30

And out of all these to restore the king,
He counsels a divorce; a loss of her
That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years
About his neck, yet never lost her lustre;
Of her that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with; even of her
That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls,
Will bless the king: and is not this course
pious?

Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'Tis most true

These news are everywhere; every tongue speaks 'em,

39

And every true heart weeps for 't: all that dare
Look into these affairs see this main end,
The French king's sister. Heaven will one day

open

The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold bad man.

Suf.

And free us from his slavery. Nor. We had need pray,

47

And heartily, for our deliverance;
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages: all men's honours
Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd.
Into what pitch1 he please.

I would not be so sick though for his place:
But this cannot continue.

Nor. [Aside to Suffolk] If it do,
I'll venture one have-at-him.
Suf. [Aside to Norfolk]

I another.
[Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk.
Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of
wisdom

Above all princes, in committing freely 87
Your scruple to the voice of Christendom:
Who can be angry now? what envy2 reach you?
The Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her,
Must now confess, if they have any goodness,
The trial just and noble. All the clerks,
I mean the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms
Have their free voices: Rome, the nurse of
judgment,

Invited by your noble self, hath sent

One general tongue unto us, this good man, This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius;

Whom once more I present unto your highness. K. Hen. And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome,

And thank the holy conclave for their loves: They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for.

101

Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves,

You are so noble. To your highness' hand
I tender my commission; by whose virtue-
The court of Rome commanding-you, my lord
Cardinal of York, are join'd with me their
servant

In the unpartial judging of this business.
K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall
be acquainted

Forthwith for what you come. Where's Gardiner?

Wol. I know your majesty has always lov`d her

So dear in heart, not to deny her that
A woman of less place might ask by law,
Scholars allow'd freely to argue for her.

110

K. Hen. Ay, and the best she shall have; and my favour

To him that does best: God forbid else. Cardinal,

2 Envy, hatred.