SCENE 1.London.A gallery in the palace
Enter GARDINER,BISHOP OF WINCHESTER,a PAGE with a
torch before him,met by SIR THOMAS LOVELL
GARDINER.It's one o'clock,boy,is't not?BOY.It hath struck.GARDINER.These should be hours for necessities,Not for delights;times to repair our nature With comforting repose,and not for us To waste these times.Good hour of night,Sir Thomas!Whither so late?LOVELL.Came you from the King,my lord?GARDINER.I did,Sir Thomas,and left him at primero With the Duke of Suffolk.LOVELL.I must to him too,Before he go to bed.I'll take my leave.GARDINER.Not yet,Sir Thomas Lovell.What's the matter?It seems you are in haste.An if there be No great offence belongs to't,give your friend Some touch of your late business.Affairs that walk--As they say spirits do--at midnight,have In them a wilder nature than the business That seeks despatch by day.LOVELL.My lord,I love you;And durst commend a secret to your ear Much weightier than this work.The Queen's in labour,They say in great extremity,and fear'd She'll with the labour end.GARDINER.The fruit she goes with I pray for heartily,that it may find Good time,and live;but for the stock,Sir Thomas,I wish it grubb'd up now.LOVELL.Methinks I could Cry thee amen;and yet my conscience says She's a good creature,and,sweet lady,does Deserve our better wishes.GARDINER.But,sir,sir--Hear me,Sir Thomas.Y'are a gentleman Of mine own way;I know you wise,religious;And,let me tell you,it will ne'er be well--'Twill not,Sir Thomas Lovell,take't of me--Till Cranmer,Cromwell,her two hands,and she,Sleep in their graves.LOVELL.Now,sir,you speak of two The most remark'd i'th'kingdom.As for Cromwell,Beside that of the Jewel House,is made Master O'th'Rolls,and the King's secretary;further,sir,Stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments,With which the time will load him.Th'Archbishop Is the King's hand and tongue,and who dare speak One syllable against him?GARDINER.Yes,yes,Sir Thomas,There are that dare;and I myself have ventur'd To speak my mind of him;and indeed this day,Sir--I may tell it you--I think I have Incens'd the lords o'th'Council,that he is--For so I know he is,they know he is--A most arch heretic,a pestilence That does infect the land;with which they moved Have broken with the King,who hath so far Given ear to our complaint--of his great grace And princely care,foreseeing those fell mischiefs Our reasons laid before him--hath commanded To-morrow morning to the Council board He be convented.He's a rank weed,Sir Thomas,And we must root him out.From your affairs I hinder you too long--good night,Sir Thomas.LOVELL.Many good nights,my lord;I rest your servant.Exeunt GARDINER and PAGE
Enter the KING and the DUKE OF SUFFOLK
KING.Charles,I will play no more to-night;My mind's not on't;you are too hard for me.SUFFOLK.Sir,I did never win of you before.KING.But little,Charles;Nor shall not,when my fancy's on my play.Now,Lovell,from the Queen what is the news?LOVELL.I could not personally deliver to her What you commanded me,but by her woman I sent your message;who return'd her thanks In the great'st humbleness,and desir'd your Highness Most heartily to pray for her.KING.What say'st thou,ha?To pray for her?What,is she crying out?LOVELL.So said her woman;and that her suff'rance made Almost each pang a death.KING.Alas,good lady!SUFFOLK.God safely quit her of her burden,and With gentle travail,to the gladding of Your Highness with an heir!KING.'Tis midnight,Charles;Prithee to bed;and in thy pray'rs remember Th'estate of my poor queen.Leave me alone,For I must think of that which company Will not be friendly to.SUFFOLK.I wish your Highness A quiet night,and my good mistress will Remember in my prayers.KING.Charles,good night.Exit SUFFOLK
Enter SIR ANTHONY DENNY
Well,sir,what follows?DENNY.Sir,I have brought my lord the Archbishop,As you commanded me.KING.Ha!Canterbury?DENNY.Ay,my good lord.KING.'Tis true.Where is he,Denny?DENNY.He attends your Highness'pleasure.KING.Bring him to us.Exit DENNY LOVELL.[Aside]This is about that which the bishop spake.I am happily come hither.
Re-enter DENNY,With CRANMER.
