wool:
The foole mistakes, my gratious Soveraigne.
Wil.
I, I my Lord, ne're set your wit to the fooles,
Wil Summers will be secret now, and say nothing, if I
would be a blabbe of my tongue, I could tell the King
how many barrells full of gold and silver there was sixe
times filled with plate and jewells, twentie great truncks
with Crosses, Crosiers, Copes, Miters, Maces, golden
Crucifixes, besides the foure hundreth and twelve thousand
pound that poore Chimneys paid for Peeter pence.
But this is nothing, for when you are Pope, you may
pardon your selfe for more knavery then this comes to.
King.
Go too foole, you wrong the Cardinall,
But grieve not Woolsey, William will be bold:
I pray you set on to meete the Emperour,
The Maior and Cittizens are gone before,
The Prince of Wales shall follow presently,
And with our George and coller of estate,
Present him with the order of the Garter:
Great Maximilian his progenitour,
Vpon his breast did weare the English Crosse,
And vnderneath our Standerd marcht in armes,
Receiving pay for all his warlike hoste;
And Charles with knighthood shall be honored:
Beginne Lord Cardinall, greete his Maiestie,
And we our selfe will follow presently.
Wol:
I go my Soveraigne.
Wil:
Faire weather after yee:
Well, and ere he come to be Pope, I shall bee plung'd for this.
Queene.
William, you have angred the Cardinall I can tell you.
King.
T'is no matter Kate, Ile anger him worse ere long,
Though for a while I smooth it to his face:
I did suspect what heere the foole hath found,
He keepes forsooth, a high Court Legantine,
Which he belike hath hid to make him Pope;
A Gods name let him, that shall be our owne.
But to our businesse, come Queene Katherin,
You shall with vs to meete the Emperour,
Let all your Ladies be in readinesse:
Go, let our guard attend the Prince of Wales,
Vpon our selfe, the Lords and Pentioners
Shall give attendance in their best array,
Sound.
Let all estates be ready; come faire Kate,
The Emperour shall see our English state.
Sound.
Enter Emperour, Cardinall, Mayor, and Gentlemen.
Wool:
Your Maiesty is welcome into England,
The king our Master, will reioyce to see
Great Charles the royall Emperours Maiesty.
Empe:
We thank your paines my good L. Cardinall.
And much our longing eyes desires to see
Our kingly vnckle and his princely sonne,
And therefore, when you please I pray set on.
Wool:
On gentlemen, and meete the Prince of Wales.
That comes forerunner to his royall father,
To entertaine the Christian Emperour:
Meane while, your Maiesty may heere behold
This warlike kingdome faire Metropolis,
The Citty London, and the river Thames,
And note the scituation of the place.
Empe:
We do my Lord, and count it admirable:
But see Lord Admirall, the Prince is comming.
Sound.
Enter the Prince with a Herald before him, bearing the Coller and garter, the guard and Lords attending.
Emp:
Well met yong coosen.
Prin:
I kisse your highnesse hand.
And bid you welcome to my fathers land;
Welcome beyond compare, for so your excellencie
Hath honoured England, in containing you,
As with all princely pompe and state we can,
Weele entertaine great Charles the Austrian:
And first, in signe of honour to your grace,
I heere present this collar of estate,
This golden garter of the knighthoods order,
An honour to renowne the Emperour:
Thus as my father hath commanded me,
I entertaine your royall Maiestie.
Emp:
True honoured off-spring of a famous King
Thou dost amaze me, and doost make me wish
I were a second sonne to Englands Lord,
In interchange of my imperiall seate;
To live with thee fane hope of Maiestie,
So well our welcome we accept of thee,
And with such princely spirit pronounce the word,
Thy fathers state, can no more state afford.
Prince.
Yes my good Lord, in him theres Maiesty,
In me theres love with tender infancie.
Sound trum.
Wool:
The trumpets sound my Lord, the King is comming.
Prince.
Go all of you attend his royall person,
Whilst we observe the Emperours Maiesty.
Sound.
Enter the Heralds first, then the Trumpets next the guard, then Mace-bearer and swords, then the Cardinall, then Branden, then the King, after him the Queene, Lady Mary, and Ladies attending.
King.
Hold, stand I say.
Bran:
Stand gentlemen.
Wool:
Cease those trumpets there.
King.
Is the Emperour yet come in sight of vs?
Wool:
His Maiestie is hard at hand my Lord.
King.
Then Branden, sheathe our Sword, and beare our Maces downe,
Forward againe.
Bran:
On Gentlemen afore, sound trumpets and set forwards.
Prince.
Behold my father, gratious Emperour.
Empe:
Weele meete him Coosen:
Vnckle of England, King of France and Ireland, defender
of the antient Christian faith;
Then when the seaven Electors crowned me,
Great Emperour of the Christian Monarchy.
King.
Great Charles, the first Emperour of Almayne,
King of the Romans, Semper Augustus, warlike king of
Spaine and Cicily, both Naples, Navar and Arragon, king
of Creete and great Ierusalem, Arch-duke of Austria,
Duke of Millaine, Brabant, Burgundy, Tyrrell and Flanders,
with this great title I embrace thy breast,
Sound trumpets, while my faire Queene Katreine
Gives entertainment to the Emperour.
Sound.
Welcome againe to England princely Coosen,
We dwell heere, but in an outward continent,
Where winters ice-cickles hangs on our beards,
Bordring vpon the frozen Orcades,
Our mother-point, compast with the Artike sea,
Where raging Boreas styes from winters mouth.
Yet are our bloods as hote, as where the Sun doth rise,
We have no golden mines to leade you to,
But hearts of proofe, and what we speake, weele do.
Emp:
We thanke you Vnckle, & now must chide you;
If we be welcome to your Country,
Why is the antient league now broke betwixt vs?
Why have your Heralds in the French kings cause.
Breathed defiance gainst our dignity,
When face to face, we met at Landersey?
King.
My Heroalds to defie your Maiestie?
Your grace mistakes, we sent Ambassadors
To treate a peace betweene the French and you,
Emp:
Yet Vnckle in king Henries name he came,
And boldly to our face did give the same.
Card:
Hell stop that fatall boding Emperors throte,
That sings against vs this dismall Ravens note.
King.
Mother of God, if this be true, we see,
There are more kings in England now then wee:
Wheres Cardinall Woolsey?
Heard you this newes in France?
Wool:
I did my Liege, and by my meanes twas done,
Ile not deny it; I had Commission
To ioyne a league betweene the French and him,
Which he withstanding as an enemie
I did defie him from your Maiestie.
King.
Durst thou presume so, base-borne Cardinall,
Without our knowledge to abuse our name;
Presumptuous traitor, vnder what pretence
Didst thou attempt to brave the Emperour?
Belike thou meantst to levell at a crowne,
But thy ambitious crowne shall hurle thee downe.
Wool:
With reverence to your Maiesty, I did no more
Then I can answer to the holy sea.
King.
Vilaine, thou canst not answer it to me,
Nor shadow thy insulting trechery:
How durst ye sirra, in your ambassage,
Vnknowne to vs, stampe in our royall coyne
The base impression of your Cardinall hat,
As if you were copartner in the Crowne?
Ego & Rexmeus: you and your king must be
In equal state, and pompe, and Maiestie:
Out of my presence hatefull impudencie.
Wool:
Remember my Liege, that I am Cardinall
And deputie vnto his holinesse.
King.
Be the divells Deputie, I care not I,
Ile not be baffeld by your trechery;
Y'are false abusers of religion,
You can corrupt it and forbid the King,
Vpon the penaltie of the Popes blacke curse.
Not to suppresse an old religious Abbey,
Yet you at pleasure have subverted foure,
Seizing their lands, tunning vp heapes of gold,
Secret convaiance of our royall Seale,
To raise Collections to inrich thy state,
For which sir, we command you leave the Court,
We heere discharge you of your offices:
You that are Caiphas, or great Cardinall,
Haste ye with speede vnto your Bishopricke,
There keepe you till you heare further from vs:
Away and speake not.
Wool:
Yet will I prowdly passe as Cardinall,
Although this day define my heavy fall.
Exit.
Emp:
I feare king Henry, and my royall Vnckle,
The Cardinall will curse my progresse hether.
King.
No matter coosen, beshrew his trecherous hart,
Haz moov'd my blood to much impatience.
Enter Will Summers.
Wheres Wil Summers? come on wise William,
We must vse your little wits, to thase this
Anger from our blood againe:
What art thou doing?
Wil:
I am looking round about the Emperour, mee
thinks tis a strange fight, for though he have seene more
fooles then I, yet I never saw no more Emperours but
him.
Emp:
Is this Wil Summers? I have heard of him in all
the Princes Courts in Christendome.
Wil:
Law ye my lord, you have a famous foole of mee,
I can tell yee,
Wil Summers is knowne farre and neere yee see.
King.
I, are you ryming William, na, then I am for yee,
I have not rymed with yee a great while, and now Ile
challenge yee, and the Emperour shall bee iudge beetweene
vs.
Wil:
Content my Lord, I am for ye all, come but one
at once and I care not.
Say yee so sir, come Kate, stand by mee,
Weele put you to an vnplus presentlie.
Queene.
To him Wil.
Wil:
I warrant you Madam.
King.
Answer this sir,
The bud is spread the Rose is red, the leafe is greene,
Wil:
A wench t'is sed, was found in you bed, besides the Queene.
Queene.
God marcy for that Will.
Theres two angells for thee:
I faith my Lord I am glad I know it.
King.
Gods mother Kate, wilt thou beleeve the foole?
he lies, he lies, a sirra William, I perceive and't had beene
so, you would have shamed me before the Emperour,
yet William have at you once more,
In yonder Tower, theres a flower, that hath my hart.
Wil:
Within this houre, she pist full sower, & let a fart.
Emp:
Hees too hard for you my Lord, i'le try him
one venye my selfe, what say you to this William?
An Emperour is greate, high is his seate, who is his foe?
Wil.
The worme that shall eate, his carkas for meate,
whether he will or no.
Emp:
Well answerd Wil, yet once more I am for ye,
A ruddy lip, with a cherry tip, is fit for a King.
Wil:
I, so he may dip, about her hip, i'th tother thing.
Emp:
Haz put me downe my Lord.
Wil:
Who comes next then?
King.
The Queene William, looke to your selfe;
To his Kate.
Queene.
Come on William, answer to this,
What could I take, my head doth ake, what phisick's good?
Wil:
Heeres one will make, the cold to breake, and warme your blood.
Queene.
I am not repulst at first William, againe sir,
Women and their wills, are dangerous ills, as some men suppose.
Wil:
She that puddings fills, when snow lies o'th hills,
King.
Inough good William, y'are too hard for all:
My Lord the Emperour, we delay too long,
Your promised welcome to the English Court,
The honourable order of the garter,
Your Maiestie shall take immediately,
And sit instalde therewith in Windsor Castle,
I tell ye there are lads girt with that order,
That wil vngirt the prowdest Champion:
Set forwards there regard the Emperours state,
First in our Court weele banquet merrily,
Then mount on steedes, and girt in complete steele,
Weele tugge at Barriers, Tilt and turnament:
Then shall yee see the Yeomen of my guard
Wrestle, shoote, throw the sledge, or pitch the barre,
Or any other active exercise:
Those triumphs past, weele forthwith haste to Windsor,
S. Gorges knight shall be the Christian Emperour.
Exeunt Omnes.
| When you see me, You know me. Or the famous Chronicle Historie of king Henry the eight, with the birth and vertuous life of Edward Prince of Wales | |