79

To cope3 malicious censurers; which ever,
As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow
That is new-trimm'd, but benefit no further
Than vainly longing. What we oft do best,
By sick interpreters, once1 weak ones, is
Not ours, or not allow'd; what worst, as oft,
Hitting a grosser quality, is cried up

For our best act.] If we shall stand still,
In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at,
We should take root here where we sit, or sit
State-statues only.

91

Things done without example, in their issue
Are to be fear'd. Have you a precedent
Of this commission? I believe, not any.
We must not rend our subjects from our laws,
And stick them in our will. Sixth part of each?
A trembling contribution! Why, we take
From every tree lop, bark, and part o' the
timber;

And, though we leave it with a root, thus hack'd,

The air will drink the sap. To every county Where this is question'd send our letters, with Free pardon to each man that has denied 100 The force of this commission: pray, look to 't; I put it to your care.

Wol. [Aside to the Secretary] A word with

When these so noble benefits shall prove Not well dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt,

They turn to vicious forms, ten times more ugly Than ever they were fair. This man so cómplete,

Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders, and when we,

119

Almost with ravish'd listening, could not find
His hour of speech a minute; he, my lady,
Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
That once were his, and is become as black
As if besmear'd in hell. Sit by us; you shall
hear--

This was his gentleman in trust—of him
Things to strike honour sad.--Bid him recount
The fore-recited practices; whereof
We cannot feel too little, hear too much.

Wol. Stand forth, and with bold spirit relate

what you, Most like a careful subject, have collected 130 Out of the Duke of Buckingham. K. Hen. Speak freely. Surv. First, it was usual with him, every day It would infect his speech,-that if the king Should without issue die, he'll carry it so To make the sceptre his: these very words I've heard him utter to his son-in-law, Lord Aberga'ny; to whom by oath he menac'd Revenge upon the cardinal.

Wol.

139

Please your highness, note This dangerous conception in this point. Not friended by his wish, to your high person His will is most malignant; and it stretches Beyond you, to your friends.

1 Is run in your displeasure, i.e. has incurred your displeasure. 2 By, i.e. according to.

The duke being at the Rose, within the parish
Saint Lawrence Poultney, did of me demand
What was the speech among the Londoners
Concerning the French journey: I replied,
Men fear'd the French would prove perfidious,
To the king's danger. Presently the duke
Said, 't was the fear indeed, and that he doubted
'T would prove the verity of certain words
Spoke by a holy monk; "that oft,” says he,
"Hath sent to me, wishing me to permit
John de la Car, my chaplain, a choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment:
Whom after, under the confession's seal,
He solemnly had sworn, that what he spoke
My chaplain to no creature living but
To me should utter, with demure confidence.
This pausingly ensu'd,-]'Neither the king
nor's heirs,
Tell
you the duke, shall prosper: bid him strive
To gain the love o' the commonalty: the duke
Shall govern England.'"
Q. Kath.
If I know you well,
You were the duke's surveyor, and lost your
office

168

Of such a time: being my sworn servant, 191
The duke retain'd him his. But on; what hence?
Surv. "If," quoth he, "I for this had been
committed,

As to the Tower I thought, I would have play'd
The part my father meant to act upon
The usurper Richard; who, being at Salisbury,
Made suit to come in's presence; which if
granted,

As he made semblance of his duty, would
Have put his knife into him."

K. Hen.
A giant traitor!
Wol. Now, madam, may his highness live
in freedom,

And this man out of prison?

Q. Kath.

200

God mend all!

Their very noses had been counsellors
To Pepin or Clotharius, they keep state so.
Sands. They have all new legs, and lame
ones: one would take it,

That never saw 'em pace before, the spavin
Or springhalt reign'd among 'em.

Cham. Death! my lord, Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too, That, sure, they've worn out Christendom.

Enter SIR THOMAS LOVELL.

How now!

Faith, my lord,

What news, Sir Thomas Lovell?
Lov.

I hear of none, but the new proclamation
That's clapp'd upon the court-gate.

Lov. The reformation of our travell'd gallants,

That fill the court with quarrels, talk, and tailors.

20

Cham. I'm glad 't is there: now I would pray our monsieurs

To think an English courtier may be wise,
And never see the Louvre.

Mysteries, fantastic fashions.

5 Spavin or springhalt, two diseases causing lameness in horses.

Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies; A French song and a fiddle has no fellow. Sands. The devil fiddle 'em! I am glad they are going,

For, sure, there's no converting of 'em: now An honest country lord, as I am, beaten

A long time out of play, may bring his plainsong,

And have an hour of hearing; and, by 'r lady, Held current music too.

Cham. Well said, Lord Sands; Your colt's tooth is not cast yet.

Sands. No, my lord; Nor shall not, while I have a stump.]

Cham.

Whither were you a-going? Lov.

Your lordship is a guest too.

Cham.

Sir Thomas,

To the cardinal's:

O, 't is true:

Hautboys. A small table under a state for the Cardinal, a longer table for the guests. Enter, on one side, ANNE BULLEN and divers Lords, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as guests; on the other, enter SIR HENRY GUILDFORD.

Guild. Ladies, a general welcome from his
grace

Salutes ye all; this night he dedicates
To fair content and you: none here, he hopes,
In all this noble bevy, has brought with her
One care abroad; he would have all as merry
As far's good company, good wine, good wel-
come,

Can make good people.

Faith, how easy??

Sands. As easy as a down-bed would afford it.]

19

Cham. Sweet ladies, will it please you sit? Sir Harry, Place you that side; I'll take the charge of this: His grace is entering. Nay, you must not freeze;

Two women plac'd together makes cold weather:

My Lord Sands, you are one will keep 'em waking;

Pray, sit between these ladies.

Sands.

And thank your lordship.

sweet ladies:

By my faith,

By your leave,

[Seats himself between Anne Bullen and
another Lady.

If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me;
I had it from my father.
Anne.

Was he mad, sir? Sands. O, very mad, exceeding mad, in love

Hautboys. Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, attended, and takes his state.

Wol. You're welcome, my fair guests: that noble lady

Or gentleman that is not freely merry,
Is not my friend: this, to confirm my welcome;
And to you all, good health.
[Drinks.
Sands.
Your grace is noble:
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks,
And save me so much talking.
Wol.

My Lord Sands,

I am beholding to you: cheer your neighbours. Ladies, you are not merry: gentlemen, Whose fault is this?

Sands.

42

The red wine first must rise

1 Cure, charge.